Projects

The following are SERNNoCa funded or affiliated research projects based in the Northwest Territories:

Survey of the Social Economy in Northern Canada (pan-Northern)

Arctic Co-op Locations

Arctic Co-op Locations

In 2008, organizations and other informal groups were sent a survey via mail or email inviting them to participate in an inventory of Social Economy groups in northern Canada. These groups included non-profit and voluntary organizations, co-operatives, credit unions, and other social economy organizations in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik and Labrador. The questionnaire was to assist in determining the characteristics of these organizations, including locations, activities, size, employment, membership, and structure.

SERNNoCA is currently conducting a follow up survey in order to further examine the impacts and importance of social economy groups in the North.

Community Partners/Research Team (2009):

  • Chris Southcott, Lakehead University (Project Lead)
  • Valoree Walker, SERNNoCa Coordinator, Northern Research Institute, Yukon College
  • Doug White, Nunavut Coordinator, Nunavut Research Institute, Nunavut Arctic College
  • Rajiv Rawat, Northwest Territories Coordinator, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research
  • Research Assistants – Carmen Lyall (Labrador Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland) Kiri Staples (Yukon College), Diane Essery (ICHR)

For further information about this project, contact Chris Southcott (csouthco@lakeheadu.ca) or Valoree Walker (sernnoca@yukoncollege.yk.ca)

Lutselk’e and Thaidene Nene

Dr. Harvey Lemelin

Dr. Harvey Lemelin

Nathan Bennett

Nathan Bennett

This completed study examined the role and effective functioning of the social economy in facilitating social and economic development related to park creation, using Lutsel K’e and the recently announced East Arm National Park as a case study.

Conducted by Graduate Student Nathan Bennett and Dr Harvey Lemelin of Lakehead University’s School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Thaidene Nene Parks Working Group of the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation.

Homelessness and Affordable Housing in the NWT

Dr. Frances Abele

Dr. Frances Abele

Nick Falvo

Nick Falvo

The purpose of the research project is to document the role of social economy organizations in responding to homelessness in Yellowknife, to consider the role of public institutions in supporting these organizations and responding to homelessness, and to explore the factors that homelessness in Yellowknife. The researchers will describe the set of social economy organizations whose work responds to the needs of homeless people, as these organizations have evolved over the last fifty years. Their relations with each other, with different segments of the homeless or at risk population, and with federal and territorial programs will be considered.

Conducted by Graduate Student Nick Falvo and Dr Frances Abele of Carleton University’s Centre of Community Innovation and Arlene Hache from the Centre for Northern Families.

Evolution of the Social Economy in Yellowknife

Jerald Sabin

Jerald Sabin

This project looks at the evolution of the social economy in Yellowknife, NWT, and will encompass its overlapping lives as an Aboriginal territory, a mining town, and a government centre. This research examines the development of Yellowknife’s social economy and its relationship to regional, territorial, and federal policy changes. The research in Yellowknife will contribute to the graduate student’s own research program, and it will add to work already begun, by the graduate student and the principal investigator, on the particular evolution of the social economy in the North’s few cities.The field research in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in summer 2009.

Conducted by Graduate Student Jerald Sabin and Dr Frances Abele of Carleton University’s Centre of Community Innovation.

Inuvik Community Forum

SERNNoCa convened a meeting in Inuvik on June 9, 2009, where Dr. Chris Southcott presented the outlines of the research initiative.