Research

Yukon Biochar Project

In our research, biochar application was not found to increase yields of bromegrass, barley, kale, carrot or potatoes during the three year field trials. Biochar was found to inhibit potato yields and reduce their tol- erance to frost. Biochar was not found to affect soil nitrogen retention, however, it was found to increase tissue nitrogen in bromegrass. Biochar application altered the uptake characteristics of several nutrients and minerals as well, it changed some soil chemical characteristics.

Food System Theme:

  • Production and Harvesting

Resource Theme:

  • Research

Reach:

  • Yukon-Wide

Host | Contact:

  • Program Coordinator, Treharne Drury | Yukon Agricultural Association

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Working Together Towards a Food Secure Yukon: Outcomes from Yukon Food Security Roundtable, An Evening on Food Security and Open House

The Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research (AICBR) hosted three food security events May 18th - 19th, 2016: a Yukon Food Security Roundtable (YFSR), An Evening on Food Security, and a Food Security Open House. The Yukon Food Security Roundtable was an opportunity for delegates from multiple sectors across the territory to come together to share current food security-related activities, identify factors that limit or facilitate food access and availability for Yukon residents, and to prioritize next steps. The roundtable welcomed participation from 79 delegates from across the territory, including representation from 16 Yukon communities, Indigenous and non-Indigenous government and non-government officials, non-profit sector, academics, food producers, and concerned citizens, as well as federal government and non-government representatives. 

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

Resource Theme(s):

  • Research

Reach:

  • Yukon-Wide

Host | Contact:

  • Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research | info@aicbr.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Water and Agriculture in Canada: Towards Sustainable Management of Water Resources

The agricultural sector is an important contributor to Canada’s prosperity and well-being and there are substantial opportunities for the sector in the coming decades. However, Canadian agriculture is also challenged by water-related risks and uncertainties. Growing competition for water, land, and other resources, in addition to the uncertain impact of climate change and variability, will place increased stress on agricultural production in Canada and throughout the world. To better understand this complex issue, the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) was asked by Agriculture and Agri-Food to conduct an evidence-based assessment to identify what additional science is needed to better guide sustainable management of water to meet the needs of agriculture.

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

  • Production and Harvesting

Resource Theme:

  • Research

Reach:

  • National

Host | Contact:

  • Council of Canadian Academies

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Vuntut Gwitchin Climate Change and Health Research in Northern Yukon

This three-phase project was initiated by the Vuntut Gwitchin citizens in Old Crow, who invited the Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research to work with them in response to their concerns about changes to their traditional harvesting and hunting areas, and changes in the distribution and abundance of several traditional food species.  PHASE I: What do our changing homelands mean for our health?  PHASE II: Knowledge into Action  PHASE III: Community Action on Climate Change and Food Security Adaptation in Old Crow.

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

Resource Theme:

  • Policy/Strategy

  • Research

Reach:

  • Community-Level (Old Crow)

Host | Contact:

  • Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research | info@aicbr.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Teaching and Working Farm

To benefit from educational and research capabilities, TH government partnered with Yukon College in 2016/17. Approx. 20 TH citizens are employed as farm workers during the growing season. This year-round farm produces a food for TH citizens and other community members including vegetables, pork, chicken, fruit and berries.  The farm sets up a weekly produce market in the summer. It plans to be self-sustaining by 2019.

Food System Theme:

  • Production and Harvesting

Resource Theme:

  • Training

  • Research

Reach:

  • Yukon-Wide

Host | Contact:

  • Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation | admin@trondekfarm.ca | 867-993-3916

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Traditional Land Use Health Study

The community conducted nutritional testing on tomatoes produced to be made aware of the quality of their locally grown greenhouse foods. The nutritional test results proved that community-grown tomatoes are comparable in nutritional value and quality to market tomatoes. Carmacks-grown produce is better because fuel is not burned to import it and so greenhouse gasses are not created, unlike imported produce.

Food System Theme:

  • Production and Harvesting

Resource Theme:

  • Research

Reach:

  • Community-Level

Host | Contact:

  • Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation | graystonconsulting@gmail.com

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Toward Food Security in Canada’s North

Canada’s Public Policy Forum is advancing the dialogue on one of the most important policy issues affecting people living in Northern Canada—food insecurity. The range of approaches –both within Canada’s Territories and Provinces, as well as in other northern nations with similar food insecurity issues – illustrate that there is no single best approach to solving food insecurity. Addressing the challenges within Canada will require a variety of initiatives, including support for country food, education programs, poverty alleviation measures and economic-development strategies.

