Services for Indigenous-Led Initiatives
CanNorth provides services to Indigenous Nations and groups to help each Nation achieve their goals and aspirations. CanNorth works closely with Nations to develop community-specific solutions that consider their unique relationship with the lands and waters within their territories. Many of these programs allow CanNorth staff to spend time on the land with Elders and knowledge holders, learning about the land, water, and animals from them. These teachings continue to shape how CanNorth approaches the incorporation of Western Science and Indigenous Knowledge in our work.
Examples of some key Indigenous-led or community-based programs and initiatives that CanNorth has supported are described below. This list is not all inclusive; if you are interested in a service that is not listed here, please contact us.
First Nations Land Management Initiatives
CanNorth has provided services to several First Nations to support the advancement of land management initiatives. These include, but are not limited to, development of environmental management plans, support with the development of Indigenous Conserved and Protected Areas, vehicle recycling program design, Phase I, II, and III environmental site assessments, site remediation, groundwater monitoring, and spill response services. In addition to the delivery of these services, CanNorth aims to support land managers by offering project services including writing proposals and cost estimates to inform funding applications, providing status reports requested by funding agencies, and providing project management, coordination, and reporting services.
Traditional Land Use and Traditional Knowledge Studies
CanNorth works with Indigenous Nations to support development of Traditional Land Use (TLU) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) studies to help communities reach identified goals. CanNorth staff trains and supports community members to collect knowledge from Elders and key knowledge holders through interview and mapping programs. In addition to learning directly from land users, CanNorth conducts historical research, compiles information collected through all sources into detailed maps and reports, and offers confidential long-term database management and GIS services for TLU clients. The CanNorth TLU and TK study model can also be adapted to collect information on other topics, such as biodiversity or harvesting.
Environmental Monitoring and Stewardship Programs
CanNorth provides planning, coordination, training, and mentorship for community-led or community-based environmental monitoring and/or stewardship programs. Some examples of programs that CanNorth has supported include the Cumulative Effects Monitoring Program led by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the Eastern Athabasca Regional Monitoring Program (EARMP). CanNorth has managed the EARMP since 2011 and works alongside the Athabasca Basin communities and the Ya’ thi Néné Land and Resources Office to collect and test water and traditional food samples throughout northern Saskatchewan. A key objective of the EARMP is to share the information collected with the communities and to provide the public with full access to all data and reports online at www.earmp.ca
Traditional Foods Studies
CanNorth works with Nations and communities to conduct traditional foods studies that assess consumption patterns and chemical safety of traditional foods hunted and gathered by Indigenous peoples and communities. These programs have a high level of community involvement and capacity building. While the components of each traditional foods study are unique and designed to meet the needs of the community, each study usually includes an interview and mapping program and a traditional food sampling program, which are led by the community-based project team with training and coordination support provided by CanNorth staff. CanNorth has coordinated over 15 traditional foods studies with over 18 Indigenous Nations or communities in northern Saskatchewan, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories. Six of the studies were completed as part of the Community Based Environmental Monitoring Program (CBEMP), an ongoing partnership between Cameco Corporation, Orano Canada Inc., and Ya’ thi Néné Land and Resources, which focuses on ensuring the safety of traditional foods harvested by members of the Athabasca Basin communities.
Technical Advisory and Engagement Services
CanNorth works with Indigenous groups and communities to provide technical document reviews, advisory services, and to facilitate informed and effective communication. CanNorth provides both long-term ongoing advisory services and short-term advisory services as needed. CanNorth also provides engagement design, facilitation, and reporting services to Indigenous governments and organizations. CanNorth has experience planning and facilitating workshops, committees, open houses, community meetings, round table discussions, and more.
Training Programs
CanNorth staff have provided numerous training programs designed for members or citizens of the Nations or communities we are working for or with. Training topics are diverse, and programs are designed to meet the needs and interests of the Nation. CanNorth has provided several in-house training programs (designed by CanNorth) that educate people on conducting interviews that collect information on traditional foods diets and completing various aspects of environmental monitoring and sample collection.