NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: South Slave Region

Tags: stewardship, indigenous youth, climate change education, land-based education

Objective(s): To identify the role of stewardship camps in youth education and mentorship in confronting climate change.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5719. The objective of this research is to identify the role of stewardship camps in youth education and mentorship in confronting climate change. While stewardship camps are common throughout the Mackenzie River Basin, much existing research related to the camps is centred on links between Indigenous knowledge and western science in confronting climate change. As of yet, these camps have not been studied for their role in youth education and mentorship. The research will therefore respond to the following questions: • How does the holistic education provided through stewardship camps contribute to young people’s futures-building in the face of a shifting climate? • What concerns and visions for a better future do young people have following this camp? • What are the tensions and opportunities of educating young people about climate change through such stewardship camps? Working in conjunction with existing networks among Dene community members and scientists, this case study will complement existing research by exploring the educational impact of stewardship camps on youth, with the purpose to inform the planning of future stewardship camps according to youth visions, needs, and learning objectives on lands profoundly impacted by climate change. The findings will have direct impact on planning of future youth programs through the region, as well as stewardship camps run in other climate-impacted contexts that bring together western science and Indigenous knowledge, particularly within settler colonial contexts. As Lutsël K’é Dene First Nation is looking to host another camp in summer 2024, research findings will directly assist with planning. Under the direct guidance of Lutsël K’é ’s Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Committee, this case study will support Lutsël K’é Dene First Nation’s educational aims through a holistic analysis of participant experiences within the broader context of the specific Dene Suliné Yati - EdaCho Kué Camp. Both Lutsël K’é Dene First Nation and the Committee have already expressed interest in conducting research surrounding the Camp, both because of the importance of stewardship camps for climate learning in the community and because of the violent intrusion by ENR officers. The community is therefore heavily invested in this research and is interested in guiding it throughout the full process. Prior to interviewing participants, Laura Jane, Carrie, and Brenda, will meet online and then in person in Lutsël K’é in Winter 2024 with the Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Committee, which is directed by Tsasiye Catholique and whose membership includes Elders, harvesters, and other community members. The purpose of these initial meetings is to ensure the project follows the guidance of the Elders. During the meetings, we will work to together establish interview questions and protocols, ensure appropriate community supports surrounding negative or traumatic memories, identify potential interviewees, and gather important contextual information about the camp. Following this meeting, Carrie will gather additional documents and artifacts from the Committee that form the contextual base for the case study (i.e. letters and feedback forms from participants about their experiences, news articles, photographs/videos, etc.). Following the initial meetings, Laura Jane and Carrie will finalize the interview questions and protocols. Interviews will be semi-structured, opening space for participants to express if and how the stewardship Camp prepared them for futures within a changing climate. Participants will have sufficient space to communicate their experiences at the Camp, including those aspects of the Camp they feel best helped them prepare for uncertain climate futures (i.e. through Dene knowledge, science-based activities, relational and on-the-land learning, or other elements), as well as the tensions that arose through the intrusion of the state ENR officers. We will ensure sufficient community support for interviewees should any negative emotions arise, both through the presence of Laura Jane and through broader community supports provided through the Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Committee. Interviews will take place in Lutsël K’é in winter 2024. Laura Jane will be the primary point of contact for setting up interviews with 10 youth participants (aged 18-35) who attended the camp, with attention to age and gender diversity. Interviews will be video or audio recorded, and transcribed by Carrie in winter 2024, in consultation with Laura Jane, particularly if Dene language or local colloquialisms are used. Throughout the interview period, researchers will keep research notes and regularly debrief initial reflections and emergent themes. Qualitative analysis of interviews and supplementary materials will be conducted throughout spring 2024, utilizing collaborative online technologies (Google suite, Zoom, etc.), with dissemination materials developed in summer 2024. Phase One: Before the research license application was developed, Brenda Parlee corresponded regularly with Laura Jane Michel, Tsasiye Catholique, and other members of the community about research surrounding the Dene Suliné Yati - EdaCho Kué Camp. Carrie Karsgaard has met with Tsasiye Catholique and members of the Lutsël K’é Dene First Nation three times in October 2023, including with Laura Jane Michel. Phase Two: During the research activities and after approval of the research license: • Carrie Karsgaard will meet with Tsasiye Catholique and the Lutsël K’é ’s Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Committee at regular meetings to report on the progress of the project according to the activities outlined in the objectives. • The full team will also be communicating with the other members of the Lutsël K’é community through on-the-land community-building activities in winter 2024. • Guided by the Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Committee, Carrie Karsgaard will also share outcomes with other local organizations / committees during their regular meetings and / or as needed. • The researchers will be communicating with Dene members from Lutsël K’é First Nation through the interview process. • The researchers will be working with youth to coordinate their engagement. Phase Three: After the research is completed in late 2024: • The researchers will create a community-based report and presentation directed towards Lutsël K’é and their aims, as requested by the Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Committee. • The researchers will develop similar presentations for northern Indigenous communities and research networks who are running similar camps at the intersections of western science and Indigenous knowledge, with whom our research team has existing ties. These include Hunters and Trappers Committees in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region holding stewardship camps on Marine Protected Areas, Dene and Gwich’in communities along the Mackenzie River Basin, and the Arramat network. • Reports for the funder, MECCE, and an academic publication will also be developed. Interview quotes will only be used with the permission of individuals according to the terms of the data sharing agreement. If interested, the community will have the opportunity to present findings at the ArcticNet conference or an education conference. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: January 17 - October 31, 2024