Building Northern Research Capacity Through Community Partnerships: Aurora College’s Mobilize Program Strengthens Student Learning and Indigenous Collaboration

In Denendeh and Inuit Nunangat (Northwest Territories), Aurora College is demonstrating how education and community-led research can work hand-in-hand to strengthen local capacity and create meaningful change across the North. Through its Mobilize Program, developed by the Aurora Research Institute, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the college is expanding opportunities for applied research, including student hands-on research experiences that directly benefit Northern and Indigenous communities.

One of the key components of the Mobilize Program, the Student Training Fund, provides students with applied research and mentorship opportunities under the supervision of Aurora College employees. This fund reflects the college’s belief that every staff member can serve as a mentor. The model fosters collaboration and encourages students to co-develop projects that respond to community priorities, advancing both academic learning and local well-being.

In 2025, ENRT student Maxwell Edo and his supervisors - Linh Nguyen, Bryce Olson, Peter Lin, Karl Cox, and Mary Anne Schoenhardt - were selected as recipients of the fund for their project Assessing Environmental Impacts of Historic Uranium Transport: A Case Study of the Northern Transportation Route. The project, completed in August 2025, was conducted in close partnership with the Tthebatthı Dënésułıné Nation, whose guidance and traditional knowledge shaped the research from start to finish.

Community partnership was central to the project’s success. Led by Tthebatthı Dënésułıné Nation Project Coordinator Sine Paulette, they identified research priorities, advised on sampling locations, to ensure Indigenous knowledge and cultural protocols were integrated throughout. Maxwell worked alongside community members in environmental monitoring, collecting soil and water samples, setting up and retrieving trail cameras, and participating with Tthebatthı Dënésułıné Nation’s in Aurora College’s berry patch project—an initiative connecting ecological science with traditional food practices.

Beyond technical training, Maxwell’s work was deeply community-focused. He took part in local meetings, contributed to the Guardian Project under Mobilize Program’s Partnership Development Fund, and supported the setup and takedown of Tthebatthı Dënésułıné Nation’s annual fish camp, a key event fostering intergenerational knowledge sharing and cultural continuity.

As an international student from Ghana, Maxwell brought a global perspective to this Northern research context, demonstrating the value of cross-cultural collaboration in addressing shared environmental challenges. “The funding provided Maxwell with an opportunity for valuable hands-on experience in environmental research, community engagement, and respectful integration of Indigenous knowledge,” said the Aurora Research Institute team.

The project has strengthened ties between the College and Dene community, illustrating how collaborative research can support environmental stewardship and community resilience. It also shows the tangible impact of investment in student-led, community-driven research, which benefits both learners and the regions they serve.

For the UArctic network, Aurora College’s Mobilize Program stands as a model of how Northern institutions can align education, research, and Indigenous partnership to build sustainable capacity across the circumpolar North. Through funding initiatives that empower students and respect local leadership, UArctic members, like Aurora College, continue to demonstrate how knowledge sharing and collaboration can create long-term benefits for Arctic communities and the next generation of Northern researchers.