FIVE YEAR REPORT 2005-2010

THE CIRCUMPOLAR WORLD

150 180 DS 150
AN
IS L
50 DS R IL
L AN K U administered by Russia, claimed by Japan. JAPAN
IS
N Petropavlovsk-
T IA Kamchatskiy
U
LE
North Pacific Bering Sea

A
Sakhalin
Ocean Sea of
Okhotsk Khabarovsk
Amur
Kodiak
Bethel 60

Provideniya Anadyr' Magadan

Gulf of Bering
Alaska Strait
Anchorage a
Nome lym Okhotsk
Valdez Arctic Ko
Circle
Juneau UNITED STATES
Fairbanks Chukchi
er

Oymyakon
Riv

Aldan CHINA
Whitehorse Sea Cherskiy
Pevek
on
Yuk

Dawson
70 Wrangel
Yakutsk
Island
20
Barrow average minimum
East 120
Prudhoe extent of sea ice Siberian Verkhoyansk
Pe Bay
ac
e
Macke
nzie Riv er (as of 1975) Sea
Inuvik
R iver

Hay Beaufort na

Vi
River Great Bear Le

lyu
Sea

y
Lake Len
Tiksi a
Yellowknife NEW
SIBERIAN
Great Slave Banks 80 ISLANDS
Lake Lake Island Laptev
Athabasca Sea
Victoria
Island
Arctic
Cambridge
Bay
QUEEN
Ocean
CANADA ELIZABETH
North
SEVERNAYA
ZEMLYA RUSSIA
Rankin Inlet Resolute ISLANDS Pole
0W 90 E
Noril'sk Yenisey
Repulse Bay Ellesmere
Hudson Island
Alert Dikson
Bay Kara
Qaanaaq FRANZ Sea
Baffin (Thule) JOSEF
LAND
Island Baffin

b'
O
Bay Nord 80

Iqaluit NOVAYA
ZEMLYA
Svalbard Ob'
Longyearbyen Irty
Kalaallit Nunaat (NORWAY) sh

Greenland
Davis Strait Barents Sea Pechora
(DENMARK)
Kangerlussuaq Bjørnøya 70
(Søndre Strømfjord) Greenland (NORWAY)

Nuuk Sea
(Godthåb) Ittoqqortoormiit
da

Paamiut Murmansk
eg

0 (Scoresbysund) 60
ch

(Frederikshåb) Perm'
Vy

Jan Mayen
Tasiilaq (NORWAY) Tromsø Arkhangel'sk
ev
Labrador Narsarsuaq
S

er n aya Dvina
a
Kam

Sea Norwegian
ona

Denmark Strait FINLAND Lake

60

Sea Kazan'
Sukh

Onega
Arctic Samara
Circle
ICELAND
Reykjavík NORWAY Lake Nizhniy
Ladoga Novgorod KAZ.
Volga

Faroe SWEDEN Helsinki Saint Moscow

North Atlantic Ocean Tórshavn Islands Petersburg Saratov
(DENMARK) Tallinn EST.
Oslo Stockholm 50
Scale 1:39,000,000 SHETLAND LATVIA Don
Volgograd
ISLANDS Riga
Azimuthal Equal-Area Projection North
500 Kilometers
Vilnius Minsk
0 Sea Baltic LITH.
Kharkiv
0 500 Miles Copenhagen Sea RUS. BELARUS Rostov
DENMARK Warsaw Kyiv
Dnieper
Belfast
UKRAINE
IRE. Berlin
 Table of Contents

Overviews
Preface 4
Overview 5
People 7
Fiscal Update 13

The Institute for Circumpolar Health Institutional Development

Research [ICHR] is an independent
research organization located in the
Canadian North devoted to health
research relevant to the circumpolar
regions and their people.
Tri-Territorial Health Access Fund 14
Public Health Agency of Canada 15
Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada 16
Affiliations 17

Event Summaries

Address
International Congress on Circumpolar Health 18
International Polar Year 20
Time Capsule 21
Institute for Workshops & Retreats 22
Circumpolar Health Research Northern Governance 23
P.O. Box 11050 Summer Institute 24
Yellowknife, NT
Dechinta Health Course 25
X1A 3X7 Canada
Tel: 867.873.9337
Fax: 867.873.9338
Project Summaries
Dietary Choices 26
Climate Change & Health 27
HPV Prevalence Study 28

Editor Perinatal Database

Waterborne Diseases
Research using Photovoice
29
30
31
Correspondence can be Remote Care Access 32
submitted to:
HIV/AIDS in Northern Canada 33
Rajiv Rawat
rajiv.rawat@ichr.ca
Research Infrastructure
— www.ichr.ca —
Health Research Ethics Initiatives 34
Program Evaluation & Support 35
Edited and composed at the Research Tools 36
Institute for Circumpolar
Supported Groups 37
Health Research
Yellowknife, NT
Physical Space 38
Circumpolar Health Observatory 39

© 2005-2010
Front Cover: Tuktoyaktuk Akpik (Cloudberry)
photo courtesy of Stephanie MacDonald
Back Cover: Beadwork by
Janet Grandjambe of Fort Good Hope
Production
Special Publications 40
Web Hosting & Design 41
Conferences 42
Presentations 43

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 3
 Preface
Message from the
Board Chair (2005 - 2010)
I
t has been an honour to have
served as the board chair of
the Institute for Circumpo-
lar Health Research — from
its founding as a tiny organiza-
tion with lots of good ideas and
boundless enthusiasm for north-
ern health research, to its im-
mensely proud fifth year of con-
secutive achievement that this
report celebrates.
Needless to say, ICHR has been far more successful than any
of us at its founding anticipated. The depth and variety of
work highlighted in this report is a testament to the dedica-
tion of its staff who have moved forward to surpass signifi-
cant milestones on a regular basis. And despite developing
global linkages and growing in size and stature, ICHR has
Message from the
Executive & Scientific
Director
I
t is my pleasure to present the
five year report for the Insti-
tute for Circumpolar Health
Research. It has been an exciting
period as numerous individu-
als have come together to build
capacity for health research in
northern Canada.
This initiative was started by a
group of individuals who shared
an interest in health research and
were committed to support the growth and development of
ICHR. It was fortuitous that the beginnings of ICHR were
in sync with a number of circumpolar initiatives such as
International Polar Year (IPY) and the 14th International
Congress on Circumpolar Health. In addition, the Cana-
dian Institutes of Health Research Team in Circumpolar
Health Research had just convened and the Government of
4 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
at its heart remained dedicated to community partnerships,
stretching limited resources to support others, especially
youth throughout the NWT who would otherwise go want-
ing for educational experiences or mentorship. In many oc-
casions, ICHR has stepped in to support innovative ideas
and local groups working in the area of health research, ren-
dering invaluable service to the community as a whole.
I am certain that in the coming years, ICHR will continue
striving strongly on its unique path of combining academic
research with community-based methodologies. 2011 looks
to be particularly exciting with the opening of a newly reno-
vated office site and research centre.
Lastly, I would like to thank all past and present board mem-
bers and staff — as well as colleagues and friends from all
over Canada and the circumpolar world — who we have had
the pleasure to work with on this exciting adventure.
Sandra Lockhart
November 1, 2010
Yellowknife, NT
the Northwest Territories had access to the Tri-Territorial
Health Access Fund. These combined resources and support
of colleagues provided opportunities for the board and staff
to develop a strong vision and mandate as well as consult
on priorities for health research programs and activities at
ICHR. Strategic plans were put in place to support capacity
building including infrastructure development, policies for
ethical practice and research integrity, training opportuni-
ties, and knowledge centres with resources including librar-
ies and databases. In some cases, ICHR has taken a leader-
ship role and developed research projects. In other cases, we
have supported northern organizations that take on activi-
ties in health research. The details of these activities and the
partnerships that made them possible are highlighted in the
report.
It has been a privilege to work with the board, staff and nu-
merous partners and organizations these past five years. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for
your contributions, which have created this northern Insti-
tute for Circumpolar Health Research.
Susan Chatwood
November 1, 2010
Yellowknife, NT
 Overview
T
he Institute for Circumpolar Health Research (ICHR) is
a northern-based health research institute with a cen-
tral office located in Yellowknife and a regional office in
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Historically, health research activities in the Canadian
North have tended to be coordinated from outside the re-
gion. Centres with northern health research initiatives, in-
frastructure, and core operations have likewise been largely
based in southern locations, often at university centres. As
such, the health research infrastructure that emerged has
been scattered and dependent upon grant-to-grant funding
and in-kind support of northern organizations who serve
as partners.
Recognizing the virtual absence of northern-based health
research capacity, ICHR was established in 2005 under the
Northwest Territories Societies Act. The creation of ICHR was
the culmination of consultations conducted in our northern
regions over the past 20 years.
Founding vision: “Building on the strengths and
knowledge of all cultures to achieve health”
Since 2005, ICHR has made targeted efforts to increase
health research functions in the north. To this end, it has
grown into an institute with a complement of eight staff and
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 5
an annual budget of over one million dollars. In 2009, ICHR
was awarded 1.6 million dollars from INAC’s Arctic Infra-
structure Research Fund, the only grant for human health
research. These funds will go towards a one-time renovation
of a central office site in Yellowknife.
By 2010, ICHR was managing over fifteen contracts and
contribution agreements which span a variety of health re-
search projects. Project funds acquired since inception total
over five million dollars and the network site has worked
with over fifteen partners including indigenous organiza-
tions, territorial governments, health authorities, commu-
nity-based organizations, international research institutes,
and universities. Current partners include the Aklavik
Health Committee, Government of the Northwest Terri-
tories, Department of Health and Social Services, Regional
Health Authorities, the Public Health Agency of Canada,
Dene Nation, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, University of
Toronto, McGill University, University of Manitoba, and the
Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health. The list of part-
ners continues to grow as people recognize the benefits of
northern-based research capacity and infrastructure.
In 2009, the Institute became affiliated with the University
of Toronto as a well as a sister organization in Greenland,
the Greenland Institute for Circumpolar Health Research.
ICHR is currently governed by community-based board of
directors with representation from both indigenous and
health services sectors.
 Overview
Research Development
Research program development in the north has resulted
from northern-based expertise, leadership, community,
governmental partnerships, and university support. Com-
mon themes for a health research program arose out of a
common vision and goals held by contributing partners. The
research themes respond to northern priorities for health
research, existing capacity to lead programs, and the ad-
vantages obtained through positioning at a northern base
for research. The themes require various methods and ap-
proaches to explore the health and wellness of our northern
residents. Studies on climate change, dietary choices, ma-
ternal child health and mental health that employ diverse
participatory research methods cross cut these themes.
A significant contributing factor to developing successful
research programs is northern-based research expertise and
leadership in theme areas. Currently ICHR has staff, student
affiliates, and advisors who support research program de-
velopment and have a commitment to this goal. Moreover,
from its regional office in Inuvik, ICHR has sustained the
development of a community-based participatory research
training program geared towards youth.
In lieu of having core funding, ICHR has built on
the talents of its staff and partners to the fullest,
building in just five years a research institute
which will meet the highest standards for health
research.
Despite the lack of core funding, ICHR has supported ongo-
ing research and training at ICHR’s northern sites as well
as sponsored summer institutes, post-doctoral fellowships,
visiting scholars and exchanges, scholarships for northern
residents, and local initiatives by health care profession-
als in the Northwest Territories. It is an exciting time for
health research in northern Canada and ICHR is proud to
have already played an important role in developing the
foundations for internationally-recognized programs in cir-
cumpolar health.

Research Facilitation
ICHR also plays a comprehensive role in supporting communities as they facilitate research projects through activi-
ties related to steering committee development, participatory roles in research implementation, and dissemination
and uptake of research findings. Some activities of ICHR related to research facilitation are noted below as well as
documented throughout this report:
»» Knowledge Translation – supervises and coordinates knowledge translation activities including operation of Northern
Cochrane network site, serves as a liaison with Canadian Association for Drugs Technology and Health, and supports
initiatives of the Executive Training for Research Application.
»» Research Facilitation – supports research groups in logistics, proposal development, licensure applications, community
consultations, and organization of project steering committees. and assists community organizations in research plan-
ning (Public Health Agency of Canada, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, University of Toronto, McGill University, Dene
Nation, Aklavik Health Committee).
»» Research Training – oversees student support services, practicum placement, award competitions, scholarships, curricu-
lum development, design of on-line courses, and sponsorship of summer institutes (supervision students from Queen’s
University, University of Toronto, and for Public Health Agency of Canada programs).
»» Data Repository – host site for the Circumpolar Health Observatory and branch of Statistics Canada Regional Data cen-
ter. Designs, supervises and maintains data systems, negotiates data acquisition and access, provides analytic support
to researchers, and generates statistical profiles and reports.
»» International Liaison – coordinates and promotes Institute participation and leadership in international research
projects; hosts Canadian branches of circumpolar health organizations (member of the International Association of Cir-
cumpolar Health Publishers, International Network for Circumpolar Health Research, Canadian Society for Circumpolar
Health, coordinating body for the 14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, and hosts projects proposed by
the Arctic Human Health Expert Group/ SDWG and endorsed by the Arctic Council ).
»» Resource Centre – on site resource library and online support from the University of Manitoba Aboriginal Health Li-
brarian at the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library.

6 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Staff
Staff Denise Kurszewski
Director of Research Development

Susan Chatwood Denise is Gwich’in, born and

raised in the Mackenzie Delta.
Executive & Scientific Director
She has lived in NWT all her
Susan received a Bachelor of Sci- life and is a mother of two, and
ence in Nursing from the Univer- grandmother of two. She received
sity of British Columbia in 1987 a bachelor of education degree
and a Masters in Epidemiology from the University of Saskatch-
from McGill in 1996. She has also ewan in 1994, and a master of
recently been appointed as assis- education degree from the University of Alberta in 2000.
tant professor at the University She worked in the education field in the South Slave region
of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of and later at Inuvik High School for several years. She has
Public Health. She has spent most of her career in remote recently worked with the Gwich’in Tribal Council in Inuvik
and northern communities, working in the clinical setting, as Wellness Director and has developed a keen interest in In-
public health, and research. She has an interest in building digenous health-related issues. She believes that education
sustainable health research capacity in northern regions. and research development directed by Indigenous peoples
She helped establish the Northern Cochrane Network Site, with a northern perspective is essential to community well-
and currently serves as territorial Co-Rep. ness. She also enjoys spending time with her partner on the
Current projects within ICHR include the applications of land at her camp – beading, fishing, hunting, berry picking,
ethical guidelines in the NWT, knowledge synthesis and and learning the art of moose hide tanning.
dissemination of evidence for northern populations, par-
»» denise.kurszewski@ichr.ca
ticipatory projects with a focus on community wellness and
the facilitation of a number of research projects and related Rajiv Rawat
activities in the circumpolar regions that are listed in this
Director of Communications &
report. She is President of the Canadian Society for Circum-
Technology
polar Health.
Rajiv earned his B.A. in Biological
»» susan.chatwood@ichr.ca Sciences from Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY in 1996 before work-
Virginia Cayen ing at the Harvard School of Pub-
Director of Finance & lic Health in the HIV/AIDS field
Administration as a research assistant, internet
Virginia joined the ICHR team in communications specialist, and
November 2007 from the Yamó- scientific editor. Upon returning
zha Kúé Society (Dene Cultural to Canada, he earned a Masters in Environmental Studies
Institute). Through her role at from York University in 2004. His thesis focused on histori-
ICHR, Virginia brings with her cal and contemporary forest movements, women’s empow-
experience of working closely erment, and peoples’ institutions in the Indian Himalayas
with Dene Elders in order to and marked the culmination of his lifelong ancestral inter-
maintain, preserve, and strength- est in the region.
en Dene Culture within Denendeh. Virginia currently holds Rajiv is currently a PhD Candidate in Geography at York
a Practical Nursing Diploma from Norquest College and an University where he serves as the web coordinator for the
Accounting Diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability and
Technology and is a student of the C.G.A. Program. the IPY GAPS initiative as well as various other sundry proj-
ects. Upon arriving in the NWT, he completed a term of
»» virginia.cayen@ichr.ca service as a coordinator for the Northwest Territories Pro-
tected Areas Strategy as well as three semesters as a course
instructor at Aurora College.

»» rajiv.rawat@ichr.ca

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 7
 Associates
Research Associates
Bryany Denning
Public Health Officer (PHAC)
Bree graduated with honours from
Queen’s University in 2006 and
moved to Yellowknife in May 2008
where she completed her Master’s
degree in epidemiology, under the
joint supervision of Queen’s Uni-
versity and ICHR. Her graduate re-
search involved place of birth and health outcomes for child-
birth in the Northwest Territories and was funded by PHAC
and the CIHR Team in Circumpolar Health.
Since November 2009, Bree has served as a Public Health
Officer of the Public Health Agency of Canada. She is based
out of the ICHR office.
»» bryany.denning@ichr.ca
Candice Lys
Research Associate
A Fort Smith native, Candice is pur-
suing a PhD in Public Health Sci-
ences at the University of Toronto
while she continues to lead on sev-
eral projects for ICHR.
In 2009, she completed her MA in
Health Promotion from Dalhousie
University. Her research spotlighted youth sexual health in
Northwest Territories. Earlier, she earned a BA (Honours)
in sociology from the University of Alberta and traveled the
world on the Ship for World Youth to Japan and various
points in the South Pacific. She is also the only staff member
with her own trading card as part of the NAHO’s Aboriginal
Role Models Program.
»» candice.lys@ichr.ca
Stephanie Irlbacher-
Fox, PhD
Research Associate
A political anthropologist, Stepha-
nie has spent the last decade work-
ing for Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit
people in the Northwest Territories
on self government negotiations,
and related processes. In 2005,
8 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
Stephanie received a PhD from Cambridge University, Eng-
land, where her research focused on the relationship be-
tween Canadian Aboriginal policy, self government nego-
tiations and the social suffering experienced by indigenous
peoples. She currently lives in Yellowknife where she works
as a political advisor and consultant to indigenous govern-
ments. In 2009, she organized the Northern Governance
Policy Research Conference with the assistance of ICHR’s
staff.
»» stephanie.fox@theedge.ca
Julia Christensen
Research Affiliate
Julia Christensen is currently
a Trudeau Scholar and PhD
Candidate in Geography at McGill University. Her thesis re-
search focuses on homelessness and housing insecurity in
the Northwest Territories. She is also a co-investigator in
the IPY Gas, Arctic Peoples, and Securities (GAPS) Project,
sits as the student representative on the Social Economy of
the North (SERRNoCa) steering committee, and is co-direc-
tor of the IPY Time Capsule Project as well as the Northern
Students/Northern Research initiative which ICHR has sup-
ported through its foundation.
»» julia.christensen@gmail.com
Graduate Students
Thea Luig
PhD Student (Alberta) 2010
Originally from Germany and a
woodwind instrument maker by
trade, Thea has travelled exten-
sively in Scandinavia, Siberia, and
northern Canada. In 2006, she
conducted her MA research on dis-
course, knowledge, and legitimacy
during the public hearings for the Mackenzie Gas Project.
She is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of
Alberta on psychological health in northern Dene communi-
ties and working in Yellowknife on evaluating the pilot se-
mester of land-based university-accredited courses offered
by the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning.
»» tluig@ualberta.edu
 Students
Hilary Blackett
MPH Student (Toronto) 2010
Hilary Blackett is a graduate stu-
dent pursuing her MPH in Com-
munity Health and Epidemiology
at the Dalla Lana School of Public
Health, University of Toronto. Hil-
ary worked on several projects in-
cluding community health reports
and a research methodology photovoice course with youth
in Inuvik. Her efforts were funded by PHAC and the CIHR
Team in Circumpolar Health. Amanda Clarke
»» h.blackett@utoronto.ca MHSc Student (Toronto) 2007
Amanda was a MHSc student at the University of Toronto
Andrew Bresnahan during her time at ICHR. She lived and worked in Aklavik
MA Student (Toronto) 2009 through the summer of 2007, helping community members
While with ICHR, Andrew Bres- identify health research priorities. Her extensive survey
nahan was a graduate student in work would later the lay groundwork for future research
medical anthropology at the Uni- programs in the region. She also worked on a variety of proj-
versity of Toronto, Canada. Rooted ects including proposal writing and learned about northern
in a commitment to health equity, research methodologies at a moose hide tanning camp in
his research interests include social the Beaufort Delta. Her efforts were funded by the CIHR
epidemiology, northern medicine, Team in Circumpolar Health.
participatory research design, and inter-cultural perspec-
tives on human rights and development. Born in Labrador,
he worked from the health clinic in Aklavik through win-
ter of 2009/2010. He now pursuing an MPH at Memorial
University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. His
efforts were funded by PHAC and the CIHR Team in Circum-
polar Health.

»» andrew.bresnahan@gmail.com

Karolina Machalek
MPH Student (Toronto) 2008
Karolina pursued her MPH at the
Dalla Lana School of Public Health,
University of Toronto. Her work
with ICHR focused on the devel-
Stephanie Suski
opment of a perinatal surveillance MHSc Student (Toronto) 2007
system for the NWT. Through the Stephanie is a registered dietician and earned a MHSc in
summer and fall of 2008, she coor- Community Nutrition at the University of Toronto in 2008.
dinated a series of multi-stakeholder discussions with the She worked with the community of Aklavik on the Youth
Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority Midwifery and Elders Dietary Project through the summer of 2007
Program around the optimal database design for such a sys- as well as assisted with activities within the Northern Co-
tem. Her efforts were funded by PHAC and the CIHR Team chrane Network Site during her term in the Northwest Ter-
in Circumpolar Health. ritories. Her efforts were funded by the CIHR Team in Cir-
cumpolar Health.
»» karolina.malachek@utoronto.ca

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 9
 Scholars & Scholarships
Visiting Scholars
Rhonda Johnson, DrPH, MPH, FNP
ICHR hosted the Fall 2010 sabbatical for Dr. Rhonda M.
Johnson, who serves as Chair of the Department of Health
Sciences, Associate Professor of Public Health at the Univer-
sity of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and director of the statewide
graduate program in public health. The distance-delivered
Alaska MPH program focuses on northern and circumpolar
health issues, and this was the focus of Dr. Johnson’s sab-
batical as well.
Primary objectives of the sabbatical included:
»» strengthening of circumpolar health research and aca-
demic partnerships in our region;
»» development of several collaborative proposals with ICHR
for future projects, with particular emphasis on effec-
tive participatory methods, shared health concerns and
improved public health practice; and
»» increased understanding of northern Canadian context
and resources to inform ongoing new and existing gradu-
ate course development, focused on circumpolar health
issues, participatory research methods, health communi-
cation strategies and public health ethics.
In addition, the telecommunications capacity and support
of ICHR allowed Dr. Johnson to continue her leadership
role from a distance in the NIH-funded Alaska Center for
Addressing Health Disparities through Research and Educa-
tion (CAHDRE), several ongoing MPH faculty and student
projects, and planning for the next Summer Institute in
Circumpolar Health Research to be held in Oulu, Finland in
June 2011.
10 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
Scholarships
The Masters and/or PhD Scholarship is aimed to encour-
age northerners to undertake research that will contribute
to knowledge and understanding of health and wellness,
broadly conceived to include the health, natural, physical,
and social sciences and humanities. The scholarship is sup-
ported by the CIHR team in Circumpolar Health. Award
winners include:
Lois Edge (Alberta)
Circumpolar Health Research Student Award Recipient 2009
Lois is a PhD Candidate in Educational Policy Studies with
a specialization in Indigenous Peoples Education at the Uni-
versity of Alberta where she received a Master of Arts degree
in Social and Cultural Anthropology in 2001. She is also the
Academic Coordinator of the Centre for World Indigenous
Knowledge and Research at Athabasca University.
Susan Hopkins (Phoenix)
Circumpolar Health Research Student Award Recipient 2009
Susan is a doctoral candidate in the University of Phoenix’s
educational leadership program (Ed.D) with a focus on cur-
riculum and instruction. Her dissertation exploress educa-
tional resilience in the Tłįcho population through the eyes
of young adults who have overcome adversity and graduated
from high school.
Erin Freeland-Ballantyne (Oxford)
Northern Health & Wellness Research Award Recipient 2008
Erin is a PhD student in geography and environment at Ox-
ford University. Her research focus is on the interactions
between youth and elders with respect to understanding en-
vironmental and community health. She is the NWT’s first
recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. She is also
the founder of the Dechinta Bush University Initiative.
Alana Kronstal (Victoria)
Northern Health & Wellness Research Award Recipient 2007
Alana has completed her Masters degree in the Studies in
Policy and Practice in Health and Social Services at the Uni-
versity of Victoria. Her IPY research looked at the impacts
of rapid industrial development on population health in the
Mackenzie-Delta region of the NWT.
 Advisors
Advisors
We would like the acknowledge those who have provided
strategic direction to ICHR:

André Corriveau, MD (McGill), MBA (Laval), FRCPC

André was the Chief Medical Officer for the Northwest Ter-
ritories from 1998 to 2009, and is currently Chief Medical
Officer for Alberta. He received his degree in medicine from
McGill University in 1981 and completed a Master’s de-
gree in Health Services Administration at Laval University
in 1986. Dr. Corriveau worked 7 years in Nunavik (North- Kue Young and André Corriveau at ICCH14
ern Québec) before moving to the Northwest Territories in

International Advisors
1994 where he was appointed Director of Population Health
for the Department of Health and Social Services in 1996.