Over the past year, Canada’s Public Policy Forum organized a series of round table discussions in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Ontario to identify current successes and remaining gaps in overcoming food insecurity in northern Canada, with a particular focus on the challenges confronting Aboriginal peoples. Bringing together leaders from communities, NGOs, Aboriginal organizations, and territorial, provincial and federal governments leaders, these multi-sector discussions have culminated in a final report that highlights positive developments, common challenges, and key recommendations shared by round table participants.

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

Resource Theme:

  • Research

  • Policy/Strategy

Reach:

  • Pan-Northern

Host | Contact:

  • The Public Policy Forum | info@ppforum.ca | 613-238-7858

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Strengthening Yukon Local Food: A Research Report

This report is both ‘stand-alone’ and as a step evolving a broader strategy to strengthen the resilience of the Yukon local food system and the food security of Yukoners. It provides some context, models and ideas for evolving the food system towards more sustainable, long-term solutions. 

Food System Theme:

  • Food Skills, Knowledge and Culture

Resource Theme:

  • Research

Reach:

  • Yukon-Wide

Host | Contact:

  • Canadian Centre for Community Renewal with support from Fireweed Community Market Society

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Soil Testing

Understand what is going on under your feet - in your field, market garden, greenhouse or backyard vegetable patch - by getting your soil tested.

Food System Theme:

  • Production and Harvesting

Resource Theme:

  • Networking/Information Sharing

  • Research

Reach

  • Yukon-Wide

Host | Contact:

  • Government of Yukon (Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Agriculture Branch) | agriculture@gov.yk.ca | 867-667-5838

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Reducing Transportation GHG Emissions in Canada, 2013

The Public Policy Forum has produced hundreds of reports since the organization’s inception in 1987. This year, the Forum convened public, private and non-profit sector stakeholders to discuss critical issues related to greenhouse gas reductions in Canada’s transportation sector. Through three roundtables in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa, experts and stakeholders explored some of the most pressing issues, particularly those related to fuel switching and alternatives, vehicle technology advancements, and infrastructure and municipal planning. We also sought policy areas where potential consensus may exist.

FOOD SYSTEM THEME:

  • Transportation

RESOURCE THEME(S):

  • Research

REACH:

  • National

HOST | CONTACT:

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Recommendations on Northern Sustainable Food Systems

In February 2019, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board released a report outlining recommendations that address gaps in creating sustainable food systems in the North. These recommendations were gleaned from both internal and external research, including a Roundtable event held in Whitehorse (June 2018) to discuss Northern Sustainable food systems with Northerners.

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy, Networks

Resource Theme:

  • Research

  • Policy/Strategy

Reach:

  • Pan-Northern

Host:

  • National Indigenous Economic Development Board

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Our Food Security Today and Tomorrow in Carcross/Tagish First Nation

This work is part of a wider multi-year, community-based project to design and plan for a Yukon food system. Preliminary research was conducted in partnership with Carcross/Tagish First Nation to find out: What the CTFN food system looks like currently? Where do people get their food and what are the barriers they face in doing so? What concerns do CTFN citizens have about the future of their food system? What does CTFN want to see in their food secure future and what needs to happen to get there? 

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

Resource Theme(s):

  • Research

  • Policy/Strategy

Reach:

  • Community-Level (Carcross)

Host | Contact:

  • Senior Manager, Tami Grantham | Carcross/Tagish First Nation (Heritage, Lands & Natural Resources) | tami.grantham@ctfn.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Nourishing Our Future: Community Food Sharing Project

The community sharing project was initiated in response to an action item identified in the food security strategy (2014) to increase traditional sharing practices with a focus on community-wide sharing of traditional foods, including sharing in the harvesting, preparing, and distributing of food. The community sharing project aimed to identify and raise awareness of the ways in which food sharing is already taking place in the community. It also sought to gather input from community members about how sharing practices could be strengthened. The output goals were to produce a written report summarizing the project team’s findings; and a short video highlighting the great work already taking place and what more community members would like to see done. 

