Northern Communities Research Articles

A Time-Dependent Model for Predicting Thermal Environment of Mono-Slope Solar Greenhouses in Cold Regions

Most greenhouses in the Canadian Prairies shut down during the coldest months (November to February) because of the hefty heating cost. Chinese mono-slope solar greenhouses do not primarily rely on supplemental heating; instead, they mostly rely on solar energy to maintain the required indoor temperature in winter. This study focuses on improving an existing thermal model, entitled RGWSRHJ, for Chinese-style solar greenhouses (CSGs) to increase the robustness of the model for simulating the thermal environment of the CSGs located outside of China. The modified model, entitled SOGREEN, was validated using the field data collected from a CSG in Manitoba, Canada. The results indicate that the average prediction error for indoor and relative humidity is 1.9 °C and 7.0%, and the rRMSE value is 3.3% and 11.5%, respectively. The average error for predicting the north wall and ground surface temperature is 4.2 °C and 2.3 °C, respectively. The study also conducted a case study to analyze the thermal performance of a conceptual CSG in Saskatoon, Canada. The energy analysis indicates the heating requirement of the greenhouse highly depends on the availability of solar radiation. Besides winter, the heating requirement is relatively low in March to maintain 18 °C indoor temperature when the average outdoor temperature was below –4 °C, and negligible during May–August. The results indicate that vegetable production in CSGs could save about 55% on annual heating than traditional greenhouses. Hence, CSGs could be an energy-efficient solution for ensuring food security for northern communities in Canada and other cold regions.

Long-term development of transition hardwood and Pinus strobus - Quercus mixedwood forests with implications for future adaptation and mitigation potential

Uncertainty about global environmental change has led to increased emphasis on the climate adaptation and mitigation potential of forests. Given the linkages between adaptive capacity and ecosystem complexity, this increased emphasis has motivated evaluations of the compositional, functional, and structural conditions characterizing a given forest ecosystem in the context of future stressors; however, less is known about how these conditions develop over time or vary between secondary forests shaped by a history of land use. To address this need, we capitalize on a 69-year field experiment to examine the long-term structural and compositional dynamics of transition ecotone hardwood (forests containing species from both southern and northern communities) and Pinus strobus-Quercus mixedwood (stands characterized by hardwood and softwood species mixtures) forests, communities which are commonly found in the Northeastern US. As expected, we observed a general increase in biomass over time and increasing density and structural complexity, with live aboveground biomass greatest in structurally complex mixedwood systems dominated by large diameter P. strobus. While all forests trended toward greater shade tolerance with increasing stand age, the functional identities of hardwood stands were stable over time compared to mixedwoods, which were more transient and ultimately generated trait profiles resembling hardwood-dominated stands. Ingrowth on all sites favored shade-tolerant Fagus grandifolia and Tsuga canadensis, which have lower future climate compatibility and adaptability compared to overstory trees, with a noticeable absence of P. strobus and Quercus spp. regeneration. Although all forest types exhibited some conditions that foster adaptation potential, the compositional stability of hardwood-dominated systems highlight the capacity of these stands to maintain comparable levels of adaptive capacity into the future. Conversely, given that P. strobus-Quercus mixedwoods examined are largely an artifact of land use, the natural successional patterns of these forests may lead to a reduction in these mixed species communities and a depreciation of associated climate benefits without silvicultural intervention to favor recruitment of these constituent species.

Mexican-Origin Women's Construction and Navigation of Racialized Identities: Implications for Health Amid Restrictive Immigrant Policies.

