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2009-10 Award Recipients
Title: The Geochemical, Mineralogical and Microbiological Processess within Waste Rock Piles at the Diavik Diamond Mine The primary objective of my research is to examine the geochemical and microbiological processes that occur within low-sulfide content waste rock piles with limited neutralization potential at the Diavik Diamond Mine site. This research will aid in understanding the potential effects of stockpiling waste rock in northern regions and therefore, will help improve waste rock management techniques and mine regulations in the north. _______________________________
Title: Palaeo-Eskimo Lithic Exploration Strategies: Assessing Inferences of Culture Change Through Chert Sourcing on Southern Baffin Island The purpose of my research is to assess lithic (i.e. stone) raw material selection and use among Palaeo-Eskimos (ca. 4500-1000BP) on southern Baffin Island, and determine if selection strategies changed over time in response to changing climate, cultural innovation, and/or cultural replacement. This research will provide valuable insight into Palaeo-Eskimo mobility, social interaction, trade, and cultural continuity over time. _______________________________
Title: Ecohydrology of Polar Bear Pass, Bathurst Island, Nunavut Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife area is a large regional wetland (100 km2) on Bathurst Island, and is considered one of the most critical ecological sites on the island. No information exists on the seasonal patterns of water flow through this wetland area and knowlege relating to how nutrients, required for plant productivity travel from adjacent hillslopes is absent. A detailed ecohydrological investigation was conducted in 2007, 2008 and continues to focus on the question of future sustainability of this ecosystem to climate variability and change. Since ponds are numerous in this wetland, form the dominant land-type and are reported to be disappearing elsewhere, the research objectives are to evaluate the importance of hillslope-wetland hydrological linkages in pond sustainability; and to identify the role of terrestrial pathways in moving nutrients and organic carbon into ponds. A water balance framework is applied from snowmelt to freeze-back to a series of ponds with none, to single and multiple hillslope linkages, along with ponds in ice rich and ice poor terrain, in order to identify their critical thresholds in pond sustainability. To identify the impact of water pathway changes on nutrient flow in response to climatic variability, the mechanisms accountable for the control of nutrients and organic carbon transfer into ponds will be investigated. Seasonal changes in concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in terrestrial pathways, like hillslope streams, frost cracks into adjacent ponds will be analyzed. These research results will be critical in understanding the hydrologic sustainability of this extensive wetland system and in issues of carbon loads and pathways. _______________________________
Title: Forest fire and tree line migration, northern Yukon Territory Fires in many areas of the boreal forest are expected to become more frequent as the climate warms. Northern black spruce require several decades to become reproductively mature; therefore a reduction in the fire return interval (FRI) may interrupt the cycle of post-fire self-replacement for this dominant boreal conifer. The main objective of my research is to investigate how an altered FRI can drive vegetation shifts in black spruce forests near treeline in northern Yukon. I will use surveys conducted across the treeline in conjunction with a natural field experiment to identify catalysts of change in the past, potential constraints on treeline expansion, and to compare seedling establishment and growth in stands of varying FRI. Preliminary results indicate that following two closely timed fires (short FRI), black spruce seedling recruitment was drastically reduced. The absence of natural seedling establishment following a short-interval burn may result in stands shifting from black spruce forest to deciduous woodlands or graminoid-dominated tundra in this treeline region. Increases in fire activity may thus lead to a degradation of treeline forests in some areas, rather than the increased tree density and forest extent predicted with climate warming. _______________________________
Title: Glacial history of northern Banks Island, Northwest Territories Canadian scientists need to place contemporary and future environmental change in a long-term perspective in order to formulate responsible policy positions. Given the brevity of historical data in Arctic Canada, an understanding of its long-term climatic variability requires documentation of proxy records that test and refine climate models. For the past half-century, reconstructions of the natural history of Banks Island have proposed that it remained ice-free during the last glaciation, constituting the northeast extremity of Beringia. However, evidence remains sparse and controversial. The objectives of my study are to: determine the past activity of the Laurentide Ice Sheet; document the history of postglacial sea level change resulting from ice sheet loading/unloading; and estimate former interglacial paleoclimates using available sedimentary archives. The study will test hypotheses contending that the modern ecosystem evolved from an Ice Age refugium and will refine estimates of long-term climatic variability in Arctic Canada. Clarifying the natural history of Banks Island is relevant to assessing the dynamics of high latitude ice sheets and to understanding postglacial sea level change, including the rate and magnitude of ongoing submergence impacting coastal communities in the western Arctic (e.g. Paulatuk, Tuktoyuktuk, Sachs Harbour). _______________________________
