Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program project descriptions 2023 to 2024

Conservation Planning for the Porcupine Caribou Herd: Mobilization, Synthesis, and Application of Existing Traditional Knowledge Data

Funding to activate, use and build upon existing information related to Porcupine caribou traditional knowledge already held by First Nation and Inuvialuit agencies, and implementing a coordinated data management and sharing system that will allow the Porcupine Caribou Management Board to develop a conservation plan for the herd covering its entire range.

Yukon First Nations Wildfire

Funding to conduct research on how to include traditional land management practices in fire prevention practices. Research to be conducted includes information on invasive species and vegetation management, controlled burns and Indigenous land management.

Respect for Fish

Building resiliency in Yukon’s fish and fisheries by addressing natural and anthropogenic vulnerabilities through engagement, education and outreach.

The Asheyi Chu/Aishihik River: River Ice Model

Under guidance from a tripartite oversight group that includes Champagne Aishihik First Nation, Government of Yukon and Yukon Energy Corporation, the Yukon University wishes to develop a numerical river ice model to simulate winter hydrological processes on the Asheyi Chu/Aishihik River downstream from the Aishihik Generating Station.

How We Walk The Land and Water: Phase roman numeral 2II

Funding to continue the analysis and planning of climate change within Southern Lakes region by integrating the mapped areas of climate resilience as well as the predictions of wildlife habitat based on a changing climate and future spring snow distributions.

Understanding ice formation needs and adapting SmartIce ice monitoring for safe travel on Kluane Lake

Kluane Lake ice is critical infrastructure supporting hunting, harvesting and trapping for Lhù’ààn Mân Ku Dań. It is part of KFN’s culture and economy. Due to climate change, and especially the recent re-routing of the Slims river drainage, KFN is increasingly concerned about travel safety and the impacts that declining ice conditions are having on community health and wellbeing. In partnership with Smartice, KFN will initiate and evaluate both community-based ice monitoring and Indigenous knowledge-based travel safety messaging to reduce travel risk and promote awareness of and adaptation action on safe ice travel.

Emergency Preparedness and Response in Yukon: Lessons learned from flooding in the Southern Lakes Region

Funding to identify challenges, gaps, opportunities and best practices in community and intergovernmental roles in emergency planning and response in Yukon using a case study of the 2021 floods to understand how prepared communities in the Southern Lakes region are for widespread community flooding and to provide recommendations to prepare for future emergency.

Permafrost and surficial hydrology assessment of Coffee Lake road

Funding to provide a quick evaluation of the permafrost and surficial hydrological conditions along the Coffee Lake Road that links the Campbell Highway to site of cultural interest for Ross River Community. The information collected during the survey aims to assist the community to use best practices during the reconstruction of the road.

Permafrost Monitoring in the traditional territory of the Champagne/Aishihik First Nation

This project will build on and continue the previous CCPN project "Characterizing permafrost vulnerability to climate change induced thaw in the traditional territory of the Champagne/Aishihik First Nation".

Understanding the Tagish and Tlingit relationship with the alpine and associated ice patches before they are lost forever

Funding to build on previously conducted research by creating a nation information sharing agreement and expanding Carcross / Tagish First Nation’s understanding of how the Dakhka nations interacted and used the alpine areas.

Traditional Food Security Strategy: Wild Taku River Harvesting and Climate Change Vulnerability

Funding to support the effort to increase food security and conservation of salmon along the Taku River. The project includes a salmon and climate change vulnerability assessment that will help identify culturally appropriate management actions to reduce impacts.

Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy Implementation: FireSmart Program Development for the City of Whitehorse

By creating a FireSmart Coordination Program at the City of Whitehorse, the City will be better equipped to assist Whitehorse residents in undertaking FireSmart activities around their homes and businesses thereby reducing the risks posed by wildfire.

Flood Control Project

The Project is the construction of permanent flood and erosion control structures along Teslin Lake within riparian zone and ordinary high-water mark (OHWM). The Project is in the Village of Teslin (VoT) within the Traditional Territory of Teslin Tlingit Council.

Yukon Flood Mapping Program

Funding to expand flood mapping programming in the North and build on the investment territorial governments receive from FHIMP. Funding will support LiDAR acquisitions, ground control points and flood mapping analysis and map production for Yukon communities.

Permaculture principles: a key to food security and climate change preparedness in the North

Funding to expand food production at the CTFN Farm, by expanding farm infrastructure (including irrigation system, a northern climate type greenhouse and a root cellar for roots storage during winter), applying permaculture principles, and offering community engagement, training and programming tied to mental health.

Southern Taku Ancestral Landscapes

Funding to record and caretake the ancestral Taku River Tlingit village sites in the Taku River drainage, as they are at risk of being degraded through erosion and landslides. Using both Traditional Knowledge and archaeology, this project will document and share connections to ancestral landscapes, creating information that can be used in future land management discussions. This project will also facilitate the re-cutting of select ancestral trails, which will create additional access to cultural sites within the TRT traditional territory.

Design Phase of the SAHS Housing project

Funding to support an energy efficient and climate resilient design for the Safe at Home Society (SAHS)'s High Country Inn supportive housing project.

1. Tachun Region Mobile Incident Response

• Funding support the upgrade of aging emergency incident response infrastructure (Carmacks Regional Fire Center) in the Village of Carmacks, and to lease a space.

2. Building Climate Resilience Initiative Project

• Funding to develop tools and guidance to incorporate climate hazards into planning, constructing, and maintaining Government of Yukon buildings. This includes the development of a climate hazard map.

Daylu Dena Council Historical Trails Surveys

Funding to GPS the historic trails that pass through or originate in Daylu Dena Lower Post, BC. community. Notations will be made along the trails for restoration needs and any cultural features such as remnants of camping places or cultural use, such as culturally modified trees.

Yukon climate change mental health initiative: Ecoanxiety

Funding to develop and offer programs to support individuals and communities living with the mental health impacts of climate change in the North. The project will consist of a research and program development phase followed by a series of information sessions and groups for youth and adults.

2023-2026 Territorial funding

Funding to support climate change adaptation within the territorial government and deliver projects for building climate change adaptation capacity across the territory.

Taku River Tlingit Traditional Food Security Program: Addressing moose conservation concerns through harvester support pilot programming

Funding to support moose monitoring and stewardship efforts to inform a long-term co-management plan, as well as to support moose harvesting in remote regions by facilitating access, harvest, and processing.

Building on Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation farm project to include community participation in food and wellness activities

Funding to expand on a previously funded project. The LSCFN will undertake farm upgrades to Improve Food Security, Health and Wellness. The LSCFN is also looking to expand the greenhouse to include the creation of 2 smaller community gardens in the community.

Development of Land Use Guidelines and Implementation tools for Selkirk First Nation

Funding to developing a water stewardship strategy. SFN is looking to better understand how the watersheds within their Traditional territory are influenced by climate change, in order to develop a management strategy for protection and preservation for future generations. This project will involve training of SFN citizens in the collection of water data and interpretation as well as the installation of hydrometric stations.

Aa Tlein Matriarchs Garden: Food Sovereignty through Weaving Traditional Foodways and Climate Innovation

Funding to support their food security project to grow local food. They play to purchase a ColdAcres hydroponic container for growing produce year-round, distributing to the community, and selling the remainder to Atlin residents.

Climate Change Community Liaison

Funding for the Climate Change Community Coordinator to work with First Nations government, municipalities, the Government of Yukon, and other stakeholders to identify priorities for climate change adaptation in the Yukon, and to support climate change adaptation.

Restoring Coffee Lake road

Funding to provide a quick evaluation of the permafrost and surficial hydrological conditions along the Coffee Lake Road that links the Campbell Highway to site of cultural interest for Ross River Community. The information collected during the survey aims to assist the community to use best practices during the reconstruction of the road.

Dagoo Taii "Over the Mountain People Trail: Gwinch'in

Funding for leadership and backcountry training, cultural connections, and practices for safe travel and resilience in the traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin. It will support all 15 students in the Vuntut Gwich’in school (grade 8 to 12). The program will train youth with backcountry safety and mapping skills, mentor youth guides and trip leaders, and complete a trip from Teechik (Old Crow) to Teetl'it Zzeh (Ft. McPherson) during the winter season, to reconnect with family, culture and traditional places.

