Indigenous Involvement in the Network of Networks · 2020-01-25 · Assets: The tangible financial...

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: [email protected] 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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August 2016 Final Report

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

Final Report / Needs Assessment for Indigenous involvement in the Network of Networks i

© Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Inc.

Final Report August 2016

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;




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.




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.




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




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.




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.




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.




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




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




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




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




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).




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)



http://www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca/

http://www.mackenziedatastream.org/%23/page/about-us


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




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);




• 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.




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



http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/env/08-03-27_climate_change_and_water_research_paper_final.pdf

http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/water/firstnationswaterstrategy.pdf

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-150.1-e.php?uid=021013&uidc=CollectionCd&sk=131&&&&&&&&&&&&&&PHPSESSID=t8hh4mc7of41pi1u513ic94dk3

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-150.1-e.php?uid=021013&uidc=CollectionCd&sk=131&&&&&&&&&&&&&&PHPSESSID=t8hh4mc7of41pi1u513ic94dk3

http://www.ccme.ca/files/Resources/water/source_tap/mba_guidance_doc_e.pdf

http://www.dehcho.org/documents/aarom/Vancouver%20FN%20H2O%20&CC%20Wkshp%20RptFINAL.pdf

http://www.icsu.org/publications/reports-and-reviews/science-traditional-knowledge/Science-traditional-knowledge.pdf

http://www.icsu.org/publications/reports-and-reviews/science-traditional-knowledge/Science-traditional-knowledge.pdf

http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/strategies/nwt_water_stewardship_strategy.pdf

https://www.iisd.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2013/understanding_needs_platforms.pdf

http://ctb.ku.edu/en/about


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.



http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/enr_wtr_nawws_rurnat_rurnat_1313761126676_eng.pdf

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/enr_wtr_nawws_rurnat_rurnat_1313761126676_eng.pdf

http://coast.noaa.gov/needsassessment/

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



http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Honouring_the_Truth_Reconciling_for_the_Future_July_23_2015.pdf

http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Honouring_the_Truth_Reconciling_for_the_Future_July_23_2015.pdf

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/capacity-development/undp-capacity-assessment-methodology/UNDP%20Capacity%20Assessment%20Users%20Guide.pdf


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

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

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


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


designs


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



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



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


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


designs

(AFN, 2008;

Burnside, 2011)

Invasive species

strategies

- Observations of habitat and species range shifts Watershed



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

http://coast.noaa.gov/needsassessment/#/



http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources





















https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/capacity_needs_assessment.pdf





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.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901110000638





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


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


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


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


collaborating with other indigenous and non indigenous groups

around use of TK for water stewardship

6


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


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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

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