Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #66:Research as a Resource: The Role of Research in Strengthening Self-Governing Yukon First Nations  (Research as a Resource: The Role of Research in Strengthening Self-Governing Yukon First Nations)

Outline
Yukon First Nations Heritage Group (YFNHG) wants to coordinate and deliver four major public education and community outreach activities—primarily for Yukon First Nations governments and their citizens—that highlight these two International Polar Year (IPY) themes: “Change” and the “Human Dimension.” 1. “From the Land to the Table: How Contemporary Yukon First Nations Citizens Harvesting Practices Nourish and Maintain Cultural, Political and Social Cohesion Through Space and Time” This is a community-based qualitative and quantitative research project that examines changing land use patterns and the relevance of harvesting and food-sharing to modern Yukon First Nations. 2. “Connecting with the Land” A five-day Traditional Knowledge Camp for Yukon First Nations Elders and Youth that uses spring-time ice-fishing and harvesting to transmit cultural practices, travel along traditional trails, and visit traditional-use areas. Participants will also learn how to navigate using GPI technology, and upload their digital records of their camp experience to an interactive Web site that will be developed further as a virtual journey to a spring camp. 3. “Bringing the Inside Out” Using the success of Yukon First Nations participation in the exciting new area of Yukon ice-patch research as a model, this four-day workshop for Yukon First Nations heritage professionals will guide participants on how their First Nations can initiate new research projects, and how they can increase their First Nations agency with existing research projects on settlement lands. This symposium will include field trips to ice-patch research projects in Southern Yukon. 4. “Research as a Resource” A three-day forum for Yukon First Nations leaders who want to learn how to begin using research and research interests for the benefit of their citizens, and ensure that their Traditional Knowledge is integrated into research affecting their lands and people. This forum could be co-hosted with a Northern research body whose membership wants to engage in this discussion; forums such as this could be held in Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and the NWT in preparation for a national or international conference. Each suggested activity will be supported by communication plans and strategies, a report including recommendations and action items, and a strategic plan for implementing these recommendations and action items.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Indigenous people must represent themselves during the IPY in order for the IPY to be successful. Indigenous people are now organizing themselves on a more formal basis and representing themselves globally. The IPY is an opportunity for these people to further define and express themselves culturally, socially, spiritually and politically. Any research undertaken in the polar regions must address this reality. YFNHG’s proposed activities are prime opportunity for Yukon First Nations to: represent themselves, and educate themselves and others about how they’re lives are changing (IPY Theme 2), and what can be done to insure their ways of life are protected while examining their human dimension (IPY Theme 6) respectfully and usefully.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
As YFNHG learned about the IPY pre-proposal call two weeks before the deadline, we haven’t had time or opportunity to seek international partners; however, since YFNHG’s proposed projects are relevant to circumpolar indigenous peoples, collaboration with indigenous people living in Alaska, Greenland, and Siberia is likely and could be undertaken easily.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
“From the Land to the Table”—Most of the traditional territories of Yukon Self-Governing First Nations “Connecting with the Land”—The waterways used by the Tr’ondek Hwech’in “Bringing the Inside Out” –One of the ice-patches in the Southern Yukon

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/06-12/06      04/07-05/07      08/07-09/07
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Each of YFNHG’s proposed activities will use existing supports and facilities; however, these supports and facilities will require additional financial and in-kind resources as they are already at capacity.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes, YFNHG project will leave a legacy of formalized networks that will be available publicly, and new systems of research facilitation and management for Yukon First Nations.

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

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: THEME: Education, Outreach & Communication SUB-THEME: Education and Training

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?
Expansion

Each of the proposed activities of YFNHG’s IPY project can easily build upon existing programs and services that Yukon First Nations provide or are already involved in. However, linking and building upon these resources is an independent undertaking.

How will the project be organised and managed?
YFNHG will organize and manage it project through its membership of Yukon First Nations Heritage professionals, and the administrative auspices of YFNHG’s Executive Director. YFNHG will strike a formal IPY planning committee in late 2005 that will guide the project. This committee will report regularly to the YFNHG members, and liaise with potential partners. YFNHG will begin formal preparations for IPY in March 2006. This allows the group one year to begin promoting its project regionally, nationally and internationally. During IPY, the Northern Yukon First Nations will oversee “From the Land to the Table;” Tr’ondek Hwech’in will supervise “Connecting with the Land;” and the Southern Tutchone and Tlingit First Nations will oversee “Bringing the Inside Out” (most Yukon ice-patch research is done on their settlement lands); and “Research as a Resource” will happen in Whitehorse.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
YFNHG will host an organizing and informational meeting for its members about IPY in October 2005. In turn, YFNHG members will communicate this information to Yukon First Nations leadership and citizens in their respective communities. One-third of the project’s proposed communications budget is allocated to be used during 2006.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
As YFNHG’s project is focussing on education and community outreach, data management issues will be addressed in the project’s communications plans and strategies.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
YFNHG plans to use its projected funding for the next three years to support its project with in-kind contributions. YFNHG is also planning to approach foundations such as the Walter Duncan Gordon Foundation, and territorial and federal governments for funding. YFNHG’s estimates that planning; facilitating and documenting its project will cost approximately $299,000 from October 2005-March 2008. Support (Executive Director’s wages, member’s travel, planning meetings for IPY committee members) $73,000 “From the Land to the Table” $50,000 “Connecting with the Land”$48,000 “Bringing the Inside Out” $51,000 “Research as a Resource” $35,000 Communications $42,000

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Alison Blackduck
201-100 Main Street


Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 4T1
Canada

Tel: 867-456-4794
Mobile: no
Fax: 867-456-4720
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation