NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: South Slave Region

Tags: Indigenous protected and conserved areas, Indigenous self-determination, IPCA, self-determination

Objective(s): To enhance the understanding of the relationship between co-managed protected areas and Indigenous self-determination.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5671. The objective of this research is to enhance the understanding of the relationship between co-managed protected areas and Indigenous self-determination. The purpose of this research project with the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation is to examine how the establishment of Thaidene Nene is an expression of Lutsel K’e Denesuline self-determination and conservation decolonization. This research should contribute to the growing body of literature on Indigenous protected and conserved areas (IPCAs); inform the planning and management of Thaidene Nene; and the creation of other IPCAs. This research is oriented by community-based participatory research methodology. This is a partnership approach to conducting research that attempts to equitably involve the Nation in all aspects of the research process. Community-based participatory research is committed to action and fostering positive social change as an integral component of the research process and outcomes. The study will likely include two main research activities likely involving LKDFN and environmental NGOs such as Nature United, CPAWS, and Tides Canada representatives. LKDFN Research Partners and the Principle Researcher will jointly identify potential research participants/knowledge holders to be involved in the study. These research activities are also subject to change based on guidance and input from LKDFN Research Partner. Culturally appropriate protocols, procedures, and practices will also be incorporated into the study. These research activities will contribute in different ways to achieving the study objectives and answering the research questions. 1. Interviews: The interviews used in this study will be open-ended, conversational interviews. The goal of this interview method is to allow each knowledge holder/participant to tell her or his story in relation to Thaidene Nene. This type of interview format is conversational and encourages a story-telling style where the knowledge holder/participant sets the pace of the interview and the interviewer listens, clarifies, and raises topics which may not arisen spontaneously during the course of the conversation. Interviews will likely happen in late summer or early fall 2020. Interviews will document LKDFN’s understandings of and perspectives on the establishment of Thaidene Nene. Participants may include Elders, Chiefs and Councilors, negotiators, committee members, adults, and youth that would like to share their stories/perspectives about the establishment of Thaidene Nene. Between 15 to 20 LKDFN members will likely be interviewed. The Community Researcher, Wildlife, Lands and Environment Committee (WLEC) or other designated committee, and the principle researcher will identify potential participants/knowledge holders to be interviewed. Potential knowledge holders/participants will be contacted by telephone or in person by a member of the Research Team and invited to participate. Information and recruitment posters with Research Team contact information will also be displayed at central locations around the community (e.g., community hall, Co-op, First Nation’s Office). Interviews will likely last 60 – 90 minutes, be audio recorded (but only with participant’s permission), and be carried out by the Community Researcher and Principle Researcher. 2. Talking circle: The talking circle will be an interactive and participatory event that emphasize knowledge exchange and creation. At the talking circle, knowledge gathered through interviews will be shared with participants and used to generate additional discussion and stories. Participants will also be invited to co- interpret the knowledge gathered from interviews. The sharing circle is an opportunity to share preliminary results and interpret the research collectively. Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation will be provided with written progress reports on a quarterly basis or when a major component of the research is completed. This written report will be submitted to the Nation's Thaidene Nene Manager. Each interview participant will be provided with an electronic and/or printed copy of their transcript. The audio recordings and transcripts will also be uploaded and stored in the Nation's web-based Lutsel K’e Denesuline Knowledge Archive. The audio recording of the talking circle will also be uploaded and stored in the Nation's archive. Findings from this study will be shared with the Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Northwest Territories, and Parks Canada Agency to present the findings to encourage the establishment and management of Indigenous protected and conserved areas that acknowledge Indigenous self-determination and advance conservation decolonization. Through ongoing discussions with the the First Nation, innovative and culturally appropriate ways of sharing the knowledge generated through this study will be identifies along with ways to mobilize knowledge to affect positive change. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: December 01 - December 31, 2023