Carving out Climate Testimony: Inuit Youth, Wellness & Environmental Stewardship

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Geog, Politics and Sociology

Abstract

Climate change has a disproportionate impact on the Canadian Arctic with temperatures rising twice as fast compared to elsewhere in the world. This impact has caused warming of the oceans, a rapid decline in sea-ice extent and duration, and widespread permafrost thaw. As academics and health practitioners have noted, these ecological changes directly impact the mental health and wellbeing of Inuit communities (Willox et al., 2020; IRC, 2016). In this context, our project particularly focuses on Inuit youth (18-24 yrs). As President of The National Inuit Youth Council, Brian Pottle, emphasized at COP26, urgent attention is needed to understand 'increasing mental health risks' facing youth due to climate change (Kaschor 2021). Our project addresses this pressing issue through an innovative and community-driven approach that views Inuit youth not simply as 'at-risk' but pivotal agents of change (Watt-Cloutier, 2018). Through the use of Inuit-storytelling methodologies our project elevates youth and local voices to identify impacts as well as solutions to address a dramatically changing climate in Northern Canada. Moreover, our project has designed critical new spaces, and established the necessary collaborations, for youth to disseminate this knowledge to policy-makers, academics and wider publics. Our project takes a staged approach which empowers Inuit youth across diverse regions. In the first stage we focus on Tuktoyaktuk, piloting our approach alongside youth leaders and with support of Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation (TCC). In the second stage our team will engage youth in the three other regions of Inuit Nunangat where our team has existing links: Kuujuaq, Makkovik and Kangilliniq.

Addressing Theme 1 of this call, Arctic Ecosystems and their Impact on Inuit Communities, our project asks the two-fold question: how does climate change impact Inuit youth and what are the resilience factors that enhance mental health and wellbeing? Our project is especially interested in innovative forms of adaptation key to continued livelihood and cultural continuity. National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR) has noted that this question of health is a vital Inuit research priority (ITK, 2018:5). Specifically, our project explores how changes to terrestrial, freshwater and coastal ecosystems (sea-ice and coastal processes, freshwater, snow, permafrost thaw, and changing marine ecosystems) impact mental health and wellbeing. Our interdisciplinary team with expertise across the physical and social sciences takes a community-engaged approach to this research (Bagelman, 2016; Hall, 2005; Igloliorte, 2009; Wiebe et al., 2020). Additionally, we have developed an Inuit-led structure and methodological pathway for community members to themselves determine how these systems are experienced. This approach is a corrective to a problem identified by NISR: that there exists 'science research bias' and a lack of social science perspectives addressing Inuit priorities (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, 2018: 4). Our project is critical given that Inuit youth remain chronically underrepresented in shaping climate policy (Watt-Cloutier, 2015). Addressing this problem and the cross-cutting themes of this call, our project co-develops Inuit-specific storytelling methodologies for documenting indicators and determinants of Inuit community health and resilience. We work with an Inuit understanding of 'storytelling' and sharing (Inuktitut: Unikkausivut) which refers to verbal but also artistic expressions (Bertrand, 2019). Working alongside Inuit artists (Milestones) we explore how long-standing practices of storytelling, or testimony, can be used as a material and intergenerational method to visually convey climate testimony and shape policy that enhances resilience strategies. As Co-Investigator Silla Watt- Cloutier has argued, these tools depart from conventional methods which do not adequately address cultural and embodied experiences (Watt-Cloutier, 2018)
 
Title Healing Journey 
Description A film produced by TukTV exploring Indigenous environmental stewardship 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact Engagement within community of Tuktoyaktuk; screened in Victoria BC for Canada's Climate Change Report 2025 team 
 
Title Mental health mural 
Description Mural workshop led by Brian Kowichalk in spring (Inuvik Artist Brian Kowikchuk's practice focuses on birds and landscapes using charcoal, oil paints, watercolour and digital paint apps). Co-created mural This will be followed by a Youth Consortium n June in Coast Salish Territories (providing youth travel opportunity). We had initially proposed this Coast Salish context for Youth Consortium given that this will enable youth a chance to visit a University setting, meet with other indigenous youth leading on mental-health initiatives. As well, we can reduce carbon impact given majority of Canada team based at UVIC. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact Mural - coproduction as a method for translating experiences of mental health and exchange between communities 
 
Title Storymap 
Description Visually mapping work to date in Tuktoyaktuk 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact Primarily an internal tool to share with our team and wider set of collaborators, useful in building conversations 
URL https://storymaps.com/stories/c9eae2901ced4233b1c4d0666709fbea
 
Title Unikkat/unipkaat ungipaghat/nallunairutet 
Description Unikkat/unipkaat ungipaghat/nallunairutet Circumpolar Waves: Icc Inuit Arts of the Month Podcast Series (Creative Lead Brian Kowikchuk reflects on link between mental health and art CINUK project here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1171082/13139052-icc-inuit-artist-of-the-month-podcast-series-brian-kowikchuk?fbclid=IwAR1aITh91QxxYKhvXXZ-bEMpAhnspO_oDLzmSXnSj4N8JeCCDz6qctA59xk 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact Showcase Inuit artistic leadership, share knowledge on the links between arts-based community practice and mental health 
 
Description Inuvialuit-testimonial workshops feeding into Canada's Changing Climate Report
Geographic Reach North America 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Inclusion of Inuit youth voices into CCCR Report
URL https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7169306244845916162/
 
