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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

Fall 2024

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

Fall 2012

Rawluk, Andrea J

that Gwich’in and Inuvialuit elders define resilience similarly to other indigenous cultures whilst offering additional perspectives. Fewer youth reported having traditional language, knowledge and spirituality than elders, but expressed a desire to learn them and described spiritual experiences. All

Spring 2019

Martin, Chelsea Leigh

the territorial and federal government whose climate change policies have been based on limited traditional knowledge. Given that the majority of research on climate change involving Indigenous peoples in Canada has focused on the high arctic and marine environments, the work is unique in its focus in