The Arctic Sustainable Energy Futures Toolkit will be a print and web-based guide for communities to follow when developing their comprehensive community energy plans. This step-by-step toolkit will transfer knowledge using best practices, resource guides, case studies, videos, worksheets, and templated pathways to help communities create and implement their energy visions.
Nearly all remote Indigenous communities in Canada rely on diesel power plants for electricity. In a few cases, renewable energy projects have already offset diesel power but developing such projects in northern Canada is difficult. Not only do remoteness and harsh winter conditions make development expensive but various policies regarding the cost of electricity create complex economic barriers. Of primary concern is reaching fair power purchase agreements between Indigenous communities and publicly owned utilities.
This research aims to identify the challenges and opportunities that exist within and amongst First Nations communities for creating culturally appropriate and resilient housing models and local economies. It will build understanding around what is required to transform the current housing system from one that uses external labour, resources and businesses to one that promotes local livelihoods, value-added businesses and local resource use within a First Nations culturally focused bioregional economy.
As Aboriginal people increasingly migrate to urban areas, it has become imperative to promote their socioeconomic engagement in the destinations. While there has been increasing research focuses on Aboriginal peoplesâ quality of life (QoL) few studies explicitly measure Aboriginal peopleâs QoL based on a shared understanding of what QoL really means to Indigenous peoples and the government. Consequently, a meaningful conversation between the parties has not occurred to make a substantial improvement to the current status quo.
The Sustainable Water Governance and Indigenous Law Project (SWGIL) is funded by a SSHRC Partnership Grant. A key goal of the project is to create a prototype of an Indigenous-led, community-based water monitoring program. .By synthetizing modern technologies, with traditional stewardship practices, the project will empower Indigenous individuals and communities to actively engage in monitoring, protecting and conserving fresh water resources.
The Government of Canada is in the process of reviewing legislation and procedures related to environmental processes, e.g. the Canadian Environmental Assessment process (CEAA) and the National Energy Board process (NEB). Indigenous groups across Canada have participated in engagement sessions, and made formal written submissions which have been made publically available.
The Lil’wat Nation is working to foster community food security by restoring and activating Indigenous knowledge around traditional food systems. Our project examines ‘Ecosystem Services’ approaches as one way to support local food security while also protecting culturally-important environmental services. Led by a Lil’wat Food Committee, this project will engage community members in community planning and visioning exercises that evaluate what future paths for environmental stewardship are the highest priority.
The aspirations of aboriginal communities are a critical part of decision making regarding land and resource use, policy and community development, and strategic planning. To help achieve aboriginal aspirations, this project aims to develop, apply, and evaluate a novel approach to aid aboriginal community decision making and solution creation/implementation.
The International Centre for Northern Governance and Development (ICNGD) was created to help focus attention on opportunities for building capacity in northern Saskatchewan. An overarching goal was to establish local to global relationships with the Circumpolar North in support of education, research and economic prosperity. The university, industry and northern communities work together to help students learn in an environment that is context based, relevant education and research in support of the north.
Between government obligation and corporate social responsibilities, mining companies are experiencing a need to maintain positive corporate-Indigenous relations as they develop and implement impact benefit agreements in consultation with First Nations..