NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: social sciences, self-government, self-determination, violence

Objective(s): To provide a gendered account of indigenous self-determination.

Project Description: The project focuses on two primary goals which are to: 1. Provide a gendered account of indigenous self-determination. This includes (1) mapping the gender power dynamics of the existing self-governance institutions, cultures and discourses, and (2) identifying how collective and individual forms of self-determination are conceptualized, articulated and negotiated by various groups and individuals. 2. Analyze how various political processes of gendering may impede (1) the incorporation of indigenous women’s conceptions and views of self-determination and autonomy into self-governance negotiations, institutions and arrangements, and (2) addressing the question of violence against indigenous women. This includes examining whether indigenous political institutions promote or hinder the articulation and enactment of policies addressing women’s issues such as violence against women. The two most important data sources will be discourse analysis of relevant documents (including reports, strategic planning documents, minutes of meetings, newspaper articles, speeches etc.) and semi-structured interviews with three groups of individuals: (1) leaders, politicians, administrators and others (both women and men) involved in existing self-governance institutions, (2) members of women’s organizations, and (3) grassroots women who may not be actively participating in self-governance processes or politics but who nevertheless may be “organic” leaders and active in other ways in their communities. The interviews consist of individuals and focus groups, the latter implying discussion of a predetermined set of issues with a small group of people. Focus group interviews will be limited to groups 2 and 3. Potential participants from these groups will be given the opportunity to choose between an individual interview and a focus group. The participants are chosen in a way that they represent a range of political parties or organizations (in case of politicians) and a range of women’s issues (in case of women’s organizations). Participants from the grassroots will be chosen to reflect a broad age range. Both the focus group discussions and one-on-one interviews will be audio-taped. The average length of an interview ranges from 45 to 90 minutes. Please note that you can choose to participate in a focus group or individual interview. Focus group discussion can take place in a group of two or more individuals. The goal of the project is to bring together Sahtu Dene, Sámi and Greenlander understandings of change and continuity in women’s roles in governance and self-determination from past to present and future. This goal encompasses social, cultural and educational benefits for the local community in the form of exchange of ideas and best practices. In achieving this goal, informal discussions, individual interviews and focus group meetings with various community members and leaders will be conducted in Tulita. If needed, local interpreters will be hired for interviews and meetings. Wide dissemination of the research results is an important goal of this project. It is extremely important both ethically and in terms of the goals of this project to share the research results with indigenous communities and organizations. The Principal Investigator plans to engage with local media in the NWT. The Principal Investigator will also publish articles in magazines aimed at wider audiences, including publications in communities participating in the project. This research will be shared at various relevant local and regional workshops, seminars and forums. Finally, results of this research will go to indigenous governments and organizations by circulating copies of the publications and through less formal channels of communication. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 10, 2014 to July 8, 2014.