2025 UArctic Project Call Results for Indigenous & Northern Collaborative Research & Education and Relationship Development Initiatives

The following first 5 projects have been supported under the Indigenous & Northern Collaborative Research & Education Fund and will take during the period of 2024-2026.

A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Health in the Circumpolar Arctic

Project Partners: Universite Laval (Christopher Fletcher), University of Greenland, Arctic Mayors’ Forum, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, University of Alberta, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Circumpolar Health and Well-being Thematic Network

The purpose of this project is to produce a high-quality, widely accessible, online learning resource that explores the health and well-being of people in the circumpolar Arctic from a variety of perspectives and knowledges, including Indigenous knowledge. A massive open online open course (MOOC) format will be used to as it well suited to the goals of the UArctic with its emphasis on open, flexible, and accessible programming. It addresses a gap in the educational materials for and about circumpolar health and enhances the offering of the Circumpolar Health and Well-being Thematic Network. The design also allows for flexible use and adaptation of the material in other pedagogical contexts including courses offered by UArctic members. Course content will be developed collaboratively through the involvement of an advisory group that will be international in scope, and inclusive of the diversity of people's living in circumpolar regions, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous people. The content will be delivered in a diversity of formats, including video interviews, texts, maps, historical documents, podcasts, digital stories, and other means to be determined. 

Embedding Community Needs in Circumpolar Studies Curriculum

Project Partners: Trent University (Heather Nicol), Inuvik Metis Council, Nunavut Arctic College, Yukon University, Nord University, University of Lapland, Laera Institute for Circumpolar Studies

UArctic's interest in a Circumpolar Studies core curriculum originated in the early 2000s with the development of a suite of courses designed for students of UArctic member institutions. Today, the UArctic Laera Institute for Circumpolar Studies promotes the development and delivery of this Circumpolar Studies curriculum. It is made accessible and available to all UArctic member institutions, and a number of UArctic member institutions such as Trent University, Yukon University, and Nord University regularly use UArctic Circumpolar Studies core curriculum content in their programing. Over time, however, the core curriculum has become more oriented towards curriculum needs of larger research-oriented and/or Southern universities, and less oriented towards meeting the needs of Northern post-secondary programing, meaning that there is now a pressing need to ensure that it engages with, and is co-created with, Northern Indigenous partners and Indigenous-led post-secondary institutions.

This project will review existing UArctic core curriculum to identify gaps and better incorporate Northern Indigenous voices and knowledge in both its content and delivery. Working with the broader community of UArctic institutions, Indigenous communities and organizations, and Circumpolar Studies students at UArctic member institutions, partners in this project will initiate a series of consultations to review existing Circumpolar Studies core curriculum and student experience, and to create a blueprint for revisions and redevelopment. 

O.C.E.A.N.: Offshore and Coastal Environments in the Atlantic

Project Partners: University of Prince Edward Island (Laurie Brinklow), University of the Farhoe Islands, University of Highlands and Islands, Memorial University, NunatuKavut Community Council, Northern and Arctic Islands Studies Research Thematic Network

The Northern and Arctic Island Studies Research Thematic Network of the UArctic was established in 2022 to bring together researchers and community leaders in Northern and Arctic islands to work on projects that support resilient, dynamic, sustainable island communities, chart the changing relationship between islanders and the sea, and explore innovative ways of adapting to the effects of climate change. The project O.C.E.A.N.: Offshore and Coastal Environments in the Atlantic is intended to bring together researchers and community members to map out a research strategy and identify potential funding for a project(s) focused on the blue economy: not just through an economic lens, but also as a tool to create thriving island communities and help them grapple with climate change, youth retention, and service provision. Themes include ocean health, cultural practice, energy and energy justice, fisheries and aquaculture, governance, climate change, and youth, through the lenses of the Sustainable Development Goals and “two-eyed seeing” that blends traditional and scientific knowledges.

Climate Impacts on Snow and Winter Tourism

Project Partners: Yukon University (Alison Perrin), University of Iceland, University of Lapland, Northern Tourism Thematic Network, Nordic Snow Network (NordSnowNet)

Winter tourism in the Arctic has increased by 600% between 2006 and 2016. At the same time, average temperatures are increasing at four times the rate in the North as the rest of the world. These numbers suggest an urgent need for research on the impacts of climate change on winter tourism in the circumpolar North, and adaptation approaches that support a flourishing economy around winter tourism that directly benefits Northerners.

This project aims to develop a research program that is inclusive and respectful of diverse lived experiences and worldviews in multiple geographic regions by incorporating meaningful engagement at the outset. The project will also develop a research initiative that brings together researchers from Lapland, Iceland, and the Yukon Territory working in a variety of disciplines with local Indigenous people, other Northern residents, and tourism organizations/operators to understand concerns around climate change, tourism, and winter recreation. Together a transdisciplinary research program focused on identifying approaches and tools to assist in mitigating the impacts of changing conditions will be developed.

The Co-design of Community-Based Maternal and Child Health Services in the Arctic: Learning through Circumpolar Collaborations and Indigenous Knowledge Sharing

Project Partners: University of Alberta (Susan Chatwood), Greenland Centre for Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Health and Well-Being in the Arctic Thematic Network 

Circumpolar regions share experiences related to the impacts of colonization, low population density, vast expanses of geographically isolated land, and harsh climates. These factors contribute to challenges in service provision that support the health and well-being of mothers and children. Furthermore, these factors have detrimental impacts on the associated health outcomes resulting in trends where Indigenous women experience disparities in health, and maternal health outcomes.

The project team will take this opportunity to address the health and wellness disparities experienced in maternal child health through the strategic theme of better beginnings, with the primary accelerator of Indigenous ways of knowing, and bringing together extensive expertise across Northern Canada and circumpolar regions. 

Drawing inspiration from community and service-based case examples, the project’s objective is to examine circumpolar maternal and child health systems from a comparative global and Indigenous knowledge perspective using mixed-methods case studies to examine cross-cutting areas, including: 1) Identifying policies that support or hinder midwifery services and traditional birth knowledge 2) explore the impact of culturally appropriate Indigenous service delivery 3) Identify community-based outcome measures for maternal, child and service outcomes 4) examine how service practices differ internationally and highlight policies that inform best practices with Indigenous communities, and 5) support the training and education of Northern researchers.

The following 2 projects have been supported under the Indigenous & Northern Relationship Development Fund and will take place over the next year:

Sharing Our Places In The North

Project Partners: Memorial University (Sylvia Moore), University College of the North, Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, Aurora College, Nunatsiavut Government, 

This project builds relationships between Northern Canadian UArctic members by coming together virtually and sharing stories of place. Each UArctic partner institution will work with their respective communities to develop a digital story/film that will be shared with each other in an online event. Collaborating with students, local groups, and community members, each partner will gather stories, information, and visuals to create a presentation that will visually welcome others to their community and to help them better understand our respective relationships to Land and places in the North. This creates an opportunity to discuss and address shared challenges of post-secondary education in Northern Canada and to forge relationships and partnerships to work towards the Calls to Action found in the Task Force on Northern Post-Secondary Education’s report. The project will strengthen relationships and foster networking within Northern Canada as we collaborate to decolonize post-secondary education in our regions and continue to work across the circumpolar north as part of UArctic networking.

Cross Cultural Learning in the Global North: UCN and UStrathclyde

Project Partners: University College of the North (Ramona Neckoway), University of Strathclyde

Intended activities associated with this project centre institutional collaboration and cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary research to enable cross-cultural learning opportunities. Possible themes and research to be explored during engagement and networking activities include technological innovations in curriculum and pedagogy, teaching practices in Northern contexts, cross-cultural understandings and practices of Indigenous and Gaelic language and cultural education, and student mobility opportunities in Canada and Scotland. The project aims to teach partners about programing design at each institution and foster new relationships with Indigenous communities through virtual and in-person engagement. Anticipated activities include introductions and peer-to-peer engagement between researchers and staff at each institution, in-person cross-institutional/cross-cultural visits, and hopefully establishing a vibrant network of researchers and educators, including Indigenous educators, committed to advancing knowledge and innovation across institutions.