Title: Shrub expansion in Alpine Tundra of the Kluane Regions, S.W. Yukon Territories I am studying shrub expansion in arctic and alpine ecosystems, by investigating the spread of willows upslope into alpine tundra in the Kluane Region of the Southwest Yukon. With a warming climate, arctic ecosystems will experience shifting boundaries such as the spread of tall shrubs into tundra communities. Rapid shrub expansion has been documented in arctic Alaska and north-western Canada using repeat aerial photography, and satellite imagery. Growing season temperatures are warming in Alaska and western Canada and concurrent with this trend, satellite imagery shows a greening of the arctic tundra. The correlation between warming and greening has been used to link climate change with shrub expansion; however, the mechanisms driving shrub increase are probably more complex. A combination of changes in nutrients, snow depth, disturbance, and species interactions are most likely all contributing factors to shrub expansion patterns on the landscape. The objectives of my research are to determine the rate and mechanisms of shrub expansion in the Kluane Region, and to examine the influence of this vegetation change on nutrient cycling and soil temperatures. Increased shrubiness is a major structural change in arctic systems with implications for altering microclimates, biogeochemical cycles and ecological habitats. _______________________________
Title: Role of avian predators in ecosystem structure of the tundra, Bylot and Herschel Islands Avian predators may play a key role in structuring the terrestrial arctic food web. The main objective of my research is to measure the predation pressure realized by avian predators on lower trophic levels (herbivores) and how those birds could contribute to the stability of the ecosystem by limiting herbivore’s numbers. Specifically, I intend to measure the variation in number and the variation in diet of avian predators in relation to the abundance of the main herbivore, lemmings. _______________________________
Title: Aquatic indicators of environmental change, northern Ellsmere Island The warming of the northern coastline of Ellesmere Island in the Canadian High Arctic (82-83°N) is currently more rapid and of a greater amplitude than most other parts of the planet. The main objective of my doctoral research is to identify relevant aquatic indicators of environmental change for the long term monitoring of this region, including Quttinirpaaq (‘top of the world’ in Inuktitut) National Park. The emphasis of my study is on the unique epishelf and meromictic lake ecosystems. Epishelf lakes are ecosystems in which a layer of freshwater is in tidal contact with the sea in an ice-dammed fiord or embayment. Polar meromictic lakes are characterized by permanent stratification of the water column due to a predominant ice cover and a strong salinity gradient. Both of these highly stratified ecosystems depend on ice for their integrity and are therefore very sensitive to warming. Climate change might also alter the presence, distribution and movement of contaminants in high latitudes, and part of my study investigates the burden of fluorinated contaminants such as PFOS and PFOA in aquatic food webs. Finally, this approach based on multiple indicators will be applicable to the long term monitoring and management strategies of other protected areas in the polar regions. _______________________________
Title: Beluga habitat ecology in Nunavik, Québec Unprecedented rates of climate change are affecting our understanding of Arctic marine ecology. One species of particular interest is the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), because of its importance to the subsistence and culture of Inuit and for the insights beluga provide in regards to ecosystem health. My research focuses on two beluga populations in Nunavik, which are listed as 'endangered'. There is a need to increase our knowledge and understanding of the factors that influence population and behavioural ecology of this species in order to better understand this slow recovery and better manage these and other stocks. The principal objective of this study is to increase understanding of the factors influencing beluga whale habitat use. The first component is geographic information systems (GIS) analysis of beluga position data collected during five aerial surveys performed over the past 25 years. The second component is the collection and documentation of Inuit traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of beluga whale behaviour and habitat use. The final component will involve the linking of data sources and an exploration of their collective contributions to understanding habitat ecology and application in species management. Ultimately, the project will identify critical factors that influence habitat use and preference and what ecological factors are associated with these areas of importance. _______________________________
Title: Methane and carbon dioxide measurements at Churchill, Manitoba My research project aims to determine ecosystem-scale fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide from thaw until freeze-up over two growing seasons (2008 and 2009) using the eddy covariance (EC) technique. The EC station incorporates a novel RMT-200 Fast Methane Analyzer (Los Gatos Inc.) in conjunction with an open path CO2/H2O infrared gas analyzer and a 3-D sonic anemometer. The EC data will be supplemented with greenhouse gas determinations from the three dominant landscape-types (hummocks, sedge-lawns, and pools) collected in situ over all four seasons using the chamber technique. The data can then be used to improve climate change models for the fen at Churchill, MB, and offer valuable information about methane and carbon dioxide fluxes in northern wetlands for larger scale climate models. This research will be novel as there are no continual determinations of methane emissions from thaw to freeze-up in northern Canadian systems, and few in the world. _______________________________
