NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area, Dehcho Region

Tags: social sciences, aboriginal community, socio-economics, government involvement, legislation

Objective(s): To determine the appropriate processes and procedures related to the government funding for development of Aboriginal communities in Northern Canada.

Project Description: The objective of this research project is to determine the appropriate processes and procedures related to the government funding for development of Aboriginal communities in Northern Canada. There are increasing demands on the government agencies to be responsible to the public for the money spent in development of Aboriginal communities. In the public sector, the concept has extended over time from a historical reporting on accounting for receipts and expenditure to assessment of performance focused on results and balanced outcomes. Qualitative and Participatory research. The principal investigator will have conversations with and make direct observations with the Aboriginal people around the issue of how government’s projects develop to the point where responsibility is established. The principal investigator anticipates short conversation for less than half an hour. The grounded theory method will assist in collecting the information built around case studies through mix of secondary data, observations in the field, and conversations with the respondents. Limited to involvement as interviewee. A major criticism of development funding is that the Aboriginal people are subjected to remote control of their lives by politicians and administrators who demand rigorous fiscal responsibility from bottom up without commensurate heed being given to the Aboriginal voice in development. As a disadvantaged, culturally distinct minority, Aboriginal people are the subject of, rather than partner in, regimes which mire their community service organizations in reporting requirements at the expense of practical activity. Government process and reporting requirement for funding stifle Aboriginal development as a financial and regulatory instrument of control and manipulation when it primarily accounts for public money without measuring and emphasizing the delivery of public good. This research will aim at alternatives to address this criticism. The principal investigator will make findings available to participants and provide presentation on request. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 22, 2012 to December 31, 2012.