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Spring 2020

Spicer, Neal

For decades, many Indigenous communities across Canada have dealt with poor levels of water security and associated drinking water problems both within the home and while on the land, hunting, fishing and participating in cultural events. Yet, despite this, little academic research has been

social position, and the reduced capacity of Indigenous communities and how these have created conditions in many communities similar to those seen in developing nations around the world. In total, 99 semi-structured interviews were conducted over a two year period in two Indigenous communities (Dene Tha

’ First Nations & K’atl’odeeche First Nations) to better understand the variables that underlie participants’ water consumption patterns and what factors influence their choices. The data was analyzed to further develop the existing research that has examined variables that influence Indigenous water

Spring 2022

Miller, Andrea

Transitions towards renewable energy at all scales are urgently needed to meet current targets for climate action and renewable electricity generation. Indigenous communities across Canada are increasingly investing in clean energy initiatives, energy efficiency measures, and renewable energy

projects that centre community members as project planners, managers, owners, and beneficiaries. This research explores the landscape of Indigenous-led and owned renewable energy in Alberta. The work presented here shares the findings of a community-based participatory research partnership with members of

Enoch Cree Nation in the province’s emerging clean energy economy. Community-specific findings are situated within the context of interviews with key informants from the fields of Indigenous renewable energy and community generation, who shed light on the roles that Indigenous communities are playing in

Fall 2023

Howse, Robin M

This thesis research will explore the ways in which land-based healing and reclamation are interconnected. The Indigenous community members of the Pekîwe Cultural Lodge were both collaborators and co-thinkers in this work. Looking at the social aspects of reclamation through an Indigenous lens

provides a rich dialogue that will be valuable to the academic literature in both reclamation and Indigenous studies. A unique Indigenous research method is utilized in these processes. Primary qualitative research data is analyzed, outlining the opportunities and challeneges of reclamation and restoration

. Additionally, this work aims to inspire and encourage Indigenous academics and community members, especially youth, to pursue their own healing journeys. Hopefully this will result in more brilliant and resilient Indigenous minds achieving their goals and bringing their gifts to life. Some key concepts in this

Fall 2015

Dokis-Jansen, Kelsey L

Grounded in an Indigenous methodological framework and using dendroecology as a scientific assessment tool in combination with oral history analysis, this thesis assesses changes to caribou movement patterns in the traditional territory of Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation (LKDFN), Northwest Territories

, Canada. This approach was used to explore ways in which scientific methods can be used within an Indigenous research framework. This approach shows that Indigenous ways of knowing can set the basis for identifying the important research questions and methods, and that appropriate and complimentary

to document oral histories about caribou movement patterns and augmented their observations and stories with information from dendroecological assessment techniques. This thesis provides a framework for those seeking to conduct ecological research by drawing linkages between Indigenous knowledge

Spring 2022

Cunningham, Hannah

The management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Alberta is a complex issue that affects multiple stakeholders, including Indigenous communities who highly value the affected species both nutritionally and culturally. Despite the relevancy of CWD management to the livelihoods of these Indigenous

Indigenous hunters in central Alberta feel about CWD, what are the barriers that Indigenous people in central Alberta face to participating in current CWD management, and what are the best practices that could be utilized to develop a community-based monitoring program for CWD in Alberta? This thesis uses

the concepts of knowledge and power, access theory, and the perception of risk to identify why the current CWD monitoring program in Alberta does not adequately reflect the views of Indigenous communities impacted by this disease, and presents community-based monitoring as a potential solution

Fall 2020

MacKay, Makenzie

Indigenous peoples in northern Canada are already experiencing significant climate change impacts. Young Indigenous people will inherit serious climate effects that threaten their physical and mental health, as well as ancestral traditions. It is these same young people that live in communities

Indigenous youth in climate governance and, (2) Inuvialuit values and decision-making experiences with energy systems in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, NT. This thesis was inspired by principles of decolonized and community-based participatory research which led to collaboration between the student and the research

communities at every stage of the research project. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Indigenous youth and key informants that participated in a series of culturally appropriate climate action activities. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 23 energy stakeholders

Spring 2019

Bennett, Arlana May

Management of cervids for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a challenging multi-stakeholderendeavour. This thesis focuses on the thoughts and perceptions of various experts regardingcervid management in Alberta, and the inclusion of Indigenous peoples and their knowledge.This research sought to

explore diverse expert perspectives on the role of Indigenous Knowledgein wildlife monitoring and management in relation to the issue of CWD; and better understandthe key challenges and opportunities regarding wildlife management in Alberta. The methodsused in this thesis include a modified qualitative

expert elicitation, probabilistic sampling, andthematic analysis. The major thematic results experts discussed include: the lack of Indigenouscompliance in cervid monitoring with varying reasons provided; the necessity of both scientistsand Indigenous communities to engage in intercultural and technical

Fall 2023

Skelding, Hannah S

, environmental, and political costs. The second paper chapter focuses on who is missing from the historical records of coal mining in Alberta, namely non-Indigenous and Indigenous women from 1874 to 1919. The active exclusion of non-Indigenous women, Indigenous communities, and Indigenous women raises questions

and concerns about colonial violence, intersectionality, and economic exclusions. In mining dependent communities, women are often characterized by binary labels such as “wives” and “whores”. Using critical race theory, feminist theory, Indigenous feminist theory, and settler colonial theory, this

second chapter explores how this binary has been used in Alberta’s coal mining communities and the contemporary implications this dichotomy poses for non-Indigenous and Indigenous women. The history of resource dependent communities can shape the outcomes of what is possible in the future. This thesis

Spring 2020

Wang, Yichuan

participation are two important problems because such projects often bring negative environmental or socio-cultural impacts. Theoretically, participation without influence indicates lack of power in the decision process. Participation of Indigenous Peoples and knowledges in EA and whether that participation

Indigenous Peoples and knowledge systems are reflected in decision-making outcomes. This dissertation focuses on participation and influence of Indigenous and other groups in the EA process in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, a co-management process set up to give Indigenous Peoples more say in

groups, with fixed effects and clustering by project. The summary statistics show that Indigenous Peoples without settled land claims lead in participation opposing a project while Proponents lead in participation supporting a project. The regression results show wide differences in the degree of

Fall 2023

Garrett, David

This thesis is composed of three studies. First study (Gold Mining and Disparities in Indigenous Infant Health in the Brazilian Amazon): Regulations in mining industries can mitigate environmental pollution and health risks. The health of indigenous communities may be disproportionately harmed by

mining because they are often remote and disadvantaged economically, socially, and politically. Using data on over 200,000 births across municipalities in the Brazilian Amazon, along with satellite mapping of gold mines, I compare health outcomes for indigenous and non-indigenous infants in

municipalities with and without sites of illegal and legal mining. I find evidence of negative effects of illegal mines on birthweights, specifically for indigenous infants. My results also indicate heterogenous impacts of illegal mining on indigenous birthweights, with indigenous infants born to single mothers