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Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks: Enhancing Access and Use of Hydrometeorological Data
for Water Management
____________________________________________________________
Project Report
Submitted To:
Submitted By:
August 2016
Project Team: Kate Cave, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Shianne McKay, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Marc Nelitz, ESSA Harris Switzman, Consulting Environmental Scientist Cover photo credits: Copyright & Disclaimer © 2016 Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or other means without written permission of CIER. CIER accepts no liability or responsibility for any damages that may be suffered or incurred by any third party as a result of the use of, reliance on, or any other decision made based upon this report. Suggested Citation: Cave, K., Switzman, H., Nelitz, M. (2016). Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks: Enhancing Access and Use of Hydrometeorological Data for Water Management. Winnipeg, MB: Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources
CIER, the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, is a national First Nation directed environmental non-profit organisation. We offer research, advisory, and education and training services to Indigenous communities, governments and private companies through our two program areas: Building Sustainable Communities and Protecting Lands and Waters. Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources P.O. Box 26092 RPO Maryland Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 3R3 Tel: (204) 956-0660 E-mail: earth@yourcier.org Web: www.yourcier.org This document has been designed for double-sided printing and was originally printed on 100% post-consumer content process chlorine free (PCF) paper.
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Table of Contents
ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................................... II
GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................................ II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... III
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................4
1.1 Indigenous Engagement in the Network of Networks ...........................................................4
1.2 Water and Climate Monitoring in Indigenous Water Stewardship .........................................5
1.3 Water and Climate Monitoring for Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Indigenous
Communities ..................................................................................................................................6
1.4 Indigenous Assets, Capacities and Needs for Water and Climate Monitoring .........................7
1.5 Project Objectives ...............................................................................................................9
2.0 CAPACITIES AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK ................................................................9
2.1 Definition of Capacities and Assets ......................................................................................9
2.2 Definition of Needs ........................................................................................................... 11
3.0 METHODS ............................................................................................................................. 11
3.1 Literature Review .............................................................................................................. 13
3.2 Community Questionnaire ................................................................................................. 13
3.3 Interviews ......................................................................................................................... 14
4.0 KEY FINDINGS ....................................................................................................................... 14
5.0 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 19
5.1 Why Should Indigenous Communities be Involved? ............................................................ 19
5.2 How Should indigenous Communities be Engaged? ............................................................ 19
5.3 What Issues Should Serve as The Focus of Engagement with Indigenous Communities? ...... 20
6.0 TAKE AWAY MESSAGES ......................................................................................................... 21
7.0 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 22
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ACRONYMS
CIER Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
NoN Network of Networks program
ITK Indigenous Traditional knowledge
Ws Western science
GLOSSARY
The following terms are used throughout this document. Definitions are provided here to ensure a consistent understanding around these concepts:
Assets: The tangible financial and physical resources, infrastructure and systems that might contribute to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing.
Capacities: The attributes, or skills and values, of individuals, institutions and communities that might contribute to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing.
Indigenous: Refers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of Canada. Capacities: Conditions, capabilities, skills, resources, and experiences of a community that can
be leveraged to achieve their objectives (KU Work Group for Community Health and Development, 2015; UNDP, 2008).
Needs: A deficiency in, or lack of, capacities or assets (KU Work Group for Community Health and Development, 2015; UNDP, 2008)
Hydroclimatological: A reference to the linked climate and hydrologic cycles (Munang et al., 2009).
Relationships and systems: The less tangible relationships, procedures, and/or programs that might contribute to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing.
Indigenous Traditional Knowledge: A cumulative body of knowledge, knowhow, practices and representations maintained and developed by peoples with extended histories of interaction with the natural environment... sophisticated sets of understandings, interpretations and meanings are part of a cultural complex that encompasses language, naming and classification systems, resource use practices, ritual, spirituality and worldview. (Fenstad et al., 2002)
Water security: Water security is defined by the United Nations as “sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability” (UN-Water, 2013).
Western science: Observations, trends, statistics, qualitative descriptions, and analyses that are associated the scientific method and related activities that lead to scientific knowledge generation.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The main authors of this report are Kate Cave, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources; Harris Switzman, Consulting Environmental Scientist; and, Marc Nelitz, ESSA. Other Project Team members included Shianne McKay and Kathy Johnson from the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources.
The Project Team would like to recognize the financial support provided through Environment Canada’s Network of Networks Grants and Contributions Program for the Needs Assessment for First Nations involvement in the Network of Networks: Enhancing Access and Use of Hydrometeorological Data for Water Management Project.
The authors wish to thank the Indigenous communities that participated in the questionnaire or the interview process. Your contributions to this initiative are invaluable and we appreciate the time you committed to providing your insights.
Lastly, a committee of expert advisors from across Canada was established to support the project management team with this initiative. The advisors role included attending conference calls at key stages of the project, reviewing preliminary results, consultation tools, and progress reports. The team is grateful to the following Advisory Group members for their comments, suggestions and inputs throughout the project:
Heather Auld, Principle Climate Scientist, Risk Sciences International Al Douglas, Director, Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources Deborah Harford, Executive Director, the Adaptation to Climate Change Team at Simon Fraser
University Clynt King, Environmental Technician, Six Nations Elected Council Bob Sandford, EPCOR Chair for Water & Security, United Nations University Institute for Water,
Environment and Health Anita Walker, Manager of Adaptation Program, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT IN THE NETWORK OF NETWORKS
Environment Canada’s Network of Network (NoN) is defined as a “principles based, multi-participant, collaborative approach to [environmental] monitoring”. The NoN seeks to be a nation-wide, long-term initiative that involves a diverse range of members and enhances the capacity of all parties to collect, manage, share and use environmental data and information to enhance decision making. In order to maximize the NoN’s benefit nationally, the architecture of the program will need to recognize Canada’s diverse landscape, hydro-climatic regimes (Figure 1), socio-cultural and economic needs for water and climate information. The NoN represents a unique opportunity to support Indigenous communities nationally with efforts to achieve a greater understanding of hydroclimatic conditions, impacts, changes and management effectiveness relevant to Indigenous environmental stewardship.
Figure 1: Example Figure of Drainage Areas in Canada (Source: Atlas of Canada, 2015).
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The involvement of Indigenous communities in the NoN would contribute towards building capacity in monitoring and evidence-based decision making for enhancing water stewardship. The access to knowledge, information and resources, as well as opportunities to share knowledge with network members are key factors that are essential in achieving urgent water stewardship objectives, such as drinking water provisioning, source water protection, flood and drought impact mitigation, and ecological stewardship. This type of involvement of Indigenous communities is supported by the Assembly of First Nation (AFN)’s 2013 Strategy to Protect and Advance Indigenous Water Rights, which clearly articulated a need for “full and active networks with First Nations and water rights organizations” (AFN, 2013).
1.2 WATER AND CLIMATE MONITORING IN INDIGENOUS WATER STEWARDSHIP
One of the most relevant applications of monitoring information for Indigenous communities is in the area of water stewardship. Hydroclimatological data (herein referred to as water and climate data or monitoring) along with ITK play key roles in many aspects of water stewardship, namely (for more detail see Appendix 1):
Watershed and source water impact assessment and protection strategies; Water storage (infrastructure); Water treatment and delivery (infrastructure); Wastewater treatment and hauling (infrastructure); Watershed-wide partnerships and governance; Private well protection and decommissioning; Surface and groundwater resource allocation; Ecological education; Community-based monitoring; Community dams, reservoir and dugout maintenance; Flood protection and risk mitigation; Drought preparedness, prediction and management; Infrastructure design standards and master planning; Invasive species strategies; and, Pollution prevention and control.
These activities are typically undertaken by communities to address a range of water and environmental issues, including by but not limited to:
Fish populations and health; Animal populations and health; Pollution/contamination risks; Human health concerns from contamination; Flooding; Drought; Climate change effects; Land development or resource extraction impacts;
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Access to high quality drinking water; Water infrastructure (water supply and treatment, wastewater treatment, drainage, green
infrastructure and water storage); Coastal hazards; Preservation of cultural and intrinsic value of water; Preservation of spiritual connection to water bodies; and, Addressing connections and interdependencies among water; energy, climate, food security,
health and other issues (e.g., interactions among hydroelectric generation and water supplies).
Canada’s Indigenous communities have numerous entitlements with respect to water stewardship by virtue of the Canadian treaty rights systems and several subsequent pieces of federal legislation, including Bill S-8: Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act. There have been strong recommendations for a structured regulatory system for water and wastewater which needs to be supported by robust information on system performance, risks and issues (Burnside, 2011). There is also a strong recognition in several key Indigenous water strategy and policy documents of the importance of robust monitoring information for water stewardship activities such as implementation of adaptive management, detecting environmental changes and risks, and planning and managing infrastructure, among others (AFN, 2013; CCME, 2004; GNWT & GOC, 2010; Jackson, Tan, Mooney, Hoverman, & White, 2012). Indigenous communities also have core duties to protect and respect the spirituality of water, which make the cultural value of water critical to any work related to water security (AFN, 2013). In line with these duties, water like all other parts of an ecosystem, has an inherent right to exist and to be sustained in a healthy form (AFN, 2008). The special relationship Canada’s Indigenous people have with water is codified in treaty rights and protected at the international level through the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (AFN, 2013).
Water also plays a central role in the individual and collective identities of Indigenous people and also plays an important role in cultural traditions and ceremonies. Within this context, women are endowed with a responsibility to ensure the protection of water as “water keepers”, and thus it can also be regarded as an issue of gender equity (AFN, 2013). The ecological functions of water also enables Indigenous communities’ ability to harvest, hunt, fish and trap for both trade and subsistence. These are important considerations when designing and implementing environmental monitoring intended to support water stewardship, as the socio-cultural aspects of water security may play a more central role than in non-Indigenous contexts.
