NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, North Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, culture, northern life, lifestyle change, immigration

Objective(s): To explore adaptation to the resource-based northern economy by investigating how new residents (international immigrants) settle, live and use their local and global social networks to make a living within this economy.

Project Description: The main objective of this research is to explore adaptation to the resource-based northern economy by investigating how new residents (international immigrants) settle, live and use their local and global social networks to make a living within this economy. Narrative interviews and focus group conversations will be carried out with a cross section of new permanent residents and citizens from around the world residing in the North, as well as with multicultural family centres. Throughout this work, the Research Coordinator will also be carrying out participant observation, taking part in all local socio-cultural events to be held. The study will pose as an opportunity for multicultural engagement and reflection. Through cultural organizations and cultural events, new residents of Yellowknife and Inuvik who were born in countries outside Canada will be directly involved in the study as they are the target group. Other residents of Yellowknife and Inuvik such as First Nations and other Canadians will be involved indirectly to share their experiences of living with and/or working with immigrants in the two communities of study. Results of this study will be communicated through plain language ("community reports") and workshops to be shared with the participants via cultural organizations and heritage activities. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 10, 2013 to December 31, 2013.