Christopher M. Fletcher, PhD (Montréal)

Kue Young, MD, CM (McGill), MSc (Toronto), D.Phil
Chris is an associate professor of Anthropology at the Uni- (Oxford), FRCPC
versity of Alberta and adjunct Professor at the Canadian
Kue is the TransCanada Pipelines Chair in Aboriginal Health
Circumpolar Institute. He has worked with the people of
and Professor of Public Health Sciences, University of To-
Deline on a project that looks at Dene concepts and prac-
ronto. His research interests are in the prevention of control
tices in health and their relationship to economic and envi-
of chronic diseases in indigenous peoples of the Arctic and
ronmental change. One part of this project involves finding
subarctic. Among many activities, he is the principal inves-
innovative ways to document and transmit knowledge of
tigator for the CIHR team in circumpolar disease prevention
medical plants within the community. He has also worked
which includes a series of projects which are building capac-
extensively in Nunavik and Nitassinan.
ity for health research in the NWT and enhancing north-
Joanne Barnaby (Hay River) ern evidence in chronic disease prevention in circumpolar
regions. In 2010, he was named to the Order of Canada for
Joanne has over 25 years experience working with northern his lifetime work in the area of Aboriginal health.
communities, including 12 as the executive director of the
Dene Cultural Institute. More recently, Joanne has provided Tine Pars, PhD (Copenhagen)
facilitation and cross-cultural training services to industry,
Tine is the President / Rector of Ilisimatusarfik / Univer-
public boards, agencies, Aboriginal communities, and gov-
sity of Greenland. She earned a PhD in epidemiology from
ernments in the north, with a focus on building econom-
Copenhagen University, studying the contemporary use of
ic, cultural, social, and environmental sustainability using
traditional Greenlandic foods in West Greenland.
western and indigenous traditional knowledge systems, and
developing management models that are fully accountable Peter Bjerregaard, MD (Copenhagen)
and meaningfully engage Aboriginal people.
Peter is Professor of Arctic Medicine at the National Insti-
François Paulette (Smith’s Landing Treaty 8 First Nation) tute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark (since 1996)
and Advisor to the Home Rule Government of Greenland.
François is a respected Dënesųłiné Elder and was the young-
He graduated in medicine from University of Copenhagen
est chief elected in the Northwest Territories. In 1972, along
in 1972 and served as District Medical Officer in Upernavik,
with other chiefs, he challenged the crown to recognize trea-
Greenland during 1978-80. He has been actively engaged
ty and aboriginal rights. He served on the National Indian
in epidemiological research in Greenland and was principal
Brotherhood Treaty Implementation Committee, the As-
investigator of several large population surveys and other
sembly of First Nations Renewal Commission, and the Parks
research projects.
Canada Aboriginal Consultative Committee and has spoken
internationally on Dene history and rights. He currently
chairs the Stanton Territorial Health Authority Elders’ Ad-
visory Council.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 11
 Board of Directors
Members of the 2009 ICHR Board with Susan
Board Members
Maria Santos
Chair 2010 -
Maria Santos received a Masters in Health Science from the
University of Toronto Community Health and Epidemiol-
ogy program in 1999. She worked at the Hospital for Sick
Children as a research assistant, developing databases and
performing analyses for various studies. As a Senior Health
Analyst at the Canadian Institute for Health Information,
she was part of a team that published the annual report
Health Care in Canada. Since 2002, she has worked in the
Northwest Territories as the Territorial Epidemiologist and
is largely responsible for disease registries and surveillance.
Sandra Lockhart
Founding Chair 2005 - 2010
Sandra Lockhart is a band member of Lutsel K’e First Nation
and is a Registered Nurse and is the Manager for the Stan-
ton Territorial Health Authority Aboriginal Wellness Pro-
gram. She has worked in a variety of settings in roles related
to the delivery of health care services, including health au-
thorities and the Dene Nation. Her interests lie in exploring
ways in which Indigenous Knowledge can co-exist and be ap-
plied in contemporary health care settings to promote well
being and patient cultural safety for Aboriginal populations.
Billy Archie
Vice-Chair 2005 - 2010
Billy Archie is Inuvialuit and is an independent contractor in
the community of Aklavik. His past roles include Mayor or
Aklavik, Director of the District Education Authority, Coun-
cillor, Chair Hunter & Trappers Committee. He has worked
as Regional Contaminants Coordinator for the IRC and as a
12 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
resource person for the HTC and Fisheries Joint Manage-
ment committee.
Helen Gruben
Helen Gruben is an Inuvialuk and Gwich’in from the Beau-
fort Delta area. She was born in the bush and raised on the
land in a subsistence hunting and trapping lifestyle. Intro-
duction of medical services in her community of Tuktoyak-
tuk came later in her life. She worked in this system as a
translator and later went back to school and became a Com-
munity Health Representative in the community. Currently
she is ‘retired’ and is actively involved in the NWT Seniors’
Society and still advocates for the health of her community.
Julie Lys
Julie Lys is Métis and was born and raised in Fort Smith.
She has been working as a nurse with the GNWT for 20
years. In August 2007 she completed her Masters in Nurs-
ing through Athabasca University. Julie’s interests are in
Aboriginal health and education issues. She is currently a
board member of the Fort Smith Métis Council, the Chair-
person of the Fort Smith District Education Authority
((DEA) and the NWT Director for the Aboriginal Nurses As-
sociation of Canada (ANAC). She has been actively involved
in the Aboriginal Health Human Resources working group
with the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).
Robert Buckle
Robert Buckle is a member of the Aklavik art community
who annually attends the Great Northern Arts Festival in
Inuvik. Robert is a skilled carver who has recently began
focusing his artistic flare on the production of northern
jewelry. He won the Emerging Artist Award the year after
completing his jewelry program at Aurora College in 2001.
Robert was also the recipient of a NWT Arts Council grant
that will aid in his purchase of equipment to further extend
his range of artwork.
2010 Incoming Members
In late 2010, Karen LeGresley Hamre and Sharon Firth
joined the ICHR Board. Sharon is a former world class cham-
pion skier, member of the Gwich’in First Nation, and Youth
Program Advisor to the Government of the Northwest Ter-
ritories. She has been the subject of a number of documen-
taries. Karen is a Landscape Architect at Avens Associated,
Managing Director of the Northwest Territories Protected
Areas Strategy, and a member of many social and commu-
nity organizations in Yellowknife. Incidentally, both Sharon
and Karen are former Olympians.
 Fiscal Update

T
he Institute For Circumpolar Health Research (formerly Arctic Health Research Network) was audited in accordance
with generally accepted Canadian auditing standards for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The
following figures and financial overview are prepared from the unqualified financial statements.

2010 2009 2008 2007

REVENUE

Grants 1,070,163 811,008 766,106 326,402

Universities 248,878 101,555 167,376 116,000
Other Funders 366,495 0 0 0
Fees, Sponsorships & Donations 284,848 366,909 1,350 1,500
Administrative revenues 52,400 56,006 19,280 1,272

Total Revenue 2,022,784 1,335,478 954,112 445,174

EXPENSES

Wages & Benefits 579,052 425,917 308,363 124,122

Consultants & Contractors 57,625 376,675 379,800 115,220
Travel & Meeting Expenses* 935,680 202,207 133,670 128,792
Project Expenses 121,320 0 0 0
General & Administrative 319,875 216,961 113,542 54,164

Total Expenses 2,013,552 1,221,760 935,375 422,298

SURPLUS 9,232 113,718 18,737 22,876

* includes International Congress on Circumpolar Health - 14 expenses

ICHR would like to acknowledge past employees, community partners and casual workers who have worked or partnered
with us on projects: Kaitlin Cayen, Morris Charney, Leland Chinna, Wilbert Cook, Lance Elton, Diane Essery, Jaimie Forsey,
Tamlin Gilbert, Michel Granjambe, Sue Heron-Herbert, Rhonda John, Jeanette Kakfwi, Bradley Kelly, Bonnie Koe, Samuel
McLeod, Cara Manuel, Mary Masuzumi, Ryan Mazan, Jody Nuyaviak, Gerald Pierrot, Debbie Russell, Corrie Siemens, Pa-
trizia Thagard, Tuqani Ugyuk, Shelly Widow, Judy Wilson.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 13
 Tri-Territory Health Access Fund
2006 - 2009

T
he support of the Govern-
ment of the Northwest Ter-
ritories via the Tri Terri-
tory Health Access Fund (THAF
2006-2009) has been a pivotal in
the development of the health re-
search capacity across the north-
ern territories. The objectives of
the THAF project were to support
capacity building, identify priorities for health research, de-
velop tools for health research ethics and promote knowl-
edge sharing. Not only did these funds allow for northern
based and driven activities in these thematic areas, but the
THAF support allowed for further proposal development
and subsequent funding for projects which are highlighted
throughout this report.
The funding also provided seed funds and support for the
development of health research Institutes in Yukon, North-
west Territories and Nunavut. For a variety of reasons a pan A key component of development of arctic research capac-
northern structure was not formalized. Instead, individual ity has been infrastructure support via the Arctic Research
institutes and governance structures emerged — the Arctic Infrastructure Fund and institutional partnerships. Many
Health Research Network - Yukon, the Institute for Circum- partners are highlighted throughout this report and recog-
polar Health Research in the Northwest Territories, and the nize the broad base of partners required to advance research
Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in Nunavut. However, projects in our regions. These formal partnerships will
a pan-territorial vision inspired the promotion and revi- provide important supports as ICHR advances its research
talization of northern interest and awareness in health re- agenda and supports graduate students in the north.
search and has created models where northerners can drive
The support for the development of a health research ethics
the research process and create new knowledge that pro-
board allowed for pan-northern meetings to discuss needs
motes health and wellness.
and best practices for the ethics review of health research
projects in the three territories. The work has provided an
important foundation and identified next steps for the de-
The pan-territorial project has inspired the velopment of research ethics policies within the institute
promotion and revitalization of northern inter- and recommendations for best practices for the review of
est and awareness in health research and has health research projects conducted by the institute.
created models where northerners can drive the
The research agenda in the north is advancing as a result
research process and create new knowledge
of the established research capacity and priorities of the in-
which promotes health and wellness.
stitutes. This includes projects involving youth driven, com-
munity-based, participatory methods, health service de-
The THAF funds enabled the network sites to further de- livery research, health monitoring, determinants of health
velop priorities in program areas and enhance the strategic and health research impacts. Exciting prospects lie ahead
direction of each site. Not only do funds allow for northern for developing northern solutions as the foundations are
based and driven activities in thematic areas, but the THAF established for northern-based health research.
support allowed for important ground work leading to fur-
ther proposal development and funding for projects and
Citation
1) Chatwood, S, Young K. “A New Approach to Health Research in
health research network growth. Examples of projects that
Canada’s North.” Canadian Journal of Public Health 2010;101(1):25-27.
the funds have leveraged are highlighted in throughout this
five year report. An article on the development of research
capacity in the north was published in the Canadian Journal
of Public Health in January 2010 issue1.

14 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Public Health Agency of Canada
2007 -
Bryany Denning, MSc, Public Health Officer
Public Health Officer
Program
T
he Canadian Public Health Service was created as a re-
sponse to one of the key recommendations made in the
Naylor Report produced after the SARS crisis in 2003.
This program places Public Health Agency of Canada staff,
known as public health officers (PHOs) within provincial,
territorial, and local health authorities and public health-
T
oriented non-governmental organizations in order to build
public health capacity in these regions. The PHOs also serve
as support in the event of an outbreak of disease and can
be mobilized to assist with special event health surveillance.
This allows PHOs to receive field experience and training for
a future in Canada’s public health workforce while building
the capacity of the host organization.
Moreover, a companion EC Development Program was de-
signed by the Public Health Agency of Canada to address the
increasing need to build their workforce in the specialized
areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, and policy analysis, due
to projected high levels of retirement in the near future. It
is a competency-based training program that prepares par-
ticipants for public health service and permits career ad-
vancement within the Public Health Agency of Canada.
After completing her MSc through the Queen’s University
and ICHR in 2009, Bryany Denning returned to the Insti-
tute as the regional Public Health Officer. She is also part
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 15
Andrew Bresnahan with Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s first Chief Public Health Officer
of the EC Development Program. Her research projects are
designed to address the core competencies of public health,
and currently include secondary data analysis on the Cana-
dian Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect and the
First Nations Regional Health Survey in partnership with
Dene Nation, analysis of data housed in the Circumpolar
Observatory, and a health promotion project designed to
engage men in addressing the issue of male violence.
Research Affiliate
Program (RAP)
he Research Affiliate Program (RAP) is a Public Service
Commission (PSC) Program designed to give post-
secondary students experience in applied research (de-
sign, execution, evaluation), to attain such knowledge and
skills required to graduate. It is also designed to help the
Government of Canada conduct research while retaining
possession of existing intellectual property when promot-
ing the release of scientific findings.
Students are normally placed with ongoing research opera-
tions in federal government facilities. ICHR has hosted four
research affiliates — Bryany Denning, Karolina Machalek,
Andrew Bresnahan, and Hilary Blackett — through the Pub-
lic Health Agency of Canada. These students also received
supplementary funding from the CIHR Team in Circumpo-
lar Health.
 SERNNoCA
2008 - 2011
Steering Committee Meeting, Iqaluit, Nunavut, November 2009
Social Economy Research
Network of Northern Canada
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Rajiv Rawat (NWT Coordinator), as seen by the region’s rich variety of both Aboriginal and
Diane Essery (Research Assistant)
Partnerships
»» Chris Southcott (Lakehead University - P.I.), Valoree Walker
(Yukon College - Coordinator), Social Sciences and Hu-
manities Research Council of Canada, Carleton University,
University of Saskatchewan, University of Alberta, Memorial
University, Northern Research Institute, Aurora Research In-
stitute, Nunavut Research Institute, Canadian Social Economy
Hub
S
ince 2008, ICHR has served as the NWT coordina-
tion node of the Social Economy Research Network of
Northern Canada (SERNNoCA), a coalition of univer-
sity-based researchers and community representatives con-
ducting research relevant to the social economy in Canada’s
North. While this northern focus has been important in ar-
riving at a regional understanding of how the social econ-
omy functions and the variety of social conditions it faces,
the research also aims to survey the full diversity of social
economy actors, systems, and practices found in the North.
In particular, the research examines the nature and relation-
ship of the social economy to the collectivist traditions of
Northern indigenous societies.
Arctic and sub-arctic communities are currently undergoing
rapid social, cultural, economic, and environmental change,
adding to the already formidable challenges posed by the
history, climate, and geography of the Canadian North.
However, the social economy as a third sector beyond both
16 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
public and private, has long played a prominent role and of-
fered tools to help these communities face these challenges
non-Aboriginal third sector organizations. Northern gov-
ernments, both indigenous and public, can use research
on this sector to evolve realistic program and community
economic development policies that build on this rich ex-
perience while tapping into the emerging scholarship in the
field.
“Social economy refers to the grassroots volun-
tary or non-profit sector outside both the gov-
ernment (public) and private for-profit sectors.
In addition to non-governmental organizations,
cooperatives, and charitable foundations, the
social economy of the North may also embrace
many of the traditional economic activities of
aboriginal societies given its focus on democrat-
ic values that enhance community life.”
In addition to assisting SERNNoCA’s activities in the NWT,
ICHR hosts the network’s comprehensive NWT website that
highlights SERNNoCA funded research in the NWT, pro-
vides information on the local social economy and links to
institutes, agencies, organizations, and other social econo-
my resources.
For more information, please visit:
»» sernnoca.circumpolarhealth.org
 Affiliations
2007 -

I
n a landmark agreement for northern health research,
ICHR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the University of Toronto in January 2010. Susan
Chatwood and Stephanie Fox have been recognized as As-
sistant Professors of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
and Associate Members of the School of Graduate Studies.
These affiliations recognize ICHR’s role in advising and su-
pervising graduate students and conducting research which Crystal Lennie of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation with gradu-
conforms to high standards of research integrity. This part- ate students affiliated with the Greenland Institute

nership could not have been possible without the sustained

efforts and support of ICHR’s mentor, advisor, and friend,
Dr. Kue Young.

