Cross-Cultural Research Camps

The Sahtú Renewable Resources Board implements 'Cross Cultural Research Camps' to facilitate the co-production of knowledge between Indigenous community members and researchers. These camps address climate change impacts in the Northwest Territories—where temperatures are predicted to rise by 4 to 8 degrees by the 2050s—by combining traditional Dene and Métis knowledge with science-based monitoring. Key initiatives include youth-focused skills training, water knowledge camps to address contamination and climate risks, and the Tracking Change project focusing on fish ecology. The document highlights the necessity of integrating wellness supports for youth and developing cultural safety plans, while noting that these camps strengthen community resilience and cross-cultural relationships.

• The Northern Northwest Territories have experienced faster warming than the rest of North America and the global average over the last 50 years, with mean temperatures projected to increase by 4 to 8 degrees by the 2050s.
• Cross Cultural Research Camps utilize a "two-eyed seeing" approach, combining on-the-land practices and dialogue with traditional knowledge holders with science-based research and monitoring to inform decisions on land stewardship and climate change.
• The Water Knowledge Camps aim to address community concerns regarding water health and risks caused by mining, oil and gas development, and climate change, while building capacity for community-driven monitoring.
• The Tracking Change project, active since 2016, documents the changing ecology of water and fishing livelihoods in the Mackenzie River region to strengthen Indigenous governance of the river.
• Experience from the camps indicates that land-based programs must include wellness supports, as being on the land can be triggering for youth and leaders dealing with trauma, addiction, and the impacts of colonialism.
• To effectively engage youth, camps must balance structured learning and professional certifications (such as firearms or first aid training) with unstructured traditional activities and the integration of modern technology like drones.
• The camps have successfully fostered long-term supportive relationships between southern researchers and community members, facilitating easier recruitment and increased funding for the Sahtú Renewable Resources Board.

APA

Jensen, K., Simmons, D., & Andrew, L. (2021). Cross-Cultural Research Camps. Canadian Climate Institute. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/cross-cultural-research-camps/

Chicago

Jensen, Kirsten, Deborah Simmons, and Leon Andrew. Cross-Cultural Research Camps. Canadian Climate Institute, 2021. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/cross-cultural-research-camps/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Jensen |first1=Kirsten |last2=Simmons |first2=Deborah |last3=Andrew |first3=Leon |title=Cross-Cultural Research Camps |publisher=Canadian Climate Institute |date=10 August 2021 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/cross-cultural-research-camps/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{jensen2021crosscultural, author = {Jensen, Kirsten and Simmons, Deborah and Andrew, Leon}, title = {{Cross-Cultural Research Camps}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/cross-cultural-research-camps/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }