Exploring Indigenous Community-Based Monitoring Programs in Alberta: Key Factors in Advancing Community Capacity-Building and Sovereignty

• Author / Creator

  Gorzitza, Carter

• Indigenous community-based monitoring (ICBM) has the potential to act as a vehicle for building capacity in the community - particularly amongst youth, creating culturally oriented jobs to strengthen intergenerational learning, and contributing information to environmental governance and decision-making processes. Despite the potential benefits, ICBM programs face many challenges to their sustainable and long-term conduct. This study explores the challenges and potential of Indigenous Community-Based Monitoring (ICBM) in Alberta, focusing on its role in developing local capacity and advancing Indigenous sovereignty. Using a modified expert elicitation methodology and thematic analysis, this research engaged fifteen expert practitioners involved in ICBM or closely related work through qualitative interviews to assess key obstacles and opportunities influencing the success of these initiatives. Thematic analysis reveals that enduring inequities, resulting from colonial legacies and reinforced by modern structural constraints, substantially affect the effectiveness of ICBM. The sustainability of funding, regulatory frameworks, and the role of the private sector were all identified as key factors influencing the success of these programs. The results of this research can be used to further explore how these challenges can be overcome in the future, advancing ICBM initiatives and related community benefits.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Community-Based Monitoring
  • Indigenous Environmental Monitoring
  • community capacity
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Alberta
  • Expert Elicitation
  • Thematic Analysis
  • Semi-Structured Interviews

• Graduation date

  Fall 2024

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-6jsk-ck74

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.