1.3 WATER AND CLIMATE MONITORING FOR ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Climate change is also a key concern for Indigenous communities. In the context of water management it should be recognized as affecting all aspects of water security that heightens the urgency of current issues (AFN, 2008). Several of the most critical and current water issues that have the potential to be exacerbated by climate change include:
Access to high quality drinking water; Access to high quality wastewater systems;
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Extreme weather risks (flood, drought); Habitat and specific loss and reduced health; Degraded water bodies; Coastal hazards; Preservation of cultural and intrinsic value of water; and, Preservation of spiritual connection to water bodies. (AFN, 2008)
A range of hydrologic impacts and water resources affected by climate change have been identified, which have important underlying influences on the above issues. These influences include:
Altered timing, state and amount of precipitation, including extremes and lack of precipitation as drought;
Increases in surface temperatures; Changes in permafrost thickness and extent; Alterations to timing of seasonal changes; Shifts in ecosystems and habitat; Sea level rise; and, Variability in surface water flows and quantities (AFN, 2008; CIER, 2010; Cunsolo Willox et al.,
2013; Gearheard et al., 2010).
Climate change has important implications for infrastructure planning, design and management that has the potential to compromise resilience to a range of hydro-climatic conditions and is an important element in infrastructure design and operations (AFN, 2008). Moreover, there is a clear role for monitoring in adaptive management cycles designed to build resiliency in water systems. An important and related issue however, is that climatic and environmental changes have made traditional indicators much less reliable, particularly in the North (Cunsolo Willox et al., 2013; Downing & Cuerrier, 2011; Gearheard et al., 2010).
Although there are many common water and climate monitoring activities that relate to water stewardship among Indigenous communities, (e.g., to address issues related to climatic and environmental change) there is also great diversity in Indigenous communities and water stewardship across Canada. No two Indigenous communities are the same and as such, the relevance of water and climate monitoring will vary among Indigenous communities, in large part based on their assets and capacities.
1.4 INDIGENOUS ASSETS, CAPACITIES AND NEEDS FOR WATER AND CLIMATE MONITORING
Given the centrality of collaboration to the NoN’s success, it is essential that relationships and governance systems be considered, as these are important supports for the capabilities of Indigenous communities, while also providing mechanisms to meet their needs, or fill gaps in capacity. Canada’s Indigenous communities are a diverse group (Figure 2) and have unique relationships with the environment. It is important to recognize this diversity as an important premise upon which to develop a program that seeks Indigenous participation.
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Figure 2: Representation of Some of the Cultural Diversity of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples (Source: Canada History, 2005).
By providing access to frameworks for data collection, an active network of practitioners across the country, and the supporting computational/analytical tools, the NoN represents an unprecedented opportunity for Indigenous communities to optimize the value of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) data products and contribute to national efforts for improving water and climate monitoring. However, Indigenous communities have unique contexts for environmental stewardship, relationships with knowledge and information about the environment, and capacities and assets related to environmental monitoring. As such, a first step in ensuring the long-term and sustainable involvement of First Nations in the NoN is assessing and developing a strategy that responds to the needs of this particular audience. Such assessments are often recognized as key precursors to successful engagement of end users in the development of capacity for evidence-based environmental decision making (Lemos et al. 2012) and in the successful implementation of data management and decision support tools (Hammill et al. 2013; Doraiswamy et al., 2000). A conversation with Indigenous communities to understand their capacities, assets and needs with respect to the NoN is a critical starting-point, given the unique context challenges faced by Canada’s Indigenous communities with respect to water stewardship.
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1.5 PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this project was to determine what is needed to ensure that indigenous communities can participate in, and derive value from, the collection, management, sharing and use of water and climate monitoring information for water stewardship through the NoN.
The project had four key objectives:
1. To learn about the needs of Indigenous communities with respect to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing;
2. To learn about the interest and opportunities for engagement with Indigenous communities in NoN; 3. To develop preliminary ideas/recommendations around a framework for engaging Indigenous
communities in the NoN; and, 4. To develop strategic recommendations for engaging Indigenous communities in the NoN initiative,
based on their identified assets, capacities and needs for water and climate monitoring, data management and information sharing within the context of water stewardship.
These objectives were achieved using a combination of a systematic literature review and engaging with Indigenous communities from across Canada through a community questionnaire and interviews. With support from the Advisory Group, the intent of this work was to develop a set of key recommendations for Indigenous engagement with the NoN that addresses the shared objectives of ECCC and Indigenous communities, while honouring critical differences in the character and value of Western Science (Ws) and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK).
2.0 CAPACITIES AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
An important starting point for this project was to define the types of capacities, assets and needs that Indigenous communities might have relative to water and climate monitoring, data management, and knowledge sharing. The following subsections provide definitions of capacities, assets and needs that were adopted based on a review of existing frameworks used for this type of work (see Appendix 2: Summary of Capacity/Needs Assessment Frameworks and Examples Reviewed for Applicability to the Current Project).
2.1 DEFINITION OF CAPACITIES AND ASSETS
We adapted the broadest definition of a capacity or asset from the KU Work Group for Community Health and Development (2015), which is defined as “anything that can be used to improve” the achievement of community objectives. In the context of this project, those objectives would be related to supporting the collection, management, sharing and use of water and climate data by Indigenous communities. For this project, we have differentiated between assets and capacities in the following
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manner, based on a breakdown suggested in the KU Work Group for Community Health and Development (2015)1:
• Assets: The tangible financial and physical resources, infrastructure and systems that might contribute to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing. Assets include the financial resources; labour; facilities and equipment; internet and telecommunication; knowledge and information; time and attention; and, water and climate monitoring and reporting systems.
• Capacities: The attributes, or skills and values, of individuals, institutions and communities that might contribute to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing. Capacities include the management skills and leadership; legal skills; and, technical skills.
• Relationships and Systems: The less tangible relationships, procedures, and/or programs that influence and might contribute to water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge-sharing. Relationships and systems include the education and training systems; credibility and legitimacy; opened communication; and, community awareness, engagement and commitment.
While some capacities and assets exist exclusively at individual (e.g., technical skills), organizational (e.g., structures of responsibility and accountability), or community scales (e.g., cultural values), many overlap and can exist with varying relevance at multiple scales (KU Work Group for Community Health and Development, 2015; Stephen & Triraganon, 2009; UNDP, 2008). For example, there may be a wealth of capacity or highly developed assets (e.g., knowledge of environmental changes) at the community scale, but it may be less developed for a particular individual involved in environmental monitoring and reporting. Being able to identify which capacities, assets and needs exist at different scales can provide great clarity in the development of a program designed to support identified deficiencies.
Additionally, although capacities and assets can be classified in categories, they are not independent and can act to reinforce or detract from one another. For instance, having strong communication skills in an organization will reinforce capacities for effective governance and management. It is also important to recognize that interactions occur across scales. For example, an individual may possess significant management competences, but those may not be realized if management structures at the organizational level do not sufficiently support the individual. Interactions among categories of capacities and assets at multiple scales is shown in Figure 3.
1 More specific categories of the assets and capacities defined previously are listed in Appendix 3: Summary of Definitions of Assets and Capacities Related to NoN Activities. Beyond this specific categorization, Appendix 3 also includes a listing of some broadly applicable principles (i.e., trusting and respectful relationships, developing shared objectives and ensuring the relevance to end users) that are regarded as central to building capacity and strengthening assets.
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Figure 3: Conceptual Diagram Showing the Interaction of Capacities and Assets at Multiple Scales
2.2 DEFINITION OF NEEDS
If capacities and assets are defined as elements that can be beneficial to achieving a community’s objectives, the term “needs” refers to a deficiency, or lack of, capacities or assets (KU Work Group for Community Health and Development, 2015; NOAA, 2015; UNDP, 2008). The assets and capacities listed in Appendix 3 could be perceived as “needs” if they are absent or need to be enhanced for a community to better achieve its objectives related to water and climate monitoring (UNDP, 2008; Wellens-mensah, 2008).
3.0 METHODS
Figure 4 provides a summary of key project phases and related activities. These phases and activities align quite well with assessment approaches undertaken by others. The generalized steps suggested in other guidance documents involve: (1) establishing the scope of the assessment, including “why” the assessment is being conducted, “whose” and “what” capacities/needs are being assessed; (2) collecting data using various qualitative and/or quantitative methods; (3) analyzing information to identify geographic, cultural, or other differences of sub-groups within the target audience; and, (4) reporting on key findings and/or recommending strategies for building capacity.
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Figure 4: Overview of Project Phases and Activities
It is important to note a critical limitation of this study. The intent of the project was to capture perspectives, experiences and knowledge from the literature and representatives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities on the capacities, needs and interests of Indigenous communities to participate in, and derive value from, the collection, management, sharing and use of water and climate monitoring information for water stewardship through the NoN. Through the literature review we were able to gather information that crossed First Nations, Métis and Inuit contexts. However, for the questionnaire and interviews we were only able to capture limited perspectives and experiences from Métis and Inuit communities. Further research will be required to address this knowledge gap. Additionally, this level of assessment was unable to capture individual-level capacities.
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3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature review was an intermediate step needed to design the consultation process and inform the recommended model of engagement. Although a set of references was collected systematically, not all collected references were reviewed in detail. After an initial search and filtering of results, 260 references were deemed within the scope of the review. Of those 260 references, approximately 30 were reviewed more comprehensively. Despite being a thorough, the review was not a comprehensive and systematic review of all available literature. The following categories of information were identified as being highly relevant to the aims of the project:
Capacities and needs for environmental monitoring relevant to Indigenous communities and collaborative networks, such as the NoN; and,
Case studies, or examples, of collaborative environmental monitoring involving Indigenous communities or bridging of Ws and ITK.
The full database of references has been compiled for use in subsequent work on this topic (e.g., setting-up pilot projects).
3.2 COMMUNITY QUESTIONNAIRE
As part of the assessment process, an English and French questionnaire (see Appendix 4) was developed and deployed with the aim of understanding the needs, capacities and assets that might be required for Indigenous participation in the NoN. The questionnaire included questions about the elements that would need to be included in the NoN program to best satisfy the interest of Indigenous communities in water and climate monitoring. Questions were grouped into the following thematic areas:
(1) Background information: Basic information about the context and background of the respondent; (2) Knowledge and information generation and use: Definitions and use of both ITK and Ws for
Indigenous water stewardship; (3) Water and climate issues: Identification and elaboration of water issues of relevance to the
respondent’s community/Territory; (4) Needs for water and climate monitoring: Exploration of the current and needed capacities for
water and climate monitoring; and, (5) Network of Networks interest and needs for participation: Elements of programming that would be
required to best meet Indigenous needs.
The target audience for the questionnaire was Indigenous community members or staff with responsibilities for environmental stewardship and/or monitoring. Substantial effort was made to follow-up with communities directly through phone calls to encourage their participation in this engagement process. The questionnaire remained open from February to May 2016 to enable sufficient time for additional follow-up and to ultimately provide a richer depth and diversity of responses.
In total 69 individuals participated in the questionnaire (44 completed; 6 partially completed; and, 9 only answered the first 2 or 3 questions). Respondents represented a geographically and linguistically diverse cross-section of Indigenous communities across Canada; although the number of responses was not sufficiently large to represent all potential Indigenous contexts. The questionnaire was initially
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distributed to approximately 80 individual communities and 54 organizations. The response rate corresponds to 5% of the approximately 700 Indigenous communities in Canada2. The largest representation was from Quebec and British Columbia. However, some provinces were not as well-represented as others or not represented at all, namely Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nunavut and Saskatchewan and in particular key gaps remain in representative survey responses from Inuit communities. A wide range of Indigenous cultures and community roles (e.g., elders, staff, community members, etc.) are also represented, meaning that responses reflect a diverse range of perspectives. However, greater participation from other communities across Canada would greatly enrich this understanding.
3.3 INTERVIEWS
The Project Team conducted targeted interviews with key informants to gain a deeper understanding of how the NoN might be structured to best meet the needs of Indigenous communities (see Appendix 5). These interview questions focused on defining water and climate monitoring in the context of Indigenous communities across Canada; identifying barriers/gaps alongside opportunities for improving Indigenous water and climate monitoring; understanding the benefits of collecting both ITK and Ws through Indigenous water stewardship efforts; illuminating strategies for developing collaborative water and climate monitoring with Indigenous communities; and learning about the emerging themes in Indigenous water stewardship and broader Indigenous governance. While significant efforts were made to connect with many individuals, only three interviews were conducted with individuals from British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba.
4.0 KEY FINDINGS
The following section summarizes key findings from the literature review, questionnaire, and key informant interviews. These key findings are relevant to the involvement of Indigenous communities in the NoN, along with other observations relevant to the structure and nature of Indigenous engagement in addressing gaps in water and climate monitoring information and related resource stewardship needs. The implications of these key findings for Indigenous involvement in the NoN are reflected in Section 5.0.
Key finding #1: Concepts of stewardship, intrinsic value, adaptation to environmental and community changes, and learning are fundamental to the relationship between some Indigenous communities and hydro-climatic conditions. Environmental change is a significant issue for Indigenous communities, whether due to natural variations or changes associated with human activities. As such, learning and adapting are important functions to consider when interacting with Indigenous communities to generate climate and water knowledge and information. Adaptive capacity, adaptive governance, and adaptive management are concepts that have been used in the literature to assist communities and
2 Based on estimates from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada: https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1303134042666/1303134337338
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organizations to better cope with changing environmental conditions. Underlying these concepts is a need to integrate careful and repeated observations of the local environment with a clear understanding of the influence of human activities, which requires robust monitoring systems supported by the capacity and governance to oversee knowledge generation and stewardship.
Key finding #2: ITK and Ws are different paradigms for understanding water stewardship, hydro-climatic conditions, and environmental knowledge and information. ITK refers to the observations, cultural practices, values/ethics, identity and histories acquired and passed on through generations of being out on the land practicing traditional activities and ceremonies. ITK includes ways in which Indigenous people have governed and protected natural resources for future generations. Ws is a process that uses scientific observations and methods to develop and test hypotheses, make inferences or draw conclusions that can then be used to inform resource management decisions. There are however, important sensitivities around ITK’s cultural value, proprietary nature, historical power dynamics, embedded relationships between Western scientists and Indigenous communities, and differences in scales of observation and use of knowledge that need to be considered if there is an interest in bridging Ws and ITK paradigms. There is a movement towards standardizing Ws parameters to ensure compatibility and consistency as well as an interest in establishing a set of standard indicators pertaining to ITK for monitoring the health of the environment. Both of these knowledge systems (Ws and ITK) can contribute towards local and regional water and climate monitoring systems or databases, strategies and action plans.
Key finding #3: Notions of intergenerational passing down of oral knowledge were prominent elements of ITK to the majority of respondents. Several key themes emerged around ITK which related to who (elders, intergenerational, culture-based), how (collective, language/oral history), what (holistic, action, relationships, understanding), when (long term), and where (place based). As well, four dominant themes pertaining to water stewardship emerged which relate to the protection/caring for water and aquatic environments; protection for future generations; stewardship actions as rights and duties of Indigenous people; and a focus on water quality and quantity. The themes that emerged related to ITK and Ws were consistent with the literature review. If the NoN intends to bridge ITK and Ws, these themes can help bridge the perspectives of ECCC and Indigenous communities (see Appendix 6).
Key finding #4: Respondents indicated strong support for the use of ITK to advance stewardship and promote collaboration in water and climate monitoring. This is consistent with results from the literature review, suggesting there is merit in the NoN program using these perspectives to engage Indigenous communities. Out of 50 respondents, 75% indicated they were interested in being involved in future opportunities for collaborating with other Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups around the use of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge for water stewardship. In particular, 71-92% believed that traditional knowledge can influence community water stewardship by setting goals and outcomes of water stewardship; informing restoration projects; designing infrastructure; supporting approvals of land and natural resource development; and, supporting training programs for stewardship officers. By
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comparison, only 34-52% of respondents indicated that they had actually been involved with a collaboration around the use of ITK in water stewardship projects.
Key Finding #5: Water and climate monitoring can foster community engagement and capacity building in a way that brings ITK and Ws together. ITK in particular needs more attention than it currently receives. However, it is through community engagement and the synergy of knowledge systems that water and land resources can be protected based on traditional teachings and modern technologies. Bringing ITK and Ws together could happen through projects such as water quality and quantity, fish regeneration/preservation and ecological flow needs based on plant and animal life.
Key finding #6: Indigenous needs for participation in NoN can be grouped into three categories: (1) capacities, (2) assets, and (3) relationships and systems. These three groups were identified to categorize specific aspects based on a review of different ways for assessing assets and capacities, and the types of examples elucidated in the literature. Capacities are the attributes or skills within individuals, communities and/or institutions required to generate and disseminate relevant knowledge. Assets include the financial and physical resources, infrastructure, and/or systems that support knowledge generation, stewardship, and governance activities. Relationships and Systems are the less tangible relationships, procedures, and/or programs that influence knowledge generation, stewardship, methods of dissemination and governance. The relationships and systems involve interactions among capacities and the assets.
Capacities, assets, and relationships exist and interact at different scales, ranging from the individual person, community, and broader organizations that link communities and individuals. The assets and capacities that support the generation of knowledge and information around water and climate typically exist at varying levels ranging from the individual person, to the community (collective of individuals), to the institutions and context in which these activities occur. So while it is useful to think about them separately, it is also important to understand that they are interdependent. Furthermore, assets and capacities have interactive effects, whereby bolstering one, can have positive effects on others and vice-versa. For example, capacities for effective governance of a water and climate knowledge generation will be greatly enhanced by effective communication skills.
Key finding #7: The ability of Indigenous communities to address their water issues is directly related to their capacities, assets, and relationships / structures which are unique to each local context. As mentioned early, there was diversity across respondents in terms of location and the participant’s position (e.g., employee of council or band office; environmental or resource stewardship position). The lack of funding, skilled staff, time and data were the biggest needs across all respondents. Areas of strength for communities to engage in water and climate monitoring included having access to the internet, non-indigenous partnerships, and engagement of communities and ability to share results with decision makers.
Motivations for participation in water and climate monitoring, data management and knowledge sharing can align with a variety of water issues of relevance to Indigenous communities. Engagement
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with individuals and communities is most effective when collaboration is aligned with the interests and activities of those groups. There is great diversity among Indigenous communities across Canada, and thus differences in the water issues and stewardship activities that are relevant. This key finding is consistent with the results from the questionnaire (see Appendix 6).
Key Finding #8: Water and climate monitoring provides the opportunity for Indigenous communities to be engaged as co-stewards of water resources within their traditional territories. Water and climate monitoring requires a constant connection with the land, water, plants, animals and medicines that involves both physical water quality properties and ITK built from a values and quality perspective. Indigenous participation in water and climate monitoring can give communities the opportunity to be directly involved in watershed stewardship and governance, from ecosystem health studies to Transboundary water strategies.
Key finding #9: Respondents revealed significant gaps related to water and climate variables and a strong interest in scientific monitoring. Only 40% of communities indicated they use scientific instruments to monitor water and climate, with the remaining 60% evenly split between not knowing and not using scientific instruments or methods. The majority of the water and climate data collected by respondents pertains to water-related variables (hydrometric, and drinking/environmental water quality variables), with only 10% of respondents indicating that they collect climate variables. While very few respondents indicated that they had completed a scientific study related to water stewardship, approximately 25% of the respondents indicated a desire to conduct these studies (e.g., watershed strategies, climate change impact assessments, flood risk assessments/mapping, and source water protection plans). Hence, based on these gaps and strong interest there is a clear opportunity to strengthen water and climate monitoring within Indigenous communities.
Key finding #10: Based on existing gaps and identified interests, there is an opportunity to strengthen participation by Indigenous communities in the NoN. A large percentage of respondents indicated an interest in being part of the NoN (89% of the 38 participants who responded to the question) with approximately equal numbers expressing interest in the following range of potential outcomes of such an initiative:
• the production of a database or system for recording and organizing traditional knowledge; strengthened sense of TK in Indigenous communities (i.e., revitalization of TK); templates for collecting and organizing water and climate data; manuals/guidance for setting-up a monitoring program; access to real-time data and information on water and climate;
• access to opportunities to share best-practices in water and climate monitoring and the applicability of data to stewardship activities; and
• training in data analysis and a focus on building capacities (e.g., technical, financial, human).
Respondents also indicated a strong interest in collaborating with Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups to support the enhanced use of both traditional ITK and Ws in water stewardship (over 50% of respondents were moderately to highly interested in collaborating to enhance the use of ITK in water stewardship and no one indicated that they were not interested).
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Through this initiative, a few other templates for Ws-ITK were identified that could be valuable to support learning from and strengthening participation of Indigenous communities in the NoN, such as ArticNet (http://www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca/), the Mackenzie DataStream (http://www.mackenziedatastream.org/#/page/about-us) and the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is discussing the development of a Climate Change Monitoring Collaboration to help First Nations and municipalities to assess climate change impacts (Personal Communication, Clynt King, June 16 2016).
Key Finding #11: Opportunities for improved stewardship and governance in Indigenous communities are influenced by certain barriers or gaps (e.g., different value systems, jurisdictional issues, legislation, and capacity). In particular, the capacity and needs (e.g., funding for personnel, laboratory analysis, training) will vary ranging from data collection to engagement in governance processes.
Key finding #12: Respect and reciprocity are central features of Indigenous environmental research. In addition to the categories and specific capacities and assets that have been identified, an important feature of successful engagement with Indigenous communities is working in meaningful partnerships. Early engagement, identifying and aligning shared interests, ensuring mutual benefits, and using collaborative processes are important ways to build strong, trusted, and meaningful relationships that, among other outcomes, safeguard community members and protect community assets (e.g., land, culture).
Key Finding #13: Improvements in Indigenous water stewardship and governance requires recognition of Indigenous title and rights and ITK as an important source of knowledge and experience. Jurisdictions and Indigenous peoples’ co-management rights and interests in developing Indigenous led water and climate initiatives (i.e., monitoring and developing strategies or action plans) within their traditional territories need to be recognized. This is an important element of overall reconciliation3 and the building of constructive relationships between Indigenous people and Canada’s government bodies, and involves Indigenous communities as active and equal partners within water stewardship across their traditional territories.
Key Finding #14: Collaboration with Indigenous communities should adhere to several important overarching principles to be successful (e.g., recognizing and respecting different knowledge systems and processes, creating and maintaining meaningful relationships, engaging communities, and addressing capacity needs). Collaborative relationships also require an open-mind to learn about different knowledge systems and processes (e.g., cultural protocols, ceremonies and knowledge) and identifying funding capacities for Indigenous communities to develop culturally appropriate water and climate monitoring systems, strategies and action plans. These are expanding upon further in Section 5.0 Strategic Recommendations.
3 Supporting the process of reconciliation and healing through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action (TRC, 2015)
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5.0 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are recommendations that emerged from this study to support moving this initiative forward. These recommendations are framed around Why, What and How Indigenous communities should be involved in the Network of Networks.
5.1 WHY SHOULD INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BE INVOLVED?
(1) Seek and act on opportunities to involve Indigenous communities in the NoN: There are significant gaps in monitoring hydro-climatic conditions in Indigenous communities, along with a strong interest among some communities to become more involved. As such, it is recommended that ECCC pursue opportunities to strengthen participation of Indigenous communities in the NoN, as the program represents an unprecedented pathway for filling important monitoring gaps for Indigenous communities.
(2) Integrate ITK in the NoN framework: Recognize that ITK a dramatically different, yet compatible and highly valued, world view compared to western science. Ensuring the NoN has the capability of supporting Indigenous communities with preservation and enhancement of ITK is an important element of ECCC-Indigenous collaboration on water and climate monitoring. To support this, Ws and ITK need to be integrated. This means avoiding using one set of information to validate the other, but rather developing a comprehensive set of knowledge that comprises both ITK and Ws.
(3) Use a flexible and place-based approach to engaging with Indigenous communities on water and climate monitoring: Motivations and capacities for involvement in monitoring, data management and information sharing are unique to individual and local characteristics of Indigenous communities based on their needs, scale of the opportunities, and issues of relevance. There is no “one-size-fits-all” model for engaging Indigenous communities in the NoN because of the diversity among them. Although there are many common water and climate monitoring and stewardship activities among Indigenous communities, including climate and environmental changes, there is also great diversity across Canada. No two Indigenous communities are the same in their geography, culture, socio-economic characteristics, and thus the relevance of environmental monitoring and related assets and capacities will vary among Indigenous communities.
5.2 HOW SHOULD INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BE ENGAGED?
(4) Strengthen relationships among ECCC and Indigenous communities: By adopting a process for meaningful collaboration in the NoN, built on engagement and principles of reciprocity, shared trust, and respect for the unique meaning, context, and value of ITK to Indigenous communities.
(5) Clearly communicate the benefits of collaboration in NoN from the perspective of the needs and issues of relevance to Indigenous communities: It is important that Indigenous communities and stakeholders understand the NoN and its potential benefits for the issues and applications relevant to them. Ensuring that scientific information and research is relevant to local issues and priorities has been
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shown to be one of the most effective way of ensuring that community-based monitoring and collaborative networks are successful (see “Relevance” in Appendix 1). Indeed the architecture and implementation of monitoring systems should reflect how information is used and valued.
(6) Use pilot projects to involve Indigenous communities in the NoN: Throughout this project, a number of Indigenous communities expressed specific interest in the NoN. Seeking opportunities for collaboration with those Indigenous communities who are most interested, have identified needs, and see merit in using western science and ITK to support collaboration in the NoN represents a promising path forward for involving Indigenous communities in the NoN.
(7) Ensure the NoN can address longer-term environmental changes: Learning how the environment is changing and why is very useful in the context of monitoring and considering broader environmental changes. Processes in the NoN should be developed for supporting water and climate monitoring, data management, and knowledge sharing in a way that can address emerging issues and shifting environmental conditions of relevance to Indigenous communities. These issues include climate change, land alteration, ecological change and natural resource development. Key aspects of the NoN in support of this work would be ensuring that monitoring records are archived, and not just available in real-time for forecasting. Given that climate and environmental change are important motivations for Indigenous communities to be engaged in activities supported by the NoN, and that these phenomena will bring increased variability in climatological and hydrologic conditions, a high degree of adaptive capacity within structure of the NoN program is important.
(8) Ensure processes for engaging Indigenous communities in the NoN are responsive to evolving trends around Indigenous rights and governance in Canada: The contexts and drivers for collaboration among governments and Indigenous communities are constantly evolving. An Indigenous NoN program would occur within this framework and needs to be responsive to changing situations in the broader relationships between Indigenous and non-indigenous organizations.
5.3 WHAT ISSUES SHOULD SERVE AS THE FOCUS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?
(9) Identify opportunities for collaboration in the NoN that address the priority issues and needs of communities: Water and climate monitoring, data management and information sharing have numerous practical and meaningful applications for Indigenous communities, particularly in the area of water stewardship. Identifying pathways for the use of both Ws data and ITK in applications that are needed and valuable for Indigenous communities is a central part of effective engagement in water and climate monitoring, data management and information sharing. The following specific applications were identified as current priorities among the communities surveyed, and provide key examples of the sort of applications that the NoN should support:
• Water and climate monitoring training programs for staff, Elders and youth; • Equipment (e.g., community weather stations, new water filters, monitoring tools);
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• Staff (internal and external expertise); and, • Short and long-term water and climate activities (e.g., community education and awareness on
water and climate monitoring; development of cultural maps; water quality testing; water temperature and climate change studies; resource booklet of local and provincial partners and support/resources options).
While several priorities were identified, it is evident from the questionnaire results that areas of strength for Indigenous communities were in non-indigenous partnerships, engagement of communities and ability to share results with decision makers.
6.0 TAKE AWAY MESSAGES
ITK and Ws are underpinned by different worldviews and sets of values pertaining to the environment, its stewardship and the way related information/understanding informs human activities. ITK may not fit within the NoN’s current vision or strategy around water and climate monitoring information and may require a paradigm shift to explore ways to create a unified network. The involvement of Indigenous communities in the NoN will require acknowledgement of the range of capacities and assets in a variety of areas, beyond typically identified technical and management skills that are needed for effective sharing and generation of water and climate knowledge. It is important to recognize that existing Indigenous water and climate information may be embedded within other stewardship activities that are not easily attainable. Indigenous communities will have different levels of interest in and needs for collaboration that may extend beyond traditional uses of information in non-Indigenous communities. Indigenous communities will also have varying degrees of needs and capacities that will influence and impact their involvement in a network. Approaches to building capacity will differ, depending on the scales targeted. It is unlikely that a one-size-fits-all approach will be appropriate if efforts to bolster Indigenous capacity in water and climate knowledge generation are to be effective. As such, careful consideration of how the NoN can support the various Indigenous capacities and needs will be required.
There will be a need to ensure the NoN program is a robust system that can adapt to changes (i.e., environmental, social, political, economic, technical) while still maintaining Indigenous involvement. The notion of ‘meaningful collaboration’ will be different across Indigenous communities and will require time and resources to understand what the interests, benefits and processes are or that are needed to build partnerships. This may be a slow process of building respect, trust and overcoming historical barriers to collaboration.
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7.0 REFERENCES
AFN. 2008. Climate Change and Water: Impacts and Adaptations for First Nations Communities. Available online: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/env/08-03-27_climate_change_and_water_research_paper_final.pdf
AFN. 2013. Strategy to Protect and Advance Indigenous Water Rights. Available online: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/water/firstnationswaterstrategy.pdf Canada history. Part 1, Prehistoric Canada, ancient Canada, aboriginal people written by Sonja E. Schild 1st ed. -- Vancouver : Smart Toys, 2000 -- 51 p., [2] plates : ill., maps (some col.) ; 28 cm. -- ISBN 0968444512 (pt. 1). -- Front side of P. Available online: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-150.1-e.php?uid=021013&uidc=CollectionCd&sk=131&&&&&&&&&&&&&&PHPSESSID=t8hh4mc7of41pi1u513ic94dk3
CCME. 2004. From Source to Tap: Guidance on the Multi-Barrier Approach to Safe Drinking Water. Winnipeg. Available online: http://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/water/source_tap/mba_guidance_doc_e.pdf
CIER. 2010. First Nations Water Security and Climate Change Workshop Report. Available online: http://www.dehcho.org/documents/aarom/Vancouver%20FN%20H2O%20&CC%20Wkshp%20RptFINAL.pdf
Cunsolo Willox A, Harper SL, Edge VL, Landman K, Houle K, Ford JD. 2013. The land enriches the soul: On climatic and environmental change, affect, and emotional health and well-being in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, Canada. Emotion, Space and Society. 6(1):14-24. doi:10.1016/j.emospa.2011.08.005. Doraiswamy, P. C., Pasteris, P. A., Jones, K. C., Motha, R. P., & Nejedlik, P. 2000. Techniques for methods of collection, database management and distribution of agrometeorological data. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 103(1): 83-97. Downing A, Cuerrier A. 2011. A synthesis of the impacts of climate change on the First Nations and Inuit of Canada. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 10(1):57-70. Fenstad JE, Hoyningen-Huene P, Hu Q, et al. 2002. Science and Traditional Knowledge: Report from the ICSU Study Group on Science and Traditional Knowledge. Available online: http://www.icsu.org/publications/reports-and-reviews/science-traditional-knowledge/Science-traditional-knowledge.pdf Gearheard S, Pocernich M, Stewart R, Sanguya J, Huntington HP. 2010. Linking Inuit knowledge and meteorological station observations to understand changing wind patterns at Clyde River, Nunavut. Climatic Change. 100(2):267-294. doi:10.1007/s10584-009-9587-1. GNWT & GOC. 2010. Northern Voices, Northern Waters: NWT Water Stewardship Strategy. Available online: http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/strategies/nwt_water_stewardship_strategy.pdf Hammill, A., Harvey, B., and Echeverria, D. 2013. Understanding needs, meeting demands: A user-oriented analysis of online knowledge brokering platforms for climate change and development. International Institute for Sustainable Development. Available online: https://www.iisd.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2013/understanding_needs_platforms.pdf Jackson S, Pollino C, Maclean K, Bark R, Moggridge B. Meeting Indigenous peoples’ objectives in environmental flow assessments: Case studies from an Australian multi-jurisdictional water sharing initiative. Journal of Hydrology. 2015;522:141-151. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.12.047. KU Work Group for Community Health and Development. 2015. Communuity Tool Box. Available online: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/about
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Lemos, M. C., Kirchhoff, C. J., and Ramprasad, V. 2012. Narrowing the climate information usability gap. Nature Climate Change 2(11): 789-794. Munang R, Rivington M, Takle G, MacKey B, Liu J. 2009. Climate Information and Capacity Needs for Ecosystem Management Under and Changing Climate. In: World Climate Conference – Volume (3):1-42. Geneva: UNEP. Neegan Burnside. 2011. National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems National Roll-Up Report Department of Indian Affairs and National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems. Available online: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/enr_wtr_nawws_rurnat_rurnat_1313761126676_eng.pdf NOAA Office for Coastal Management. 2015. Needs Assessment Guide. Available online: http://coast.noaa.gov/needsassessment/ Stephen P, Triraganon R. 2009. Strengthening Voices for Better Choices: A capacity needs assessment process. Available online: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dPaortBRQRAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=Strengthening+Voices+for+Better+Choices:+A+capacity+needs+assessment+process&ots=y_FuxjTUue&sig=skYbYDNRIUCY4ME8j5Xq4g9IV_E TRC Canada. 2015. Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Available from: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Honouring_the_Truth_Reconciling_for_the_Future_July_23_2015.pdf. UNDP. 2008. Capacity Assessment Methodology: User’s Guide. Available online: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/capacity-development/undp-capacity-assessment-methodology/UNDP%20Capacity%20Assessment%20Users%20Guide.pdf UN-Water. 2013. Water Security & the Global Water Agenda. Available online: http://www.unwater.org/publications/publications-detail/en/c/197890/\nhttp://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.360.9258&rep=rep1&type=pdf. Wellens-mensah, J. 2008. Capacity-building needs for National Hydrological Services. WMO Bulletin, 57(3), 152–158.
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June 2016 Draft Final Report
Document / Project Title
© Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Inc.
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Summary of Indigenous Water Stewardship and Related Water and Climate Information
Water
Stewardship
Activity
Related Water and Climate Information
(underlined = ITK)
Questionnaire
Reference (Q15)
Literature
Citations
Watershed and
source water
impact
assessment and
protection
strategies
- Water budget modeling
- Locations of culturally significant water
bodies/habitats
- Contaminant source tracking
- Routine water quality sampling, quantity
monitoring and continual reassessment of GW
and SW sources
- Requires variables of ET, Precip., temperature,
humidity, water demand, streamflow/discharge,
watershed condition, land use, geology, water
table, water quality, freeze-thaw dates, glacier
size
- Use of pre-development conditions as baseline
for assessment
Watershed
stewardship strategies
(5, 10, 15 year plans,
etc.)
Climate change
vulnerability or impact
assessment/adaptation
Plan
Water supply and
demand studies
Source water
protection plans
(AFN, 2008,
2013; Burnside,
2011; CCME,
2004; CIER,
2010)
Water storage
(infrastructure)
- Design analysis should account for climate
change including water quality impacts from
algae, changes in temperature etc.
Water infrastructure
designs
Water infrastructure
operational
plans/strategies
(AFN, 2008)
Water treatment
and delivery
(infrastructure)
- Monitoring of untreated and treated water
quality (can reveal seasonal trends)
- Monitoring of novel and current pathogens for
compliance and health risk
- Monitoring of water intakes, particularly those
exposed to low-water
- Classification of Aboriginal water supply
systems: piped supply , truck delivery and
individual wells
Water infrastructure
designs
Water infrastructure
operational
plans/strategies
(AFN, 2008,
2013; Burnside,
2011; Daley,
Castleden,
Jamieson,
Furgal, & Ell,
2015)
Wastewater
treatment and
hauling
(infrastructure)
- Classification of Aboriginal wastewater systems:
trucked haulage, piped, and septic and other
individual systems
- Ability/assimilation capacity of receiving body to
handle wastewater discharge/leachate
Wastewater
infrastructure designs
Wastewater
infrastructure
operational
(AFN, 2008,
2013; Burnside,
2011)
plans/strategies
Watershed-wide
partnerships and
governance
- Essential for the protection of water rights and
financing, therefore information on rights and
costs/benefits are critical
Watershed
stewardship strategies
(5, 10, 15 year plans,
etc.)
(AFN, 2008,
2013; Baltutis
et al., 2012)
Private well
protection and
decommissioning
- Mapping of private wells and status (active,
decommissioned, etc.)
Groundwater
contamination studies
Source water
protection plans
(AFN, 2008,
2013)
Surface and
groundwater
resource
allocation
- Values and rights with respect to water
- Water balance information (see: Watershed and
source water impact assessment and protection)
- Real-time GW and SW quantity and quality
information on parameters
Irrigation or water
allocation plans
(AFN, 2008,
2013; Jackson,
Pollino,
Maclean, Bark,
& Moggridge,
2015)
Ecological
education
- Information on ecosystem services and safe
drinking water
Watershed
stewardship strategies
(5, 10, 15 year plans,
etc.)
(AFN, 2008,
2013)
Community-
based
monitoring
-- Aboriginal communities are well positioned to
monitor changes through being in constant
observation and interaction with the land and
water
- Observations may elicit emotional reactions
because of the centrality of the environment to
Aboriginal people (e.g., seasonal cycles have deep
meaning)
- Could include parameters of water quality,
water levels, precipitation amounts, snow pack
accumulation, melt dates, freeze-up dates.
- Important for the detection of environmental
changes
All (AFN, 2008;
Berkes, Berkes,
& Fast, 2007;
Bernier et al.,
2009; Bone,
Alessa,
Altaweel,
Kliskey, &
Lammers, 2011;
Clarkson,
Morrissette, &
Regallet, 1992;
Cunsolo Willox
et al., 2013;
DeAngelis,
2013; Ford et
al., 2008;
Gearheard,
Pocernich,
Stewart,
Sanguya, &
Huntington,
2010; Lynn,
2012; Reed,
2013)
Community
dams, reservoir
and dugout
maintenance
- Near real-time surface and groundwater levels
and flows, sediment transport, precip. & ET
Water infrastructure
operational
plans/strategies
(AFN, 2008)
Flood protection
and risk
mitigation
- Extreme precipitation and flow analysis
- Event-based hydrologic and hydraulic modeling,
and floodplain and risk mapping
- Analyzing water storage capacity and land-use
controls in the system
- Flood forecasting and hazard prediction
- Natural hazard prediction, management and
recovery can rely on TK
Flood risk assessment
or floodplain mapping
(CIER, 2010;
Hiwasaki, Luna,
Syamsidik, &
Shaw, 2014)
Drought
preparedness,
prediction and
management
- Drought hazard prediction systems
- Drought management practices and policies
- Natural hazard prediction, management and
recovery can rely on TK
Climate change
vulnerability or impact
assessment/adaptation
Plan
Water supply and
demand studies
Source water
protection plans
(Hiwasaki et al.,
2014)
Infrastructure
design standards
and master
planning
- Design standards and plans should address
changes in hydrologic and climatic loads
Water infrastructure
designs
(AFN, 2008;
Burnside, 2011)
Invasive species
strategies
- Observations of habitat and species range shifts Watershed
stewardship strategies
(5, 10, 15 year plans,
etc.)
(Beckford,
Jacobs,
Williams, &
Nahdee, 2010)
Pollution
prevention and
control
- Locations/mapping of pollution sources
- Pollution prevention performance indicators
Groundwater
contamination studies
(Beckford et al.,
2010)
Appendix 2: Summary of Capacity/Needs Assessment Frameworks and Examples Reviewed for
Applicability to the Current Project
ASSESSMENT
NAME
URL / SOURCE ASSESSMENT FOCUS DESCRIPTION / APPLICABILITY
NOAA Needs
Assessment
Guide
http://coast.no
aa.gov/needsas
sessment/#/
Needs Used for a variety of environmental
planning and management purposes
(see case studies on website),
including water and climate
information (e.g., Needham and
Carter 2012)
University of
Kansas Working
Group for
Community
Health and
Development
Community Tool
Box - Assessing
Community
Needs and
Resources
http://ctb.ku.ed
u/en/table-of-
contents/assess
ment/assessing
-community-
needs-and-
resources
Needs and resources / assets Extensive guidance on
community/stakeholder-based needs
assessment for application to a wide
variety of themes. NOAA needs
assessment based on this resource,
which is rooted in Asset-Based
Community Development.
UNDP Capacity
Assessment
Methodology
http://www.un
dp.org/content
/dam/aplaws/p
ublication/en/p
ublications/cap
acity-
development/u
ndp-capacity-
assessment-
methodology/U
NDP%20Capacit
y%20Assessme
nt%20Users%2
0Guide.pdf
Assets for capacity
development
Overarching assessment method used
in all UNDP capacity development
programs at multiple scales. Presents
a good general framework of
categories along with step-by-step
approach. Has been used for a range
of programs, including water
management and climate adaptation.
IUCN Capacity
Needs
Assessment
Process
https://cmsdata
.iucn.org/downl
oads/capacity_
needs_assessm
ent.pdf
Capacities and needs for
change
Presents a framework of fairly generic
categories of capacities required for
local forest management in the
Asia/Pacific region. Also applicable to
environmental management capacity
ASSESSMENT
NAME
URL / SOURCE ASSESSMENT FOCUS DESCRIPTION / APPLICABILITY
more broadly.
Adaptive
Capacity Wheel
(Gupta et al.,
2010)
http://www.sci
encedirect.com
/science/article
/pii/S14629011
10000638
Capacities for adaptive
management
Identifies important capacities
associated with adaptive
management.
Wikwemokong
Community
Needs
Assessment
Research Model
see Jacklin and
Kinoshameg
(2008)
Needs and assets Developed for effective indigenous
participation in needs-based research.
Likely more useful for an identification
of potential needs within the NoN as
opposed to establishment of the
assessment framework.
CIER Community
Needs
Assessment
Framework
process
provided by
CIER
Needs and gaps; capacities and
resources for sustainability
Provides an overarching set of steps
for community-based needs
assessments conducted by CIER
historically.
CIER Capacity
Framework
Circle
provided by
CIER
Needs and gaps; capacities and
resources for sustainability
Provides a synthesis of the
information and characteristics of
decision making processes that are
effective for CIER.
1
Appendix 4: Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN): National
Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Introduction
This questionnaire will be used to gather the perspectives of Indigenous communities across Canada. This
survey does not constitute formal consultation.
Background: Limited data on weather, watersheds and water systems, along with challenges in the ability of
Indigenous communities to use such information are real barriers to effective and sustainable community decision-
making around water stewardship. As such, there is need for improved access to and use of water and climate
data, information and knowledge to understand and respond to major challenges in Indigenous communities.
Environment Canada is working on an initiative, called the Network of Networks (NoN), that is still in very early
development stages and is envisioned to be a collaboration among multiple groups who are working together to
monitor Canada's weather, water and climate by sharing knowledge, data, and best practices.
Purpose of the Survey: CIER is working on a project to understand what interest there is, what capacity is needed
and how Indigenous communities can gain greater access to and contribute to the NoN to improve their own water
and climate data and abilities and use that information in stewardship initiatives to address issues such as flooding,
ecosystem protection, preservation of cultural practices, and drinking water provisioning. As part of that project, CIER
is seeking the input of environmental leaders in the area of Indigenous water stewardship which may include Elders,
Chiefs, Councillors, Land/Water/Fisheries/Resource Managers/Coordinators, through this survey:
(1) To help inform Environment Canada about the needs of Indigenous communities with respect to weather, water
and climate information, knowledge data and its use in stewardship; and,
(2) To explore the Network of Networks project as a potential platform for supporting Indigenous ambitions
related to water and climate information, knowledge, data and its use in stewardship, including how the NoN can
improve access to data, its application to problem-solving, create an active network of practitioners working
together on Indigenous water issues across the country.
Benefits to Indigenous communities: Sharing your perspective and knowledge through this survey are valuable in
exploring potential opportunities to enhance Indigenous water stewardship for your community now and into the
future, so we want to hear from you! In the short term, a report of the results will be prepared and circulated to all
who participate in the survey and wish to receive a copy. You will be entered into a draw for your Indigenous
community with a chance to receive a
$250 grant towards an ongoing or new water stewardship initiative. In the long-term, we are seeking out
additional funding opportunities for a Phase II to support a few new or ongoing First Nation water and climate
stewardship initiatives.
2
How long will the survey take? It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and is divided into 5 sections: (1)
Background information; (2) Knowledge and information generation and use (3) Water and climate issues; (4) Needs
for water and climate monitoring; and, (5) Network of Networks interest and needs for participation. You can also
exit the survey at any time if you decide not to complete the survey.
Survey Deadline: March 4th, 2016.
Confidentiality: All information provided in this survey will be compiled and individual survey information will
remain confidential. No individual names or information provided will be used in any final report.
3
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) :
National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 1: Background Information
1. What is the name of the community in which you live and/or work?
Where do you live?
Where do you work?
2. In which province or territory is your community?
3. Which of the following roles do you play in your community? (select all applicable)
Hereditary/elected chief or council member
Employee of council or band office
Environmental or resource stewardship position
Water stewardship position
Community member
Other (please specify)
4. In which watershed(s) does your community reside or rely upon for water?
5. What is the name of the Aboriginal language with which you identify ?
4
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 2 : Knowledge and information generation and use
We recognize there are several different terms and meanings for "Traditional Knowledge" and "Water Stewardship". The following
definitions are used throughout the survey, however we are interested in getting your feedback on them. Please read the following two
definitions and indicate whether you have any comments on these definitions for the terms “Water Stewardship” and “Traditional
Knowledge”.
Traditional Knowledge (TK): Refers to the combination of observations, cultural practices, values/ethics, identity and histories
acquired and passed on from one generation to the next and are central to Indigenous approaches to water stewardship.
Water Stewardship: Means taking appropriate actions to protect and conserve water for all plants and animals who share our planet,
including future generations based on awareness of the importance of water to all living things. It recognizes that water users have a
duty to ensure their actions safe guard the environment.
6. How do you define traditional knowledge?
7. How do you define water stewardship?
8. Please describe one example of when you used, or heard of someone using, traditional knowledge to
inform water stewardship?
9. Given your example from question 8, and others that may come to mind, in what ways do you believe
traditional knowledge can influence community water stewardship projects? (select all that apply and add
additional responses)
TK can be used to set the goals or outcomes of water stewardship actions (e.g., water quality objectives for a lake or river)
TK can inform the design of watershed protection/restoration projects (e.g., location and types of species used in a wetland
restoration project)
TK can be used for infrastructure planning (e.g., design of water treatment facilities)
TK can be used to set laws on what kinds of development activities are appropriate for a given watershed (e.g., approval of a
natural resource development project)
TK can be used to develop educational and training program for Indigenous youth and water stewardship officers
Other (please specify)
5
10. What collaborative initiatives have you participated in that involved using traditional knowledge in a
water stewardship project (select all that apply and add additional responses).
