Table of Contents
- Yukon AANDC Regional Office Coordination 2017/2018
- NWT Regional Contaminants Committee (NWT RCC)
- Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee
- Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee: Coordinating and Learning from Contaminants Research in Nunavik
- Northern Contaminants Researcher - Nunatsiavut
- Coordination, participation and communication: evolving Inuit Research Advisor responsibilities in Nunatsiavut for the benefit of Inuit and their communities
- The Current State of Long Range Contaminants in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
- Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor: Building Health and Environment Research Capacity in the Nunavik Region
- Wildlife Contaminants Workshop - building contaminants research capacity in Nunavut
- Learning about ringed seal health from contaminants science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: and educational workshop in Sachs Harbour, NWT
Yukon INAC Regional Office Coordination 2016/2017
Project leader(s):
Ellen Sedlak (INAC), Yukon INAC office
James MacDonald, Council of Yukon First Nations
Team:
Members of the YCC include representatives from the Yukon Territorial Government (Executive Council Office, Chief Medical Office of Health and Environment), Council of Yukon First Nations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Ta’an Kwach’an Council and independent researchers.
Funds:
$29,400
Plain language summary
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 humans as part of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP).
The YCC also reviews NCP proposals and discusses 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. On January 09, 2017 the YCC held a strategic planning session as a number of factors occurred over the last fiscal, in particular the retirement of the past Chair and Co-Chair (Pat Roach and Bob Van Djjken). At this session discussions included the YCC RCC purpose/vision, activities, membership and Terms of Reference (TOR). As an outcome of the session, it was decided that the YCC RCC needed to re-develop their TOR and review membership. As such, membership to the YCC RCC may be extended to more Indigenous communities and Northern organizations in the Yukon over the next fiscal year.
The YCC RCC meets at least twice to conduct a social cultural review of all proposals submitted to the NCP as well as discuss upcoming events, networking ideas and arising issue topics. The role of the YCC NCP Secretariat (Ellen Sedlack) is to organize meetings/teleconferences, at least two in-person meeting, communicate information on other programs, manage and prepare the grants and contribution budget for approved funding as well as assist the YCC with communicating contaminant information.
The roles of the YCC members is to attend in-person/teleconference meetings to review and discuss proposals submitted, discuss national and regional contaminants trends and issues and provide feedback to the researchers on Traditional Knowledge, Capacity Building, Communication and Consultation. 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 first hand so they can communicate these results back to their organizations/members as appropriate, provide reference material as needed and be the first point of contact in their organizations.
NWT Regional Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC)
Project leader(s):
Emma Pike and Carmon Bessette, NWT-INAC office
Tim Heron and Shannon O’Hara, Northwest Territories Environmental Contaminants Committee
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 (Wildlife and CIMP – NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program), GNWT Health and Social Services, and the Aurora Research Institute.
Funds:
$135,345
Plain language summary
The Northwest Territories Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC) advises on communication of information to residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT) on the presence and possible effects of long range contaminants in air, land, water, fish, wildlife and humans as part of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP).
The NWTRCC also reviews NCP proposals and participates in the development of NCP research blueprints relevant to NWT; members discuss community-based contaminant concerns which may affect traditional foods 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 network of people making up the committee is an efficient means of having discussions on how to relay information on contaminants, NCP research and their results and research initiatives between NWT communities, relevant organizations, other contaminants programs’ representatives and the Northern Contaminants Programs staff. The NWT RCC meets for teleconference calls and at least one annual in-person meeting to conduct a social cultural review on all proposals submitted to the Northern Contaminants Program. The committee compiles relevant reference materials received from the NCP Results Workshop, researchers and the NWT NCP Secretariat and provides contaminant information to NWT residents and Indigenous governments, as well as assist residents in addressing their contaminant concerns.
The role of the NWT NCP Secretariat (Emma Pike & Carmon Bessette) 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, AGMs (when invited) on 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. The NWT NCP Secretariat is the conduit to GNWT Health and Social Services for researchers to submit raw data from research to be considered for Public Health Advisories in the NWT. A review of data is completed prior to disseminating, to include traditional uses of the lakes in question, closest community, contacts and any prior history related to the research.
The role of the NWTRCC members is 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, attendance at the NCP Results Workshop to hear the results of the research first hand so they can communicate these results back to their community members as appropriate, provide reference material to the community and be the first point of contact for community members concerns. When Public Health Advisories are issued NWTRCC members from the region affected are consulted on use of traditional country foods from the area, most effective communication to use, contacts from the community and any other relevant information.
Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee
Project leader(s):
Jean Allen , INAC, Nunavut Regional Office
Andrew Dunford , Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.(co-chair, NECC)
Team:
Members of the Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee include representatives from:
- Department of Health, Government of Nunavut (GN-Health)
- Wanda Joy, Environmental Health Consultant
- Michele LeBlanc-Havard, Environmental Health Specialist
- Jayne Murdoch-Flowers, A/Territorial Nutritionist
- Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut (GN-DOE)
- David Oberg, Environmental Liabilities Project Manager, Environmental Protection Division
- Denise Baikie, Project Manager, Impact Assessment, Environmental Protection Division
- Angela Young, Project Coordinator, Nunavut Coastal Resource Inventory, Fisheries and Sealing Division
- Sara Holzman, Climate Change Program Specialist, Climate Change Secretariat
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
- Christopher Lewis, A/Aquatic Science Biologist
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
- Simon Smith, NCP Secretariat
- A/ Socio-economic Monitoring Analyst, Nunavut General Monitoring Program (NGMP)
- Regional Socio-Economic Analyst, Intergovernmental Affairs and Inuit Relations (once filled)
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
- Eric Loring, Senior Researcher, Wildlife Department
- Nunavut Research Institute (NRI)
- Jamal Shirley, Manager of Research Design and Policy
- Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB)
- Erin Keenan, Wildlife Management Biologist
- Resolute Bay Hunters and Trappers Association
o Nancy Amarualik, HTA representative
Funds:
$49,815
Plain language summary
The Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee (NECC) was established in 2000 to provide a forum to review and discuss, through a social-cultural lens, Nunavut-based projects and proposals seeking NCP funding. 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.
Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee: Coordinating and Learning from Contaminants Research in Nunavik
Project leader(s):
Francoise Bouchard, NRBHSS/Quebec
Team:
Ellen Avard, Barrie Ford, Nunavik Research Centre,
Julie-Ann Berthe, Monica Nashak, Michael Barrett, Kativik Regional Government (KRG),
Suzanne Bruneau, Institut national de santé publique du Québec,
Dr Chris Furgal, Nasivvik Centre for Inuit Health and Changing Environments;
Marie Eve Guay, Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre,
Josée Laporte, Inuulitsivik Health Centre,
Elena Labranche, Dr Jean-François Proulx, Sylvie Ricard, Caroline D’Astous, Marie-Josée Gauthier, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services
Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK),
Eliana Manrique, Kativik School Board (KSB),
Funds:
$136,275
Plain language summary
The Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee (NNHC), originally named the PCB Resource Committee, was established in 1989 to deal with issues related to food, contaminants, the environment and health in Nunavik. Since its inception, the committee has broadened its perspective to take a more holistic approach to environment and health issues inclusive of both benefits and risks. Today, the committee acts as the review and advisory body for health and nutrition issues in the region and includes representation from many of the organizations and agencies concerned with these issues, as well as those conducting research on them. The committee provides guidance and acts as a liaison for researchers and agencies, from both inside and outside the region, directs work on priority issues, communicates with and educates the public on health and environment topics and research projects, and represents Nunavik interests at the national and international levels. All activities are conducted with the goal of protecting and promoting public health in Nunavik, through more informed personal decision-making.
In 2017-2018, the committee will continue to conduct relevant communication activities based on regional needs and priorities. These communication activities will take advantage of what has been shown to work in relation to disseminating information on contaminants and health in Nunavik and other regions, and also what level of knowledge, perceptions and misconceptions exist in relation to these issues. The NNHC will continue to guide researchers and be involved in the public release of research results on contaminants, nutrition and health in Nunavik. This year, the Qanuilirpitaa 2017 Health Survey will be carried out in the fourteen communities of Nunavik. This wide-ranging regional survey will represent an increased number of planning and communication activities for the NNHC.
Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR)
Project leader(s):
Liz Pijogge , Northern Contaminants Researcher, Nunatsiavut Government (NG).
Team:
Rodd Laing, Director of Environment, Nunatsiavut Government
TBD, Research Manager, Nunatsiavut Government
Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Eva Obed, Community Outreach Manager, Nunatsiavut Government
Funds:
$51,629
Plain language summary
The Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR) is a core component of 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 within the region. This includes some Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) funded projects and how these projects relate to Inuit health and wellbeing. In partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government Research Advisory Committee, the NCR disseminates essential information on contaminants and research projects throughout the region and is the first point of contact for contaminants related information. This proposal is a prescribed priority activity within the NCP and 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. This funding ensures the continuation of both the NCR position as well as the NGRAC and complements other NCP research programs ongoing or previously implemented in the region, including water, 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.
All our NCP research programs are coordinated through the NCR at the Nain Research Centre on an annual basis. Most importantly, this proposal ensures there is a trusted, consistent point of contact who will actively engage Nunatsiavimmiut while disseminating contaminants related information within the context of the many other related issues and initiatives in the region.
Coordination, participation and communication: evolving Inuit Research Advisor responsibilities in Nunatsiavut for the benefit of Inuit and their communities
Project leader(s):
Carla Pamak, Nunatsiavut Inuit Research Advisor
Team:
Rodd Laing, Director, Environment Division, Nunatsiavut Government
Liz Pijogge, Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR) , Nunatsiavut Government
Funds:
$26,250
Plain language summary
The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) and ArcticNet, in partnership with the regions, have together co-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. In addition to the IRA’s ongoing broad objectives and responsibilities, the 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.
Looking back and moving forward: A case study evaluation and literature review in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to aid in future NCP communication, capacity and outreach initiatives in the North.
Project leader(s):
Shannon O’Hara, Inuit Research Advisor, IRC.
Team:
Duane Smith, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation,
Jiri Raska, Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (CEDO)
Funds:
$46,000
Plain language summary
As per the 2017/18 NCP Call for Proposals, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) is requesting funding from the Communication, Capacity and Outreach (CCO) sub-program under priorities 9.5.3 and 9.5.4 of the NCP blueprint.
The requested funding will support:
- Partial salary for the Inuit Research Advisor and related duties as proposed in this proposal and as outlined in appendices 2, 3 and 4.
- Travel support for two NCP meetings including the Annual Results Workshop and the NWT Regional Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC) social and cultural review meeting.
- Continued work on the evaluation of IRA communication products through planned key informant interviews and a regional feedback surveys.
- Conduct a literature review and information search with an additional goal to build upon the evaluation by producing a final report outlining communication tools that could work in northern regions in Canada based on their available technologies and capacity.
This work is attempting to answer the question of what resources and technologies are available and needed in the North so that communication efforts by the NCP in northern regions are regionally specific and consider the unique circumstances of each Indigenous group that the NCP serves across northern territories and provinces. The reason why it is important to know what works where is because each Indigenous region is different in what communication methods are possible and what the capacity is of a particular community or set of communities. This needs to be clearly outlined in order for NCP researchers, students and their northern partners to plan communication strategies and community engagement in a way that is tailored to where in the north they work and considers what is meaningful to the region being studied. Whether that means continuing with already successful mediums like the Inuvialuit Research Newsletter in the ISR, or cultural camps in the other regions in the NWT, that is all based on the capacity and resources that each region has to support their participation.
Once the IRA communication evaluation is ongoing, the IRA will conduct a literature review and information search regarding the state of technology and capacity that exists in the ISR and in other northern regions. The final report on the evaluation will also serve as the final report of the literature review which will aim at providing advice around the development of new communication tools that are web based or require minimal technology and/or capacity to operate. This work will be conducted by the Inuit Research Advisor in Inuvik, NT between January 2017 and March 2018. This work has the potential to help northerners by providing advice to NCP and other funding programs on how to support communities in the north to engage in these programs and be able to understand and respond to complex issues like long range contaminants which will enable them to interpret results or advisories that can potentially impact their health and well-being. The expected results are that other regions can take these results to develop their own communication products or help to guide them and their NCP partners plan engagement based on their needs are and what works for them so that they are able to create their own guidelines of community engagement that that can be utilized.
The Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor: Building Health and Environment Research Capacity in the Nunavik Region
Project leader(s):
Michael Barrett, Environmental and Land Use Planning Department.
Markusi Qisiiq and Monica Nashak, Kativik Regional Government
Team:
Representatives from:
Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee
Makivik Corporation
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
ArcticNet
Funds:
$40,595
Plain language summary
The Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor (IRA) continues to serve as the first step in a more coordinated approach to community involvement and coordination of Arctic science in Nunavik. The IRA position is housed within the Renewable Resources Department of the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) and works closely with the Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee (NNHC), the Nunavik Board of Health and Social Services and the Makivik Research Center. The objective of the IRA position in Nunavik is to help facilitate research both at the program level, assisting researchers from the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) and ArcticNet, as well as updating communities in advance of research. Together, with IRAs in the other Inuit regions of Canada, the Nunavik IRA works towards achieving a new way of knowledge sharing and engagement of Inuit in Arctic science and research. In addition to NCP support, the Nunavik IRA position is co-funded by ArcticNet.
Wildlife Contaminants Workshop – building contaminants research capacity in Nunavut
Project leader(s):
Jamal Shirley, Manager, Research Design - Nunavut Research Institute
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting
Jennifer Provencher, Acadia University
Jason Carpenter, Nunavut Arctic College
Team:
Amie Black, Arctic Science Coordinator - Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa
Amy Caughey, Registered Dietitian - Dept of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit
Pierre-Yves Daoust, Veterinarian, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown
Sharon Edmunds-Potvin, Senior Research Advisor - Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Iqaluit
Magali Houde, Research Scientist - Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montreal
Michele Leblanc-Havard, Environmental Health, Dept of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit
Mark Mallory, Professor - Acadia University, Wolfville
Jayne Murdoch-Flowers, A/Territorial Nutritionist - Dept. of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit
Derek Muir, Research Scientist - Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington
Mary Ellen Thomas, Senior Research Officer - Nunavut Research Institute, Iqaluit
Funds:
$53,305
Plain language summary
The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP)’s blueprint for communications, capacity and outreach acknowledges that information about contaminants is best shared with northern community members within the context of other relevant information and concerns. The blueprint also recommends that communication efforts focus on synthesizing and integrating information and findings from multiple NCP research projects. We propose to implement this approach through the delivery in 2017 of a specialized training initiative - the Wildlife Contaminants Workshop - for students of Nunavut Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program (ETP) in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The ETP is Nunavut’s only accredited post-secondary environmental training program and has an annual enrollment of approximately 30 students who hail from across Nunavut’s 25 communities. 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 practitioners. 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 been delivered since 2007 and our training approach has been refined over time address the unique learning needs, preferences, and strengths of ETP students. The WCW has become an integral part of the ETP curriculum and it is structured to provide knowledge and skills that complement the learning objectives for other core ETP courses.
In 2017, the WCW will combine lectures, interactive lab activities, and group discussions around wildlife contaminants monitoring, risk communication and human health. Students will learn how wildlife contaminant trend monitoring programs are designed and conducted in northern Canada, they will be trained in specific methods for wildlife tissue sampling and analysis, and discuss contaminants communication strategies for specific target audiences in Nunavut. Students will also discuss and learn traditional methods for butchering and preparation of seals and char, and the traditional methods for identifying sick animals. Additionally, this year students will develop a set of questions to ask hunters during dissections that reflect traditional knowledge of animal health relevant for contaminant effects studies. This will be augmented by the participation of a research veterinarian who will provide an overview of ringed seal health to the students. The workshop will also involve experts from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to develop and deliver a teaching module on how human health is related to wildlife heath and contaminants.