I
n November 2009 in Nuuk, Greenland, the Institute for
Circumpolar Health Research (ICHR) in Canada and the
Greenland Institute for Circumpolar Health Research
(GIHR) signed a MoU that formally launched sister ICHR or-

A
long with various societies, university departments,
and institutes, ICHR is a member of the Interna-
tional Association of Circumpolar Health Publishers
that produces the International Journal of Circumpolar Health
and Circumpolar Health Supplements. From 2009 and 2010,
ICHR worked closely with IACHP on the Proceedings for the
14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health and will
be publishing a regular series of data briefs for the journal.
ganizations for Canada and Greenland. This new voluntary,
non-monetary association brings together allied research
interests from two circumpolar regions, and expands their
respective roles in advancing health research in circumpolar
regions.
The MoU builds on shared perspectives and common inter-
ests in the study of circumpolar populations and will en-
hance opportunities for knowledge translation and study
logistics in circumpolar health research due to proximity to
stakeholders and partners. The Institutes look forward to
working together in this mutually enriching partnership.

T
he Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disor-
der Partnership is an alliance of seven jurisdictions
that works towards the development and promotion
of an interprovincial/territorial approach to prevention, in-
tervention, care and support of individuals affected by Fe-
tal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Susan Chatwood and ICHR
represented the Northwest Territories on the Research Net-
work Board of Directors from 2007 to 2010. Susan and GIHR director Peter Bjerregaard in Greenland

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 17
 ICCH 14
2007 - 2009
International Congress
on Circumpolar Health
Partners:
»» International Union for Circumpolar Health,
Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health
O
ver 650 health professionals, researchers, indig-
enous representatives, and government officials
from Canada, Greenland, Denmark, USA, Russia,
Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and other countries in-
terested in circumpolar health gathered in Yellowknife, NT,
Canada on July 11-16, 2009 to share health related research
findings and program successes that improve the quality of
life for those living in circumpolar regions. The week-long
event featured thought-provoking keynote addresses, work-
shops, information sessions, social activities, and network-
ing activities that provided many opportunities for scien-
tific, artistic, cultural, and social exchanges.
ICHR was instrumental in organizing this historic confer-
ence, held in Yellowknife for the first time in 35 years. Led
by Congress Coordinator Pat Thagard, ICHR coordinated
both the scientific and organizing committees, as well as the
logistics of the entire meeting through its role as Congress
Secretariat.
IPY Focus
The International Congress, came at a special time as it
closely followed the conclusion of the International Po-
lar Year (IPY), a research initiative that takes place once
every fifty years. From 2007 to 2010, countries and com-
18 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
munities have focused their at-
tention on health and wellbeing
and environmental issues in the
circumpolar world. The Congress
recognized the end of the Polar
Year through its theme, Securing
the IPY Legacy: From Research to
Action.
The Congress programme con-
tained a broad cross section of
presenters and sessions. The ses- Pat Thagard,
Congress Coordinator
sions allowed for complimentary
perspectives of researchers, clinicians, community repre-
sentatives and governments on numerous topics, which
impact public health, health services delivery, the research
process and Indigenous wellness in our circumpolar regions.
The presentations demonstrated examples where research
findings are applied in numerous settings, with uptake by
clinicians, communities, and governments. Presentations
also recognized the contributions of stakeholders through
the research process with a particular focus on community
engagement and participatory methods.
In addition to the scientific programme, meetings, cultural
events and social gatherings provided opportunities for net-
working and development of partnerships to support the
ongoing enhancement of evidence for health and wellbeing
in circumpolar regions. It is these partnerships which will
contribute significantly to securing the IPY legacy and turn
research into practical, applicable, and sustainable health
care approaches and practices.
Local Culture
On a local level, the Congress connected participants with
the people, places, and experiences that make northern
Canada spectacular and showcased the cultural richness and
diversity of Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories, and the
Canadian North. At the Weledeh Feast, the Northern Cul-
tural Gala, and the community Teepee, local and regional
Aboriginal voices were front and centre, sharing knowledge,
practices, and culture amongst the participants from the en-
tire circumpolar world.
The congress website www.icch2009.com is being maintained
by ICHR in perpetuity as a living repository of congress-re-
lated information. The proceedings book was prepared for
publication by ICHR in conjunction with the staff of the In-
ternational Journal on Circumpolar Health.
 Upper Left: Modeling fashions at the Northern Cultural Gala. Upper Right: Participants from Chukotka, Russia performing their tradition-
al songs. Lower Left: John B. Zoe of the Tłįcho gifts the national flag to Dr. Larissa Abrutina of the Northern Russian Indigenous Peoples’ Orga-
nization. Lower Right: Members of the ICHR Board with Aboriginal leaders and the territorial and federal health ministers.

Canadian Society for In recognition of the leadership role

played by ICHR in organizing

Circumpolar Health the 2009 Congress in Yel-

lowknife, Susan Chat-

T
wood was elected presi-
he Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health (CSCH) dent of the society
is a charitable membership-based organization dedi- with ICHR assuming
cated to promoting research, exchanging knowledge its core administrative
and fostering greater awareness and responsiveness to the and membership du-
health issues of circumpolar people. The CSCH also pro- ties. Since then, ICHR
motes and supports efforts of all circumpolar peoples in the staff have actively
attainment of better health. maintained the CSCH
Established in 1984, CSCH became a charter member of membership list, imple-
the International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) in mented an online regis-
1986. Other members of the IUCH include the American So- tration gateway, updated
ciety for Circumpolar Health; the Nordic Society for Arctic the website (csch.ca), and pre-
Medicine; the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of pared and published the semi-annual
Medical Sciences; and the Danish/Greenlandic Society for “Gazeteer” newsletter.
Circumpolar Health. As one of the core adhering bodies of In February 2011, ICHR has arranged for CSCH to hold a
the IUCH, the CSCH is actively involved with the planning general meeting in Ottawa. A newly revamped website will
and organizing of the International Congress for Circumpo- be produced for this gathering.
lar Health held every three years.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 19
 International Polar Year
2007 - 2010
The CCGS Admundsen moored off Ulukhaktok as part of the Inuit Health Survey
T
he International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 marked
the largest-ever international program of scientific
research focused on the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Thousands of scientists and researchers from more than
60 nations around the globe participated. While health re-
search is not new to international collaborations, this Inter-
national Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008, was the first to include
human dimensions as a thematic area of study.
Theme for the human dimension: “to investigate
the cultural, historical, and social processes that
shape the sustainability of circumpolar human
societies, and to identify their unique contribu-
tions to global cultural diversity and citizenship.”
In Canada we were fortunate to have a well supported re-
search program which supported activities over the years.
While the Institute for Circumpolar Health Research was
just starting during the planning phases of IPY, the in-
creased support for Arctic Health Research was timely and
provided many opportunities to engage northern health sci-
entists and for a northern Institute to provide perspectives
and contribute to the activities. This was particularly true
for the 14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health,
which served to highlight IPY research projects that focused
on the health and wellness of Arctic peoples.
While the polar years have come and gone, opportunities
and collaborations in international health research continue
and ICHR is pleased to be part of ongoing initiatives which
will contribute to the health and sustainability of northern
populations and communities.
20 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
ICHR Activities
ICHR was involved in the International Polar Year in a va-
riety of activities which supported northern engagement,
best practices in health research, and the dissemination of
findings. We had opportunities to share experiences and
perspectives on circumpolar health and research as an in-
vited keynote at the International Polar Year Oslo Science
Conference in Oslo, Norway and through a Plenary Address
at the IPY Early Results Workshop. Contributions were also
made to the health chapter of the Joint Council Internation-
al Polar Year Report.
ICHR also supported proposal writing workshops in Yellow-
knife and Inuvik in partnership with the NWT International
Polar Year Coordinator. These workshops provided an over-
view of funding program objectives and introductory skills
in proposal writing.
Committees
»» IPY Project Review Committee
»» Steering Committee, Inuit Health Survey
(Inuvialuit Settlement Region)
»» Steering Committee, HPV Prevalence Study
Keynote Speeches
»» “Human Health and Wellbeing of Northern Communities.”
Plenary Address at the IPY Early Results Workshop, Ot-
tawa, Ontario, February 16-18, 2010.
»» “The International Polar Year: Building Health Research
Capacity in Canada and Greenland.” Keynote presented
at the International Polar Year Science Conference, Oslo,
Norway, June 8-12, 2010.
Web and Print Publications
»» Designed website for IPY Gas, Arctic Peoples, and Security
(GAPS) Initiative (www.ipygaps.org) and hosted research-
ers traveling through NWT (2008).
»» Designed, published, and distributed Inuit Health Survey
Report for Inuvialuit Settlement Region (2010).
»» Coordinated selection and editing process for the Proceed-
ings for the 14th International Congress on Circumpolar
Health: Securing the IPY Legacy: From Research to Action,
Yellowknife, NT, July 11-16, 2009.
 Time Capsule
2008 - 2010
Seals by Zander Affleck
“The Time Capsule initiative developed from the
realization that little hard information exists on
the legacy of previous IPYs, especially among
youth which proved surprising. The Time Capsule
initiative aims to address this significant gap by
not only bringing youth together in its creation,
but by building a visual, physical display that
promotes the legacy of the IPY among youth
today and tomorrow.” – Youth Committee
T
hree of our affiliated students, Bryany Denning, Julia
Christensen, and Alana Kronstal chaired the Interna-
tional Polar Year (IPY) Time Capsule Initiative of the
IPY Canadian Youth Committee from 2008 to 2010. The
initiative aimed to give northern youth a voice through art,
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 21
creative writing, and photography. The resulting collection
of photographs, poems, stories, and artwork were then
stored at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre un-
til the next IPY.
Before storing the time capsule, an interactive exhibit was
launched in Spring 2010 at the Prince of Wales Northern
Heritage Centre. Youth were able to view their own sub-
missions either in person or through the website. They were
also encouraged to create a piece on-site to contribute to the
time capsule.
The exhibit likewise featured the submissions of the IPY
Time Capsule Project Photo Contest participants. Winners
were announced in September 2009. All participants’ pho-
tos were featured in exhibit.
»» www.ipytimecapsule.com
 Workshops & Retreats
2006 - 2007

Students at Shingle Point

Take Pulse Workshop A workshop session was held for researchers and commu-
nity members. The workshop explored community priorities

I
n the community of Aklavik, partnerships between ICHR,
the Moose Kerr School, Aklavik Health Committee,
Health Centre, Aklavik Recreation Committee, leadership
for health information and research. Knowledge translation
was explored as a method to help communities and specifi-
cally youth access health information.

Shingle Point Research

council and the Northern Cochrane Network site facilitated
a dynamic community workshop in 2006 which celebrated

Retreat
wellness in the community and explored research priorities
and access to health research findings.

I
The workshop featured keynote speakers Shirley and Sharon
Firth, who are world class cross-county skiers. They attri-
bute being raised on the land and learning traditional skills
to their discipline, perseverance and courage to achieve.
They encouraged people to rely on their inner strength,
make health a priority, set goals to make good choices by
getting into a regular exercise program to stay fit for life to
achieve dreams.
Yellowknife physician Cindy Orlaw who comes from Aklavik
roots met with youth and shared her story and encouraged
them to pursue the sciences and careers in health. The youth
were also involved in a workshop with Sean Muir and Steven
Keewatin of the Healthy Aboriginal Network in Vancouver.
They explored the use of animation and art to express issues
around health and wellness.
A “train the trainer” session was held and led by Animac-
tion out of Los Angeles to introduce animation as a tool
for knowledge translation of health information. This ses-
sion gave the tools and training to teachers and community
members to help youth create animated shorts. This has led
to the creation of an animation club at the school. Funding
from the health promotion branch of the GNWT supported
this endeavour.
n the summer of 2007, ICHR organized a health research
retreat in the beautiful surroundings of Shingle Point, a
traditional whaling camp on the Beaufort Sea.
Representatives from Aklavik, the Inuvialuit Regional Cor-
poration, Moose Kerr School, Aklavik Health Centre, and
Yellowknife Health and Social Services, as well as NWT-
based graduate students, ICHR and AHRN NU staff were
in attendance. Participants networked and shared current
health research projects. Time was taken to discuss health
research priorities and plan projects for the NWT around
the fire of the outdoor boardroom.
Two Aklavik youth from Moose Kerr School, Bonnie Koe
and Autumn Semple talked to Elders about traditional
foods. The students were creating a video to highlight the
successes and challenges of making healthy dietary choices
in Aklavik.
Even with all the work, there was still time to play, the 2007
Shingle Point Summer Games proved to be an entertaining
time for all with such memorable games as the dizzy stick
and serious rounds of ring toss. AHRN Nunavut took the
prestigious prize of the crying towel.

