Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #89: Measuring how far south the North has been - ancient and historic human settlement on past and present coastlines (Labrador and the Island of Newoundland).  (Northwest Atlantic coastlines – a bountiful edge)

Outline
Over 8000 years ago people began to settle on the coast of Labrador and by at least 5000 years ago on the the Island of Newfoundland. Glacial ice had retreated from these coasts by then, and isostatic rebound was repositioning coastlines. This process allowed for settlement by people who discovered a bountiful environment rich in natural resources. These people came from all the cardinal directions, making these northern coastlines a “crossroads” of sorts. Since that ancient time, the human footprint has grown heavier, and many coastal resources have become depleted. The archaeological record, along with botanical evidence and marine species studies, have provided important data for measuring this depletion over a long span of time and along thousands of kilometres of northwest Atlantic coastline. The Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador (PMNL) Collections are a repository for this change, studied by researchers from many disciplines and communities. Research products generated from these studies (publications/multi-media, traveling exhibits, public programs) serve people of all ages around Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world. Since Collections represent “baseline” data for studying this change, this data needs to expand in order to accurately assess current changes, and help plan for future ones. IPY 2007 sponsored field research in archaeology, botany and marine species of a select north Labrador coast region would contribute to the growth of this baseline data.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
In the South, the North is often described as a more “marginal” environment. But that hasn’t stopped people, plants and marine species from settling the northwest Atlantic coast for thousands of years. A better way to describe human-environment interactions and settlement in this region is “northern bounty within a risk-filled environment.” Multi-disciplinary research in a select Labrador fjord/bay will provide a broad view of this bounty and the risks entailed for people and for the natural resources which made/make this region “home.” This research and its dissemination, will demonstrate to the Canadian public how life along a northern coastline connects us to the people of the “North Atlantic Rim” and brings us into contact with many countries who are part of the “circumpolar coastline.”

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Several Nordic country museums around the North Atlantic Rim (Tromso, Bergen, Nuuk, Reykjavik) have recently collaborated with the PMNL on a traveling exhibit, “Full Circle - First Contact” (see: www.gov.nf.ca/fullcircle re IPY 2007 themes). Following its’ successful North American tour, these museums wish to host this exhibit. This “exchange” could be further developed re “exchange” of IPY 2007 curators/researchers and their circumpolar exhibitions.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Three of northern Labrador’s prominent fjords/bays (Ramah, Saglek, Nachvak) provide a somewhat “bounded” field work “universe.” Similar fjords/bays exist around the “North AtlanticRim.” Multi-disciplinary studies [Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), the Smithsonian Institution and the PMNL] have occurred in Labrador. Those studies will be built upon, will heavily involve northern residents and researchers, and will be compared with those in other similar region

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Mid-July/2007 – mid-August/2007      Mid-July/2008 – mid-August/2008      Mid-July /2009 – Mid-August/2009
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Marine transport via ice strengthened research ship into the fjord/bay, with research crew and supplies. Marine transport in a small vessel within the fjord/bay. Helicopter/fixed wing transport aircraft to access research sites. Polar environment base camp/new field station and gear.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Labrador residents (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) and northern-focused faculty/students would be given preference (as circumstances allow) for the various researcher positions. Their careers/employment in this northern environment would serve as a legacy, as would research “products” and their dissemination to a wide audience. IPY 2007 based-research could lead to the establishment of a north Labrador coast research station.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Military support
Own support
Other sources of support

The Provincial Museum has limited funding capability, but federal agencies such as ACUNS Northern Training Program, and the Dept. of Canadian Heritage-Museums Assistance Program provide funds for dissemination of research (i.e.exhibits). MUN has access to research and employment funds, as do Aboriginal communities.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Archaeology Given time constraints and workloads, I and other PMNL curatorial staff have not been able to obtain Provincial sponsorship for this proposal. However assuming this can be obtained, preliminary discussions have occurred with prospective partners (i.e. MUN faculty and Nordic Museum curators).

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?
New

Research by the PMNL and academic/community partners in northern Labrador is largely project specific. At this early stage more discussion with those partners is required before formal collaboration on specific research can be verified.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Two committees could be formed, one dealing with field research and one with dissemination of research “products.” Representatives from Labrador communities would participate on both committees. Assuming MUN’s partnership with the PMNL, then MUN’s Office of Research could manage the overall research budget, with principle investigators handling their separate components. The “research products” dissemination budget could be handled by PMNL administrative staff, with this author (provisionally at least) chairing the PMNL committee. This would likely be comprised of curatorial staff and community representatives supporting the research.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A traveling exhibit (2008/2009) to both small and large circumpolar communities (post 2009) would feature the results of the field research. Multi-media products (website, CD’s for schools, radio/video broadcasts etc.) featuring research results would be produced by the PMNL and partners (2008-2009). The exhibit “Full Circle – First Contact” could begin touring in 2007 to smaller Canadian arctic communities and, later, to Nordic country museums (Greenland, Iceland, Norway etc.).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Both MUN and the PMNL have data storage and analysis capability, but ICSU World Data Centres would be investigated to provide additional data management capability. PMNL curatorial staff and MUN researchrs would access their systems, including in-house technical support. PMNL Collections demonstrate how long term curation of certain kinds of artifact/specimen data, and access to it by researchers and the public, could function.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
No funding is secured at present (provincial government approval is required beyond this pre-proposal). Federal programs supporting museum exhibits could provide some funding. Budget estimates (3 years): -field research by Museum curatorial staff = $100k.; new exhibit development and travel = $200k; travel of “Full Circle - First Contact” exhibit = $125k; development of media products =$125k. Total estimate (plus contingency $75k) = $625k. Some revenue could be generated via exhibit rental fees and media product sales.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The organization and management outline provided is subject to provincial government review. That is partly because in 2005 the PMNL will move into a new facility in St. John’s. This major initiative has resulted in heavy workloads for a small staff. A larger budget for fiscal year 2005-2006 should see additional staff hired. Without this development, the PMNL would likely be unable to participate in IPY 2007 to the degree outlined in this pre-proposal. Moreover, without funding granted from IPY 2007 sources, many of the research and research product dissemination components suggested here would have to be reformatted to reflect a smaller budget and fewer curatorial research staff. Partnerships with a variety of publics, (academic, corporate, community and government) have been successfully developed by the PMNL for past projects, and could be done here as well.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Kevin McAleese
c/o 50 Parade St., St. John’s, Newfoundland


A1B 4J6
Canada

Tel: 709-729-4432
Mobile: no
Fax: 709-729-1682
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation