Table of Contents
- Yukon Contaminants Committee (YCC)
- Northwest Territories Regional Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC)
- Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee (NECC)
- Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee (NNHC): Coordinating, Learning and Communicating on Contaminants Research in Nunavik
- Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR)
- Coordination, participation and communication: evolving Inuit Research Advisor responsibilities in Nunatsiavut for the benefit of Inuit and their communities
- Inuit Research Advisor for Inuvialuit Settlement Region: A new approach to engage and partner with the Northern Contaminants Program
- Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor: Environmental, Health and Climate Change Research in Nunavik
- Wildlife Contaminants Workshop – Building Contaminants Research Capacity in Nunavut
- Learning about Ringed Seal Health from Contaminants Science and Inuit Knowledge: An Educational Workshop in Nain, Nunatsiavut
- Caribou Workshop: Providing Synthesized Contaminants Messages in a Broader Context of Caribou Health, Management and Culture
- Nuna Tariuq Silalu Film Project: Food Security, Global Environmental Changes, and Resilience in the Canadian Arctic, using Participatory Video Method
Yukon Contaminants Committee (YCC)
Project Leaders
Ellen Sedlack, YCC and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Merran Smith, YCC and Council of Yukon First Nations
Team Members
Representatives from: Yukon Territorial Government; Chief Medical Officer of Health and Environment; Council of Yukon First Nations; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; and Independent Researcher.
Funds
$2,500
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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 socialcultural reviews of NCP proposals and discusses upcoming events and community-based long-range 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. All YCC members are invited to 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 long-range contaminants research. The YCC is exploring the feasibility of expanding its membership to include more Indigenous communities and Northern organizations in the Yukon.
Northwest Territories Regional Contaminants Committee (NWTRCC)
Project Leaders
Emma Pike, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)
Tim Heron, NWTRCC and Northwest Territory Métis Nation (NWTMN)
Kendra Tingmiak, NWTRCC and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
Team Members
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; NWTMN; CIRNAC; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; GNWT Environment and Natural Resources; GNWT Health and Social Services; Health Canada; and the Aurora Research Institute.
Funds
$165,905
Project Summary (2019-2020)
The NWT Regional Contaminants Committee is one of five regional committees within NCP, and acts as representatives of the Northern Contaminants Program in the Northwest Territories. 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 annual activities of the committee members may vary year to year, depending on what projects are funded, however the core activities include: facilitating a regional network that helps ensure regional RCC members and community members are informed and involved in contaminant related research; assisting in identifying regional and community priorities, and information gaps related to environmental contaminants and human health research in the NWT; maintaining a list of contacts and resource materials regarding environmental contaminants; providing advice on appropriate communication strategies to share information regarding contaminants; reviewing NCP proposals, blueprints and communication materials related to the region to ensure the social/cultural elements are considered; and, providing advice to contaminants researchers working in the region on such topics as community engagement, getting research permits, results communication, and capacity building and training.
Nunavut Environmental Contaminants Committee (NECC)
Project Leaders
Jean Allen, NECC, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Team Members
Wanda Joy, Amy Caughey, Theresa Koonoo, Pitsiula Kilabuk, David Oberg, Caryn Smith and Angela Young, Government of Nunavut; Taha Tabish, Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre; Zoya Martin, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; David Abernethy, CIRNAC; Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Jamal Shirley, Nunavut Research Institute; Amber Giles, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board; Nancy Amarualik, Resolute Bay Hunters and Trappers Association
Funds
$70,925
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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.
Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee (NNHC): Coordinating, Learning and Communicating on Contaminants Research in Nunavik
Project Leaders
Marie Rochette, NNHC Chairperson and Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS)
Marie-Josée Gauthier, NNHC Coordinator, NRBHSS
Team Members
Lucy Grey (Inuit Research Advisor) , Monica Nashak/Michael Barrett, Kativik Regional Government; Ellen Avard/Barrie Ford, Makivik Corporation; Yasmine Charara, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq; Chris Furgal, Trent University; Elena Labranche, Jean-François Proulx,Sylvie Ricard, Marie-Eve Guay, Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre; Muriel Beauchamp, Inuulitsivik Health Centre; Eric Loring, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Representative from Anguvigak (To be confirmed)
Funds
$118,778
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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 moved towards a more holistic approach to contaminants, nutrition and environmental health issues and acts as an advisory committee to the Nunavik Director of Public Health. 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. Over the next years the NNHC and the region will also take a central role in the interpretation and outcomes of the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Health Survey results related to contaminants, nutrition and health. Moreover, this project will support the regional efforts to mitigate lead and mercury exposure, especially among subgroups of the population that are more at risk.
Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR)
Project Leader
Liz Pijogge, NCR and Nunatsiavut Government (NG)
Team Members
Rodd Laing, Paul McCarney, Carla Pamak,and Joey Angnatok, NG; Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Max Liboiron, Memorial University
Funds
$46,454
Project Summary (2019-2020)
NCP funding for this project helps to continue both the Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR) position and the Nunatsiavut Government Research Advisory Committee (NGRAC). The Northern Contaminants Researcher (NCR) is a core position within the Nunatsiavut Government. Based at the Nunatsiavut 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. All of the NCP research programs run out of the Nunatsiavut 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. 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. The NCR and the NGRAC send out information on and help other NCP research programs in the region, related to the study of seawater, air, ringed seal, marine plastics 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 Nunatsiavut Research Centre and schools in Nunatsiavut, the NCR will continue to implement the Youth Capacity Building and Education Modules.
Coordination, participation and communication: evolving Inuit Research Advisor responsibilities in Nunatsiavut for the benefit of Inuit and their communities
Project Leader
Carla Pamak, Nunatsiavut Government (NG)
Team Members
Rodd Laing, Paul McCarney and Liz Pijogge, NG
Funds
$26,750
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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.
Inuit Research Advisor for Inuvialuit Settlement Region: A new approach to engage and partner with the Northern Contaminants Program
Project Leader
Kendra Tingmiak, Northwest Territories Regional Contaminants Committee (NWT RCC) and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC)
Team Members
Duane Smith and Bob Simpson, IRC; Jen Lam, Joint Secretariat
Funds
$63,250
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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. The overarching goal of the Inuit research advisor role is to build capacity in the North to participate in and/ or contribute to raising awareness of long-range contaminants, as well as to help to support food choice decisions among consumers of traditional foods. To achieve a more robust understanding of the environmental, social, cultural, and health implications of long-range contaminants in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) there must be a new coordinated approach and relationship between Inuvialuit organizations, NWT Regional Contaminants Committee, the NCP Secretariat, and NCP Management Committee in order to incorporate contaminant information into already existing avenues for communication, as well as create new opportunities to represent regional perspectives to the NCP Management Committee. This project will help create a new Regional Review Committee (RRC) for the ISR that would utilize IRC and other Inuvialuit organizations, to co-develop regional research priorities, review proposals, and to compliment the current activities of the IRA at the NWT Regional Contaminants Committee.
Nunavik Inuit Research Advisor: Environmental, Health and Climate Change Research in Nunavik
Project Leaders
Markusi Qisiiq and Michael Barrett, Kativik Regional Government
Team Members
Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee, Makivik Corporation, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Funds
$63,250
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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 Nunavik Research Center, Makivik Corporation, Centre des Études Nordique, and Ouranos. The objective of the IRA position in Nunavik is to help facilitate research at the program level by assisting researchers from the Northern Contaminants Program and communities in contaminant and climate change monitoring-related projects as well as other relevant research initiatives. The IRA also updates communities about contaminants research in advance, during, and after research. The Nunavik IRA works with the IRAs in the other Inuit regions of Canada, to share knowledge and engage Inuit in Arctic science and research.
Wildlife Contaminants Workshop – Building Contaminants Research Capacity in Nunavut
Project Leaders
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting
Jennifer Provencher, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Jamal Shirley and Jason Carpenter, Nunavut Arctic College
Team Members
Daniel Martin, Nunavut Arctic College; Amy Caughey, Government of Nunavut; Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto; Magali Houde, ECCC; Mary Ellen Thomas, Nunavut Research Institute
Funds
$43,947
Project Summary (2019-2020)
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 2019. 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 2019/20 will be the first year that the workshop will be included as an accredited part of the ETP program. The WCW combines lectures, interactive lab activities, and group discussions around wildlife contaminants monitoring, risk communication, and human health. The main focus of the 2019 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.
Learning about Ringed Seal Health from Contaminants Science and Inuit Knowledge: An Educational Workshop in Nain, Nunatsiavut
Project Leaders
Paul McCarney and Liz Pijogge, Nunatsiavut Government
Dominique Henri and Magali Houde, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Team Members
Carla Pamak, Rodd Laing and Kristeen McTavish, Nunatsiavut Government; Jennifer Provencher and Laura M. Martinez-Levasseur, ECCC; student from the Environmental Technology Program, Nunavut Arctic College; Cassandra Debets, University of Manitoba; Chaim Anderson, Memorial University; Steven Ferguson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Funds
$43,860
Project Summary (2019-2020)
This workshop addresses a shared interest among Northerners and scientific researchers to enhance communications and build capacity related to contaminants research on ringed seals within the community. The project will engage youth, elders, community members and scientific researchers in learning about ringed seals from both Inuit Knowledge and scientific perspectives through an educational workshop that will take place in Nain, Nunatsiavut, Labrador. 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 and hunters to share their knowledge with students and researchers about seal ecology and traditional methods for butchering and cooking seals, preparing seal skin and identifying abnormalities in harvested wildlife.
This project is now in its fourth year and has benefited from NCP support in 2016/2017, 2017/2018, and 2018-2019. Educational workshops on ringed seal health were held in Resolute Bay, Nunavut (Year 1), Sachs Harbour, NWT (Year 2), and Arviat, Nunavut (Year 3).
Caribou Workshop: Providing Synthesized Contaminants Messages in a Broader Context of Caribou Health, Management and Culture
Project Leader
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting
Team Members
Mitch Campbell, Keenan Lindell and Jonathan Pynn, Government of Nunavut; Trent Bollinger, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative; Shirley Tagalik and Joe Karetak, Aqqiummarvik Society; Dominique Henri and Jeremy Brammer, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Funds
$38,481
Project Summary (2019-2020)
This three-day Caribou Workshop in Arviat will present contaminant messages in a broader context that includes caribou health (ie. parasites, pathogens and diseases), population management, and culture. Presentations will be made on those topics, with assistance from a veterinary expert on caribou health, an environmental education specialist from the Government of Nunavut, a research biologist, and a regional biologist. This project will promote Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) law about using all parts of the animal through demonstrating and teaching cultural traditions (tanning and sewing hides, carving bone and antlers) and introducing some new ideas about felting, using caribou leather and candle and soap making. Elders and experts from the community will provide this expertise, under the coordination of the Arviat Aqqiummarvik Society. A community feast will focus on eating all parts of the caribou, featuring local delicacies and providing instructions for preparing them. All activities will be filmed by the Aqqiumarvik media team and a video will be made available on the Aqqiumarvik Youtube site and promoted by Beverly Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB). The BQCMB fall meeting will be held in Arviat in conjunction with this workshop to capitalize on communication opportunities.
Nuna Tariuq Silalu Film Project: Food Security, Global Environmental Changes, and Resilience in the Canadian Arctic, using Participatory Video Method
Project Leader
Maeva Gauthier, University of Victoria
Team Members
Michele Tomasino, Mangilaluk School; Jaro Malanowski, Avatar Media/The Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta/TukTV; Kendyce Cockney and Shaun Cormier, Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation
Funds
$39,100
Project Summary (2019-2020)
This project aims to document resilience and analyze perceptions and solutions related to food security and impacts from plastics, microplastics, and contaminants in Tuktoyaktuk. Youth participants will use digital tools to explore how plastics/microplastics and contaminants in their environment and affect their traditional foods and livelihoods. We will also pilot a small live broadcast to share knowledge with the region (schools and communities). Questions driving the project include: (1) What are the perceptions from the community about the presence of plastics/microplastics and contaminants in their environment and how do they see this affecting their traditional foods and activities? (2) What contributions can be made, by using participatory digital tools, to bring changes in practice, policy and capacity in northern communities? (3) What are the benefits and challenges of live streaming to engage the community on these issues? A group of youth filmmakers and editors from Tuktoyaktuk will produce the video with our support. The video will be shared through one-on-one screening with partners in the region, live streaming sessions, and through social media. Research results will be reported back to the community in a presentation, brochure, and short report.