22 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Northern Governance
2009

Northern Governance Policy

Research Conference
ICHR Facilitator:
»» Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox

Partners:
»» Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, Dene Nation,
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Tłicho Community Services
Agency, University of Alberta, Canadian Circumpolar
Institute

Funders:
»» Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Indian
and Northern Affairs Canada, Walter and Duncan Gordon
Foundation, Canadian Institutes for Health Research, BHP Walter Bayha of Délįnę addressing the gathering
Billiton, Canadian North, Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board

T
he first meeting of its kind, the landmark Northern
Governance Policy Research Conference took place in
Yellowknife from November 3 to 5, 2009. Hosted at
the Explorer Hotel, the conference brought together 150
northern researchers, community leaders, and government
officials to discuss how to connect effective research in the
service of policy for aboriginal and community organiza-
tions.
Conference topics ranged from self-government, service de-
livery, and the impacts of mining, oil, and gas exploration,
to social healing, wellness, and knowledge development. An
Elders’ knowledge workshop also took place concurrently to
the conference.
“In our conference, we aim to empower re-
searchers who work for indigenous governments
to identify the policy research skills they use
every day and share them widely. We also, of
course, have to identify the gaps and figure out
how to tackle these.” – Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox
The conference was particularly timely as it provided an op-
portunity for researchers from across the Canadian Arctic to
take stock of the enormous transformations in governance
that have taken place in the North over the last three de-
cades. From the 1984 Inuvialuit Agreement and the 1999
creation of Nunavut, to the 2003 Tłįcho and 2005 Nunat-
siavut self-government agreements, the north has seen a
patchwork of jurisdictions, local bodies, and land use plans
emerge through the generalized processes of land claims
settlement and federal devolution.
“We are here to figure out one of the most
powerful tools to develop more effective policy
in the north, the efforts of our research commu-
nity, can actually inform decision making.”
– John B. Zoe
A critical issue at the conference was how to address the
daunting economic, social, cultural, and environmental
challenges of the North with its resource‐driven economy,
legacy of colonization, young population, and vast land
mass, is a crucial question that researchers and officials at-
tempted to answer in this conference.
The dialogue generated by the conference highlighted the
importance of both university and community-based policy
research, especially as governments attempt to set policies
that are reflexive to changing conditions and responsive to
the needs and priorities of communities rather than exter-
nal institutions or funding bodies.
That research likewise contributed to capacity building and
knowledge sharing, especially in regards to negotiating or
implementing land claims and self‐government.
While ICHR researchers and student affiliates made pre-
sentations at the conference, ICHR staff also developed the
NGPRC website (ngprc.circumpolarhealth.org) and provided
registration, logistical, and administrative support.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 23
 Summer Institute
2010 -

Instructors and participants of the Health Disparities Course

T
he Summer Institute in Circumpolar Health Research An international team of eminent scholars led both courses,
met with great success in its first outing as an annual sharing their extensive experience with up-and-coming re-
site for international research training. Hosted by the searchers from across the circumpolar world.
National Institute of Public Health of Denmark and co-or-
ganized by the University of Alaska (Anchorage), University
of Oulu, ICHR and its Greenlandic counterpart, the summer The Summer Institute laid a strong foundation
course offering was organized at the same time as the An- for international graduate training and a vibrant
nual Meeting of the International Network for Circumpolar circumpolar health community.
Health Research (INCHR) in Copenhagen, May 2010. This
took full advantage of the gathering of professionals and
The Institute was so successful that plans are now afoot for
scholars for a memorable week of activities.
organizing new course offerings at the next Annual Meet-
The first of the two-day graduate courses focused on dietary ing of INCHR in Oulu, Finland, 2011. In addition, ICHR will
assessment methods used in primary epidemiological stud- continue providing administrative and logistical support in
ies of Arctic populations including nutritional anthropom- the form of the Summer Institute website and registration
etry and methods of measuring physical activity. The second portal at sichr.circumpolarhealth.org.
day reviewed the theoretical and methodological perspec-
tives on health disparities as well as basic epidemiological
concepts for measuring disparities and causes of disparities.

24 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Dechinta Health Course
2010 -
Dechinta’s Pilot Semester, June 2010
“Dechinta: Bush University. Blachford Lake
Lodge, Denendeh. The float plane brought us
safely back to Yk-town, the sky is still heavy with
smoke. Am so blessed to have had this experi-
ence… mahsi” – Melaw Nakehk’o
D
echinta Bush University and Centre for Research and
Learning is a northern-led initiative to deliver land-
based, university-accredited educational experiences.
Led by Erin Freeland-Ballantyne and Kyla Kakfwi Scott, the
program seeks to engage northern and southern youth in
transformative curricula based on the needs of Canada’s
north. ICHR has been aiding this novel community-based
initiative with teaching, the development of a health curric-
ulum and by hosting and maintaining its website dechinta.ca
as in-kind support.
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 25
The pilot semester of Dechinta took place in June 2010. The
first group of students learned about Creative Writing and
Communications, and Northern Governance with Richard
Van Camp, Stephanie Fox, and Glen Coulthard and featured
guests François Paulette, Stephen Kakfwi, and Fort Good
Hope elders Mary Barnaby and Judy Lafferty.
ICHR in partnership with the Universities of Alberta and
Toronto delivered a Health Promotion Planning course co-
ordinated by Denise Kurszewski as part of the pilot semes-
ter. The students also participated in traditional cultural
events throughout the week. Featured guests and present-
ers included Tłįcho community member John B. Zoe, Elder
Jane Dragon of Fort Smith, Olympian Sharon Firth, health
promoters from the Government of the NWT, and Univer-
sity of Toronto Professor Suzanne Jackson. Throughout the
course, there were also Elders present from the Yellowknife
Dene. Funding for the health component was provided by
the University of Toronto Aboriginal Initiatives.
 Dietary Choices
2006 - 2007

Autumn Semple and Bonnie Koe at their film screening in Aklavik

Youth & Elders Dietary Choices

Pilot Project
Project Facilitators:
»» Aklavik Health Committee (Billy Archie & Velma Illasiak)

Funders:
»» University of Ottawa ACADRE,
CIHR Team in Circumpolar Health

I
n 2006, the Aklavik Health Committee partnered with
ICHR and the local Moose Kerr School in to launch a Youth
& Elders Dietary Choices Pilot Project, which was designed
to engage Aklavik youth in examining dietary choices and
diet-disease relationships at the community-level.
The first phase of the pilot project was based out of Moose
Kerr School in the summer of 2007. As a community-driven
participatory project, research facilitators worked in col-
laboration with the health committee, school, hamlet, local
band office, and other interested stakeholders to design the
project and determine outcomes.
The project also took the form of an elective health class for
senior students. Completion of dietary recalls along with
daily classroom discussions provided the students with a
better understanding of their own eating habits and the op-
portunity to think critically about the implications and re-
alities of dietary choices in their community. These activities
motivated the students to create a video to capture other
community members perceptions about dietary choices and
health. Two students from the class, Bonnie Koe and Au-
tumn Semple, continued filming and produced a 60-minute
video documenting food and nutrition trends and challeng-
es in Aklavik. ICHR later supported the students in repre-
senting the project at the Indigenous Network for Indig-
enous Health Knowledge and Development Conference in
Roturua, New Zealand, October 2007.

26 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Climate Change & Health
2008 - 2009
Youth and Elders sharing knowledge about the land — past, present, and future
Climate Change as a Health
Determinant in Aklavik,
Northwest Territories
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Denise Kurszewski, Susan Chatwood
Partners:
»» Health Canada (FNIHB), Aklavik Health Committee, Moose
Kerr School, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research,
People of Aklavik and Surrounding Communities
T
his federally-funded climate oriented project was a
youth-driven, community based project that comple-
mented the 2006-07 Dietary Pilot Project, which was
designed to engage Aklavik youth in examining dietary
choices and diet-diseases relationships at the community
level. The community of Aklavik was engaged in the Climate
Change project from many aspects — the Aklavik Health
Committee guided the project and community members
concerned about community health issues and staff and
students of Moose Kerr School were involved through spe-
cific curriculum, the on-the-land retreat, as well as the video
production. Elders of Aklavik and surrounding area partici-
pated by sharing traditional knowledge and applying past
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 27
events to current understanding and adaptations to climate
change. The research was integrated into the science curric-
ulum at the high school. The project was conducted in three
phases. The first encompassed the collection of information
related to climate change and health determinants as well
as an on-the-land retreat to collect information. The sec-
ond phase included synthesis of the information with video
methodologies. The third phase included dissemination of
findings.
“Warmer weather affects the food chain, also
the snow that turns into ice and freezes…that
gives animals a hard time to get their food un-
derneath the hardened snow.” – Inuvik Elder
A major outcome of the project was a heightened awareness
of the research process within the community and region.
The project brought together the Elders and youth, and con-
nected western science through the science curriculum and
the traditional knowledge of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in re-
gion. The information has been synthesized and discussed
on several levels within the classroom. A thirty minute
video was produced and premiered in Aklavik on Aboriginal
Day (June 21, 2009).
 HPV Prevalence Study
2008 - 2009

Northwest Territories Purpose of this study

HPV Prevalence Study The purpose of this HPV study was to find out the preva-
Data Collection Sites lence of the HPV infections in NWT women. The investiga-
tors also wanted to understand whether there are some life
habits that increase the chance of acquiring the infection.
NWT public health professionals will use this information
Data Collection Sites
Sachs 1 Beaufort-Delta
to develop effective cancer screening and prevention pro-
Harbour
HSS Authority grams for women in the North.
2 Sahtu
Tuktoyaktuk
HSS Authority

How was the study done?

Aklavik Ulukhaktok
Inuvik 3 Dehcho
1 HSS Authority
Fort McPherson Paulatuk 4 Tłįchǫ Community
Tsiigehtchic
Services Agency Nurses, midwives, and doctors asked women aged 18-69
2 5 Yellowknife
HSS Authority
years old to participate in the study by signing a consent
Colville Lake
Fort Good Hope
6 Hay River
HSS Authority
form, completing a short questionnaire, and having a regu-
GREAT BEAR 7 Fort Smith lar Pap test. No additional medical procedures were done
Ma

Norman Wells LAKE HSS Authority

other than the regular Pap test. There are no additional risks
cke

Tulita
Délįnę
nz
ie

4 to participants, as the Pap smear is a safe examination. All

Wrigley Gametì
information is strictly confidential as this study uses iden-
Wekweètì
City of Yellowknife
• Family Medical Clinic tification numbers for the data collected instead of partici-
Whatì Behchokǫ̀ • Frame Lake Community Health Centre
3
• Gibson Medical Clinic
• Great Slave Community Health Clinic
pants’ names.
Fort Simpson
Jean Marie River Detah
Nahanni Butte Fort GREAT SLAVE Łutselk’e
Providence LAKE
Fort Trout Kakisa
Liard Lake
Enterprise
Hay River
Fort Resolution 5
NWT public health professionals will use this
6 7
Fort Smith information to develop effective cancer screen-
ing and prevention programs for women in the
The Prevalence of Human North.
Papillomavirus (HPV) and Its
Impact on Cervical Dysplasia in Phase I data collection started on April 1, 2008 and ended
on March 31, 2009. During the study period, over 6,000 Pap
the Northwest Territories test samples were collected and tested.
Phase II began in March 2009 in all regions of the NWT
ICHR Facilitators: and ran until December 31, 2009. Over 15 clinics around
»» Candice Lys (Project Coordinator), Susan Chatwood the NWT (including 4 in Yellowknife) participated. This
phase involved a 5-minute self-administered questionnaire
Project Team: completed during a regular pap test visit and no additional
»» Dr. Yang Mao (P.I., Public Health Agency of Canada) Dr. medical procedures. A portion of the Pap test sample was
Paul Brassard (co-P.I., McGill University) Government of sent to Winnipeg for further DNA testing once the Alberta
the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social
DynaLife laboratory in Edmonton finished regular pap test-
Services, HPV Steering Committee
ing. This study followed proper clinical guidelines for HPV
management and healthcare providers received the usual
Funder:
»» IPY Canada Pap test results for study participants. Over 1000 question-
naires and samples were collected through mid-August 2009
for Phase II.
Background

H
uman Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmit- Acknowledgements
ted infection that causes genital warts and cancer of A special thanks to all nurses, nurse practitioners, mid-
the cervix in some women. During regular Pap tests, wives, physicians, and staff for their active participation in
samples can be also tested for presence of HPV virus. A posi- this study! Also, thank you to the study steering committee
tive HPV test only means that you have HPV in your cervix members for your time and expertise.
and it does not mean that you have or will develop cervical
cancer.

28 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Perinatal Database
2008 - 2009

Map of birthing and midwifery services offered throughout the three territories

Development of a Perinatal
Karolina with midwives Gisela Becker and Lesley Paulette in Ft. Smith

Database for the Northwest epidemiology and health systems informatics, obstetricians
and pediatricians at Stanton Territorial Hospital, midwives
Territories, Canada at the FSHSSA Midwifery Program, the Institute for Cir-
cumpolar Health Research, and other researchers.
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Susan Chatwood, Karolina Machalek, Bryany Denning
Accurate and reliable data on perinatal out-
Project Team: comes is vital to improving both population
»» Lesley Paulette and Gisela Becker (Fort Smith Health and health and the delivery of care.
Social Services Authority Midwifery Program), Andrew
Kotaska (Stanton Territorial Health Authority)
Objectives that would meet the identified needs of the peri-
Funders: natal surveillance system were elucidated and recommen-
»» Public Health Agency of Canada, CIHR Team in Circumpolar dations for development were explored. Perinatal database
Health Research development was based on a number of regional, national

P
and international background sources. The purpose of the
erinatal data in the NWT is currently collected by the
perinatal surveillance system was to collect perinatal data
Ft. Smith Midwifery program and serves as a valuable
that would meet the needs for program evaluation and qual-
tool to understand the scope of services in the region.
ity assurance; surveillance, and research.
However perinatal data is not collected in other jurisdic-
tions in the NWT, thus broader understanding of maternal Results indicated that data collection should be dynamic and
and child health in the NWT or comparisons between ser- prospective in order to fulfill the objectives and cater to a va-
vice delivery models are not possible. riety of stakeholders. Approximately 400 variables related
to maternal and infant health were identified for data collec-
Stakeholder consultations to identify the needs for a peri-
tion. To date, approximately 120 variables and their defini-
natal surveillance system and database in the Northwest
tions have been reviewed and added to the Northwest Terri-
Territories were undertaken in 2007. These consultations
tories Perinatal Database Manual. Special considerations for
involved individual and group meetings where objectives of
northern and indigenous populations included document-
perinatal surveillance systems were introduced, territorial
ing variables such as transfers for birth, type and number of
priorities in response to the objectives were set and resourc-
caregivers, ethnicity, and risk factors such as smoking and
es and capacity for perinatal surveillance were identified.
alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Discussions related
Stakeholders involved in the project included the various
to the development of the database and priorities for mater-
Northwest Territories Governmental staff in public health,
nal child health research are ongoing.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 29
 Water Borne Diseases
2009 - 2010

“If the climate changes, everything changes.

There will be changes in the water, the land, the
animals and everything else.” – Aklavik Elder

Tests for basic water characteristics, metals, hydrocarbons,

PCBs, parasites and bacteria were conducted in the three
communities. Advanced chemical testing was completed
based on concerns in the community of Aklavik about bar-
rels that were left buried in the 1950s. There were difficul-
ties encountered during the testing when collection bottles
broke in extreme temperatures and pumping equipment
Monitoring and Surveillance of froze. The final report is currently being prepared.
Water Borne Diseases in the
Inuvialuit Settlement Region:
Adapting to a Changing Climate
in the North
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Susan Chatwood, Denise Kurszewski

Partners:
»» Crystal Lennie (Project Lead, Inuvialuit Regional Corpora-
tion), Janis Huntington (University of Alberta), Robert Buckle
(Aklavik Health Committee)

Funders:
»» Climate Change and Health Adaptation in Northern First A Youth Town Hall Forum in Inuvik was held for youth from
Nation Communities Program - First Nations and Inuit Health the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. After a general presenta-
Branch of Health Canada tion on Water Education in the Beaufort Delta region, the

T
students broke into groups and addressed several issues.
his IRC-led project had two goals. The first goal was to
They discussed concerns around water, global warming, pol-
collect samples from water sources in three communi-
lutants and recommended several ways they could become
ties in the ISR (Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok)
more locally and regionally involved, such as having a youth
and to identify microbes and contaminants which may be
representative on the water board. They learned about doing
present. Within these communities, short interviews were
research and testing water quality so that they can eventu-
also conducted with elders to identify concerns around wa-
ally take responsibility for these efforts. The Elders from the
ter quality and to determine their views on how climate
various communities had several common concerns regard-
change may be affecting the waters of their homelands.
ing the taste of tap water, contamination and how climate
The second goal includes an educational component. In ad- change was impacting their traditional lifestyles. Increased
dition to community briefings and discussions, a resource winds, rapid temperature changes and warmer tempera-
manual for teachers on water in the north was developed for tures impacted travel on-the-land, and often the ability to
grades 3-6. The manual will compliment the existing NWT hunt. Later freeze-up dates of water and earlier melts also
science curriculum as well as the Inuuquatiguit curriculum. had an impact on their lifestyles.
A primary focus for the educational component is to intro-
duce youth to the concept of stewardship and their future
responsibilities.

30 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Research using Photovoice
2010 - 2011

The main research component of the course explored the

participatory research methodology of “Photovoice” to
study health issues in Inuvik. Photovoice allows participants
to act as co-researchers, developing research questions while
conceptualizing their community and perpectives using
photographs and expressing their opinions through collec-
tive discussion and photograph appraisal.
As a group the students developed two research questions
to investigate:
»» What contributes to good health in Inuvik?
»» What are the challenges to achieving good health?
Throughout the week, students were able to go out into
Course participants their community and take pictures depicting circumstances
that promote and challenge health in Inuvik.
Climate Change and Food
Security Among At-Risk “I was completely taken aback by the youth par-
Populations in Regional Inuit ticipants’ discussions. This form of qualitative
research is extremely valuable for understanding
Centres the many complex issues affecting northern com-
munities.” – Graduate Instructor
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Denise Kurszewski, Hilary Blackett (University of Toronto)
Following their photography fieldwork, each student chose
Partners and Supporters: their top three photos representing community issues af-
»» James Ford (McGill, ArcticNet), Aurora Research Institute, fecting health in Inuvik and discussed the meaning of each
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Yellowknife Photo Club, photo to the individual participants. Common themes were
University of Toronto, PHAC, CIHR highlighted throughout this process including nutrition,
poverty and homelessness, as well as mental, spiritual,
Funder: physical and emotional health.
»» Climate Change and Health Adaptation in Northern First
Nation Communities Program - First Nations and Inuit Health The success of this project and the advantages of using
Branch of Health Canada participatory research when conducting research in North-
ern communities was presented at the Healing Our Spirit
Worldwide Conference held in Hawaii in September 2010.

“Photovoice gives us the confidence to speak up Pan-Northern Photovoice Project

about our ideas. The program teaches us about The Youth Photovoice project was a pilot study for a larger
critical thinking, analysis and reflection.” pan-Northern Photovoice Project that is being conducted
– Student Participant in Inuvik, Iqaluit, Arviat, and Kuujjuaq to characterize the
nature of the food system for at-risk people (e.g., role of tra-