This study examines how Mexican-origin women construct and navigate racialized identities in a postindustrial northern border community during a period of prolonged restrictive immigration and immigrant policies, and it considers mechanisms by which responses to racialization may shape health. This grounded theory analysis involves interviews with 48 Mexican-origin women in Detroit, Michigan, who identified as being in the first, 1.5, or second immigrant generation. In response to institutions and institutional agents using racializing markers to assess their legal status and policing access to health-promoting resources, women engaged in a range of strategies to resist being constructed as an "other." Women used the same racializing markers or symbols of (il)legality that had been used against them as a malleable set of resources to resist processes of racialization and to form, preserve, and affirm their identities. These responses include constructing an authorized immigrant identity, engaging in immigration advocacy, and resisting stigmatizing labels. These strategies may have different implications for health over time. Findings indicate the importance of addressing policies that promulgate or exacerbate racialization of Mexican-origin communities and other communities who experience growth through migration. Such policies include creating pathways to legalization and access to resources that have been invoked in racialization processes, such as state-issued driver's licenses.

Building Bridges for Indigenous Children's Health: Community Needs Assessment Through Talking Circle Methodology.

ObjectiveThe Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, introduced the Stollery Awasisak team to provide targeted support to Indigenous families and their children. Talking Circles were conducted across northern communities from 2017 to 2019 to better understand how Indigenous people perceive the current state of healthcare services delivered by the Stollery Hospital.MethodsThe 2019 Talking Circles were held in six cities: Grande Prairie, Slave Lake, High Level, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, and Cold Lake, which were the biggest circles held to date with an attendance of 160 participants. Participants included members of Treaties 6 and 8, and Metis Nations of Alberta, as well as healthcare professionals in those regions.ResultsTalking Circles identified challenges Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit and Metis) pediatric patients and their families experienced from accessing care to transitioning home to exploring their positive experiences with the Stollery Hospital and other frontline collaborates. Through these circles guided by Elders in ceremonies, priorities and recommendations were made to help support pediatric patients and their families.ConclusionMultiple perspectives provided rich data on how best to adhere to the Truth Reconciliation of Canada 19th mandate and ensure equitable healthcare access to all Indigenous children. Together, leaders, healthcare providers, service providers and community members reflected on the lessons of the Medicine Wheel quadrants and the Seven Sacred Teachings, and brought forward four priorities; capacity building, continuity of care, culturally responsive care and increased communication.

Why Indigenous Canadians on reserves are reluctant to complain about the police

Recent widespread protests and intensive media coverage of actual and alleged acts of police misconduct against members of vulnerable populations (e.g., Indigenous and racialized persons, mentally ill and/or addicted persons) overrepresented in the criminal justice system have renewed interest internationally in the factors influencing civilian complaints against police. In Canada, a major concern exists regarding how Indigenous persons who feel improperly treated by the police perceive and confront barriers to making formal complaints about such treatment. This study focuses on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the police agency providing services to the majority of rural and northern reserve communities. Our survey and interviews with influential “community informants” (in this instance community court workers) with intimate knowledge of such local communities, shared culture and language, and vicarious appreciation of the experiences of community members support the view that Indigenous persons do encounter significant barriers to launching formal complaints and are consistent with other research literature. We discuss our findings, raise policy considerations for decision makers such as police leaders and police complaints bodies, and outline implications for future research.

11 years of regular access to subsidized veterinary services is associated with improved dog health and welfare in remote northern communities

Access to veterinary services can have positive impacts on animal health and welfare, and on human mental and physical health and well-being; however, many communities worldwide lack access to such services. At their request, the 5 communities of the Sahtu Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada, have received annual access to preventive veterinary services through the University of Calgary’s Northern Community Health Rotation since 2008. To determine the reach of the program, we conducted a dog census in 2017. We then conducted a chart review of 11 years of dog medical records from 2008 to 2018 to evaluate how the reach of the program, the uptake of veterinary services, and dog population demographics, health and welfare measures changed over the duration of the program. In the chart review, we used either multi-level logistic regression or generalized linear models, to determine how seven variables, including age, sex, breed, body condition, deworming, vaccination, and sterilization status upon clinic entry, changed over the course of program delivery. Our results suggest that program reach, veterinary service uptake, and dog demographic, health and welfare measures improved over time. We observed high rabies vaccination coverage in some communities (48 %–83 % of the dog population) and moderate overall sterilization status (25 %–56 % of the dog population) with female dog sterilization more common than male (75 % of dogs leaving the 2017 clinics, compared to 43 %). Several dog demographic, health, and welfare measures, including age, body condition, and vaccination, deworming, and sterilization status, were significantly better in later years of the program (all p < 0.001). Differences among communities, both in dog population numbers from the 2017 census (40–89 dogs) and in the uptake of veterinary services in 2017 (48 %–83 % of the dog population), were notable. Vaccination uptake was directly related to clinic attendance, but sterilization was impacted by additional factors, including community members’ acceptance of the procedure. Some unintended consequences were noted, however, including the potential effect of sterilization on the availability of traditional dog breeds in the communities. Overall, our study findings demonstrate that subsidized veterinary services provided over a regular and extended period of time benefit animal population demographics, health and welfare, and could have positive impacts on human well-being. The framework of community collaboration and long-term commitment developed through this program serves as a model for achieving common health goals among communities in need and veterinary service providers.

Natural wetlands contribution on phosphorus removal in small northern communities in Canada

ABSTRACT This study focuses on understanding the role of passive wastewater treatment (wastewater lagoon plus wetland) in reducing the phosphorus discharge levels in a northern small community in Manitoba, Canada. The facultative lagoon system of that small community treats domestic wastewater and seasonally discharges effluent into a wetland that connects to Lake Manitoba. This research assesses phosphorus removal efficiency through the natural wetland during the vegetation growing season. The average total phosphorus (TP) concentration reduction for the observed treatment area of 1.3 ha was more than 70%, achieving the desired TP discharge concentration below 1 mg/L. Data analysis showed that the main accumulation of TP occurred at the 21–40 cm soil depth, which indicates the potential of natural wetland treatment applications under cold continental climate conditions as an effluent polishing step to satisfy regulatory requirements for phosphorus reduction.

The Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences Scientific Statement on Climate Change – Its Impacts in Canada, and the Critical Role of Earth Scientists in Mitigation and Adaptation

The Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES) has issued this statement to summarize the science, effects, and implications of climate change. We highlight the role of Earth scientists in documenting and mitigating climate change, and in managing and adapting to its consequences in Canada. CFES is the coordinated voice of Canada’s Earth Sciences community with 14 member organizations representing some 15,000 geoscientists. Our members are drawn from academia, industry, education, and government. The mission of CFES is to ensure decision makers and the public understand the contributions of Earth Science to Canadian society and the economy. Climate change has become a national and global priority for all levels of government. The geological record shows us that the global climate has changed throughout Earth’s history, but the current rates of change are almost unprecedented. Over the last 70 years, levels of common greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere have steadily increased. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is now 418 parts per million — its highest of the last three million years. The chemical (isotopic) composition of carbon in the atmosphere indicates the increase in GHGs is due to burning fossil fuels. GHGs absorb energy emitted from Earth’s surface and re-radiate it back, warming the lower levels of the atmosphere. Climatic adjustments that have recently occurred are, in practical terms, irreversible, but further change can be mitigated by lowering emissions of GHGs. Climate change is amplified by three important Earth system processes and effects. First, as the climate warms evaporation increases, raising atmospheric concentrations of water vapour, itself a GHG — and adding to warming. Second, loss of ice cover from the polar ice sheets and glaciers exposes larger areas of land and open water — leading to greater absorption of heat from the sun. Third, thawing of near-surface permafrost releases additional GHGs (primarily CO2 and methane) during decay of organic matter previously preserved frozen in the ground. Some impacts of climate change are incremental and steadily occurring, such as melting of glaciers and ice sheets, with consequent sea level rise. Others are intermittent, such as extreme weather events, like hurricanes — but are becoming more frequent. Summer water shortages are increasingly common in western Canada as mountain snowpacks melt earlier and summer river flows decline. In northern Canada, warming and thawing of near-surface permafrost has led to deterioration of infrastructure and increased costs for buildings that now require chilled foundations. Other consequences of unchecked climate change include increased coastal erosion, increases in the number and size of wildfires, and reduction in winter road access to isolated northern communities. Reductions in net GHG emissions are urgently required to mitigate the many effects of further climate change. Industrial and public works development projects must now assess the effects of climate change in their planning, design, and management. Cities, municipalities, and rural communities need to plan new residential development carefully to avoid enhanced risk of flooding, coastal erosion, or wildfire. Earth Science knowledge and expertise is integral to exploration and development of new metals and Earth materials required for a carbon-neutral future, and in the capture and storage of CO2 within the Earth. Earth Science is also central to society’s adaptation to new climatic regimes and reduction of risks. This includes anticipation, assessment, and management of extreme events, development of new standards and guidelines for geotechnical and engineering practice, and revision to regulations that consider climate change. Geoscientists also have an important role in the education of students and the public on the reasons for necessary action. Canada is uniquely positioned with its strong global geoscientific leadership, its vast landmass, and its northern terrain to effectively leverage research activities around climate change. Geoscience tools and geoscientists’ skills will be integral to Canada’s preparation for climate change.

Towards energy security in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region: insights from community members and local residents

ABSTRACT Energy security is a growing concern in the circumpolar Arctic. A growing number of Inuit and other Indigenous communities are seeking greater certainty in the sources of heat, electricity and fuel as well as alternatives to carbon-based energy systems. While top-down and large-scale approaches to renewable energy have been proposed, smaller-scale and community-based energy projects may produce greater economic and social benefits for local people, including Indigenous peoples in remote regions. Building on previous research on energy security in Indigenous and northern communities, this study shares insights about the opportunities and challenges of energy security in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Canada). Twenty-three interviews with a range of community members, including elders and key informants from government and industry within Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk as well as Yellowknife, NT, highlight the energy priorities and motivations, as well as the state of community involvement in energy governance. A key challenge to improving energy security in the region stems from a perceived disconnect between the values and priorities of diverse actors and institutions involved in energy governance at the community, regional, territorial/federal levels. Recommendations include greater effort toward alignment between the many institutions, with the greatest consideration to those most vulnerable to energy insecurity at local scales.

New records of California serogroup viruses in Aedes mosquitoes and first detection in simulioidae flies from Northern Canada and Alaska

An expected consequence of climate warming is an expansion of the geographical distribution of biting insects and associated arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Emerging and re-emerging arboviruses that can affect human and animal health are likely to pose significant consequences for Northern communities where access to health resources is limited. In the North American Arctic, little is known about arboviruses. Thus, in 2019, we sampled biting insects in Nunavik, Northern Québec (Kuujjuaq), Nunavut (Igloolik, Karrak Lake and Cambridge Bay), Northwest Territories (Igloolik and Yellowknife) and Alaska (Fairbanks). The main objective was to detect the presence of California serogroup (CSG) viruses– a widespread group of arboviruses across North America and that are known to cause a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild febrile illness to fatal encephalitis. Biting insects were captured twice daily for a 7-day period in mid-summer, using a standardised protocol consisting of 100 figure-eight movements of a sweep net. Captured specimens were separated by genus (mosquitoes) or by superfamily (other insects) and then grouped into pools of 75 by geographical locations. In total, 5079 Aedes mosquitoes and 1014 Simulioidae flies were caught. We report the detection of CSG viruses RNA in mosquitoes captured in Nunavut (Karrak Lake) and Nunavik (Kuujjuaq). We also report, for the first time in North America, the presence of CSG viruses RNA in Simulioidae flies. These results highlight the use of biting insects for tracking any future emergence of arboviruses in the North, thereby providing key information for public health in Northern communities.