Food System Theme:

  • Distribution and Exchange

Resource Theme(s):

  • Research

  • Networking/Information Sharing

Reach:

  • Community-Level (Burwash Landing)

Host | Contact:

  • Kluane First Nation and Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research | info@aicbr.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Nourishing Our Future: Building on Kluane First Nations Community Food Security Strategy and Youth Engagement in Traditions Related to Fisheries and Fish Health in Kluane Lake

Building on Kluane First Nations Community Food Security Strategy and Youth Engagement in Traditions Related to Fisheries and Fish Health in Kluane Lake

Food System Theme:

  • Production and Harvesting

Resource Theme(s):

  • Research

Reach:

  • Community-Level (Burwash Landing)

Host | Contact:

  • Kluane First Nation and Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research | info@aicbr.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Northern Input into a National Food Policy

AICBR and YAPC hosted and participated in multiple events in Whitehorse aimed at seeking input from Yukoners about the Canadian government's developing national food policy (A Food Policy for Canada). While the engagement period on the policy is complete, both organizations continue to be active in advocating for more northern-led solutions to food security and support for building more resilient northern food systems. 

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

Resource Theme(s):

  • Research

  • Policy/Strategy

Reach:

  • Yukon-Wide

Host | Contact:

  • Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition and Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research | yukonantipovertycoalition@gmail.com

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Keeping Our Traditions for the Mental Wellbeing of Selkirk First Nations Youth: What Do We Do at the Fish Camp When There Are No Fish?

Many northern communities consider traditional practices as a pathway to mental health and wellness for First Nation youth. Built on previous Selkirk First Nation projects and funded by Health Canada, the focus was to find ways of keeping traditional Tutchone knowledge, practices and culture while adapting to the impacts of climate change. The Selkirk First Nation Climate Change Adaptation Plan was developed. A Fish Camp guide was created as a form of cultural preservation and to facilitate conversations around fish camp activities in relation to connecting the youth to the land as well as to enable sharing of traditional knowledge and skills traditionally taught at the fish camp.

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Policy and Networks

Resource Theme:

  • Policy/Strategy

  • Research

Reach:

  • Community-Level (Pelly Crossing)

Host | Contact:

  • Selkirk First Nation and Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research | info@aicbr.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 2014

PROOF publishes research on household food insecurity in Canada. Recent publications include an examination of the impact of Newfoundland and Labrador’s poverty reduction strategy, the link between food insecurity and health care costs, and the food insecurity in metropolitan areas. All reports/articles are available from PROOF’s website.

Food System Theme:

  • Consumption

Resource Theme(s):

  • Research

  • Policy/Strategy

Reach:

  • National

Host | Contact:

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Good Medicine: Understanding and Adapting to the Effects of Climate Change on the Use of Traditional Medicine

Using the Northern Tutchone system of community engagement, stories about Traditional Medicines and past periods of climatic change were recorded. This began a body of research to help the community understand the importance of Traditional Medicine today. An action plan for sustaining Traditional Medicine practices through climate change was developed. Elders have sanctioned this plan, which includes the documentation of traditional medicine knowledge so that actions can be taken to address areas at risk and to identify sensitive gathering areas considered at risk. Posters were made of the Uncle's Retreat and Auntie's Retreat to help communicate accomplishments.

Food System Theme:

  • Production/Harvesting

Resource Theme:

  • Policy/Strategy

  • Research

Reach:

  • Community-Level (Carmacks)

Host | Contact:

  • Council (Elder), Shirley Bellmore | Little Salmon Carmacks | shirley.bellmore@lscfn.ca

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Food Innovation in Canada’s North: The Case for a Social Enterprise Cluster

Action Canada Task Force conducted a preliminary study of the feasibility of an Arctic Food Innovation Cluster in Canada. The intent of such a cluster is to advance increased access to affordable, culturally informed, healthy food across northern regions. The cluster’s secondary objective is to foster further innovations within the North’s commercial food production industry via new food production methods (e.g., full utilization of harvested fish), value chains, and/or governance models. This would, in turn, boost local economic development opportunities within these northern communities.

Food System Theme:

  • Food System Coordination, Networking and Policy

Resource Theme:

  • Research

  • Policy/Strategy

Reach:

  • Pan-Northern

Host | Contact:

  • Action Canada

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Food Banks Canada: Hunger Count 2018

The HungerCount presents results from an annual study of more than 4,000 food banks and other food programs in every province and territory. The research contains a number of policy recommendations that relate to specific priority issues, including northern food insecurity.

Food System Theme:

  • Consumption

Resource Theme:

  • Research

  • Policy

Reach:

  • National

Host | Contact:

  • Food Banks Canada

Is something not quite right here or do you have a planning resource that you would like added to the list? Leave us a comment or email us at info@aicbr.ca.

Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research

Knowledge Hub