Title Environmental Stewardship Exchange 
Description This deliverable offers an innovative model to bridge Inuit youth-voices and conventional climate policy. Our Climate Conversations provide a critical new space to promote exchange on climate epistemologies, not only from between science-traditional knowledge holders but also between Indigenous communities 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact A significant outcome of these youth-led climate exchange events will be the enhancement of youth leadership skills, especially as they relate to climate policy; a learning across diverse Indigenous contexts 
 
Title Inuit-led Communication Strategy 
Description Communication Strategy - designed and completed by youth in Tuktoyaktuk (see below); create article for Science on new Inuit-led approach 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Communication Strategy - designed and completed by youth in Tuktoyaktuk (see below); create article for Science on new Inuit-led approach 
 
Title K42 Hub 
Description Co-designing a hub (building on team's expertise) to help coordinate/align various research projects in arctic communities. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This Hub will ensure a lasting legacy of the project, building capacity (through training and mentoring) for young people to be researchers and policy-makers to democratize climate science research. Ongoing. 
 
Title Training offered to youth by Canada's Changing Climate team: certification for Advisory - developing new method for remote learning 
Description Developing Y3 certification and remote employment opportunities 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Creating educational opportunities for youth in Inuit Nunangat 
URL https://www.arcticwwf.org/the-circle/stories/working-together-to-elevate-the-voices-of-inuit-youth/
 
Description Commonwealth of Learning: VR digital handbook for emergency contexts 
Organisation Commonwealth of Learning (COL)
Country Canada 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Developed the first handbook for emergency contexts in collaboration with pedagogical experts at Commonwealth of Learning (COL)
Collaborator Contribution COL provided clear guidance on pedagogy and distribute our handbook for emergency contexts
Impact VR Handbook for Humanitarian Contexts
Start Year 2020
 
Description Developing partnership with other CINUK projects 
Organisation University of Aberdeen
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Specifically working with Nancy W in exploring mental-health and food-security links
Collaborator Contribution Ongoing conversations
Impact This collaboration is leading potentially to a future bid
Start Year 2022
 
Description Scaling-up Digital Health Across East Africa 
Organisation University of Warwick
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Professor Vicki Squire collaborated on the project, providing contacts for stage 2 of the project scaling up to South Sudan.
Collaborator Contribution Professor Vicki Squire brought her expertise in asylum/migration to connect with MSF and UNHCR contacts in relevant camp settings necessary for stage 2
Impact Multi-disciplinary: political science/international relations/geography
Start Year 2021
 
Description Capacity building 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact 1.5 month capacity-trust building (Karla/Maeva/Jen to Tuktoyaktuk) met with Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation (*TCC = main governing body and our partner) and built connections with local institutions concerned with youth wellness (e.g. House of Hope, TukTV, etc.).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Climate Conversations 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Annual Canada-UK team meeting and youth-led 'Climate Conversations: Bridging Worlds' 2- day delegation in Victoria given UN Hub: linking youth participants, community-members, academics and policy- makers. These workshops enable deliberative dialogue about climate change and mental health, led by youth. They will be attended by Collaborator Greg Flato, IPCC, provide guidance on inviting expert participants and our full team will be present. This is important for re-imagining North not as 'remote' but as global through these events. Deliverable: Youth-led IPCC recommendations on mental-health and wellness. This deliverable offers an innovative model to bridge Inuit youth-voices and conventional climate policy. Our Climate Conversations provide a critical new space to promote exchange on climate epistemologies. A significant outcome of these youth-led climate policy events will be the enhancement of youth leadership skills,
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Climate Stories: Engaged Workshops' led by Brian 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Completed engaged workshops with a focus on climate change and mental health: We have focussed focus scope here due to community capacity.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Climate change map 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Participatory climate change-mental health mural led by Brian K. completed: feeds into 'Map - Canada in a Changing Climate' this is widely viewed 'Map of Adaptation Actions'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Inuit Youth Consortium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact A youth consortium on Coast Salish territories (Victoria). Crystal Tremblay and Sarah Wiebe as leads liaising with trusted connections A harvest walk thru Meegan Park, Camus-harvesting and a pit cook; arts-based workshop with youth
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Mental Health Mural in Tuktoyaktuk 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Mental Health Mural in Tuktoyaktuk led by local resident Brian Kowichalk who identifies key areas for arts-based workshops with good ties with and beyond Tuk. Co-design mural with youth to be shared at Youth Consortium as climate-exchange exploring interconnections between environmental change and mental health
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Participatory climate - mental health workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Participated in activities at Manguliuk School in Tuktoyaktuk with Vice-Principle Michele Tomisino as main contact who is very helpful introducing us/ensures safeguarding etc; learned many good arts-based workshops are happening which upon which we can build capacity. Brian led follow-up sessions with a focus on climate and mental health: participatory mural workshops, 'hands in pingo' session
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Pepekenhawt 'Blossoming Place' Indigenous Environmental Youth Exchange 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Pepekenhawt 'Blossoming Place' Indigenous Environmental Youth Exchange
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2023+inuit-youth-climate-action-summit+news
 
Description Supported Siila Watt-Cloutier's keynote talk at Royal Geographical Society 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Supported Siila Watt-Cloutier's keynote talk at RGS, bringing awareness to Inuit climate concerns with focus on youth-leadership and mental health
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description TCC Advisory: Ongoing engagement with TCC to ensure our work is not over-burdening community 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Ongoing engagement with TCC to ensure our work is not over-burdening community, listening and learning how to support community and align with other groups working in Tuktoyatkuk
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023