Communications, capacity and outreach (2018-2019)

Table of Contents


Yukon Contaminants Committee

Project leaders

Ellen Sedlack, Chair of the Yukon Contaminants Committee, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)-Yukon

James MacDonald, Co-Chair of the Yukon Contaminants Committee, and Council of Yukon First Nations

Team

Members of the Yukon Contaminants Committee include representatives from the Yukon Territorial Government, Council of Yukon First Nations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Ta’an Kwach’an Council, and an independent researcher.

Funds

$23,050

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Yukon Contaminants Committee (YCC) advises residents of the Yukon Territory (YT) on the presence and possible effects of long-range contaminants in air, land, water, fish, wildlife and people as part of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP).

The YCC also completes socio-cultural reviews of NCP proposals and discusses upcoming events and community-based contaminant concerns, which may affect traditional foods and the environment. The committee consists of representatives from various departments in the federal, indigenous and territorial governments as well as independent researchers from YT.

The YCC gets together as a group several times over the fiscal year, and reviews its purpose/vision, activities, membership and Terms of Reference annually. The Chair, Co-Chair and Yukon Government members attend the NCP Management Committee Meeting as well as the Results Workshop so they can participate and hear the results of the research firsthand. As a result, they then can communicate these results to their organizations/members, provide reference material as needed and be the first point of contact in their organizations about contaminants research. The YCC is exploring the feasibility of expanding its membership to include more Indigenous communities and Northern organizations in the Yukon.

 

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NWT Regional Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC)

Project leaders

Emma Pike, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) office - NWT

Tim Heron, Chair of the Northwest Territories Environmental Contaminants Committee, and NWT Métis Nation

Shannon O’Hara, Vice-Chair of the Northwest Territories Environmental Contaminants Committee, and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

Team

The Northwest Territories Regional Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC) members include representatives from: Dene Nation; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Gwich’in Tribal Council; Sahtu Secretariat Inc.; Inuvialuit Regional Corporation; Deh Cho First Nations; Tłı̨chǫ Government; Akaitcho Territory Government; North Slave Métis Alliance; Northwest Territory Métis Nation; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; GNWT Environment and Natural Resources; GNWT Health and Social Services; Health Canada; and the Aurora Research Institute.

Funds

$151,050

Project Summary (2018-2019)

As part of the Northern Contaminants Program, the Northwest Territories Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC) advises on communication of information to residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT) regarding the presence and possible effects of long range contaminants in air, land, water, fish, wildlife and humans.

The NWTRCC reviews Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) proposals and helps develop NCP research blueprints relevant to NWT, with a focus on community concerns about contaminants which may affect traditional food and the environment. The committee consists of representatives from national and regional Indigenous partners, as well as various departments in the federal and territorial governments. The broad network of people making up the committee is an efficient means of having discussions on how to relay information on contaminants and NCP research results and initiatives. The NWT RCC meets via teleconference calls and at least one annual in-person meeting to conduct a social/cultural review on proposals submitted to the Northern Contaminants Program. The committee compiles relevant reference materials received from the NCP Results Workshop, researchers and the NWT NCP Office; and provides contaminant information to NWT residents and Indigenous governments. The committee also helps residents address their contaminant concerns.

The role of the NWT NCP Office is to organize teleconferences, at least one in-person meeting, communicate information on other programs, assist with proposal writing, prepare and make presentations at community meetings where/when appropriate, Annual General Meetings (when invited) about the NCP, sit at the NCP Management Committee table, manage and prepare the grants and contribution budget for approved funding as well as assist the NWT RCC with communicating contaminant information and liaise with the NCP Secretariat. The NWT NCP Office is the link for researchers to submit raw data from research to the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services for to be considered for Public Health Advisories in the NWT. A review of data is completed prior to dissemination in order to ensure traditional knowledge is incorporated, connections/contacts are made with the closest communities, and any prior history related to the research is considered. The NWT RCC also facilitates collaboration among researchers working in the same area.

The role of the NWTRCC members are to attend the in-person meeting to review proposals submitted and provide feedback to the researchers on Traditional Knowledge, capacity building, communication and consultation. As well, they aim to be the first point of contact for community members concerns. 

 

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Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee

Project leaders

Jean Allen, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)-Nunavut Regional Office

Andrew Dunford, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Team

Members of the Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee include:

Michele LeBlanc-Havard, Amy Caughey and Pitsiula Kilabuk, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut; David Oberg, Caryn Smith and Teresa Tufts, Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut; Christopher Lewis, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Jamal Shirley, Nunavut Research Institute; Amber Giles, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board; Nancy Amarualik, HTA representative, Resolute Bay Hunters and Trappers Association

Funds

$70,825*

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee (NECC) was established in 2000 to provide a forum to review and discuss projects and proposals that applied for Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) funding for contaminants research in Nunavut. Through its social-cultural review of all Nunavut-based NCP proposals, the committee ensures northern and Inuit interests are being served by scientific research conducted in Nunavut. In addition, the NECC aims to serve as a resource to Nunavummiut for long-range contaminants information in Nunavut. The committee supports the communication of NCP-related information in Nunavut to ensure Nunavummiut are informed about NCP research activities and findings.

 

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Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee: Coordinating and Learning from Contaminants Research in Nunavik

Project leader

Kitty Gordon, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS)

Team

Ellen Avard and Barrie Ford, Makivik Corporation; Julie-Ann Berthe, Monica Nashak, Michael Barrett, Julie-Ann Berthe, Lydia Watt, Kativik Regional Government; Suzanne Bruneau, Quebec’s National Institute of Public Health; Yasmine Charara, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (KI - School Board of Nunavik); Chris Furgal, Trent University; Elena Labranche, Dr Jean-François Proulx, Sylvie Ricard, Marie-Josée Gauthier, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services; Christine Leblanc and Alain Ishac, Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre; representative from Inuulitsivik Health Centre; Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; representative from Anguvigak- Nunavik Hunting Fishing Trapping Association; representative from Qarjuit Youth Council; representative from Saturviit Inuit Women’s Association of Nunavik

Funds

$116,725

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee (NNHC) is a long-standing committee that has evolved and adapted over the years. Since its creation in 1989, the regional committee has broadened its perspective toward a more holistic approach to contaminants, nutrition and environmental health issues. The NNHC acts as an advisory committee to the Director of Public Health on issues related to contaminants, nutrition and environmental health issues. The committee provides guidance, liaises with research groups and communities and orients research work on regional priority issues. Moreover, the committee facilitates and, when needed, works on research communications activities about contaminants, nutrition and environmental health. Making research relevant to Nunavimmiut needs and interests as well as protecting and promoting public health in Nunavik are among the main NNHC priorities.

 

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Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR) - Nunatsiavut

Project leader

Liz Pijogge, Northern Contaminants Researcher, Nunatsiavut Government

Team

Rodd Laing, Rudy Riedlsperger, and Eva Obed, Nunatsiavut Government; Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Funds

$46,004

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR) is a core position within the Nunatsiavut Government. Based at the Nain Research Centre, within the Environment Division of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the NCR works inter-departmentally and across communities, in part through the Nunatsiavut Government Research Advisory Committee (NGRAC), to help Inuit of Nunatsiavut better understand contaminants issues within the region. This work includes informing Inuit about how Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) funded projects relate to Inuit health and well-being. In partnership with the NGRAC, the NCR sends out essential information on contaminants and research projects throughout the region and is the first point of contact for contaminants related information. This project builds on the capacity that has been developed in the region to facilitate an even greater level of management and ownership of research in Nunatsiavut. NCP funding helps continue both the NCR position and the NGRAC. The NCR and the NGRAC help other NCP research programs, past and present, in the region, related to the study of seawater, air, ringed seal and arctic char monitoring. All our monitoring programs include a Traditional Knowledge component, as this knowledge is essential to properly understanding trends and issues, and is the best record of historical information throughout our region. In partnership with the Nain Research Centre and schools in Nunatsiavut, the NCR will continue to implement the Youth Capacity Building and Education Modules.

All of the NCP research programs run out of the Nain Research Centre are coordinated through the NCR on an annual basis. Funding for the NCR position through the Northern Contaminants Program ensures that the NCR can continue to be a trusted, consistent point of contact for Nunatsiavimmiut on contaminants-related information.

 

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Coordination, Participation and Communication: Evolving Inuit Research Advisor Responsibilities in Nunatsiavut for the Benefit of Inuit and their Communities

Project leader

Carla Pamak, Nunatsiavut Inuit Research Advisor, Nunatsiavut Government

Team

Rodd Laing, Rudy Riedlsperger and Liz Pijogge, Nunatsiavut Government

Funds

$33,750*

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) has funded an Inuit Research Advisor (IRA) in each of the four Inuit land claim regions of the Arctic - the Inuvialuit settlement region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. These four regional representatives are a first step in a more coordinated approach to community involvement and coordination of Arctic science and represent a new way of knowledge sharing and engagement of Inuit in Arctic science.

The Nunatsiavut IRA will continue to help coordinate the operation of the Nain Research Centre and continue to communicate research to community and regional audiences as well as the research community. The IRA will continue to engage directly in community-driven, action-oriented research programs such as the community freezer (and associated youth outreach) program in Nain while helping to expand this program to other Nunatsiavut communities.

 

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Inuit Research Advisor for the Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Project leader

Shannon O’Hara, Inuit Research Advisor, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

Team

Bob Simpson, Jenn Parrott, and Chloe Brogan, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation; Northwest Territories Regional Contaminants Committee

Funds

$61,963*

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Inuit Research Advisor (IRA) position in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region serves as an important regional contact in coordinating community involvement, traditional Inuit knowledge, and Arctic science. Through this role, a communication link is established between researchers and communities to help facilitate more informed initiatives.

This year, one new focus of the IRA is on the developing and evolving relations with the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) and the Indigenous Community Based Climate Monitoring Program (ICBCMP). As a member of the NWT Regional Contaminants Committee, the IRA is involved in both NCP and ICBCMP communications, capacity and outreach activities within the Northwest Territories that are relevant to the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

 

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Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor: Building Health and Environment Research Capacity in the Nunavik Region

Project leaders

Markusi Qisiiq, Kativik Regional Government

Michael Barrett, Kativik Regional Government

Team

Representatives from: Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee; Makivik Corporation; Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Funds

$60,375*

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor (IRA) will continue to serve as an essential regional contact in a coordinated approach to community involvement and communications of environmental, health and climate change-related research in Nunavik. The IRA position is part of the Renewable Resources, Environment, Lands and Parks Department of the Kativik Regional Government and works closely with the Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee, the Nunavik Board of Health and Social Services, the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee, the Makivik Research Center, and Centre des Études Nordique and Ouranos. The objective of the IRA position in Nunavik is to help facilitate research at the program level, through assisting researchers from the Northern Contaminants Program and communities in climate change monitoring-related projects and other relevant research initiatives. The IRA also updates communities about contaminants research in advance, during, and after research. The Nunavik IRA has worked with IRAs in the other Inuit regions of Canada, to share knowledge and engage Inuit in Arctic science and research.

 

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Wildlife Contaminants Workshop – Building Contaminants Research Capacity in Nunavut

Project leaders

Jamal Shirley, Manager, Research Design - Nunavut Research Institute

Jason Carpenter, Nunavut Arctic College

Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting

Jennifer Provencher, Acadia University

Team

Amie Black, Birgit Braune, Grant Gilchrist, and Guy Savard, Environment and Climate Change Canada; Mark Mallory, Acadia University; Daniel Martin, Nunavut Arctic College; Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto; Mary Ellen Thomas, Nunavut Research Institute

Funds

$56,912

Project Summary (2018-2019)

The Wildlife Contaminants Workshop (WCW) will be held for students of Nunavut Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program (ETP) in Iqaluit, Nunavut in the Fall of 2018. The WCW is an experiential training model that employs a variety of tailored hands-on, interactive methods to build awareness, competency, knowledge and skills within this core group of frontline environmental workers. The WCW teaches fundamental aspects of environmental contaminants research, communication and assessment within the broader context of ecosystem, public and wildlife health, and in relation to Inuit knowledge, practices and values. The WCW has become an important part of the ETP curriculum, and in 2018/19 we will work with the Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) to submit this NCP-funded program for accreditation at the NAC. In 2018, the WCW will again combine lectures, interactive lab activities, and group discussions around wildlife contaminants monitoring, risk communication and human health. The main focus of the 2018 workshop will be on one contaminant that has a long history of monitoring in Canada (mercury) and one emerging contaminant (plastic pollution). The long-term goal of the WCW is to teach Nunavut’s future environmental managers and decision makers how to effectively interpret, evaluate, and convey contaminants information to other community members. 

 

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Learning about Ringed Seal Health from Contaminants Science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: An Educational Workshop in Arviat, Nunavut

Project leaders

Dominique Henri, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Magali Houde, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Jennifer Provencher, Acadia University

Team

Nick Arnalugiuaq, Arviat Hunters and Trappers Organization; Cassandra Debets, University of Manitoba; Student (TBD), Nunavut Arctic College Environment and Technology Program; Amie Black and Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada; Steven Ferguson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Funds

$28,600*

Project Summary (2018-2019)

This workshop addresses a shared interest among Northerners and scientific researchers in enhancing communications and community capacity building related to contaminants research on ringed seals. The project will engage youth, elders, community members and scientific researchers in learning about ringed seals from both Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and scientific perspectives through an educational workshop that will take place in Arviat, Nunavut. The main goal of the workshop will be to allow scientists researching contaminants in ringed seals to share information about their work with northern residents, particularly with youth. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for Inuit elders to share their knowledge with students and researchers about seal ecology and traditional methods for butchering seals, preparing seal skin and identifying abnormalities in harvested game. Through the use of workshop evaluation surveys and discussions with workshop participants, this project will identify the appropriate ways to communicate with and engage the community in contaminants monitoring in wildlife.

This project is now in its third year and has benefited from NCP support in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Educational workshops on ringed seal health were held in Resolute Bay, Nunavut (Year 1), and Sachs Harbour, NWT (Year 2). In 2018/19, we are adding two new project components. First, in order to follow-up with the communities of Resolute, Sachs Harbour and Arviat, and continue to build capacity in northern schools to teach and discuss contaminants, we intend to write lessons plans created from our earlier workshops activities. Second, workshops participants will work on the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit survey developed by students during the 2017 Wildlife Contaminants Workshop at the Nunavut Arctic College. The students will discuss with elders on traditional/local knowledge about contaminants in wildlife and create a report about what they learned. Working on this survey will help increase students’ involvement and experience in research.

 

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Regional NCP Workshop in Arviat

Project leaders

Amie Black, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Jennifer Provencher, Acadia University

Team

Amy Caughey, Government of Nunavut; Cassandra Debets, University of Manitoba; Steve Ferguson, and Lisa Loseto, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO); Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting; Dominique Henri, Magali Houde, Robert Letcher and Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada; Shirley Tagalik, Aqqiummarvik Society; Jason Stow, Northern Contaminants Program Secretariat Representative

Funds

$28,265*

Project Summary (2018-2019)

Delivering synthesized messages about contaminants in northern communities is a priority of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP). We will hold a Regional NCP Workshop in Arviat in the autumn of 2018 that will help deliver coordinated and synthesized messaging about contaminant research in Arviat, a participating site in three core NCP monitoring projects (polar bears, ringed seals and caribou). The workshop will involve a local Arviat coordinator, a northern student coordinator in Ottawa, a workshop organizer (Amie Black), and NCP researchers working in the Arviat region. The workshop will consist of a series of events including an open house, an evening event and school visits, which will communicate with a variety of community members about contaminants research in the North. The workshop will also be co-held with the Ringed Seal Workshop: Learning about Ringed Seal Health from Contaminants Science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: An Educational Workshop in Arviat.

This project will aim to fill this contaminants communication need by building on the material already in an existing educational tool (NIQIIT) and working with a modern ringed seal workshop.

We will create a series of printable electronic PDFs which will provide an up-to-date history of the issue of contaminants in the Arctic, current knowledge, and explore current research questions. A final product will be a series of lesson plans with educational materials to be used by educators. All materials will be made freely available in easy-to-download formats and designed to support researchers, community and regional workshops and teachers in training and building capacity with new Regional Contaminant Committee members.

 

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*This project is funded jointly through the Northern Contaminants Program and the Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program