Community-driven Research
Researchers are increasingly engaging with Indigenous stakeholders, but examples of true partnerships, where researchers and Indigenous People benefit equally from science activities, are limited. We aim to deliver science that is co-developed and co-led by Indigenous communities, by fostering respectful relationships with Indigenous partners. Our goals are to provide the evidence needed to support conservation of northern ecosystems, while also advancing the rights, perspectives, and prosperity of Indigenous People.
Lead exposure in Sahtú communities (Fort Good Hope Renewable Resources Council, Jordyn Stalwick, Drs Kelly Skinner, Brian Laird and Mylène Ratelle, University of Waterloo): To understand how people living in northern communities might be exposed to lead, we reviewed existing studies, surveyed hunters, and tested water, fish, and shot geese for lead.
Sediments as archives of environmental change (K'áhshó Got'ı̨nę Foundation, Dr.
Philippe Thomas, Environment & Climate Change Canada; and Dr. Jules Blais,
University of Ottawa): We are analyzing sediment cores collected by Indigenous Guardians from a suite of northern lakes to better understand factors that influence levels of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in sediment over space and time. Specifically, to help address community concerns around environmental change, we are using radioisotopes and measurements of PACs to track inputs of petroleum- and fire- derived emissions to lake sediments.
Aquatic ecosystem health and water quality in the Fort Good Hope area (K'áhshó Got'ı̨nę Foundation, Fort Good Hope Renewable Resources Council, and Dr. Jérôme Comte, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique): The lakes and ponds of the Sahtú help to keep water clean and support hunting and other cultural activities. To better understand how disturbances that change the land might affect these lakes and ponds, we work with local Guardians to conduct ongoing water quality monitoring.
Understanding changes in bird health (Ahiak Area Comanagement Committee, Sahtú Communities, Drs Brian Laird, Kelly Skinner, and Mylène Ratelle, University of Waterloo): Wildlife harvest supports traditional Indigenous diets, and birds are an important element of subsistence harvest in many northern communities. To provide information about changes in the health and distribution of birds that are related to changes on the land, we are delivering workshops that provide training related to dissection, measurement, and collection of biological data from harvested birds.
What are the ducks telling us? Documenting K'áhshó Got'ı̨nę knowledge about scoters (K'áhshó Got'ı̨nę Foundation, Tuyeta Management Board, and Fort Good Hope Renewable Resources Council): Together with Dene partners, we have co-developed a study to describe changes in Surf and White-winged Scoter distributions in areas around Fort Good Hope, NT. This work aims to address questions about these species by bridging Indigenous Knowledge with western science. Equally important project objectives are designed to increase opportunities for Indigenous partnership in sea duck conservation and to build capacity to support future sea duck monitoring and research by Indigenous Guardians.