Title: Ecology of Arctic charr near Sachs Harbour, Banks Island, Northwest Territories Climate change impacts on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) are of concern to the community of Sachs Harbour, NWT. My research will create a community-based monitoring plan and determine indicators which can be used for monitoring their charr. My research examines links between scientific and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to determine these indicators. Field work provides baseline charr conditions and data for research from current subsistence fishing locations near Sachs Harbour. My project uses local TEK to dictate the scientific study parameters and provide locally-used environmental indicators of change. I am also examining correlations between these TEK indicators of change (i.e. warmer ocean water) and annual growth in charr using otolith ("earbone") back-calculation to determine effective indicators of changes in the charr. Back-calculation looks at the diameter of growth rings in otoliths representing each year of the fish's life and correlates this to total annual growth in the individual fish. Three months are spent in the community each year of the project working with residents on field sampling, interviews and training of local monitors. The dissemination of this research enhances local capacity and provides northern residents and resource managers with important decision-making support for the management their valuable natural resources. _______________________________
Title: Changes to the Milne Ice Shelf, northern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut Ice shelves are thick floating masses of ice attached to land. Canada has lost over 90% of its ice shelves over the last century. Dramatic ice shelf break-ups in the summer of 2008 highlight the importance of understanding these features given the rapid increase in arctic air temperatures and loss of sea ice. _______________________________
Title: Runoff in a complex drainage basin near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories The focus of this investigation is to establish quantitative patterns in the hydrological connectivity of a drainage basin and relate these patterns to key aspects of basin scale hydrology. The Baker Creek Research Basin, NT will be broken into hydrological elements assuming land cover is representative of consistent hydrological function. The hydrological elements will be organized by the potential drainage network as defined by a digital elevation model. Hydrological processes relevant to runoff generation will be monitored to calculate storage states for each type of hydrological element. Hydrological elements will be set to states of ‘connected' or 'disconnected' downstream based on their storage state and the presence or absence of streamflow. Satellite imagery and field observations will be used to test the validity of the predictions of connection between hydrological elements. A temporal representation of the actual connections throughout the basin will be created and measured using a suite of quantitative metrics to describe the structural patterns of hydrological connectivity. Patterns of hydrological connectivity will then be related to contributing area and streamflow at the outlet. Investigating the relationships between hydrological processes and patterns in hydrological connectivity will provide insight into the nonlinear nature of streamflow response and serve as a strong first step towards improved streamflow prediction, especially in small ungauged basins. _______________________________
Title: Microecology of streams in the Torngat Mountains, Labrador Climate change is predicted to alter important energy-acquiring processes in Arctic stream ecosystems as a result of increased nutrient and carbon loading from rapidly thawing permafrost. These environmental changes are expected to amplify algal biomass accumulation and change microbial decomposition rates, leading to altered biodiversity and food web dynamics in algae, invertebrate and fish communities. Rivers of the Torngat Mountains National Park in subarctic Labrador are predicted to be vulnerable to these climate-induced ecological changes with potential negative consequences to populations of Arctic charr, a culturally valuable fish species for local Inuit. To date, the ecology of these important charr ecosystems is relatively unknown and must be studied in order to begin long-term biomonitoring and ultimately predict specific climate-driven ecological changes. The aims of my research are to establish patterns in two key stream processes (algal biomass production and decomposition) and to investigate how these processes relate to food chain length, complexity and diversity. Establishing ecological patterns will provide the basic understanding of these systems that is needed to predict climate change impacts and will also aid development of the Park’s freshwater biomonitoring program. _______________________________
Title: The Tahltan First Nation and our Consultation Process with Mining Industry; How a Land Use Plan can Improve Community Based Consultation My research will focus on the numerous mining and exploration developments currently exploiting Tahltan Traditional land and resources. My research objectives are threefold: 1) to determine where the Tahltan people would like to see mine developments occur based on the documented traditional use sites (TUS), 2) to examine other First Nations land plans to determine how a land plan for the Tahltan might improve the current consultation process, and 3) to research the history of mining consultation with other First Nations to get an idea of where we are and where we want to go. _______________________________