S
ditional foods, sharing networks, food banks, etc), examine
even Inuvik students participated in the Introduction
determinants of food insecurity, document and describe
to Research course in Inuvik in July 2010. The course
adaptive strategies, and characterize the role of climatic
was facilitated by ICHR’s Denise Kurszewski and Uni-
stresses in affecting food security. With training in Photo-
versity of Toronto graduate student Hilary Blackett and of-
voice methods completed, data collection commenced in
fered a hands-on experience where students were able to
October 2010.
learn and practice various research skills including literature
searches and critical appraisal of articles, project develop-
ment and assessment, questionnaire design and interview-
ing, and the creation of a research poster.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 31
 Remote Care Access
2010 - 2012
Territorial Remote Care Access
Study
Project Team:
»» Susan Chatwood, Ewan Affleck, Ruth Robertson, Alex
Hoechsmann (Yellowknife Health and Social Services Author-
ity), Kue Young, Alex Jadad, Andrea Courtinois (University
of Toronto), Kay Lewis (Stanton Territorial Health Authority)
Funder:
»» Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
T
he provision of healthcare in the Northwest Territories
is challenging given the unique geographic, cultural
and climatologic obstacles presented. There is one ter-
ritorial hospital located in Yellowknife, which provides ser-
vice to all 33 communities as well as 5 communities in the
adjacent Kitikmeot region of Nunavut. Outside of Yellow-
knife most communities have a limited scope of emergent
and acute health services.
The principle means of providing advanced emergent and
acute care to remote communities is by telephone consulta-
tion or air transport to the regional hospital. This model
is problematic because the transfer of patients to the ter-
ritorial emergency service can cause a delay in appropriate
care, and is exceedingly costly. In addition, the professional
isolation of remote health staff has a negative impact on
staff recruitment and retention, and the lack of consistent
staffing impairs continuity and quality of care. Thus the lack
32 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
of effective delivery of emergent and acute health service
to the remote communities drives health care costs up by:
a) increased transportation, b) increased cost of furnishing
a transient workforce, and c) causing delays in the delivery
of appropriate care which increase the burden of disease. In
short, the current model of acute and emergent remote care
can be deleterious from both a health care perspective, and
in terms of system cost.
The Territorial Remote Care Access Study will explore state
of the art health information technology solutions, broad-
band technology, and a new model of acute care service de-
livery to furnish emergent and acute care to remote com-
munities in the Northwest Territories. It is hypothesized
that this enhanced service delivery model will reduce trans-
fer rates and hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive
conditions thus contributing to reduced costs and increased
patient and clinician satisfaction. Tackling these three is-
sues will have far reaching implications for the standardiza-
tion of remote and rural acute care service delivery.
The project engages decision-makers who are well posi-
tioned to enlist the results produced by this study to effect
real and pragmatic health care service delivery change in the
Northwest Territories. Policies and standard operating pro-
cedures developed as a consequence of this study will have
wide application to other northern and remote health care
services.
 HIV/AIDS in Northern Canada
2010 - 2012
Team Development and
Community Partnerships to
Examine HIV/AIDS in Northern
Canada
ICHR Leads:
»» Susan Chatwood, Candice Lys
Partners:
»» Crystal Lennie (Inuvialuit Regional Corporation); Gwen
Healey (Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre); Dionne
Gesink, Robert Remis, Kue Young (University of Toronto),
Mary Carothers (Ft. Smith Health and Social Services), Mad-
eleine Cole (Quikiqtani General Hospital), Melanie Dostie,
(Makkuttukkuvik Youth Centre), Sean Muir (The Healthy
Aboriginal Network), David Pontin (Yellowknife Health and
Social Services Authority), Wanda White (Government of
the Northwest Territories), Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory
(Nunavut Tunngavik)
Funders:
»» Canadian Institutes for Health Research
T
his project will focus on building a team and research
program able to conduct preliminary work to describe
the basic epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in the north,
including rates and risk factor burden, and to identify meth-
ods to predict and prevent HIV/AIDS trends in future.
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 33
While epidemiologic methods and qualitative perspectives
will provide a foundation to explore the potential impacts
of HIV/AIDS in the north, the project will include comple-
mentary participatory methods which engage youth and
allow for northern interpretations, enhancements and ap-
plications of evidence as it applies to HIV/AIDS. It will also
provide direction for best practices for service provision and
prevention for youth.
To date no research in Canada has focused on HIV/AIDS in
northern populations. Distributions related to HIV/AIDS
found in Aboriginal groups in Canada tend to be general-
ized to the north. However baseline incidence rates for HIV/
AIDS in the north indicate disease patterns are different in
northern populations and to date little has been done to
explore or understand these differences. It is hoped that a
project which develops epidemiologic methods to improve
assessment of existing risk factors and determinants and
prediction of the evolving patterns of HIV/AIDS in relation
to STI rates will provide a better understanding of HIV/
AIDS in the north.
This understanding, coupled with youth-driven community
based participatory methods, will promote modification
of risk factors and create a foundation to avert future out-
breaks of HIV/AIDS in the northern territories. This project
will be the first step in assembling the required expertise
and community partners to develop a research plan to ad-
dress this important public health concern.
 Health Research Ethics Initiatives
2006 -
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Susan Chatwood, Denise Kurszewski, Bryany Denning
Partners:
»» Gwen Healey (Qaujigiartiit/Arctic Health Research Network
- Nunavut), Jody Butler Walker, Norma Kassi (Arctic Health
Research Network - Yukon)
Funder:
»» Tri-territorial Health Access Fund
I
n 2006, ICHR, Qaujigiartiit/Arctic Health Research Net-
work - Nunavut, and Arctic Health Research Network -
Yukon, undertook a project to examine health research
ethics and ethical review in the North. Upon the publication
of the CIHR guidelines for research involving Aboriginal
people, it was recognized that a comprehensive review of
territorial practices was required so appropriate structures
could be put in place to uphold, build on, and consider these
guidelines. The goal was to bring together existing capacity
in the regions to collaborate to address the lack of frame-
works, expertise and resources for ethical review of health
research projects in territorial jurisdictions.
Consultations and review
Information on existing perceptions and practices for ethi-
cal review of health research in the northern territories was
gathered using mixed methods. This included a review of the
published and grey literature on ethics in aboriginal popu-
lations. Community consultations were held and gathered
information on the nature of informed consent, the mean-
ing of being ethical from an indigenous perspective, and the
ethical concerns of communities. There was a synthesis of
findings between consultations and the literature review.
Cross-cutting issues across the North
The following regional findings were identified and cross-
cutting issues were identified:
»» licensing processes;
»» principles of respect, trust and relationship building (par-
ticularly with respect to community conflict, the nature of
informed consent, and the handling of sensitive/protected
information/knowledge);
»» meaningful engagement with communities;
»» the use of appropriate research methods;
»» and the sharing of knowledge and communicating results.
Tool development for community-based
reviewers
In the northern regions, community based reviewers play an
34 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
Meeting in Yellowknife, February 2010
important role in ethical review of health research projects.
An Ethics Checklist Tool for Community Proposal Review-
ers was developed as an aid to help prompt questions about
ethical issues.
Pan-northern meeting of stakeholders
In January 2009 and again in February 2010, pan northern
stakeholders and organizations currently involved in ethi-
cal review of health research or with mandates to conduct
ethical review met. This included representation from the 5
northern regions (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut,
Nunavik and Labrador). This provided an opportunity to
discuss the cross-cutting issues related to ethical review of
health research, and what next steps could be taken to ad-
dress capacity issues for the northern regions.
Northern Health Research Ethics Board
The group decided to move forward on the formation of a
Northern Health Research Ethics Review Board/Council to
address immediate needs for proposal review of health re-
search by some participating stakeholders.
Next Steps
A steering committee comprised of representatives from
organizations that wish to make use of the board is being
formed. The steering committee members will represent
their organizations and will be in a position to identify their
REB needs and ability to share resources. Specifically, the
committee will explore issues related to location and frame-
work for the REB, representation on the board and methods
to select members, the scope of practice for the REB, and
the relationship of the REB to related institutes and organi-
zations working in health research activities in the regions
served. A business plan will be created with a framework
which ensures long term sustainability and capacity require-
ments and training for the board.
 Program Evaluation & Support
2006 -
I Cancer Screening and
CHR assists northern partners with project evaluation.
Information gained from evaluations assists northern
organizations and funders as they explore impacts and
evaluate their program’s activities, resources, processes,
outputs, and outcomes. Evaluation frameworks are devel-
oped and set out to guide the measurement of factors which
contribute to program development and implementation. A
specific focus may be directed to relevancy of programs in
northern jurisdictions and ability to meet the needs of cul-
turally diverse populations.
Sexual Health Comic
Book Evaluation
ICHR Facilitator:
»» Candice Lys
Partners:
»» Government of the Northwest Territories, Healthy Aboriginal
Network
The Government of the Northwest Territories in collabora-
tion with the Healthy Aboriginal Network (www.thehealthy-
aboriginal.net) are currently developing a culturally appro-
priate sexual health comic book for NWT youth. The comic is
undergoing revision in response to focus group testing that
occurred in March 2010 with youth in communities around
the NWT and will be printed in the fall of 2010. The ICHR
will complete the evaluation component of this project.
Fort Good Hope Youth
Video Project
I
CHR provides logistical and administrative support for
northern based researchers. The Fort Good Hope Youth
Video Research Team partnered with the Oxford Univer-
sity Centre for the Environment Project “Sustainability’s
Paradox,” to investigate the community health impacts of
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 35
Mental Health Program
Evaluation
ICHR Facilitators:
»» Susan Chatwood, Hil-
ary Blackett
Project Lead:
»» Inuvialuit Regional
Corporation
ICHR assisted the Inuvi-
Giant colon in Inuvik, NT
aluit Regional Corpora-
tion with the evaluation
of the activities of two of its health programs:
Cancer Screening Report
This was a strategic initiative developed to convene key part-
ners in the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland and
Labrador to form an Inuit Cancer Screening Committee and
Program. Additionally, the Cancer Screening Project aimed
to monitor, integrate, and adapt current services to the di-
verse health needs of the Inuit people living in Northern
Canada.
Mental Health & Addictions Model
Development Project
This project’s activities and research methodologies were
evaluated. The project aimed to conduct a gap analysis and
design conduct an integrated program model for culturally
appropriate regional alcohol and drug recovery support ser-
vices and programs in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in
the Western Arctic. The evaluation of these programs and
the abilities of funders to meet strategic needs in the north
are important for the growth and development of northern
developed and implemented health programs.
climate change and oil and gas development in Fort Good
Hope. From the summer of 2007, community roundtables
and focus groups have guided this research project towards
creating a video series that shares the stories of the K’asho
Gotine community and how their culture, health and iden-
tity are impacted by the rapid and on-going changes in their
region. ICHR was able to assist with identifying sources of
funding, proposal development, grant administration and
project logistics.
 Research Tools
Language Tools
ICHR Facilitator:
»» Rajiv Rawat
T
he Northwest Territories recognizes 11 official lan-
guages, the only jurisdiction in Canada with such an
evolved official languages policy. According to the
2001 Census, about 20% of the NWT population retain ab-
original languages as their mother tongues, while 44% total
can understand Aboriginal languages.
While these numbers are declining as with indigenous lan-
guages throughout the world, the retention, promotion, and
empowerment of indigenous languages and dialects have
been regularly highlighted as vital to protecting the knowl-
edge and “promoting and supporting the social, spiritual,
cultural, physical and economic wellbeing” of Aboriginal
peoples (Arctic Indigenous Languages Symposium, Tromsø,
Norway, 2008).
“Language is not only a means of communica-
tion, but a link which connects people with their
past and grounds their social, emotional and
spiritual vitality.” – Royal Commission on Ab-
original Peoples
As such, Rajiv Rawat, Director of Communications and
Technology has led ICHR in prioritizing the development of
Aboriginal language interpretation and translation tools to
assist researchers, health care professionals, and community
members to gain greater self-knowledge and cultural aware-
ness. In 2009, ICHR began focusing attention on language
tools as part of its growing web and social media presence.
36 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
Alongside aggregating dictionary and other online resourc-
es, ICHR developed several typography tools for Dene and
Inuit languages to assist with the correct typesetting of text
in its print and electronic documents. These have included a
Unicode/HTML Lookup Table for Dene Languages, a graphi-
cal Inuktitut Syllabics Chart, and Unicode-Compliant Dene
Keyboard Layouts for PCs and Macs.
In addition, ICHR has established a language section on its
website to give researchers an introduction to the linguistic
landscape of the NWT and the current efforts by the ter-
ritorial government and community advocates to promote
and regenerate Aboriginal languages. Future projects may
include the compilation of a medical, health, and wellness
terminology glossary and the creation of various web and
mobile phone-based applications to assist with real time
translation. Further direction will be sought from the El-
ders’ Advisory Council of Stanton Territorial Hospital.
»» ichr.ca/dissemination/language-tools/overview/
Cochrane Collaboration
Funders:
»» CIHR Team in Circumpolar Health,
Tri-Territorial Health Access Fund
I
n 2009, the Cochrane Database
of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)
achieved a high ranking in terms
of impact factor as calculated for
more traditional journals and information sources.
Since 2006, ICHR has served as the Northern network site
for the Cochrane Collaboration, an international not-for-
profit organization that seeks to improve healthcare deci-
sion-making globally through systematic reviews of the ef-
fects of healthcare interventions, published in The Cochrane
Library.
The Northern Cochrane Site is committed to finding ways
to promote the uptake and application of health evidence
in northern regions. Within the CIHR team in Circumpolar
Health, the network site is funded to conduct reviews with
adaptations for northern regions. A review of obesity inter-
ventions for youth is currently underway.
ICHR supports a pan-northern subscription to the Co-
chrane Library. Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Of-
ficer of the NWT and Susan Chatwood, Director of ICHR are
the co-representatives for the northern site.
 Supported Groups
F
ounded in 2009, the Work in Progress: Idea to Imple-
mentation Team (WIP I2T) is a working group of medi-
cal practitioners and scholars whose goal is the mentor-
ship and fostering of medical research in Canada’s North.
With broad interests that span health care delivery, medical
education, and cross cultural health care, this group endeav-
ors to publish research reflecting the unique medical needs
of Northerners. The WIP I2T group is based in Yellowknife
and is part of the ICHR.
Alex Hoechsmann and David Pontin, Yellowknife
doctors and members of the WIP I2T Team.
Circumpolar Rounds Podcasts
I
CHR and the WIP I2T Team have also begun recording,
producing, and featuring a series of podcasts of regularly
scheduled rounds at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yel-
lowknife as part of new initiative to broaden access to health
information, extend the reach of existing medical education
efforts, and engage diverse health care actors in the research
process. Drawing on ICHR’s technical expertise and capac-
ity, this initiative will combine audio recordings with slide-
shows for broadcast to the broader circumpolar community.
The podcast feed has been made available through the
iTunes Store. In addition to the circumpolar rounds, key-
note presentations from the 14th International Congress on
Circumpolar Health as well as community health presenta-
tions at the Northern Governance Policy Research Confer-
ence are available through the feed.
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 37
Dr. Pertice Moffitt (Centre) coordinates NICE and the BSN pro-
gram at Aurora College. Next to her are third-year nursing students
Stephanie Gilbert Rose (Left) and Leanne Niziol (Right).
NICE: Nurses
International College
Experience
NICE is a new Aurora College-led initiative aimed at creating
a standing forum for nursing students from throughout the
circumpolar world. In conjunction with Finnmark Universi-
ty in northern Norway, NICE’s first project included a nurs-
ing student and faculty exchange for Spring and Fall 2010.
Four nursing students from the NWT traveled to Hammer-
fest, Norway to complete their Consolidated Practice Expe-
rience Course (CPE3) at the local hospital from May 11 to
June 4, 2010. Along with gaining credit in CPE 3, the ex-
change facilitated:
»» an exchange of information about professional nurs-
ing practice, education, and research in the circumpolar
regions;
»» enhanced the quality of care provided in the countries of
the participants by learning about cultural diversity;
»» fostered an awareness of each other’s culture through
nursing practice experience and local socio-cultural events
in each country;
»» and, broadened personal development, perspectives
on nursing practice and critical appraisal of health care
systems.
Discussions are being held with colleagues in Finland for a
similar exchange in 2011. ICHR is assisting NICE by hosting
its webpage, arranging travel fellowships through the CIHR
Team in Circumpolar Health, and enabling international
networking.
 Physical Space
2009 -
Contrasting winter and summer views from Pilot’s Monument near our new research facility in Old Town
Arctic Research
Infrastructure Fund
I
n Spring 2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
announced the recipients of the $85 million Arctic Re-
search Infrastructure Fund. This new investment in the
north’s research infrastructure network will build or reno-
vate key research facilities from Labrador to the Yukon as
part of the federal government’s integrated Northern Strat-
egy. The investment will also promote energy efficient up-
grades and contribute to the local economy by employing
Northern suppliers and firms.
ICHR responded to the Call for Proposals with a plan to in-
crease public health research facility space in NWT focusing
I
on community-based methods, data collection, and analysis
for public health research. The Infrastructure Fund granted
up to $1,605,670 for this endeavour, the only award issued
to an organization or research initiative working in the area
of human health.
Slated to open in the summer of 2011, ICHR’s renovated
facility will house expanded office and meeting space, a Sta-
tistics Canada Research Data Centre, and a Health Research
Library.
Research Data Centre
T
he Statistics Canada Research Data Centre will be a key
component of the newly renovated public health facil-
ity in Yellowknife. The Research Data Centres (RDC)
Program is operated through a partnership with the Social
Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Ca-
nadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Canadian In-
stitutes of Health Research (CIHR), and university consortia
to help strengthen Canada’s social research capacity and to
support the policy research community.
38 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
RDCs are located throughout the country,
so researchers do not need to travel to
Ottawa to access Statistics Canada mi-
crodata. The centre in Yellowknife will
operate as a branch of the University of
Manitoba Health Sciences Data Centre and
will serve northern researchers with their data
needs.
Consultations related to data needs are ongoing and numer-
ous workshops have already been held with governments,
indigenous groups, public health stakeholders, and re-
searchers. Topics to date include surveillance, data manage-
ment, and storage in northern jurisdictions.
Library
n 2009, ICHR began the development of a circumpolar
health research library through an in-kind donation by
Dr. Kue Young as part of its commitment to developing
and sustaining research resources in the North. The library
will include published titles and periodicals as well as grey
literature including government reports, northern reflec-
tions, etc. We are also working to aggregate health research
done in the north by and for northerners. Many publica-
tions documenting northern health research and programs
over the past several decades are difficult to locate or are not
found in the North. We would like to change this.
The emphasis of the collection is circumpolar health research
– past and present – and we are particularly interested in
‘hard-to-find’ reports, dissertations, books, and communi-
ty-based or regional studies done in English throughout the
international circumpolar health community. We are also
establishing a historical circumpolar collection to gather
works related to all circumpolar research, science and ex-
ploration. These and other publications documenting the
establishment of research institutes and policies in circum-
polar regions are welcome.
 Circumpolar Health Observatory
2010 -

ICHR Facilitators:
»» Susan Chatwood, Rajiv Rawat

Project Lead: CircHOB visualization of circumpolar population data via the open source
»» Kue Young, University of Toronto StatPlanet software produced by UNESCO

Funders: Datasets
»» CIHR Team in Circumpolar Health, Health Canada CircHOB extracts relevant data from existing data sources

T
managed by different groups and agencies in different coun-
he Circumpolar Health Observatory (CircHOB) is an tries. Topics covered include population, mortality, fertility,
international collaborative health information system, reproductive outcomes, disease incidence, socioeconomic
involved in systematic, standardized, and consistent conditions, and health-related behaviours.
data collection and analysis. In addition to aggregating on-
line and print resources, CircHOB is population-based and Website
produces data for all northern regions in all circumpolar
The Observatory website (circhob.circumpolarhealth.org) of-
countries.
fers several resources for researchers including complete da-
CircHOB’s purpose is to monitor trends and patterns in tasets, a searchable catalogue of print and electronic materi-
health status, health determinants, and health care, pro- als, and interactive thematic mapping tools that allows for
vides qualitative and quantitative evidence for planning and sophisticated visualization of selected datasets.
evaluation of health programs and services. It is on-going
and sustainable with periodic updates.
The Observatory is based at ICHR and will constitute a cen-
tral activity of the Research Data Centre when it officially
opens in 2011. CircHOB will in addition expand the capac-
ity of the centre by helping build and sustain a databank of
both print and electronic resources drawn from across the
circumpolar world.
CircHOB produces periodic Data Briefs highlighting specific
aspects of the data collection which are published by the In-
ternational Journal of Circumpolar Health. The first brief was
published in October 2010.

Origins
CircHOB is a project proposed by the Arctic Human Health
Expert Group and authorized by the Arctic Council at its Se-
nior Arctic Officials meeting in May 2010.
CircHOB has its origins in the 2008 Circumpolar Health Sup-
plement entitled, “Circumpolar Health Indicators: Sources,
Data and Maps.” The monograph is available from the Inter-
Coverage Area
national Journal of Circumpolar Health website @ www.ijch.fi.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 39
 Special Publications

S
ince 2008, ICHR has developed the capacity to edit and design professional reports and monographs. By offering such
expertise to affiliated organizations likewise conducting health research in the North, ICHR has been able to significant-
ly reduce publications costs for these organizations while leveraging its capacity to help build and sustain the greater
circumpolar health community. Some of the larger undertakings and collaborations are highlighted below.

As part of its mandate as the CSCH secretariat, This first in a series of Inuit Health Survey sum- This 580 page volume was edited and pre-
ICHR published the society’s first newsletter maries was composed and published by ICHR pared by ICHR and IJCH staff.
highlighting research taking place across Canada. on behalf of the IHS steering committee.