Application of Indigenous-led Tools and Approaches to support Climate Change Vulnerable Freshwater Fisheries

Funding for freshwater fish that are often forgotten or underrepresented in land-use or other fish and wildlife related planning processes. This project seeks to identify and address freshwater fishery gaps, support monitoring and provide implementation support to strengthen the consideration of freshwater fish and climate change adaptation in KDFN’s lands and heritage work.

Daylu Dena Council Ancestral Trails Project

Funding for the Daylu Dena community in Lower Post was the hub of northern BC and the Yukon before the building of the Alaska Highway. All the trade and travel routes in the area passed though the Daylu Dena community. The Ancestral Trails are historically significant to the revitalization of the Kaska culture. The trails have been poorly maintained and the trail locations are sketches. The proposal includes GPS of the trails and notation of the trail quality, cultural features and needs for restoration. Another importance to document is the history and stories community members have or were told to them by their ancestors.

This project builds on previously funded work from CCPN (FY23-24).

Building our community resilience by exploring the development of a Food Hub in Haines Junction

Funding for the Sha Shaw Development Corporation is seeking funding to explore the feasibility of a Food Hub in Haines Junction that could include a grocery store and enhanced food growing, storing, and processing capacity to strengthen food security, reduce the commute from Haines Junction to Whitehorse, and contribute to climate resilience.

Climate Change Adaptation: Fire Mitigation and Preparedness

Funding for C/TFN looking to improve wildfire preparedness and adaptation across the Traditional Territory. Our current priority is the development of the Choutla Firebreak as well as creating and implementing a Carcross Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The CWPP will be funded by YG. Through this grant we are looking for support to expand our existing FireSmart program, support community members in firesmarting around their homes and educate on fire prevention.

Top-up 2023 2024: Government of Yukon projects CCS

Funding to support climate change adaptation within the territorial government and deliver projects for building climate change adaptation capacity across the territory.

Top-up 2023 2024: Government of Yukon Flood Mapping

Funding to expanding flood mapping programming in the North and build on the investment territorial governments receive from FHIMP, CCPN will work with the Yukon government to complement FHIMP financial contribution. This additional funding will support LiDAR acquisitions, ground control points and flood mapping analysis and map production for Yukon communities.

Implementing an Action Plan for Slope Stabilization

Funding to evaluate the options and opportunities to slow down bank collapse along the river in the community of Fort McPherson from last year study that was conducted in phase roman numeral 1I of this project. Costs and options for the recommendations to adapt to the slumping risk will also be determined.

Municipal Building Foundation Evaluations

Funding to complete evaluations of the foundations of community government buildings in the most vulnerable communities, which are located in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of Northwest Territories. These evaluations will provide priorities recommendations to be factored into the 5-year building maintenance cycle and will identify priorities areas where additional monitoring may be warranted.

Sambaa K'e Sewage Lagoon and Solid Waste Site Design and Construction Oversight

Funding to pilot the use of 2 new Northern standards "Planning, design, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment in Northern communities using lagoon and wetland systems" and "Solid waste sites for Northern communities: From design to closure" developed under the Northern Infrastructure Standardization Initiative managed by the Standards Council of Canada in developing a new sewage lagoon and a new solid waste site to make them more climate resilient.

Shoreline Flood Mitigation Enhancements for Vale Island, Hay River, NT

Funding to enhance flood mitigation measures for properties that are located on the shorelines of the Great Slave Lake within Vale Island of Hay River, Northwest Territories. The project will assess the erosion and enhance flood barriers to meet the effects of a changing climate.

Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan

Funding to assess climate change risks and vulnerabilities and develop an adaptation plan for the Town of Fort Smith. The project will include research, workshops with Indigenous government partners and community groups to develop and share recommendations. An Adaptation and Innovation Team will plan the process and advise on communication and outcomes as well as a consultant who will lead the project and mentor a local coordinator to assist with communication and outreach.

Permafrost Climatic Assessment in Whatì

Funding to create permafrost maps that will assist with community planning for projected increase in residents and tourists and for developing infrastructure (roads, houses, cemetery) in order to avoid potential areas vulnerable to permafrost thaw.

Climate Changes to the Seabed and Water Levels: A Mapping Project Driven by the Community of Aklavik

Funding to conduct research and provide training to increase understanding of climate change impacts and keep travelers on the water safe. AHTC members will learn how to use bathymetric mapping sonars to develop maps of the bottom of the ocean and riverbed.

Ulukhaktok Coastal Erosion Study

Funding to understand the causes and potential rates of erosion and identify adaptation options that combine local, traditional knowledge with western science. Based on engagement with the community, an action plan will be co-developed to mitigate erosion and identify other options to strengthen resilience.

Interactive Community Educational Training (ICE Training): Ice Road Safety and Training

Funding to build local capacity, monitor ice thickness, and support decision-making for ice road construction and safe travel on Great Bear Lake, including training to community for monitoring activities and creating a website to map ice thickness to develop ways to adapt and travel safely with the changing climate.

Dehcho First Nations Climate Change Roadmap: A 5-Year Strategy and Action Plan

Funding to develop a 5-year strategic plan to guide work on regional climate change adaptation that will include: coordination, management, support of existing community initiatives as well as identification of future mitigation and adaptation measures in the region.

Climate Change Adaptation Through Ice Monitoring and Data Sharing in the Tłı̨chǫ region

Funding to acquire SmartIce mobile and stationary ice monitoring equipment (SmartQAMUTIK and SmartBUOY) for 4Tłı̨chǫ communities: Behchoko, Gameti, Wekweeti and Whati. They will develop an ice monitoring program using Tłı̨chǫ traditional and scientific knowledge and train operators in each community to monitor ice conditions and run all aspects of the program.

Climate Change Adaptation and Emergencies Sharing Circle Phase 2

Funding to create a climate change forum for discussion among Indigenous leaders, emergency managers and responders, and other community members across the NWT’s 33 Dene communities to enhance emergency preparedness capacity. A 2-day Climate Change Adaptation and Emergencies Sharing Circle workshop is organized to provide a safe space to the communities for sharing their stories and practices and creating a more permanent network of collaboration. This network is an unique platform that aims to consolidate tools, resources and expertise for facilitating the coordination between the jurisdictions and authorities involved in emergency response.

Łutsël K'é Shoreline Erosion

Funding to assess and design adaptation options to address the urgent shoreline erosion due to elevated water level, which is linked to increased precipitation. The erosion is encroaching dangerously close to both a public facility, community’s water treatment plant, and at least 2 residential homes. The assessment findings will be shared and discussed via a poster and at a community workshop.

Strengthening Knowledge on Flooding and Slope Stability Risks and Mitigation Options

Funding to document 2022 high-water levels to inform risk mapping and hazard assessments, revise flood modelling and slope stability mitigation options and develop a mitigation plan with community members.

Assessing and mobilizing knowledge: Climate Change Effects on Housing Infrastructure

Funding to consolidate knowledge and communicate with homeowners about risks of slope instability and collect additional knowledge about flooding. Project activities include:

• meetings with residents, leadership, and experts to discuss hazards,
• communicating slope stability knowledge to affected private homeowners
• creating a partnership with University of Alberta permafrost scientists
• conducting a survey of Fort Good Hope's 2021 high water marks based on local knowledge

Fort Smith Slope Monitoring

Funding to use a variety of techniques to monitor and collect data to better understand the landslide area along the river. This work will help quantify the risk to critical infrastructure and support the development of mitigation plans.

Risk Tables to Support Communities Working Together on Shared Climate Change Risks

Funding to staff the facilitation and secretariat function for the various risk tables so that the tables are well prepared to take advantage of future funding programs.

Identifying Climate Change Risks and Adaptation Priorities for Water and Health: Using Dene Knowledge to Build Community Resilience

Funding to support the Dene Nation’s Water and Health Summit scheduled for February 17 to 19, 2023 in Inuvik, NWT.

Flood Mapping for at-risk Northwest Territories Communities

Funding to support continued advancement of technical and non-technical work towards the completion of flood maps within the Northwest Territories.

Surficial Geology Mapping for NWT Communities

Funding to support the creation of surficial geology maps for 3 NWT communities at a scale of 1:25,000 or higher. The surficial geology maps will include geomorphic processes and symbols relevant to geohazards (landslides, thermokarst).

Young Leaders’ Summit on Northern Climate Change

Funding to support the Young Leaders’ Summit on Northern Climate Change which brings young leaders, aged 18 to 30, together to learn about the effects of climate change in northern Canada.

Adaptation Capacity Initiatives 2023-2026

Funding to staff the climate change community liaison position to help communities in the region identify and put forward proposals that respond to the impacts of climate change using adaptation measures.

NWTAC Climate Change Community Liaison

Funding to staff the climate change community liaison position to help communities in the region identify and put forward proposals that respond to the impacts of climate change using adaptation measures.

NWT Climate Change Adaptation Committee Compensation Fees

Compensation fees are paid to NWT Climate Change Adaptation Committee for their participation.

Proposal Seed Funding: Assessing Climate Change Hazards and Mitigation Measures at the Thebacha Recreation Area

Funding to develop a full proposal to assess flood, fire and erosion hazards at the Thebacha Recreation Area, as well as seek recommendations from specialists on mitigation measures to protect this important site.

Future Tuk: Cross-border coastal community knowledge-sharing to support relocation planning

Funding to create a community-based Relocation Planning Steering Committee and Relocation Coordinator role to develop a Tuk Relocation Planning Strategy to ensure that decision-making is centered around supporting and sustaining Inuvialuit ways of knowing, culture and livelihoods.

Whatì groundwater vulnerability assessment

Funding to assess how the groundwater underlying Whatì will be impacted by climate change and how this will affect the safety and sustainability of the community drinking water supply.

Building Climate Change into All that We Do: Our People

Funding to build leadership and climate change adaptation skills within Jean Marie River First Nation’s Chief and Council, and staff.

Tłıchǫ Climate Change Knowledge Center

Funding to establish a Climate Change Knowledge Centre that addresses concerns Tłıchǫ community members have about climate change. The centre will serve as a forum for discussions on various issues of concern community members have regarding the implications of climate change to the local environment, and future socio-economic wellbeing of Tłıchǫ communities.

Understanding the Past and Planning for the Future

Funding to document traditional and local knowledge of climate change impacts on the environment and to restructure the traditional knowledge database. By the end of this project, NSMA and their Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will have a better understanding of how changes to the land have impacted their member’s lives, livelihoods and relationship with the land. This will allow them to make informed decision.

Dempster Highway

Funding to implement 3 initiatives.

Initiative 1:
Dumpster Highway Function Plan: Funding to develop a functional plan for Dempster Highway to integrate climate change and geohazards research together with transportation planning and make up part of a larger climate-resilient plan for the Dempster Highway corridor in the NWT.

Initiative 2:
Initiating the Update of the North Slave Resiliency Study: Funding to start the review and validate to review, validate, and update previous findings and update hydrology projection from the 2016 North Slave Resiliency study.

Initiative 3:
Initiate the Mackenzie Water Depth for MTS Operations Project: Funding to collect continuous sounding (single line bathymetry) along the routes transited by the MTS vessels up and down the Mackenzie.

Data and mapping Gap Analysis

Funding to conduct a gap analysis of the data and mapping needs of Northwest Territories communities and develop a plan to close those gaps. The resulting action plan will point the way towards next steps and will support future funding applications to continue to close the gap.

Wildland Fire and Caribou Workshop

Funding to host a workshop that brings together Indigenous experts and western scientists to exchange observations, experience, and ideas on the impact of wildfire on caribou and how best to preserve the existing herds in the Northwest Territories. The workshop will help inform plans of action for a caribou management plan, monitoring effects and could inform wildfire hazard mapping.

Climate Change Risk Assessment and Capacity Position

Funding to conduct a Nunavut-wide climate change risk assessment (CCRA). A CCRA is necessary for Nunavut as climate-related risks and consequences have not yet been adequately studied. The Government of Nunavut’s Climate Change Secretariat is intending to work with other Government of Nunavut departments, Inuit organizations, and community groups to conduct this project.