Source water protection planning
Community-based water quality monitoring
Watershed planning and stewardship strategies
Environmental impact assessments
Educational programs and training related to water stewardship
Capacity building
Other (please specify)
11. Please rate your interest in being involved in future opportunities for collaborating with other Indigenous
and non-Indigenous groups around the use of traditional knowledge for water stewardship by checking the
circle below.
Not Somewhat Very I don't
interested Interested neautral Interested Interested know
12. What sorts of collaborations would you be interested in? (select all that apply)
Working in research partnerships with academic researchers
Participating in watershed-based governance (i.e., basin councils, etc.)
Developing shared infrastructure with nearby communities
Educational programs and training related to water stewardship
Collaborative monitoring of environmental impacts
Other (please specify)
collaborating with other indigenous and non indigenous groups
around use of TK for water stewardship
6
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 2: Knowledge information generation and use
SCIENTIFIC DATA AND INFORMATION
13. Does your community collect data related to climate or water resources using scientific instruments or
methods?
Yes
No
Unsure
7
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) :
National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 2: Knowledge information generation and use
14. Please select the types of datasets that you gather: (Select all that apply)
Climate variables (weather station)
Hydrometric variables (streamflow, lake levels, groundwater levels)
Water use and demand (water pump metering)
Ecological/source water quality (lakes, rivers, groundwater quality)
Drinking water quality
Other (please specify)
15. Please select the option that best applies to the types of scientific studies your community has led
related to weather monitoring and water resources by clicking on the circle(s) below.
Completed Ongoing Proposed
Desired but
not
completed
or ongoing
Not
relevant
Watershed stewardship strategies (5, 10, 15 year plans, etc.)
Groundwater contamination studies
Climate change vulnerability or impact assessment/adaptation
plan
Irrigation or water allocation plans
Water supply and demand studies
Flood risk assessment or floodplain mapping
Source water protection plans
Water infrastructure designs
Wastewater infrastructure designs
Water infrastructure operational plans/strategies
Wastewater infrastructure operational plans/strategies
8
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 3: Water and Climate Issues
16. For each of the following issues, please rate how well your community is currently able to address them
by clicking on the circles below. (Check Not Applicable (N/A) , if it does not apply to your community)
Partially Unknown
Unable to able to Fully able to ability to
address address address address N/A
Fish populations and health
Animal populations and health
Pollution/contamination risks
Human health concerns from contamination
Flooding
Drought
Climate change effects
Land development or resource extraction impacts
Inadequate access to high quality drinking water
Water infrastructure (water supply and treatment, wastewater
treatment, drainage, green infrastructure and water storage)
Coastal damage
Loss of cultural and intrinsic value of water
Loss of spiritual connection to water bodies
Addressing connections and interdependencies among water,
energy, climate, food security, health and other issues (e.g., interactions among hydroelectric generation and water supplies)
Other: ( Please specify)
9
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 4: Needs for Water and Climate Change
17. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements about your community’s
ability for engaging in water and climate monitoring, knowledge gathering, data use, and sharing, by
clicking on the circle(s) below.
Neither
Strongly Disagree or Strongly
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree Agree
We have funds and access to support short and long-term
climate and water monitoring activities.
We have staff with the appropriate skills to develop climate and
water monitoring activities.
We have reliable internet access.
We have access to materials and tools (e.g., computers; manual
data collection) for collecting, storing/archiving, sharing and using environmental information.
We have sufficient time for effective and meaningful participation
in activities related to climate and water monitoring.
We have access to traditional knowledge and scientific
data/information pertaining to climate and water monitoring.
Other comments on assets:
10
18. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements about your community’s
skills, capacities and perspectives for engaging in water and climate monitoring, knowledge gathering, data
use, and sharing, by clicking on the circles below.
Strongly
Disagree Disagree
Neither
Disagree or
Agree Agree
Strongly
Agree
We have partnerships with non-Indigenous groups on developing
and implementing monitoring activities.
We have established clearly defined roles and responsibilities
with these partnerships.
We have access to training programs to conduct monitoring
activities (technical, management, relationship facilitation, etc.).
We trust the water and climate information available to us through
the individuals and organizations that provide this information.
We share information on climate and water monitoring internally
with community members, Hereditary/Elected Chief and Council, and/or other staff.
We share information on climate and water monitoring with
others.
Other (please specify)
19. What are the top 3 things you need but you don’t have to engage in water and climate monitoring?
(feel free to refer to the options in Q17 and Q18 to help frame your response)
Our community is engaged and committed to water and climate
monitoring activities.
We have access to expertise to understand the legal aspects of
climate and water monitoring and data sharing, including
protection of rights of parties and uses of information in legal
proceedings.
We have access to monitoring systems for collecting,
storing/archiving, sharing and analyzing/using environmental
information (both western science and TK).
Our staff have skills to provide short-term and long-term strategic
direction for the development and implementation of monitoring
activities.
We have established shared climate and water monitoring goals
and interests with these partnerships.
We have partnerships with other Indigenous groups on
developing and implementing monitoring activities.
11
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Part 5: Network of Networks interest and needs for participation
As a reminder, the Network of Networks ( NoN) is still in early development stages and is
envisioned to be a collaboration among multiple groups who are working together to monitor
Canada's water resources and climate by sharing knowledge, data, and best practices.
20. Do you think your community would have an interest in being part of a network of Indigenous and non-
Indigenous participants across Canada focused on improving water and climate knowledge generation,
data collection, sharing and use?
Yes
No
Unsure
21. If you participated in this type of network, what would you want to see out of your participation? (Select
all applicable and describe additional attributes)
Production of a database or system for recording and organizing traditional knowledge
Strengthened sense traditional knowledge in Indigenous communities (i.e., revitalization of TK)
Templates for collecting and organizing water and climate data
Manuals/guidance for setting-up a monitoring program
Access to real-time data and information on water and climate
Access to opportunities to share best-practices in water and climate monitoring and the applicability of that data to stewardship
activities
Training on analysis of data
A focus on building capacities (e.g., technical, financial, human)
Other outcomes or information you would want (please specify):
22. Do you have anything else to share about the topics or questions asked in
this survey?
12
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Survey Follow-Up Options
23. Are you interested in being included in a random draw for your community to receive a $250 grant
towards an ongoing or new water stewardship initiative?
Yes
No
24. Are you interested in being included on the distribution list for the results of this research and any
subsequent information from CIER on the Network of Networks initiative?
Yes
No
25. [IF YES TO EITHER ABOVE QUESTION] Please provide the following contact information so we can
get a hold of you following this survey regarding the random draw and/or for sharing results.
Name
Community
Address
Province
Postal Code
Email Address
Phone Number
Disclaimer: The contact information you provide will not be used to identify you with the answers you have provided in this
survey.
13
Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN) : National Questionnaire of Indigenous Communities
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this survey!
We strongly value your input and will be in touch shortly regarding the outcome of this project and
the results of the $250 grant draw.
If you do not wish to be contacted and have indicated so on the previous page, your request will be
honoured. If you wish to change your answer you can do so now, by clicking " Prev" below.
You have now completed the survey and follow up options. Please click " Done".
Appendix 3: Summary of Definitions of Assets and Capacities Related to NoN Activities
Category Definition
Assets
Financial Resources1–4
Adequate funds and access to funding/financing finances to support
environmental monitoring programs and all the necessary assets for such
programming over the long-term.
Labour1–4
Adequate numbers of individuals or groups with the appropriate capacities
to develop and implement environmental monitoring to support water
management.
Facilities and Equipment2–5
Adequate supply of materials and tools for collecting, storing/archiving,
sharing and analyzing/using environmental information (including Ws and
ITK). In most cases this will refer to computers and software, however
manual recording may be the best option in some remote locations.
Internet & Telecommunication Access to reliable telecommunications networks and internet for enhanced
access to information, knowledge, communication channels, etc.
Knowledge and Information6,2,7–15
Understanding of and access to data, information and ITK pertaining to
environmental monitoring in support of water security.
Time and Attention3 Adequate availability of time for effective and meaningful participation in
activities related to environmental monitoring.
Water and Climate Monitoring
and Reporting Systems10,16,17
The full range of processes and the architecture of programs for collecting,
storing/archiving, sharing and analyzing/using environmental information
(including Ws and ITK). The systems will be highly dependent on the types of
information sought (see “Relevance”).
Capacities
Management skills and
leadership1,6,8,15,30
Abilities of individuals to provide short-term and strategic direction for the
development and implementation of environmental monitoring. Effective
management and leadership is highly dependant on the governance
structures that provide decision-making powers and resources to managers
(see Governance and management structures).
Legal skills1 The competencies for understanding the legal aspects of environmental
monitoring and data sharing, including protection of rights of parties, uses of
information in legal proceedings, etc. to assist with decision-making.
Technical skills1,2,4,31
Individuals involved in environmental monitoring possess the technical
competencies to develop and implement such a program. Specific abilities
required will depend on the monitoring and reporting systems, information
and knowledge and physical assets of the system.
Relationships and Systems
Education and Training Systems 2,5,16,17
Programs for developing the capacities within individuals to conduct
environmental monitoring within the context of the NoN.
Category Definition
Credibility & Legitimacy20,24–28
A high level of trust in a source of information (individual or organization)
leading to believability and acceptance of that information. Consistently
meeting a standard of information quality and being unbiased often define
the characteristics of credible sources.