Experts from NCP supported environmental monitoring and research programs and the Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee (NECC) will be involved in both the planning and delivery of the training material. This will allow workshop participants the opportunity to directly interact with NCP researchers and the NECC in order to better learn about current NCP programs, and how the NCP contributes to our understanding of contaminants in the Arctic. Inuit wildlife experts from the Hunters and Trappers Organization will be invited to participate in the workshop to ensure that local ecological and traditional knowledge and Inuit perspectives on contaminants are integrated in the lessons. Through interactive lectures and discussions with researchers, hunters, and decision makers, students will learn a variety of techniques to perceive, assess, manage and communicate the potential health risks posed by contaminants in northern country foods, in the context of the many nutrition and health benefits of country food. The context of food security in relation to country food will also be discussed. Discussions relating to human health and contaminants in country food will focus on the current Department of Health messages around country food and food safety, including contaminants, and the responsibility of Health in risk communication.
Upon graduation, most ETP students return to their home communities in Nunavut to work as conservation and fisheries officers, land use and environmental assessment officers, research coordinators, HTA managers, etc. In their professional capacities, many ETP graduates are often called upon to support NCP research efforts, including assisting in communication efforts related to contaminants in Arctic wildlife and traditional country foods. The long term goal of the WCW is to build core capacity among this core group of Nunavut’s future environmental managers and decision makers to effectively interpret, evaluate, and convey contaminants information to other community members.
Learning about ringed seal health from contaminants science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: an educational workshop in Resolute, Nunavut
Project leader(s):
Magali Houde, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Jennifer Provencher , Acadia University
Team:
a) Local organization in Sachs Harbour, NWT
- Karen Bibby, Inualthuya School (see attached support letter)
- Betty Haogak, Sachs Harbour Hunter and Trapper Committee (see attached support letter)
- Fisheries Joint Management Committee (see attached letter of support)
- Jeff Kuptana, Local Hunter, Sachs Harbour Hunter and Trapper Committee
b) Preparation of educational material for the proposed workshop
- Amie Black, Arctic Science Coordinator, Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Cassandra Debets, PhD Candidate, University of Manitoba
- Dominique Henri, Wildlife Science and Traditional Knowledge Specialist, Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Steven Ferguson, Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Chris Furgal, Trent University
- Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Derek Muir, Research Scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada
- David Yurkowski, Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Manitoba
Funds:
$22,789
Plain language summary
This project 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. This proposal for 2017/18 represents the second year of this project, with the first year held in Resolute Bay, Nunavut in October 2016. Based on the success and experiences of the 2016 workshop, we are proposing to carry out this ringed seal workshop in Sachs Harbour, NWT where core monitoring of ringed seals also takes place under NCP.
The main goal of the workshop will be to allow scientists working on contaminants in ringed seals to share information about their work with northern residents with a focus on youth in particular. The workshop will provide an opportunity for Inuit elders to share their knowledge with students and researchers in seal ecology and traditional methods for butchering seals, preparing seal skin and identifying abnormalities in harvested game. Through a series of surveys and discussions with workshop participants, it will also lead to the identification of appropriate communication practices and the development of innovative methods of community engagement around contaminants monitoring in wildlife. This project will result in a learning and capacity building opportunity for northern youth. In 2017/18 we are also adding in several other components. First, in order to also follow up with the community of Resolute Bay, NU, this year, and Sachs Harbour in the following year, and continue to build capacity in the schools to teach and discuss contaminants we will also co-develop follow up lessons plan series focused on contaminants in collaboration with partners at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). Second, students will implement a student-developed hunter survey developed during the Wildlife Contaminants Workshop at the Nunavut Arctic College. This component aims to develop tools that can be used collect traditional knowledge that may be associated with contaminants, and can be administered by local students to help increase their involvement in local research. Additionally, we are requesting funding for a student from the Environmental Technology Program (ETP) in Iqaluit and funding for travel for a graduate student (Uof Manitoba) attend and co-lead the workshop in Sachs Harbour.