NIQIHAQUT: Country Food Services, Monitoring, and Sustainable Harvest Planning Improving Food Access and Climate Resiliency in Taloyoak, Nunavut

Funding to address the problem of country food access under climate change through the development of new country food services with the goal of improving food access for all. A Sustainable Harvest Plan based off traditional values and monitoring data will be developed to ensure the sustainability of access to country foods. The project will also create training opportunities through intergenerational exchanges to pass on knowledge on sustainable harvesting. Niqihaqut will result in an adaptive country food-based economy anchored in the sustainable harvesting of wildlife and will contribute to the community’s health and well-being for generations to come.

Pilimmaksarniq

Funding to respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change through knowledge exchange on-the-land programs with Elders that integrate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, climate monitoring and cultural arts.

Nunamiutuqaq: Building from the Land

Funding to develop a new cultural facility which requires a series of geotechnical studies at the site to investigate and gather the information needed to adjust and adapt the foundation design to the conditions on the site.

Arviat Drainage Plan: Implementation

Funding to support the first 3years of work prioritized in the Arviat Drainage Plan. The goal of the plan is to improve drainage and meltwater management in the community, which is worsening with climate change. The Hamlet of Arviat will implement a recently completed Drainage Plan, which involves drainage improvement works over the next 6 years.

Ujjiqsuiniq Young Hunters Program

Ujjiqsuiniq is a program designed to build capacity in Inuit youth around cultural expectations for sustainable harvest and environmental stewardship. The program uniquely engages youth in building technological skills and expertise to build adaptations that can successfully address the issue identified as community climate priorities.

Coastal risk mapping in the High Arctic (Aujuittuq), Ellesmere Island

This second phase is focused on integrating both the hazard and vulnerability components of the risk assessment in Grise Fiord as the community is coping with increasing erosion events and needs to prevent further damage to coastal infrastructure.

Towards Adaptation Solutions: Monitoring coastal dynamics, permafrost and hydrodynamics in Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Funding to conduct a quantitative assessment of long-term (1950 to 2026) shoreline change, and continue the analysis for Kugluktuk (2023 to 2026) by:

• acquiring all available historical imagery and topographic data for the 2 areas
• gather local and scientific knowledge to develop innovative mapping products that can help improve community planning related to coastal erosion
• analyze sea ice, waves, tides, and estuarine dynamics to better understand the controlling factors coastal changes around Coronation Gulf

Time-lapse stations will also be installed in areas of ship-wake hotspots to:

• analyze the effect of marine traffic on coastal change
• analyze the ground thermal regime from new automated stations and horizontal thermal rods to better understand the thermal and mechanical dynamics (stabilization, aggradation, degradation) of coastal permafrost
• characterize the permafrost conditions
• establish a coastal hazard map for coastal erosion based on numerical and empirical models

Sanirajak Drainage Plan Implementation

Funding for the implementation of drainage works in accordance with recommendations provided in the Sanirajak Drainage Plan.

Digital Elevation Models Flood Mapping

Funding for aerial drone imaging and digital elevation modelling for Nunavut communities. The resultant drone data will contribute to community climate change adaption through use in community base mapping, floodplain mapping, drainage planning, land-use planning and infrastructure planning.

Climate Adaptive Revegetation

Funding to implement an innovative climate adaptive revegetation program on the property that will be designed to use local plants of cultural importance to mitigate permafrost degradation, control melt water, drainage and run-off, and enhance the resiliency of the Kuugalak cultural campus facility foundations and surrounding property.

Arviat Air Terminal Building - DMAF Application Preparation

Funding to support the Government of Nunavut`s application package to fulfill the requirements under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund intake process. The Government of Nunavut will retain a consultant architect and engineering firm to provide a functional program, conceptual plans and Class D costing for a replacement air terminal building in Arviat, Nunavut which is experiencing structural issues related to its ad-freeze permafrost piles.

Grise Fiord Water Treatment System: DMAF Application Preparation

Funding to engage consulting firms to:

1. review the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) application requirements
2. review the business case for the upgrade/replacement of water treatment system in Grise Fiord
3. extract required information from business cases and complete DMAF applications

Preliminary Implementation of Master Drainage Plan for Gjoa Haven

Funding for an in-community follow-up to last year’s Drainage planning and geotechnical investigations for Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.

Wastewater Network and CCTV Assessment

Funding to gather information and to put replacement/rehabilitation plans and programs through the use of CCTV technology.

Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM) Climate Change Sessions for NAM Annual General Meeting 2023

Funding to Nunavut Association of Municipalities Annual General Meeting was held in Iqaluit November 27-30, 2023. A session about climate change was held on November 29th from 1:00 to 5:00pm. The session was filmed and became part of the Municipal Training Package for Councils that was distributed in 2024 so that all Councils can make decisions with a Climate Change lens and create respective policies. This event served a dual purpose and also assisted with narrowing down training the Government of Nunavut’s Climate Change Secretariat are hoping to develop with NRCan’s Adaptation Skills Working Group funding over the course of the next 3 years. There was a follow-up meeting in Spring 2024 with a select group of municipal leaders to further explore what climate impacts communities are experiencing, and how to strategize response solutions to this.

Bursting the Banks

Funding for research that aims to better characterize the hydrology of Pangnirtung, especially the role of snow regime and its impact on flash flooding and drainage in the Duval River watershed and the community of Pangnirtung as climate changes. The project also seeks to learn more about the ground thermal/hydraulic regime at select points near the river and bridge. It builds on an existing NRC- funded project, which involves water flow and quality monitoring of the Duval River.

NIQIHAQUT roman numeral 2II Climate, Caribou, and Sustainable Harvest in Taloyoak, Nunavut

Funding to support objective 2 of this proposal, ICBCM and CCHAP will support objective 1, over the multi-year period of this project.

Niqihaqut- phase roman numeral 2II will pursue 2 complimentary objectives relating to climate-related adaptations:

1. achieve sustainable and adaptative harvest of caribou through community- based monitoring, IQ documentation, and community education
2. conduct a geological survey for the pre-planning of the Food Processing Centre

Wastewater Network and CCTV Assessent: Phase 2

Funding to extend this project to other subdivisions due to successful completion of the first phase of the assessment program and the comprehensive reporting for Lower Iqaluit.

The City has been experiencing several operation issues in its linear wastewater network including:

1. effects of climate change: Permafrost, soil movement leading to breaks in the sewer lines
2. blockages/breaks related to freezing wastewater in some sections

The City is proposing the use of CCTV technology to provide an accurate and detailed condition assessment of its sewer network.

Floodplain mapping

Funding to conduct a gap analysis of the data and mapping needs of Northwest Territories communities and develop a plan to close those gaps. The resulting action plan will point the way towards next steps and will support future funding applications to continue to close the gap.

Kangiqsualujjuaq Greenhouse Project

Funding to adapt the NV greenhouse to arctic conditions, research food and traditional medicinal and sustenance plants production, demonstrate commercial viability, and to train people in agriculture. Specifically, funding will be used to support a staff position at the greenhouse to train gardeners, conduct market research, monitor greenhouse climate and conduct outdoor local plant research.

Creation of a Local Nunavimmi Umajulivijiit (LNUK) Katujiqatigininga Climate Change Network

Funding to create a network of information and resource-sharing related to climate change between and with the LNUKs and to assist them in climate change-related project management. We discussed this project earlier this year. There has been continued discussions about it and the RNUK have made some changes and are ready to present the project again.

Umiujaq LNUK's Char Stream Restoration, Beaver Monitoring, Youth Camp Project

Funding will be used to organize 3-weeks camps with youth to work on restoration of Char Streams around the community, monitor the presence and activity of beavers in those rivers. The goals of the project are to allow char to return to the rivers, to better understand and monitor the beavers in the area, and involve youth in the project so they can learn about what is happening on the land and see how their efforts can make a difference. The proposal include the purchase and rental of equipment, hiring of guides and preparation for the camps.

SIKU- top up

Funding to finish community workshops in the remaining 5communities, to obtain observation posts as part of the monitoring network, and continue the SIKU champions program to train community members to do on-the-land SIKU training with new participants. Funding will also support the purchase of office supplies for the SIKU coordinator.

Inuit Stewardship of Eastern Hudson Bay Belugas

Funding to document Inuit knowledge of Eastern Hudson Bay (EHB) beluga, particularly stewardship practices, to support meaningful integration of Inuit knowledge into the management of this population.

SIKU Phase 2

Funding for the project will build on the progress achieved to date by the RNUK in collaboration with the Arctic Eider Society (AES) to develop a community-led approach to climate change monitoring and environmental stewardship across the region, supported by SIKU: the Indigenous Knowledge Social Network as a tool for data collection, knowledge sharing and project management. Under Phase 1 of the project, a Regional Project Coordinator was hired and harvesters across Nunavik received training and contributed year-round data about ice conditions, invasive species and wildlife movements and health to the RNUK/LNUK Monitoring project. In Phase 2, the project will shift towards long-term stability, receiving contributions from harvesters in all Nunavik communities and refining project management tools and approaches to support Inuit-led projects across the region. Data generated during Phase 2 of this project (and data from the 2020-2023 period), and enhanced project management skills will support monitoring key climate change priorities and decision-making for the region.

Inuit Perspective on Wildlife

Funding for creating short educational videos to build capacity for climate change monitoring, action, and awareness across Nunavik. Documenting Inuit knowledge, promoting culturally-appropriate environmentally-sustainable attitudes and action, and showcasing Inuit-led monitoring and research projects.

Meteo Station Network

Funding for local hunting practices in Nunavik are forced to change due to current climate conditions and new technologies are increasingly relied upon. Nunavummiut residents need real-time weather data to ensure safe travel. Having access to more reliable data from weather stations located along the traditional travel routes will provide crucial information to make travel decisions. In this proposal, we are requesting $340,000 to purchase and install weather stations that are capable of providing real-time weather data to support travel between Nunavik communities. Each weather stations will be placed on selected locations between two neighboring communities, on a frequently used travel route connecting the communities.

Adaptive Archaeology: Developing a Framework for Community-Informed Response to Climate Change Impacts in Nunatsiavut

Funding to engage Nunatsiavut beneficiaries and community members in monitoring the impacts of climate change to coastal areas and archaeological sites.

Avalanche Awareness Training for Hopedale, Nunatsiavut

Funding to administer avalanche awareness training and early response program to the residents of Hopedale.

Mitigating climate change risks for sea ice-based travel in the Nunatsiavut communities of Postville and Makkovik

Funding to procure, deploy and operate SmartICE sea-ice monitoring system in and around the communities of Postville and Makkovik, Nunatsiavut. The technology will generate information on ice conditions to improve safe travel and inform local climate change adaptation actions.

Mapping slush and rough ice final

Funding to demonstrate the latest technology capable of mapping increasingly dangerous ice conditions, namely rough ice and slush. to reduce winter/spring travel risk for Nunatsiavut communities. SmartICE staff in Nain will be trained to operate these komatik- and drone-mountable ice mapping sensors and generate data on rough ice and slush occurrence for their Community Ice Travel Safety Maps. By the end of the project, the technology and map products will be demonstrated and assessed for operational applicability in the other 4 Nunatsiavut communities.

Mitigating climate change risks for sea ice based travel in the community of Natuashish

Funding to build resiliency against the impacts of climate change on sea ice travel through community engagement, the demonstration of the use of the SmartBUOY and SmartQAMUTIK, and the procurement and shipment of equipment.

Supporting Indigenous Perspective at Adaptation Future 2023

Funding to hire an Indigenous Coordinator for Adaptation Futures 2023. The coordinator will contribute to the integration of Indigenous Knowledge and presence at the conference.

Supporting Indigenous and northern travel to and engagement in the ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2023

Funding to support approximately 30 Indigenous and Northern participants to attend the ArcticNet's Annual Scientific Meeting 2023 and a Workshop on Monday, December 4th, during which researchers from the North and South will convene to exchange results and share best practices from research on various disciplines including:

• health sciences
• environmental monitoring
• marine and terrestrial sciences
• policy
• others

Pan-Territorial Partnership Funding

Funding support collaboration among the 3 territories in the context of the Pan-Territorial Adaptation Partnership.

Ice-monitoring on the coastline of Chisasibi in the context of climate change (Eeyou Istchee/James Bay)

This project aims to expand of ice monitoring efforts along the coastline of Chisasibi to ensure the safe travels of land users on James Bay and to gather ice-monitoring data to measure the effects of global climate change on the ice cover and break-up times.