Dettah, Northwest Territories
Year(s) Funded: 2012-2013
Topic Area: Knowledge Sharing/Education Contact: Cindy Gliday (cindy.gilday@ichr.ca) Partners: Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, Dene Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Ecology North, Frozen Eyes Photography Club Website: http://www.ichr.ca Title: Climate Change and Emergency Measures: Traditional Knowledge Research for Increased Unpredictable Severe Weather and Travel Safety Impacts on Community Health, Tools for development of Adaptation Plans
Action: The Institute for Circumpolar Health Research’s Climate Change and Emergency Project is an initiative where high school aged student researchers explore the issues of climate change, adaptation and emergency preparedness from both a western science and traditional knowledge perspective. Through a series of expert lectures from science, traditional knowledge and policy experts and through experiential opportunities at a traditional knowledge bush camp near Dettah, ICHR continued to support this initiative.Using community-based research methods and digital film as data collection tools, students discussed the themes of climate change with Elders, climate change experts and their community members to identify key lessons about the impacts of climate change on traditional lifestyles and travel in the north. As part of their investigations, students looked at what the dangers/risks to health are and how they have impacted the community. Through reflection on guest lectures and class discussion, and personal interviews, students identified recommended actions to prevent and/or effectively respond to safety concerns that arise from unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change. Results: Key themes and lessons emerging from interviews formed the basis of a short documentary film created by the students with mentorship from local northern filmmakers. The inclusion of filmmaking in the project appeals to and engages youth and the community plans to integrate the project model into a classroom setting and building the research into the student's assignments. Outputs: Video documentation of traditional knowledge extracted from community interviews. Additional Resources & Publications
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