A proposal submitted on March 1, 2024.
Just as partnerships at the domestic level are critical to ensuring the safety and security of Canada’s Arctic, it is equally important to work with other Arctic states and international partners in the broader region. That’s why, in collaboration with our partners, peers and collaborators at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and University of Minnesota Duluth, we’re submitting a special application to build on the original work of the Our People Our Climate project.
As our Canadian and American teams begin to prepare for our joint sessions at the 2024 Arctic Congress in Bodø, Norway, there are significant opportunities to build on these approaches to collaborative research with Canada and the United States, leveraging the outcomes to enhance Canada’s resilience in extreme cold conditions and address climate change impacts in the Arctic region. There are also opportunities for technology adoption, innovation and procurement activities conducive to advancing economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Following the inspiration of previous arts and research work highlighting the need for the direct inclusion of local Indigenous populations in research operations as a form of reconciliation, partners from two countries will collaborate and contribute to new research on climate change visualization and organizational capacity building.
This new, proposed project highlights the need to strike a balance between advancing technology that can serve both civilian and military purposes (dual-use technology), engaging in organizational capacity building to support ongoing international research and development efforts. This project works to ensure that these endeavors align with national security interests and support domestic research into climate change adaptation and mitigation. It emphasizes the potential for and importance of aligning U.S. Army and DND-sponsored research and development activities with specific military capability gaps. It underscores the need to make strategic investments in technology and innovation that address real and pressing defence needs.
The project also acknowledges a need to explore and further engage the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces’ (DND/CAF) role in advancing whole-of-government priorities in the North. This recognition of the interconnectedness of various government objectives underscores the importance of a coordinated approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges in the region, particularly emphasizing the impacts of climate change on Arctic and military infrastructure.
The vast reach and impacts of climate change present immediate and long-term security challenges to Canada both at home and abroad. Climate change is a complex and multi-faceted security challenge, as militaries are increasingly called upon to assist with its consequences, including extreme weather events and natural disasters. This often requires complex responses, while still concurrently supporting the full spectrum of more traditional military operations domestically and overseas. DND/CAF must adapt its planning and activities in accordance with the Government of Canada’s greening objectives, while striving to maintain an agile and resilient force that is responsive to the impacts of climate change.
This latest proposal submission, titled “Enhancing Our People Our Climate – Building Resilience through organizational capacity building with Northern Communities,” is being submitted to the Department of National Defence (DND) Indigenous Reconciliation Program – Grants and contributions streams with the aim of enhancing relationship development and engagement with northern communities on the pressing challenges posed by climate change while also advancing economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The application deadline is March 1, 2024. Under the program, Indigenous people, governments, and organizations, including bands, tribal councils, and representative bodies, are eligible to apply for funding. Engagement and Collaboration Grants, as well as Research Support and Policy Development Contributions, constitute the available streams of funding.
How you can support:
You can support our initiative by contributing your expertise, resources, and networks to help us achieve our goals. Whether you have experience in climate resilience, community engagement, Indigenous reconciliation, or project management, your skills and knowledge can make a significant impact. Additionally, financial contributions are vital to ensuring the successful implementation of our project, enabling us to cover essential expenses such as research activities, community outreach, and capacity-building initiatives. You can read our proposal here.
Furthermore, spreading awareness about our initiative within your network and advocating for its importance can help garner support and amplify our efforts. Together, we can work towards building resilience in northern communities, fostering reconciliation, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Contact us at: jamie@niriqatiginnga.ca or tony@niriqatiginnga.ca for more information on how you can get involved!
Program details:
The Indigenous Reconciliation Program is part of the Department of National Defence’s commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous partners. In fostering dialogue, collaboration, and policy development, this initiative aims to strengthen relationships and promote understanding between Indigenous communities and the DND/CAF.
Engagement and Collaboration Grants, with funding up to $50,000, aim to facilitate dialogue through workshops, conferences, cultural activities, and community outreach events. Meanwhile, Research Support Contributions are directed towards research activities fostering collaboration between Indigenous communities and military establishments. Policy Development Contributions, on the other hand, support longer-term relationship-building and policy development projects in alignment with Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.
Interested parties must submit funding proposals by March 1 of each fiscal year to ensure timely processing. These proposals should include detailed information such as the project’s objectives, participant lists, Indigenous group representation, accessibility measures, and budget breakdowns. Eligible expenses cover a wide array of costs, including research, conference/seminar logistics, administrative/support salaries, professional services, advertising/promotional material, travel, facility rentals, communications, disability-related support, adaptive technology, and cultural activities.