Opened
communication1,6,2,3,7,8,10,20
Individuals have abilities to communicate internally and externally and
organizational systems are in place to ensure effective transfer of
information between all parties involved in environmental monitoring.
Community awareness,
engagement and
commitment1,2,10,14,16,19,21,22
Broad participation of groups and individuals with an interest in water
management and environmental monitoring. This participation is highly
associated with whether a community feels a sense of ownership over the
program and their participation. Engaging with communities is an important
way of securing a sense of ownership.
Overarching Principles for Capacity and Asset Development
Trusting & Respectful
Relationships10,17–21
Respectful interaction of participants involved in developing and
implementing environmental monitoring.
Shared Objectives10,22,23
Participants have overlapping goals and interests in participating in
environmental monitoring. Shared objectives are strongly related to the
degree of engagement of members, and the relevance of their participation
(see “Relevance” and “Community awareness, engagement and
commitment”)
Relevance3,17–21,25,29
Environmental monitoring initiatives, including their products, should be of
interest and value to end users. This may relate to usability in decision
making, cultural importance or other reasons.
Table References:
1. AFN. Strategy to Protect and Advance Indigenous Water Rights. (2013).
2. AFN. Climate Change and Water: Impacts and Adaptations for First Nations Communities. (2008).
3. CIER. First Nations Water Security and Climate Change Workshop Report. (2010).
4. Office of the Auditor General of Canada. in Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustinable
Development (2011).
5. Reed, V. Tapping In: Community-Based Water Monitoring Program in Atlantic Canadian First Nations
Communities. (Dalhousie University, 2013).
6. KU Work Group for Community Health and Development. Communuity Tool Box. (2015). Available at:
http://ctb.ku.edu/en/about.
7. Gupta, J. et al. The Adaptive Capacity Wheel: A Method to Assess the Inherent Characteristics of
Institutions to Enable the Adaptive Capacity of Society. Environ. Sci. Policy 13, 459–471 (2010).
8. UNDP. Capacity Assessment Methodology: User’s Guide. Capacity Assessment Methodology: User’s Guide
(2008).
9. Downing, A. & Cuerrier, A. A synthesis of the impacts of climate change on the First Nations and Inuit of
Canada. Indian J. Tradit. Knowl. 10, 57–70 (2011).
10. Hiwasaki, L., Luna, E., Syamsidik & Shaw, R. Process for integrating local and indigenous knowledge with
science for hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in coastal and
small island communities. Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 10, 15–27 (2014).
11. Brekke, L. Addressing Climate Change in Long-Term Water Resources Planning and Management: User
Needs for Improving Tools and Information. (2011).
12. Bone, C., Alessa, L., Altaweel, M., Kliskey, A. & Lammers, R. Assessing the impacts of local knowledge and
technology on climate change vulnerability in remote communities. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 8,
733–761 (2011).
13. PNW Tribal Climate Change Project. A Tribal Planning Framework – Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
by Sector. (2013).
14. Lynn, K. Fostering Tribal Engagement in Climate Science Centers and Landscape Conservation
Cooperatives. 1–9 (2012).
15. NOAA. Needs Assessment Guide. NOAA Digital Coast Partnership (2015). Available at:
http://coast.noaa.gov/needsassessment. (Accessed: 6th June 2015)
16. Burnside, N. National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems National Roll-Up Report
Department of Indian Affairs and National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems.
(2011).
17. Daley, K., Castleden, H., Jamieson, R., Furgal, C. & Ell, L. Water systems, sanitation, and public health risks
in remote communities: Inuit resident perspectives from the Canadian Arctic. Soc. Sci. Med. 135, 124–132
(2015).
18. Castleden, H., Morgan, V. S. & Lamb, C. ‘i spent the first year drinking tea’: Exploring Canadian university
researchers’ perspectives on community-based participatory research involving Indigenous peoples. Can.
Geogr. 56, 160–179 (2012).
19. Dyck, T., Plummer, R. & Armitage, D. Examining First Nations’ approach to protecting water resources using
a multi-barrier approach to safe drinking water in Southern Ontario, Canada. Can. Water Resour. J. / Rev.
Can. des ressources hydriques 40, 204–223 (2015).
20. Vera, C. et al. Needs assessment for climate information on decadal timescales and longer. Procedia
Environ. Sci. 1, 275–286 (2010).
21. Jacklin, K. & Kinoshameg, P. Developing a Participatory Aboriginal Health Research Project: ‘Only if it’s
Going to Mean Something’. J. Empir. Res. Hum. Res. Ethics 3, 53–67 (2008).
22. Climate-Eval Community of Practice. Good Practice Study on Principles for Indicator Development,
Selection, and Use in Climate Change Adaptation Monitoring and Evaluation. (2015).
23. Cunsolo Willox, A. et al. The land enriches the soul: On climatic and environmental change, affect, and
emotional health and well-being in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, Canada. Emot. Sp. Soc. 6, 14–24 (2013).
24. Dinku, T., Asefa, K. & Hilemariam, K. Improving availability, access and use of climate information. WMO
Bull. 60, 2–9 (2015).
25. Kirchhoff, C. J., Carmen Lemos, M. & Dessai, S. Actionable Knowledge for Environmental Decision Making:
Broadening the Usability of Climate Science. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 38, 393–414 (2013).
26. Barsugli, J. J. et al. The Practitioner’s Dilemma: How to Assess the Credibility of Downscaled Climate
Projections. Eos, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 94, 424–425 (2013).
27. Moss, R. et al. Ch. 26: Decision Support: Connecting Science, Risk Perception, and Decisions. Clim. Chang.
Impacts United States Third Natl. Clim. Assess. 620–647 (2014). doi:10.7930/J0H12ZXG.On
28. Cash, D. et al. Salience, Credibility, Legitimacy and Boundaries: Linking Research, Assessment and Decision
Making. SSRN Electron. J. 25 (2002). doi:10.2139/ssrn.372280
29. Lemos, M. C., Kirchhoff, C. J. & Ramprasad, V. Narrowing the climate information usability gap. Nat. Clim.
Chang. 2, 789–794 (2012).
30. Stephen, P. & Triraganon, R. Strengthening Voices for Better Choices: A capacity needs assessment
process. Access (2009).
31. GNWT. NWT Community-Based Water Monitoring: Bringing Water Quality Results Back to Your
Community. (2015).
Appendix 5: Needs Assessment for Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks (NoN):
Interview Script
Purpose: used to gain a deeper understanding of the gaps, needs, opportunities for Indigenous
involvement and the structure of the NoN.
(1) How would you define water and climate monitoring in the context of Indigenous communities
across Canada? What activities does it consist of and how does it fit into broader Indigenous water
stewardship?
(2) What are the barriers/gaps and opportunities for improving Indigenous water and climate
monitoring?
(3) Where do you see the greatest potential benefit of traditional knowledge and western science
data collected through monitoring in Indigenous water stewardship?
(4) What strategies would you recommend the federal government use to develop collaborative
water and climate monitoring with Indigenous communities?
(5) What are the most important emerging themes in Indigenous water stewardship and broader
Indigenous governance, including changing norms in the relationship with the Federal government, that
influence needs for and parameters around water and climate monitoring?
Appendix 6: Diagrams Illustrating Key Themes Related to Defining ITK and Ws.
Table 1: Summary of key factors related to the population of respondents of the questionnaire.
FACTOR DATA
Total survey
participants to-date
50
Number of unique
communities
represented
42
Community roles (% of
respondents
representing various
roles)
(note that many
participants fall into
more than one
category)
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Hereditary/electedchief or council
member
Employee of councilor band office
Environmental orresource
stewardship position
Water stewardshipposition
Community member
Indigenous Languages
0 2 4 6 8 10
AbenakiAlgonquin
AlgonquinAnicinabe
CarrierHul'qumi'num
KwakwalaMaliseet (wolastoq'wik)
MichifNorthern Tutchone
NsyilxcenSencoten
Southern Tutchone, HanKanienkeha
WendatSecwepemctsin
OjibweMi'kmaq
DeneCree
Number of Respondents
Figure 1: Represented geography in the questionnaire
Figure 2: Summary of themes described in definitions of TK knowledge. Each line represents the number of responses to the
question “how would you define traditional knowledge” that referenced each theme. Themes are grouped according to
broader elements (black = TK is long-term and broadly oriented; red = TK is rooted in history and experience; green =
emphasis on a socio-ecological worldview)
Figure 3: Summary of themes described in definitions of water stewardship. Each line represents the number of responses to
the question “how would you define water stewardship” that referenced each theme. . Themes are grouped according to
broader elements (black = water stewardship is a duty/responsibility; red = water should be managed in a holistic/integrated
way; green = water stewardship is s spiritual and cultural imperative)
Figure 4: Summary of respondents’ reported ability to address specified water issues in their communities. Percent of
respondents (-ve is disagree; +ve is agree)
Figure 5: Perspectives on whether respondent’s community has access to the indicated resources for water and climate
monitoring. (i.e., agree means that that the respondent believes his/her community has a specific asset or capacity)
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
% Unable % Partially Able % Fully Able
-100%-80% -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Reliable internet
Materials and tool (computers, equipment, etc)
Access to TK and scientific data
Sufficient time and prioritization
Skilled staff
Funds and access to financial resources
Percent of respondents (-ve is disagree; +ve is agree)
Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
Figure 6: Perspectives on whether respondent’s community has access to the indicated assets and capacities for water and
climate monitoring (i.e., agree means that that the community has a specific asset or capacity).
-100% -80% -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Engaged and commited to monitoring
Ability to share results with decision makers
Share information beyond our community
Strategic direction for monitoring
Access to legal expertise on data ownership and IP
Clear roles/responsibilities
Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree