“The best scientists are the people that’s out there”: Inuit-led integrated environment and health monitoring to respond to climate change in the Circumpolar North

Alexandra Sawatzky (), Ashlee Cunsolo (), Andria Jones-Bitton, Dan Gillis, Michele Wood, Charlie Flowers, Inez Shiwak and Sherilee L. Harper ()
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Alexandra Sawatzky: University of Guelph
Ashlee Cunsolo: Labrador Institute of Memorial University
Andria Jones-Bitton: University of Guelph
Dan Gillis: University of Guelph
Michele Wood: Nunatsiavut Government
Charlie Flowers: University of Guelph
Inez Shiwak: Rigolet Inuit Community Government
Sherilee L. Harper: University of Guelph

Climatic Change, 2020, vol. 160, issue 1, No 4, 45-66

Abstract: Abstract Amidst unprecedented variability and change in climate across the Circumpolar North, increasing attention has been directed towards integrated environment and health monitoring systems to inform responses to climate change impacts on Inuit health. Yet, existing monitoring systems are often not designed to consider Inuit-identified conceptualizations of wellbeing that can help identify, monitor, and respond to the more intangible losses and damages from climate change. This study—conducted in partnership with the Inuit community of Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, Canada—aimed to characterize what Inuit value and want monitored to develop a conceptual framework for an Inuit-led integrated monitoring system. Using community-led research approaches, data were drawn from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 31 individuals including community members (n = 13), government representatives (n = 14), and healthcare professionals (n = 4) in Nunatsiavut between 2015 and 2016. Thematic analysis of these data was guided by a constant-comparative process. Interviewees described how monitoring climatic and environmental conditions was grounded in land-attachment, reciprocity, knowledge sharing, and self-determination. Findings enhance understandings of how Inuit-led monitoring in the North can guide climate change adaptation that considers intangible losses and damages to wellbeing and ways of living. Further, these findings illustrate how localized perspectives on climate change can contribute to place-based public health research and policy that reflect what matters most to communities.

Keywords: Environment and health surveillance; Climate change; Intangible loss and damage; Indigenous-led research; Inuit health; Northern Canada (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s10584-019-02647-8

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