Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon (2007-2011)

Background:

The “Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in the Northern Yukon" project was a three phase food security and climate change initiative in Old Crow.

The first phase of the project included a large gathering where the youth actively participated with the community in various climate change workshops with International Polar Year researchers to learn about environmental changes in the Old Crow area. At this meeting Elders shared valuable traditional knowledge and community members shared thoughtful wisdom and advice with the youth.

Phase II focused on learning what food security adaptation strategies the community had been doing and could continue to build upon in the future to help cope with climate change. This phase involved training youth to develop research skills and three youth interviewed over 30 members of their community. In addition, four youth were trained in filmmaking and produced their own trailers about food security in their community.

The research for the third phase of the project (2010-2011) focused on assisting and facilitating the community in determining how Old Crow could implement their recommendations from Phase II (2009-2010) and put them into action in order to address food security issues.

Who was involved?

The project was initiated by the Vuntut Gwitchin citizens in Old Crow, who invited AICBR to work with them on a community-based research project to address their concerns about changes to their traditional harvesting and hunting areas as well as the distribution and abundance of traditional food species.

Who funded the Project?

This project was made possible by the generous funding from Health Canada’s Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program for Northern First Nations and Inuit Communities.

Deliverables:

The films and all the contents/deliverables of this project are owned by Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation; AICBR has been given the rights to disseminate and share the deliverables, as per the agreed terms of the copyright agreement.

Publications:
- The Partnerships, the Productions and the People behind the Lens: Promoting Youth Wellness through Community-Based Research and Filmmaking. Innovations in Community Health and Wellness. Northern Public Affairs Magazine. Volume 5 Issue 2 (July 2017)
  - Authors: Norma Kassi, Molly Pratt, Marilyn Van Bibber, Katelyn Friendship, Jody Butler Walker, Math’ieya Alatini Mary Jane Johnson, Roger Alfred, Eugene Alfred, Kluane First Nation Lands, Resources & Heritage Department, Kluane First Nation Youth and Elders, & the Vuntut Gwitchin Natural Resources Department

Final Report (2011) - Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon: What do our Changing Homelands mean for our Health? Phase 3: Community Action on Climate Change & Food Security Adaptation in Old Crow
Poster (2011) Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon: What do our Changing Homelands mean for our Health?
Final Report (2010) - Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon: What do our Changing Homelands mean for our Health? Phase 2: Knowledge into Action
Presentation - Our Changing Homelands, Our Changing Lives - Norma Kassi, Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research [video]
Community Newsletter

DOCUMENTARIES:

The land that has sustained the Vuntut Gwitchin, People of the Lakes, in the Far North of Yukon, Canada, is undergoing rapid changes from global warming. This video takes you on a journey from nearly 20 years ago to the present with a community whose very survival is at risk.

Preview of a 45 minute video documentary currently in production that will incorporate original footage from 10 years ago of a family's life on the land and the sudden changes they are experiencing.

A film highlighting the "Our Changing Homelands" conference in Old Crow, Yukon, which focused teaching youth about climate change and its affect on their health.

The "Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon" project was a three phase food security and climate change initiative that began in Old Crow Yukon in 2008.