Indigenous youth explore the potential impacts of a Deep Geological Repository for Nuclear Waste Fuel

Our People
Our Nuclear climate

indigenous youth perspectives on adaptive phased management

A NEW ORAL HISTORY STORYTELLING,
PHOTOJOURNALISM AND
climate adaptation PROJECT

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US: INFO@OURPEOPLEOURCLIMATE.COM

Oral history goes nuclear

This community-based, participatory and youth-driven project explores the use of arts, oral history, and photojournalism to amplify the voices of Indigenous youth from Manitoba, Nunavut and Northwestern Ontario in discussions around Canada’s Adaptive Phased Management Program.

The project seeks to promote community and Indigenous youth resilience by building skills and promoting economic opportunities through cultural entrepreneurship. Through a community-driven approach that integrates traditional and contemporary approaches and fosters intergenerational collaboration and cross-disciplinary perspectives, the project aims to promote a more holistic understanding of the issues and potential solutions.

From uranium exploration and mining, through to final disposal, this unique, and innovative new program aims to create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among community members, experts, and policymakers to address the challenges of nuclear waste fuel management and promote sustainable, long-term opportunities for the future.

THIS YEAR'S ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE:

Visioning what a potential international Centre of Expertise could look like.

Rejuvenating arts and recreation programming, and enhancing community spaces and places.

Learning about Adaptive Phased Management and Canada’s plan for long-term storage of nuclear waste fuel in a Deep Geological Repository.

Learning from previous research and community-based, participatory research in other communities.

Photojournalism and storytelling skills support learning about careers in the arts, culture and media.

Exploring the future, potential impacts of nuclear infrastructure on rural and northern communities.

MELGUND TOWNSHIP AND THE REVELL BATHOLITH TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL AREA

The Revell Site Selection Study Area

How do community members and local Indigenous rights holders feel about the way communities are consulted and engaged on controversial nuclear infrastructure projects like Adaptive Phased Management?

The Revell Regional Area is one of two remaining sites being studied for Canada’s proposed Deep Geological Repository for waste nuclear fuel.

Melgund Township, and its two unincorporated communities Dyment and Borups Corners, are located approximately 8km from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Revell site selection study area.

Arts

This innovative, new program seeks to use traditional and contemporary art forms to document and showcase community stories and experiences, particularly those relating to consultations, engagement and perspectives on nuclear waste fuel management and its potential impact on the environment and human health.

Through this program, community members will have opportunities to participate in various training sessions, including digital storytelling, photojournalism, and climate adaptation strategies. By doing so, they can build skills that will not only enable them to tell their stories but also contribute to the development of new approaches to consulting and engaging on the controversial issues surrounding the long-term storage of nuclear waste fuel.

Cultural Entrepreneurship

This program will also provide avenues for cultural entrepreneurship, allowing community members to use their skills to generate income and create economic opportunities. Through the development of arts and cultural products and services, community members can showcase their creativity while also building sustainable livelihoods.

This program aims to promote community development that is both inclusive and sustainable, rooted in the unique cultural identities of the community and sensitive to the challenges of nuclear waste fuel issues. It will also provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration among community members, experts, and policymakers to address the challenges and develop solutions for the future.

Related Research and Resources

SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis: The design and development of digital return platforms for Northern Indigenous heritage

RESDA Knowledge Sharing Toolkit Guide

Implementing Adaptive Phased Management 2022 to 2026

Visioning a Centre of Expertise for Adaptive Phased Management

What would an international centre of expertise for nuclear waste research look like?

As part of consultations and engagement on the Adaptive Phased Management Program, community members will take part in a number of visioning exercises related to the potential establishment of a Centre of Expertise at or near the site, should the Revell Regional Area be chosen.

CREATIVE APPROACHES

Through various training sessions, community members develop skills in digital storytelling, photojournalism, and climate adaptation strategies, creating opportunities for cultural entrepreneurship and income generation. The project fosters intergenerational collaboration, enabling the passing on of traditional knowledge and skills while also incorporating new perspectives and approaches. Cross-disciplinary perspectives are integrated, including science, art, and community development, promoting a more holistic understanding of the issues and potential solutions.

Creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration:

By creating arts-based opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among community members, experts, and policymakers, the project can foster a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for addressing the challenges of nuclear waste fuel management. There is a need to build trust and cooperation among different stakeholders and promote sustainable solutions for the future.

Emphasizing community-driven solutions:

Rather than imposing external solutions, this project will focus on empowering youth artists and community members to identify and address their own challenges. By centering community needs and perspectives, the project can ensure its outcomes are relevant and meaningful to community members.

Fostering intergenerational collaboration:

Bringing together different generations within the community, our goal is to promote mutual learning and knowledge-sharing. Older community members can pass on traditional knowledge and skills, while younger members can contribute new perspectives and approaches.

Integrating traditional and contemporary approaches:

Blending traditional and contemporary approaches, the project will showcase each participating community’s unique cultural identities while also incorporating modern tools and techniques. This approach can help to create a sense of continuity and relevance while also fostering innovation.

Incorporating cross-disciplinary perspectives:

Incorporating perspectives from multiple disciplines, such as science, art, and community development, a key goal is to foster a more holistic understanding of the barriers and potential solutions for engagement. This approach can help to identify new opportunities and approaches that may not be apparent from a single disciplinary perspective.

THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM

Indigenous youth from @1860 Winnipeg, Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario and Tuktoyaktuk, NWT learn about careers in media, storytelling and journalism with CBC reporters Pauline Pemik and Jaison Empson. We are thankful for them spending time with the youth, showing them the ropes and interviewing them for TV.

Our PeopleOur Nuclear climate