Title: Fiddling with a Culturally Responsive Curriculum in Northern Manitoba My project aims to explore the fiddle and its cultural connections to identity, belonging, community and place for Aboriginal students in northern Manitoba communities. This ethnographic, oral-history case study will capture narratives from community members in the north. Their perspectives on the impact of the fiddle program will be used to explore if and how it relates and contributes to student well-being. This research will inform understanding between theory and practice of how learning through culture works for Aboriginal learners and address the gap that continues to exist in mainstream education between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal students. It is both timely and critical to strengthen and redefine Aboriginal curriculum. _______________________________
Title: The Northwestern Saskatchewan Métis: Conceptions of the Trapline Tradition 1918-1960 My project will explore the economic traditions of the Northwestern Saskatchewan Métis in the mid-twentieth century. This research will focus on the interaction between the Métis, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and provincial conservation officers concerning the trapline system, its regulation and usage within the Métis communities of Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, and Buffalo Narrows. Through this project I hope to discover how the Northwestern Métis conceptualized their traditional rights as a distinct Aboriginal society. _______________________________
Title: Revitalization of the Gwich’in Language My research will be based on ways to revitalize the Gwich'in language, so that more opportunity and programs are developed so that the language is spoken and learned. I believe for the children to learn the language the parents must also learn the language, which will allow the language to be spoken and reinforced in the home. My plan is to have the elders participating in the research. The elders can help guide and be active participants in the development of school programs and programs for the adults. I would like to explore the history of the language, how to incorporate storytelling into the curriculum, so that storytelling is used to spark the interest of the young people to want to engage in their language and want to speak the language. I would also like to investigate more about the stories, where do they come from, who owns the stories and specifically relating storytelling to the revitalization of the Gwich'in language. _______________________________
Title: The Pollution of Cambridge Bay My project is about The Pollution in Cambridge Bay. It has three topics, which are: The Dump, The Sewage Lagoon and The Garbage Around Town. The reason why I chose pollution in Cambridge Bay was because it is becoming a problem in our town.My concerns are that there are too many animals that eat garbage. Our water is slowly being polluted from the sewage lagoon run-off where some fish swim by and the loose garbage that is on the ground in certain parts of town. All this has an affect on people, the animals and the environment. _______________________________
Title: An Oral History of Social Work Practice in the Yukon I would like to undertake a series of oral history interviews with northern social work practitioners resident in Yukon who worked in the North in the 1970s through the 1990s. Selection of participants will be voluntarily solicited through advertisement of the opportunity in the NASW newsletter and other local media and contacts. I aim to interview between six and ten people. These interviews will be transcribed and deposited as primary research material in the Yukon Archives. I will then develop a synthetic and analytical report on the common and divergent themes presented in these oral histories, reflect on historical conflicts, resolutions, and trajectories, and present my findings to an appropriate seminar in the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Yukon College and possibly the biannual meetings of the NASW. _______________________________
Title: Keets’a Dan Ku Portal Project My northern education outreach research project, ‘Keets’a Dan Ku Portal Project,’ will enable (or allow) me to study how the 2007-2008 International Polar Year (IPY) educational outreach activities were successful in educating students globally about climate change and other issues facing communities in the north. I will develop outreach activities to increase the use of polar research in Yukon curriculum, to enhance northern First Nations curriculum, and to help internationalize northern studies via live feeds from Yukon schools to schools in the south. The results will be posted to a website similar to that used for the IPY International Polar Days. I look forward to working with Bil Roberts of Yukon College, Yukon College and University of the Arctic on this project. _______________________________
Title: Cultural Safety: Respecting Aboriginal Perspectives in a Health Care Setting The Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (YHSSA) are currently in the stages of revamping their primary community care clinics for the residents of Yellowknife, NT. Since the population of Yellowknife is approximately 25% Aboriginal, it provides an opportunity to examine the concept of cultural safety. A cultural safe practice, as it applies to my research, is when health care providers and support staff interact with Aboriginal people in a manner that is respectful of the differences within their culture. My project will take a participatory action approach by seeking the opinions of local Dene and Métis populations on the care they receive at the primary community care clinics in Yellowknife. The goal of this research study is to help YHSSA identify ways in which they may ensure that the health care practices they deliver to local Dene and Métis populations are culturally safe for all service recipients. _______________________________
