Inuvialuit Community Research Network to boost local studies and jobs
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) launched a community research network this month it says will both boost local study initiatives as well as create employment.
No one from IRC responded to comment requests this week, but in a news release, the organization said the project was ground-breaking for the North.
“This Network will be the first of its kind in Inuit Nunangat [the Inuit regions of northern Canada], boosting ongoing efforts to enhance Inuvialuit research capacity in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region,” the IRC said.
The IRC said the goal of the network is to improve involvement of beneficiaries in research being done in their region and making sure Inuvialuit knowledge and Western science are both considered in policy decisions.
“The Network will increase Inuvialuit capacity and self-determination in research by improving research communication with Inuvialuit Beneficiaries (e.g., making data from research studies widely available to community members) and ensuring everyone knows about opportunities to participate in research,” the organization said.
Mentorship and training
Inuvialuit beneficiaries in any of the settlement region communities will be eligible for network jobs and its professional development.
Training opportunities for beneficiaries will include being able to shadow others doing their jobs, and participating in workshops and courses.
There will be one Community Research Administrator (CRA) based in each community who will also act as a mentor.
“The CRAs will serve as the point of contact for research matters in their home communities, and support the implementation of IRC’s climate change, energy, marine, Inuvialuit Knowledge, sociocultural and environmental research programs.”
The new network is part of the Innovation, Inuvialuit Science and Climate Change (ISCC) Division.
The Inuvialuit Settlement Region is located in the northwesternmost part of the Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Isolated and expensive, the N.W.T.’s Sahtu riding feels squeeze of climate change, CBC News
Finland: Sámi knowledge helps developing climate policies, The Independent Barents Observer
Greenland: Canada and Greenland sign letter of intent on marine conservation area in Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Oral histories unlock impact of climate change on nomadic life in Arctic Russia, says study, Eye on the Arctic
United States: Network in Alaska centering Indigenous knowledge in Arctic climate research, Alaska Public Media
