NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Qikiqtaaluk Region

Tags: social sciences, traditional knowledge, aboriginal youth

Objective(s): To determine how Délinegotine youth understand, express and apply knowledge that is simultaneously derived from Dene traditional knowledge and school-based science studies.

Project Description: In this exploration of youth environmental knowledge the research team ask, how do Délinegotine youth understand, express and apply knowledge that is simultaneously derived from Dene traditional knowledge and school-based science studies? This study is a qualitative exploration of how northern Aboriginal youth in Déline, NT navigate both western science and traditional knowledge in schools and community. The first research objective is to understand environmental governance from the diverse perspectives of Aboriginal youth and give voice to their environmental knowledge informed by socio-cultural practices. In doing so the research team explore the barriers surrounding traditional and contemporary Indigenous values, cultures, leadership, and knowledge systems. The second objective is to extend thinking about hybrid forms of knowledge to natural resource co-management and Aboriginal self-government organizational practices. The research team consider the implications of historical and modern treaties as Aboriginal self-determination and government responds to pressing environmental issues. The research team will work with 8-10 youth drawn from high school grades at ?ehtséo Ayha school in Déline, including recent graduates, some whom who are involved in various Deline government capacities. The team will explore the different types, sources, and forms of knowledge they utilize in explaining their world from an environmental, cultural and social perspective, and how that knowledge might contribute to environmental/natural resources management issues facing the community. In-depth conversations as interviews, follow-up conversations, visioning exercises regarding future governance opportunities, and focus groups on environmental governance will take place in both community (school) and an on-the-land camp. The interviews will be between 1-2 hours, depending on the location (e.g. longer interviews in a camp versus in shorter interviews in Deline). Recruitment will take place through the school and Deline Renewable Resource Council. Interviews will be conducted by a university graduate student or the primary investigators (Caine, Lessard). This project is related to the Sahtu Renewable Resource Board’s work on youth and governance, and will be utilize their communication networks. As well, the research team will share the results of the study through plain language community reports, Deline radio show broadcasts for updates, and the development of a website by Deline youth that is part of the Sahtu Youth Network's website and activities. A student will be selected to share the results at a northern conference. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from October 23, 2017 to December 31, 2017.