Title: Ecological Analysis of McIntyre Wetland McIntyre Wetland is the largest contiguous wildlife corridor within the Whitehorse city limits. Expanding urban development, increased recreational activities and many different stakeholders with a diversity of needs have all highlighted the need for a comprehensive ecosystem study and impact assessment. This research will determine baseline inventories, species diversity and abundance, wetland filtration, water quality and contaminants through standard sampling methods and protocols and will assist in the development of a wetland management plan for use by land use planners and decision makers. The objective is to describe and quantify the key ecological processes operating within the Wetland and develop the most apparent scenarios for protecting the area. Community partnerships are vital and I will work with local First Nations groups, NGO’s, and Government to foster conservation and stewardship initiatives. _______________________________
Title: Biodiversity monitoring for the Yukon Wildlife Preserve My project is environmental monitoring at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. A set of 11
environmental monitoring protocol will be followed to continue monitoring of various
indicator species at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. _______________________________
Title: Communicating Financial Aid Opportunities for Northern Students As both a Northern resident and post-secondary student, it has become apparent to me how few students apply for the bursaries and scholarships that are available to them. Each year, thousands of dollars are wasted as a result of eligible students not being aware or informed of the financial help that is available to them. The project I am proposing is the development of a communications strategy to more effectively make aware to Northern students the financial aid opportunities available to them. I will be working directly with Yukon College faculty and students, as well as consulting with major funders of Northern awards. The project will commence in the fall of 2009. Through student surveys, an examination of existing and previous media used to gather and disseminate information, as well as focus group discussions with staff and students, and marketing strategies, the project will begin to determine the communicative competence of messaging considering cultural, age, and gender factors. The next stage of my project will involve developing a strategy for the college to promote to its students the variety of financial awards made available each year. This will include recommendations for web-based or other media communication efforts, a yearly calendar of deadlines for application, student testimonials and workshops, and other initiatives that might emerge from my consultations. _______________________________
Title: The Three R’s: Reuse, Reduce and Recycle in a small northern community The project that I have chosen for this research is for the three R’s. Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. I feel that it is very difficult in the north to recycle and reduce waste. I would like to know what the community feels about the waste in our small communities. Also how they would like to deal with waste in our communities. There are very little resources to store chemical waste in small communities, also there is no place to recycle recyclable products because of the limited resources that we have here in the north. If we were to try and start recycling any type of recyclable cans, it would cost too much money to ship the products out to a recycling depot down south. I will be working with my classmates and asking them to write me a letter on how they feel about the little resources that we have here in the community to reuse, reduce and recycle. I would like to get feedback on whether they think it would be possible to recycle, reduce and reuse. I will also do a follow up on this topic as I will be handing out a questionnaire to my classmates on the three R’s. We may come from a small community where we think that there is very little we can do for our community, but I feel that if we work together and help each other, we can help our community become a better environment. We can start off by doing small things like; when we go out grocery shopping, try to use canvas shopping bags rather than plastic bags. And try to make people understand the importance, we can ask the two local stores to start charging the customers 10 cents for every plastic shopping bag that they use so that will encourage the community to start using canvas shopping bags. The proceeds can go towards the cost of shipping recyclable products down south to the recycling facility. My outcome for this project is to make people aware of how much damage is being done to our environment. I hope that the community will learn that the small things that they do in their everyday life can hurt our environment. I would like to see the community work together maybe even try to help reduce the chemical waste product in our town. _______________________________
Title: The Role of the Co-operative in the Social Economy of Repulse Bay The objective of this research is to produce a study of the changing role of the co-operative sector in a community in Nunavut, as it adapts to new and evolving environmental, governance, and economic realities. In focusing upon the co-operative as a tool of economic organization in these communities, I plan to determine how the ‘mixed economy’ of northern communities is transforming in the face of broader economic and environmental change. The term ‘mixed economy’ is defined as an economy in which the household, rather than the individual, is the prime unit of study, in economic terms. _______________________________ |
