Russian North) the total population has been even declining. Strategies to address climate change in southern Canada benefit from institutionalization and access to infrastructure. Rights to land and natural resources are an important part of the culture and survival of indigenous peoples in the Arctic.Eventually, the survival of many groups as distinctive peoples is endangered. Recently population growth in the Arctic has slowed down in general and in some cases (e.g. Industrialization, social change and environmental problems such as climate change, however, present threats to the continuity of these livelihoods and culture.There is a great variation of cultural, historical and economical backgrounds among the groups. Pages in category "Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory" The following 57 pages are in this category, out of 57 total. The Conversation UK receives funding from these organisationsSmall communities tend to have strong social capital, which can be seen when neighbours cut wood for elders or hunters bring meat for single mothers.
The World Health Organization uses the concept of social capital to increase participation in its programs across the globe. First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities continue to face more health challenges than other people living in Canada, including higher rates of chronic diseases, infectious diseases and suicide, and a lower life expectancy rate. It is estimated that two thirds of the total population lives in relatively large settlements. This list may not reflect recent changes (). Conversely, strategies in northern Canada benefit from Indigenous knowledge and traditional social structure.This understanding of social cohesion is also used in epidemiology, public health, resource distribution and environment policy studies. Northern populations have observed landscape and natural resources changes like permafrost thaw, shifts in wildlife and plant diversity, and changes in water and food quality. Indigenous holistic approaches highlight the importance of the connection with the land, which impacts hunting methods and includes knowledge of medicinal plants.At best, Canada’s climate framework recognizes the North is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.Indigenous groups in northern Canada, with their traditional interpersonal networks and social initiatives, seem to have developed a unique structure to cope with climate change and environmental stressors without relying on federal or local policies and infrastructure.
Other features, for example distinct language, culture and traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding, fishing and hunting are characteristics of indigenous people in the Arctic. Additionally, housing, infrastructure and transport connections of coastal indigenous communities are seriously affected by climate changes, with rising maintenance costs and sometimes even the necessity of relocation. Based on this, it seems that one way to enhance peoples’ resilience to climate change is to improve the social capital — or social networks — of populations.Knowing neighbours and exchanging various favours is a component of social capital.But Canada should learn from the experiences of northern communities and integrate social capital in its policy framework. While the North might be the most affected by climate changes, its resilience might also be the highest.Northern populations have observed landscape and natural resources changes like permafrost thaw, shifts in wildlife and plant diversity, and changes in water and food quality.Associate Researcher, Crisis and Humanitarian Aid, Université de MontréalThe acknowledgement of the value of social networks can bring insights into how federal and local governments can guide climate change adaptation initiatives.The Canadian North is feeling the impacts of climate change more acutely than the rest of the country. Northern Health (NH) and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) are offering Wellness Grants for a maximum of $5,000 to support Indigenous communities and/or organizations (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) working to improve health and well-being. The settlement of the indigenous peoples living in circumpolar countries is characterized by small, widely scattered communities.In general, indigenous people have a specific connection to land that they have inhabited.
They’ve stood the test of time, and they’re thriving and growing today. Indigenous knowledge is an essential asset for communities to adapt to climate change, by knowing the land, using the local natural resources, sharing capital, and taking a …