Place Branding and Civic Pride: Comparative Case Study of Two River Cities in Northern Kentucky

ABSTRACT Place branding is an important activity for many communities, bolstering their economic and community development. While there is literature examining the role residents can play in the co-creation and co-production, little has been done to examine the relationship between residents’ “civic pride” and the brand, or lack thereof, in their community. We developed case studies on two northern Kentucky communities, Bellevue and Ludlow, examining their attempts to create a brand, and surveyed residents in both communities on their views of “civic pride” and the current branding in their community. In general, we found that residents in Bellevue, which has a brand, had a much more prideful view of their community compared to those residents in Ludlow, which lacked a brand.

The truncate soft-shell clam,Mya truncata, as a biomonitor of municipal wastewater exposure and historical anthropogenic impacts in the Canadian Arctic

Municipal wastewater is a large source of pollution to Canadian waters, yet its effects on Arctic marine ecosystems remains relatively unknown. We characterized the impacts of municipal wastewater from a growing northern community, Iqaluit, Nunavut, on the Arctic truncate soft-shell clam, Mya truncata. Clams were sampled from six locations that varied in proximity to the wastewater treatment plant, and shell biogeochemical analysis revealed that clams nearest the wastewater treatment plant had slower growth rates, lower carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios, and elevated concentrations of copper and lead. A parallel analysis on mRNA expression profiles characterized M. truncata’s physiological response to wastewater effluent. Clams nearest the wastewater treatment plant had significantly lower mRNA expression of genes associated with metabolism, antioxidants, molecular chaperones, and phase I and II detoxification, but had heightened mRNA expression in genes coding for enzymes that bind and remove contaminants. These results demonstrated a biological response to Iqaluit’s wastewater effluent and highlight M. truncata’s potential to act as a biomonitor of municipal wastewater along Arctic coastlines in Canada.

Viewing young children’s drawing, talking, and writing through a ‘language as context’ lens: implications for literacy assessment

ABSTRACT We report on our analysis of talk during an assessment task where we asked children living in northern Canadian communities to draw and write about activities they share with family and friends in their daily lives. We introduce a language as context approach to assessing young children’s (ages 4–6 years) literacy and sociocultural knowledge, defining context as understandings of the demands of creating texts through drawing and writing, the genre of classroom assessment, and the values and worldviews of their local community and family. From our inductive analysis of children’s (n = 64) talk during the assessment tasks in the fall and spring of one school year (n = 128), we conceptualise relationships between children’s oral language strategies and their understandings of the conventions of an adult-initiated, one-on-one classroom assessment, their strategies for carrying out the task, and of social meanings in everyday experiences with family and friends in their northern communities. We argue this form of assessment provides a comprehensive picture of children’s meaning-making that encompasses social and cultural practices of a diversity of contexts, including school and community.

Where are the people? A scoping review on the use of the term “resilience” in Arctic health research and its relevance to community expressions of well-being

In the field of Arctic health, “resilience” is a concept used to describe the capacity to recover from adversities. The term is widely used in Arctic policy contexts; however, Arctic peoples and communities question whether “resilience” is an appropriate term to describe the human dimensions of health and well-being in the Arctic as it is currently applied. A scoping review of peer-reviewed and gray literature was conducted. We used searchable databases, Google Scholar, and Dartmouth College Library Services, to select studies conducted between 2000 and 2019 and key documents from the Arctic Council and other relevant organization and government entities. A scoping review framework was followed, and consultation among the authors provided initial scope, direction, and verification of findings. Analyses identified over- and underrepresented key thematic areas in the literature on human resilience in Arctic communities. Areas of overrepresentation in the literature included ecosystem, climate change, and environmental sciences. Areas that were underrepresented in the literature included health, medicine, wellness or well-being, and community voices on the topic of human resilience. Results indicated that “resilience” as a concept was applied across a diversity of contexts and subject areas in the Arctic and that this may have repercussions for understanding the human dimension of “resilience” and community expressions of well-being. Alternative terms and concepts with which Northern community members more closely identify could be used to more respectfully and accurately advance research in areas such as epidemiology, community health and well-being, and particularly Indigenous peoples’ health.

Les risques de catastrophes au Canada - une discussion axée sur les données

In a haphazardly changing climate, decision makers and practitioners need new insights based on historical disasters, demographic and socioeconomic shifts, and modifications in the built environment. The COVID-19 has exposed systemic vulnerabilities at all levels. Reflections on past disasters and practices regarding measures to reduce disaster losses, overlaid with insightful understandings and interpretations to suit current times, must allow for new pathways. This study attempts to achieve just that. It examines natural disasters in Canada since the 1900s as well as census data to track the demographics and socioeconomic scenarios. At the initial assessment, considering the most frequent natural disasters (floods, extreme cold, severe thunderstorms, tropical storms and storm surge, landslides, drought, wildfires, earthquakes, and epidemics), Canada experienced 844 events since 1900. A province-based distribution of these disasters suggests that Ontario is ranked first with 158 major events, followed by Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, with over 100 events each. The maritime provinces have also had their share of disasters, and so have the northern communities and territories. In terms of population changes, between 1901 and 2019, Ontario has grown over 560%, Quebec 50%, Alberta 325%, and BC a whopping 2,700%.&#x0D; The study specifically explores the following: disaster types and the scale of their impact on people, properties, and the environment; the demographic and socioeconomic status; an investigation of what measures are currently in place to ensure the building of resilience and coping capacity at the institutional level. The measures include provincial and federal tools for hazard identification and risk assessment that inform policy, emergency response plans, landuse planning, etc. Further investigation is recommended to cover a wide range of vulnerability indicators of the population, as well as the institutional systems and policies in place for developing a robust set of tools to mitigate disaster impacts in the future. This is a preliminary analysis of the entire country in the hope of making a case for a national strategy for disaster adaptive capacities and resilience and climate adaptation.

Vers une Amélioration de la Prestation de Services de Santé pour les Franco-Ontariens

Despite Canada’s linguistic duality status, the francophone community continues to be neglected by the country's authorities. More specifically, the limited scope and access to health services offered to francophones in Ontario pose a serious threat to this population. Facilities providing health services continue to ignore existing health care policies. This situation imposes several actions at the federal, legislative and community levels necessary to ensure the bilingual guarantee promised to the Canadian population. Among these, we must increase the Francophone presence in decision-making groups to ensure the design and establishment of health programs and services focused on the unique and distinct needs of Franco-Ontarians. Moreover, federal financial commitment to Francophone community organizations is essential in order to provide more health services in French, especially in northern and rural communities in the province. Finally, government funding for future research on the health of Francophones is necessary since this will serve as a solid basis for determining how to better serve this population. To achieve this, we would have to consider lobbying, encouraging institutions that provide health services to obtain their bilingual designation, and updating the French Language Services Act. However, by continuing inaction, Franco-Ontarians risk becoming assimilated into the rest of the population, wasting away and seeing their health deteriorating. This article seeks in particular to point out the need to improve the delivery of health services in French in Ontario.

Animal Safekeeping in Situations of Intimate Partner Violence: Experiences of Human Service and Animal Welfare Professionals.

Although knowledge of the link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and animal maltreatment has increased significantly in recent years, few studies have examined service providers' experiences with IPV and concurrent animal abuse, as well as animal safekeeping in situations of IPV. The present study documented human service and animal welfare service providers' experiences supporting victims/survivors of IPV, who owned pets and livestock, and included service providers in rural and northern communities in Saskatchewan. Online surveys were completed by 128 human service professionals (including domestic violence shelter workers, domestic violence counsellors, victim services workers, police, and legal professionals) and 43 animal welfare professionals (including workers from animal rescues, humane societies, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [SPCAs], and veterinary clinics) (n = 171). Respondents shared information relating to their awareness of the link; their experiences responding in situations of IPV and concurrent animal abuse, including arranging animal safekeeping in situations of IPV; and successes and challenges related to effective service provision. Results include descriptions of intersecting risks to people and animals. Service providers shared ways that they have assisted victims/survivors who own animals, such as through animal safekeeping programs. Both human service and animal welfare professionals expressed the need for pet-friendly domestic violence shelters and pet-friendly long-term housing options. Service providers offered recommendations for improving education and training; improving provision of services of victims/survivors of IPV and their animals, including improving access to Emergency Intervention Orders and establishing funding for animal safekeeping in situations of IPV; and strengthening existing and building new partnerships.

A conceptual model for talik dynamics and icing formation in a river floodplain in the continuous permafrost zone at Salluit, Nunavik (Quebec), Canada

AbstractIcing occurs each winter along the floodplain of the Kuuguluk River in the continuous permafrost zone at Salluit in Nunavik (Quebec), Canada. The source of successive water overflows which thicken and enlarge this ice cover over time is suprapermafrost groundwater discharging from a talik below the riverbed. Electrical resistivity tomography was used to delineate the talik, while water level and temperature dataloggers were used to assess the thermo‐hydraulic conditions of the riverbed. The mean annual riverbed temperature was 1.8°C in 2016 while the mean annual air temperature was −6.0°C. Hydraulic heads below the ice cover as high as 2.8 m and events of abrupt decreases in hydraulic head due to suprapermafrost groundwater overflow through cracks in the ice cover were monitored. An analytical solution based on beam mechanics theory was used to assess the water pressure‐induced stresses which are sufficient to fracture the ice cover. A detailed conceptual model of the talik and icing dynamics is proposed to explain the cryo‐hydrogeological processes taking place in this complex groundwater–river system. The groundwater pressure buildup in the talik during the winter is due to constricted flow of suprapermafrost groundwater in the talik. These results have implications for understanding the dynamics of river taliks and their use as potential water supplies in northern communities.

Local food development in the Moose Cree First Nation: taking steps to build local food sustainability

ABSTRACT It has been well documented that northern Indigenous communities in Canada have disproportionately high rates of food insecurity which is contributing to chronic health conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Indigenous communities face complex challenges getting regular access to healthy food, whether through traditional food harvesting practices or through imported market food items. In response, many Indigenous communities are seeking ways to develop locally derived solutions that increase local food procurement capacity and rebuild local food systems. The purpose of this paper is to further understand local food initiatives in Moose Cree First Nation, a remote northern community at the base of James Bay, Ontario, Canada. This paper builds on the Indigenous Health Research Group’s focus on understanding and documenting the steps taken in support of building local food capacity, more specifically through a community garden project. With a deepened understanding of the challenges and opportunities the community faces in regaining greater autonomy over their food system, the findings presented here build on community-based participatory action approaches when learning and working with communities in support of local food efforts.

Progress stories and the contested making of minerals in Greenland and northern Québec

The aim of this article is to go beyond progress stories presented in and about the North by industry and governmental bodies. By pursuing event ethnography and public policy analysis, progress stories are analyzed and contextualized, drawing on recent insights from participant-observations at mining conferences and conventions (e.g. PDAC), field visits (organized by REXSAC and the MinErAL Network) to Greenland and Quebec. Quebec has a long history of mining, and in Greenland substantial profit from mining has also been possible (before the Greenland Self-Government authorities took over the responsibility for the mineral resource area). Northern communities are in many ways co-investors of mining projects and promised to benefit from the extractive activities. However, with a (2014) mining strategy preparing Greenland for something that never really happened. Mining in Greenland is still carried out, but the making of minerals there is contested. Around the same time, Québec launched Plan Nord and initiatives mostly aimed at fostering mining investment and development in Northern Québec. The analysis illustrates that development of the mining industry in praxis is much more modest than envisioned, but still the progress stories do have an impact on local politics, the understanding of history, and relationships between North and South.