NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region, Qikiqtaaluk Region

Tags: health, social sciences, climate change

Objective(s): To document the range of projects that communities have developed, to explore and document the impact of the projects, and to share this knowledge across the north and with the public.

Project Description: The overall purpose of the study is to document the range of projects that communities have developed, to explore and document the impact of the projects, and to share this knowledge across the north and with the public. The project is organized in four phases. Phase One involves documentary research and analysis of the Health Canada database of projects. Phase Two involves scoping interviews with the project leads for projects across the North. Phase Three involves site visits and interviews with as many people as possible who have experience with these projects. Phase Four involves analysis of information gathered in these ways, and the drafting of a report for circulation and comment. The research team will interview project leads, people engaged by the projects, and informed local observers using a semi-structured questionnaire. The research team hope to interview individuals who have been engaged with more than one project. The research team intend to work directly with the project leaders or alternates from the Climate Change Health Adaptation Program (CCHAP) to plan interviews and to document impacts. The purpose of the CCHAP was to support communities to identify and adapt to the health impacts that will come with climate change. Community participants may be able to learn more about how to adapt to climate change from the experiences of other communities. This research will disseminate this knowledge. After community interviews are completed, the team will stay in touch with the project leads (or alternates) and community researchers, sending them a draft report for their review. Also, the design of the CCHAP was unusual. Funds were offered to northern communities based on decisions made by committees of northern representatives. If federal funders wish to consider launching another similar program, it will be important that northern people’s experience with this one is documented and available. The research team hope to interview all project leads. Each person interviewed will be invited to request a copy of the draft report. They will be asked to comment on the drafts. Whether they do or not, the team will offer them a copy of the final report, in pdf form. In addition, the research team will prepare a video presentation of the main findings. The video will be provided to each community in northern Canada, by digital means. The research team will seek invitations to northern events, where the results of the work will be presented in person. In addition, a press release will be issued, offering to speak to northern media about the study. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 1, 2016 to May 31, 2016.