Grants and Contributions

Wildlife health is deeply tied to food security, culture, and ecosystem sustainability in the Canadian North, where climate change threatens key species like caribou and muskoxen. The Kutz Research Group’s long-standing community-based wildlife health surveillance program, now supported by post-doctoral researcher Dr. Olivia Hee, integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge with science to monitor wildlife, inform management decisions, and build local capacity through training, data sharing, and expanded research efforts across the Arctic.

As climate change thaws Arctic permafrost, stored mercury may be released into northern ecosystems, posing risks to wildlife and food security due to its toxic effects. This research at Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory will study how mercury moves between air and ground, focusing on the formation of methylmercury, while engaging with local communities and students to share knowledge and ensure the research supports northern health and sustainability.

The Elder-Youth IQ Camp in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, brings together Inuit Elders and at-risk youth for a land-based, intergenerational learning experience that blends traditional knowledge with scientific methods. Through mentorship, cultural practices, and citizen science, youth build skills, confidence, and environmental awareness while also creating educational media to amplify their voices. The program aims to strengthen community ties, support cultural identity, and serve as a model for similar initiatives across Canada.

This project supports the co-creation and finalization of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)-based ice travel safety tools—such as seasonal sea ice maps and terminology books—for Arctic Bay, Nunavut, in collaboration with SmartICE and the Tuvaliriji Community Management Committee. It also advances Inuit-led training, capacity-building, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing by equipping a local Coordinator with technical and cultural skills to support community resilience and climate adaptation. Final products will be launched in early 2026, enhancing both safety and cultural continuity.

The Sivuniksattinnik ilinniaqtitsiniq (Teaching the Next Generation) Sapujiyiit Junior Guardians Program is an Inuit-led initiative in Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, and Naujaat that trains youth to become future Arctic researchers and environmental stewards. Through land-based learning, mentorship from Elders, and use of tools like the SIKU app, youth gain skills in both Inuit knowledge and Western science while contributing to climate research and community-led monitoring. The program strengthens intergenerational knowledge-sharing, supports self-determination, and ensures Northern voices shape Arctic research priorities.

The Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board is hosting the Western Arctic Char Summit in February 2026 in Inuvik, Northwest Territories bringing together about 150 participants to share Traditional Knowledge and Western science on char populations. The summit aims to support collaborative research, informed decision-making, and improved understanding of how environmental changes are affecting char, particularly the culturally significant and federally listed Dolly Varden char.

This project aims to build capacity among Kaska Dena community members through training and mentorship, while documenting and mapping traditional ecological knowledge and land use in Dena Kayeh (Yukon). By interviewing Elders and creating a digital repository of ecological relationships, it seeks to preserve and sustain Dena science and lifeways for future generations. The work is led by and for the Kaska Dena to support community well-being and the protection of their knowledge systems.

This project seeks to develop a sustainable, community-led scallop and sea cucumber fishery in Ungava Bay in partnership with the Makivvik Corporation and researchers from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières. Using the Lampsilis research vessel, the project will survey marine stocks and broader ecosystem variables to assess fishery feasibility and establish a baseline for long-term environmental monitoring. The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with local communities to promote knowledge exchange and support adaptation to climate change.

This project will study the impacts of a newly constructed firebreak on permafrost, soil, and vegetation in Sambaa K’e’s sensitive northern landscape. By comparing disturbed and undisturbed sites across diverse ecosystems, the research will track permafrost thaw, soil conditions, and plant recovery, providing essential data for local climate resilience and land-use planning. With strong community involvement, including training for youth and Guardians, the project supports Indigenous-led stewardship and contributes to broader northern science and wildfire mitigation strategies.

This project partners with four northern communities (Old Crow (Yukon), Kugaaruk and Taloyoak (Nunavut), and Sachs Harbour (Northwest Territories)) to explore ways to improve the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) subsidy program, which aims to reduce food costs in remote areas but often fails to fully benefit consumers. Through collaborative modeling and community input, the study will assess the feasibility of requiring stores to offer key foods at fair, set prices based on southern pricing data. The project emphasizes community-led research, early engagement, and Indigenous leadership, aiming to support food sovereignty and inform more effective NNC policies grounded in northern realities.