Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: North Slave Region, South Slave Region

étiquettes: climate change, public health, traditional ecological knowledge, Qualitative

Objectif(s): 1) Carry out broad relational community engagement activities on ITEK protection in relation to climate change in a sub-set of Indigenous communities across the US and Canada, 2) Identify gaps in community-level protection of ITEKs and promote protocols for Indigenous data sovereignty, 3) ITEK toolkit refinement focused on the transferring, storing, and securing of ITEK repositories with community stakeholder input, 4) Foster knowledge sharing, awareness, and capacity building around ITEK repository protection from climate change-related events.

Description du projet: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 6032. The proposed project will build off of current work in the Northwest Territories with four main objectives: 1) Carry out broad relational community engagement activities on ITEK protection in relation to climate change in a sub-set of Indigenous communities across the US and Canada (e.g., talking circles, community-level interviews). 2) Identify gaps in community-level protection of ITEKs and promote protocols for Indigenous data sovereignty. 3) ITEK toolkit refinement for other Indigenous contexts focused on the transferring, storing, and securing of ITEK repositories with community stakeholder input. 4) Foster knowledge sharing, awareness, and capacity building around ITEK repository protection from climate change-related events (e.g., floods, wildfires). The team will conduct in-person and/or virtual interviews and talking circles (focus groups) with Indigenous participants in northern Canada (Northwest Territories (NWT)) and the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico). Virtual options (through Zoom) will be available for participants that are not able participate in-person. Participants will participate in either the interviews or talking circles in each location. Interviews will be up to a maximum of 60 minutes. Talking circles will be up to a maximum of 90 minutes. There will be a total of up to 20 interviews with Indigenous participants including Elders, advisors and community stakeholders. There will also be up to 3 talking circles with up to 8 participants for each, equalling up to 24 participants. There will be different participants in the interviews and focus groups (i.e. a participant will not participate in both). Data collection activities will begin August 2024 until January 2025. The team chose to do both focus groups and interviews due to their different formats and dynamics. Individual interviews can provide in-depth information that may not be fully captured in a focus group setting. Focus groups can provide a different group dynamic which may be more conversational and foster an environment of sharing and multiple contributions from participants. Focus groups also provide participants with opportunities to learn more from their fellow focus group participants. We aim to do interviews with the main stakeholder organizations and individuals that are deeply involved with these organizations (e.g. KFN, Arctic indigenous Wellness Foundation). By using both focus groups and interviews to collect data on this study area, the team are employing a triangulation of data sources. By using both methods we will gain a more comprehensive insight into the study topic. For example, the focus groups may support validity of findings from the interviews and vice versa. The interviews may provide rich information from participants about their personal experiences and perspectives; whereas the focus groups may generate responses from participants where they can hear each other’s responses and contribute to the conversation (Carter et al., 2014). Focus groups also foster further stimulation and exchange between participants. The team currently have a small-scale project with the K’atl’odeeche First Nation (KFN) in Hay River. KFN has expressed interest in further collaboration and expansion of the current project.This study will expand upon this project and further support their efforts to protect their knowledges. The Postdoc also has engaged extensively with communities in the Southwestern US and has garnered their support and interest to be a part of this project. The PI and Postdoc have relationships with community stakeholders including Elders that will be key to this study. The team will engage with the community throughout the project including recruitment, data collection, data analysis and dissemination and work with Indigenous advisors including Elders from both Canada and the US throughout the study. Elders will ensure that cultural protocols are followed. The team will communicate with Indigenous advisors on the project including providing updates, and will also have virtual quarterly meetings where they will foster a space for cross-cultural sharing and learning among stakeholders. The team will provide Indigenous Elders and stakeholders with updates and a full overview of the project results and provide them and their communities/organizations with the toolkit product. The team aims to provide the toolkit to not only communities involved directly in this study but also to North American Indigenous communities broadly. The team will also develop a manuscript that will be published and shared with community stakeholders and participants and will continue engaging and supporting communities in this project after it is competed. Protecting Indigenous traditional ecological knowledges especially during climate change is a continual concern for Indigenous communities and stakeholders. The researchers also aim to engage with these/their communities as long as they are needed and provide supportive research that promotes Indigenous health. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: October 10 - December 31, 2024