Community Based Participatory Research in Climate Change: A Canadian Example

Climate change will greatly increase access to Canada's far north, an area rich in oil and minerals. The challenge facing the territorial and federal governments is to find ways to support needed economic development without adversely impacting the health and well being of those that live in the north. Indigenous communities within Canada's territories (Yukon, North West Territories and Nunavut) continue to express concerns about the impacts that development projects will have on the environment and their health and well-being. Consultations with impacted stakeholders are a cornerstone to effective governance and planning. This paper will present efforts by the Environmental Health Research Division of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada to assist Indigenous communities in Canada's north to carry out community-based participatory research. Recognition and integration of traditional methods is paramount, as is an understanding, by all stakeholders including the academic researchers, of Indigenous values, principles, approaches and ideas. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a qualitative methodology that emphasizes respect for the individual and a commitment to social change. CBPR is emerging as a way to enable research to empower communities.