Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #266: Community Well-Being Index Northern Research Program  (CWB)

Outline
The Community Well-Being (CWB) index is an existing research tool which represents an ideal starting point from which to develop a program of research to examine the many facets of northern Canadian community well-being and sustainability. The Strategic Research and Analysis Directorate (SRAD) of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has produced this composite index of well-being to measure and monitor the well-being of First Nation, Inuit and other Canadian communities. The CWB index is a research tool based on methodology developed by the United Nations Development Program for its Human Development Index to measure the well-being of nations. The CWB index is composed of seven indicators under four broad categories – education, income, labour force and housing. The CWB index is created using Census Canada data which is gathered at five year intervals and with relative consistency for Aboriginal populations since 1981. The CWB index can measure and compare the well-being of over 4,500 Canadian communities. SRAD has produced three research reports examining the well-being of First Nations communities relative to other Canadian communities using the CWB index. SRAD is also in the process of developing an Inuit CWB index. Three phases of a proposed CWB research program for the north are: 1) Northern Specific CWB Index: This would involve development of a report, based on methodology from the First Nations and Inuit CWB analysis, of northern community well-being for all northern communities within the IPY definition of north (including northern provinces). This analysis would be broken down by region and Aboriginal community type for a more detailed analysis of comparable Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. 2) Determinants of Well-Being: A significant component of the CWB research program will involve analyses of the potential determinants or causes of well-being. What are the factors that help account for differential community scores on the CWB index over time? We can examine, for example: - size and location of communities (road access, proximity to service centre or industry, access to natural resources etc.); - government funding (level and type of funding), policies and programs (e.g. comprehensive land claims policy) - residential mobility - income inequality - cultural composition of communities - cultural continuity (e.g. language use, traditional food harvesting etc.) - gender equality 3) Qualitative Research: A significant aspect of community well-being has to include an analysis of well-being from a community’s perspective. The type of broad “top-down” indicators that are available from the Census Canada serve a useful purpose for comparability and time-series analysis. However, how do communities, especially those of differing cultures and geographies, view well-being in relation to the standard, often economically driven, indicators typically used by policy makers? A study of well-being from a community perspective in relation to the CWB index will improve our understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of “well-being” and help develop monitoring processes that will be more responsive to community needs and better inform decision making on northern issues. This component of research would involve one or more case studies working in close research partnership with northern communities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The CWB index project for northern communities will provide a considerable contribution to our understanding of community well-being and sustainability in a changing north. The CWB index is able to track well-being of northern communities from 1981 to 2006 (data from the 2006 Census of Canada will be available in 2007/08), and examine factors of well-being in relation to noted changes. A multitude of potential factors can be examined, including those related to natural resource use. The research will also contribute to a more holistic understanding of community health and well-being through an examination of Aboriginal and northern views. This project is of specific importance to Canada’s strategic IPY interest in addressing human health and community well-being in the North, and will form a significant contribution to any socio-economic monitoring system that may be developed.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Canada has been working closely with counterparts in the Siberian Federal District, Russia, to establish processes for measuring and monitoring the socio-economic well-being of northern peoples, with an emphasis on Indigenous peoples in relation to non-renewable resource development. The CWB index is an important component of this initiative. The three chief project partners are INAC (Thembi Kamanga-Silundika), IRIS Environmental Systems (Rob Lothian - based in Calgary) and the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk (Viacheslav E. Seliverstov).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Case studies with northern communities have yet to be determined. Options will include undertaking a case study each with an Inuit, First Nation and non-Aboriginal community and/or regionally based case studies (e.g. Northern Provinces in contrast to Territories).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/06 – 09/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No significant logistic support/facilities are required outside of transportation to and from communities chosen for case study analysis.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No, however this project will play a significant role in any development of a socio-economic monitoring system in the north and is expected to assist with the development of research capacity within selected communities.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Commercial operator
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - The project has been discussed with INAC representatives and coordinators of the IPY.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No

The CWB index is an existing research tool which represents an ideal starting point from which to develop a program of research to examine the many facets of northern Canadian community well-being and sustainability.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The initial phases of the research will involve the adaptation and application of an existing national research methodology and tool to the north. A management structure for these phases is well established within the SRAD of INAC. A Project Steering Committee will be established for subsequent phases of the project that involve partnered research with northern communities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
SRAD, in coordination with the Communication Branch of INAC, developed a very effective communications strategy for initial dissemination of the First Nations CWB index. This strategy included development of an information pamphlet, community-tailored outreach documents (in partnership with Statistics Canada), oral briefings and regional presentations and was targeted towards decision makers, the general public and Aboriginal communities. This communications strategy can provide a framework for future dissemination of northern specific community well-being information. In addition, SRAD runs a major conference – the Aboriginal Policy Research Conference - in partnership with the University of Western Ontario and the National Association of Friendship Centres, that would provide an excellent forum to highlight IPY activities (see http://www.ssc.uwo.ca/sociology/aprc-crmpa/).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data for the initial phase of the project is derived from the Census of Canada, and will be used in strict accordance with the standards and regulations imposed by that institution. The management of any data developed in partnership with northern communities will follow the guidelines that have been set out by the IPY data policy documents and any further guidelines set out by the Project Steering Committee that will include community representation.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The First Nation and Inuit CWB index analyses have been funded internally by SRAD. However, recent cut-backs to half of former budget levels has left serious doubt as to whether a northern specific component of the CWB research program could be similarly funded. There is potential for some funding for this project from a Northern Strategy budget currently under development. Depending on the final scope of this project, an estimated $300,000 to $500,000 will be required for between 3 and 5 years of research.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
For information on the CWB index, please see the following site: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/ra/pub4_e.html. This site contains a copy of an information pamphlet, research papers, a map, a full set of data for all Canadian communities and Frequently Asked Questions.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Sr. Research Manager Erik Anderson
Strategic Research and Analysis Directorate, INAC
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, Room 5-J, 10 Wellington
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H4
Canada

Tel: (819) 953-8209
Mobile: no
Fax: (819) 994-7595
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation