NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: renewable energy, social sciences, culture, traditional campsites

Objective(s): To investigate the cultural landscape around Inuvik, including the importance of the land and resources to culture, livelihood, and well-being; to understand the energy needs and challenges of communities, with particular focus on off-grid hunting and fishing camps; and to explore the technical and policy-related feasibility of implementing solar, wind, and biomass renewable energy technologies.

Project Description: The research seeks to meet three core objectives are to: 1. Investigate the cultural landscape around Inuvik, including the importance of the land and resources to culture, livelihood, and well-being; 2. Understand the energy needs and challenges of communities, with particular focus on off-grid hunting and fishing camps; and 3. Explore the technical and policy-related feasibility of implementing solar, wind, and biomass renewable energy technologies. The qualitative research methods of interviews and focus groups will be used. Interviews: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews will last approximately one hour. Interviewees will sign a consent form and the discussion will be audio recorded and transcribed by the researcher. Participants will include individuals involved in and engaged with Inuvik’s energy system: Government of Northwest Territories staff, Aurora Research Institute staff, Arctic Energy Alliance staff, and other researchers that have done work on energy in Arctic regions. Individuals will be recruited by following up with delegates from the Arctic Energy and Emerging Technologies conference that the researcher attended in June 2018. A snowball sampling method will also be used to expand the interviewee list. Focus groups: The group discussion will take place at Reindeer Station and last approximately one and a half hours, although these may last longer depending on level of engagement. Participants will sign a consent form and the discussion will be audio recorded and transcribed by the researcher. Two groups will be invited to take part in the discussion: engineers from the University of Alberta and community members (above the age of 18) from the Inuvik area that spend time on the land and at off-grid camps. Engineers will be recruited through pre-existing connections with the Faculty of Engineering established through the Future Energy Systems project. Individuals from the Inuvik Community Corporation and Gwich’in Tribal Council will recruit community members that they think should attend. Participants will have the opportunity for participants to voice their traditional knowledge, experiences and concerns regarding the value of renewable energy. The results of this research are intended to contribute to policy development regarding Indigenous knowledge and communities exploring renewable energy solutions. The work will contribute to the ability of local, regional, and territorial governments to plan and develop the technologies in ways that best benefit communities and minimize negative impacts. Cultural- The high cost of diesel makes heating and powering off-grid hunting and fishing camps very expensive, and in extreme cases, unaffordable to operate. This project aims to highlight energy solutions that will reduce the cost of camp operation in a culturally appropriate way (i.e. ensuring the technology does not change land use or the feelings people have about their camp). Ultimately, the outcomes of this research will propose practical ways of reducing energy costs which may make it more affordable to spend time at camp and engage in traditional cultural activities. The final results of the study will be shared through a presentation of a plain language summary (written); a presentation of the student theses and/or academic outcomes; and, an oral presentation of results with question/answer discussion. Depending on community interest, the research team may also disseminate results through a video. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from October 12, 2018 to December 31, 2018.