ICHR has often edited and published ICHR took responsibility for all publications produced
reports on behalf of partner organiza- for ICCH14 including the programme and abstract
tions in any given research project. books as well as posters, banners, and pamphlets. ICHR has also produced promotional materials such
as postcards for affiliated organizations and projects.

40 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Web Hosting & Design

I
n keeping with its research synthesis and dissemination mandate, ICHR has begun specializing in designing and hosting
websites both for its core projects such as the Health Observatory and commissioned works including conference portals
and data repositories. The ICHR website has also explored emerging social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, and Picasa where it has developed a significant presence. Some of the most recent sites are highlighted below.

ichr.ca circumpolarhealth.org circhob.circumpolarhealth.org

In addition to profiling the Institute and its many The Circumpolar Health Portal provides links to The Circumpolar Health Observa-
projects, the ICHR website provides a regu- various ICHR-affiliated initiatives and organizations. tory site uses a different content manage-
larly updated circumpolar health news feed. ment system to drive its databases.

dechinta.ca sernnoca.circumpolarhealth.org sichr.circumpolarhealth.org

The Dechinta site was provided as in- The SERNNoCA NWT nodal site provides NWT- In addition to providing venue and course
kind support to the initiative. specific news and information in regards to the Social information, the Summer Institute site was used
Economy as a whole, and the network in particular. as a registration and evaluation platform.

oralhealth.circumpolarhealth.org fasd.circumpolarhealth.org ngprc.circumpolarhealth.org

The Oral Health and the Aboriginal Child, also The Circumpolar FASD Research Reposi- The Northern Governance Policy Research Confer-
provided as in-kind support, was profiled in the tory collates both general and scholarly ar- ence was supported comprehensively by ICHR
Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. ticles on FASD specific to the North. with both logistics and a registration portal.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 41
 Conferences
ICHR with newly elected AFN Grand Chief Shawn Atleo
at Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 2010
C
onferences provide opportunities for learning, net-
working, and the sharing of ideas. ICHR staff and
affiliates have actively participated in numerous con-
ferences and workshops over the years. The following list
includes meetings with Institute representation.
2010
»» 7th ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario,
December 14-17, 2010.
»» The Northern Summit on the Social Economy, Whitehorse,
Yukon, November 2-4, 2010. *
»» Art of Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, October 1, 2010.
»» Healing our Spirits Worldwide 6th Gathering, Honolulu,
Hawaii, September 3-10, 2010.
»» International Union for Health Promotion and Education
World Conference on Health Promotion, Geneva, Switzer-
land, July 11-16, 2010.
»» 26th International Papillomavirus Conference, Montreal,
Quebec, July 3-8, 2010.
»» National Gathering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal
Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, June 24-25, 2010.
»» International Polar Year Science Conference, Oslo, Nor-
way, June 8-12, 2010.
»» International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge
and Development, Poulsbo, Washington, May 24-28,
2010.
»» Annual General Meeting of the International Network
for Circumpolar Health Research, Copenhagen, Denmark,
May 18-19, 2010. *
»» Summer Institute in Circumpolar Health Research, Copen-
hagen, Denmark, May 17-21, 2010. *
42 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
»» Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, May 13-16, 2010.
»» Western Canadian Conference on Sexual Health, Calgary,
Alberta, May 5-8, 2010.
»» International Polar Year Early Results Workshop, Ottawa,
Ontario, February 16-18, 2010.
2009
»» Into the Light: Transforming Mental Health in Canada,
Vancouver, British Columbia, November 29 - December 1,
2009.
»» Nunavut Summit on the Social Economy, Iqaluit, Nunavut,
November 25-27, 2009. *
»» Northern Governance Policy Research Conference, Yellow-
knife, Northwest Territories, November 3-5, 2009. *
»» Mental Health Stakeholders Workshop, Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories, October 6-7, 2009. *
»» 9th ACUNS International Student Conference on
Northern Studies and Polar Regions, Whitehorse, Yukon,
October 2-5, 2009.
»» Statistics Canada Data Users Conference, Ottawa, Ontario,
September 21-22, 2009.
»» Medicine 2.0, Toronto, Ontario, September 17-18, 2009.
»» 14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yel-
lowknife, Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009. *
»» National Gathering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal
Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 25-28, 2009.
»» 25th International Papillomavirus Conference, Malmo,
Sweden, May 18-24, 2009.
»» Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op, Aklavik,
Northwest Territories, March 2009.
»» Aboriginal Policy Research Conference, Ottawa, Ontario,
March 9-12, 2009.
2008
»» Arctic Change 2008, Québec City, Québec, December 9-12,
2008.
»» 5th ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting, Quebec City,
Québec, December 9-12, 2008.
»» 5th Northern Research Forum Open Assembly. Anchorage,
Alaska, September 24-27, 2008.
2007
»» International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge
and Development, Rotorua, New Zealand, October 2007.
* Conferences or workshops facilitated in part by ICHR.
 Presentations
I
CHR staff and affiliates have also given oral and poster
presentations at numerous conferences as listed below:
2010
»» Blackett H, Kurszewski D, Chatwood S. “Introduction to
research: using ‘Photovoice’.” Poster presented at the Art
of Public Health Conference, Dalla Lana School of Public
Health, University of Toronto, October 1, 2010.
»» Moran T, Blackett H, Kurszewski D, Chatwood S. “Intro-
duction to research: using ‘Photovoice’.” Poster presented
at the Healing our Spirits Worldwide 6th Gathering,
Honolulu, Hawaii, September 3-10, 2010.
»» Kurszewski D, Blackett H, Moran T. “Youth Driven Partici-
patory Research in the North.” Session presented at the
Healing our Spirits Worldwide 6th Gathering, Honolulu,
Hawaii, September 3-10, 2010.
»» Lys, C. “Coming of Age: Understanding the Barriers and
Facilitators to Positive, Empowered, and Safer Sexual
Health among Female Youth in the NWT.” Poster pre-
sented at the International Union for Health Promotion
and Education World Conference on Health Promotion,
Geneva, Switzerland, July 11-16, 2010.
»» Lys, C. “Coming of Age: Understanding the Barriers and
Facilitators to Positive, Empowered, and Safer Sexual
Health among Female Youth in the NWT.” Paper pre-
sented at the National Gathering of Graduate Students
in Aboriginal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, June
24-25, 2010.
»» Denning B, Chatwood C, Hunter D. “Place of Residence,
Prenatal Care and Neonatal Outcome in Northern
Canada.” Poster presented at the International Polar Year
Science Conference, Oslo, Norway, June 8-12, 2010.
»» Chatwood, S. “The International Polar Year: Building
Health Research Capacity in Canada and Greenland.”
Keynote presented at the International Polar Year Science
Conference, Oslo, Norway, June 8-12, 2010.
Inuvik High School student Tiara Moran presenting her research in Honolulu
Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 43
Susan Chatwood presenting at the FASD Symposium in Yellowknife
»» Rawat, R. “Web and social media development workshop.”
Workshop presented at the Annual General Meeting of the
International Network for Circumpolar Health Research,
Copenhagen, Denmark, May 18-19, 2010.
»» Denning B, Chatwood C, Butler Walker J, Healey G. “The
Development of a Research Ethics Board for Northern
Jurisdictions.” Poster presented at the National Council on
Ethics in Human Research Conference, Ottawa, Ontario,
February 20-21, 2010.
»» Chatwood, S. “Human Health and Wellbeing of Northern
Communities.” Plenary Address at the IPY Early Results
Workshop, Ottawa, Ontario, February 16-18, 2010.
2009
»» Chatwood, S. “Research and evidence, what has been
learned and how this can be applied in the Northwest
Territories.” Keynote presented at the 2009 FASD Sym-
posium, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, November
24-25, 2009.
»» Archie, B. “Aklavik H-Pylori Research and the Aklavik
Health Committee.” Paper presented at the Northern
Governance Policy Research Conference, Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories, November 3-5, 2009.
»» Freeland-Ballantyne, E. “Listening to Our Youth Listen to
Our Elders: Can Participatory Video Research Create Space
for Youth Participation in a Sustainable Future?” Paper
presented at the Northern Governance Policy Research
Conference, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, November
3-5, 2009.
»» Kurszewski, D. “Dene Moose Hide Tanning and Well-
ness.” Paper presented at the Northern Governance Policy
Research Conference, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories,
November 3-5, 2009.
»» Bresnahan, A. “Health Promotion and Knowledge Transla-
tion in the Canadian Arctic: Community-driven Health Re-
search as a Basis for Primary Health Care in the Inuvialuit
Settlement Region.” 9th ACUNS International Student
Conference, Whitehorse, Yukon, October 2-5, 2009.
 Presentations
Velma Illasiak, Principal of Moose Kerr School (Aklavik), Bonnie Koe, student
researcher, Denise Kurszewski, ICHR Director of Research Development
»» Chatwood, S. “Sustaining Health Research Activities in
Canada’s Northern Territories.” Paper presented at the
14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yel-
lowknife, Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009.
»» Chatwood, S, Law, S, Young, K, Affleck, E, Cortinois, A,
& Kirby, C. “Improving Access and Outcomes in Canada’s
Northern Territories.” Paper presented at the 14th Inter-
national Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009.
»» Denning, B, Chatwood, C, Hunter, D. “Place of Residence
and Prenatal Care.” Poster presented at the 14th Inter-
national Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009.
»» Healey, GK, Butler Walker, J, Chatwood, S. “Exploring
Processes in Health Research Ethics in Canada’s North.”
Poster presented at the 14th International Congress on
Circumpolar Health, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories,
July 11-16, 2009.
»» Kurszewski, D, Chatwood, S, Illasiak, V. “Youth Driven Par-
ticipatory Research in Aklavik, NWT.” Paper presented at
the 14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health,
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009.
2008
»» Li, YA, Brassard, P, Wong, T, Severini, A, Corriveau, A,
Chatwood, S, Johnson, G, Sobol, I, Hanley, B, & Mao, Y.
“The Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus and Its Impact
on Cervical Dysplasia in Northern Canada.” Paper pre-
sented at the 14th International Congress on Circumpolar
Health, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, July 11-16,
2009.
»» Lys, C. “Listening to the Youth: Understanding the Bar-
riers and Facilitators to Positive, Empowered, and Safer
Sexual Health among Female Youth in the NWT.” Paper
presented at the 14th International Congress on Circum-
polar Health, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, July
11-16, 2009.
44 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
»» Machalek, K, Chatwood, S, Paulette, L, Becker, G. “De-
velopment of a Perinatal Surveillance System for the
Northwest Territories, Canada.” Paper presented at the
14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yel-
lowknife, Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009.
»» Rawat, R. “Introducing Internet Communications Tech-
nologies to a Northern Health Context: Best Practices and
Potential Implications.” Paper presented at the 14th In-
ternational Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories, July 11-16, 2009.
»» Saudny-Unterberger, H, Angootealuk, H, Onalik, P, Elias,
E, Chatwood, S, Nicholson, A. Young, K., Inuvialuit Settle-
ment Region, Nunatsiavut, and Nunavut Steering Com-
mittees. “A day in the life of the IPY Inuit Health Survey
Ship Team: Participants visiting the CCGS Amundsen.”
Poster presented at the 14th International Congress on
Circumpolar Health, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories,
July 11-16, 2009.
»» Denning, B, Chatwood, C, Hunter, D. “Place of Residence
and Prenatal Care.” Paper presented at the National Gath-
ering of Graduate Students in Aboriginal Health, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, June 25-28, 2009.
»» Lys, C. “Coming of Age: Understanding the Barriers and
Facilitators to Positive, Empowered, and Safer Sexual
Health among Female Youth in the NWT.” Paper presented
at the National Gathering of Graduate Students in Ab-
original Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 25-28, 2009.
»» Denning, B, Chatwood, C, Hunter, D. “Place of Residence
and Neonatal Outcome.” Poster presented at the Canadian
Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Student Confer-
ence, Ottawa, Ontario, May 23-28, 2009.
»» Kurszewski, D. “Youth Driven Participatory Research in
Northern Canada.” Aboriginal Policy Research Conference,
Ottawa, Ontario, March 9-12, 2009.
»» Machalek , K. “Development of a Perinatal Surveillance
System for the Northwest Territories, Canada.” Poster
presented at the 3rd International Meeting on Indigenous
Child Health: Many Voices Into One Song, Albuquerque,
New Mexico, March 6-8, 2009.
»» Denning, B, Chatwood, C, Hunter, D. “Place of Residence
and Neonatal Outcome in Northern Canada.” Poster
presented at Arctic Change 2008, Quebec City, Quebec,
December 9-12, 2008.
»» Illasiak, V., Chatwood, S. “Dietary choices in Aklavik,
youth and elders promoting change.” Paper presented at
Arctic Change 2008, Québec City, Québec, December 9-12,
2008.
»» Machalek, K. “Development of a Perinatal Surveillance
System for the Northwest Territories, Canada.” Poster
presented at Arctic Change 2008, Quebec City, Quebec,
December 9-12, 2008.
 Presentations

Sharing on the land

»» Chatwood, S. “Building partnerships for a health research
network in northern Canada.” Paper presented at the Fifth
Northern Research Forum Open Assembly. Anchorage,
Alaska, September 24-27, 2008.
»» Northwest FASD Partnership. “Preventing FASD: Collabo-
rating on a health determinants approach.” Co-presented
2007 and Earlier
at the International Conference on FASD: Building on our
Strengths, Stone by Stone. Banff, Alberta, May 2008.
»» Northwest FASD Partnership. “Using a virtual commu-
nity of practice to support community-academic research
partnerships on FASD prevention from a women’s health
determinants perspective.” Co-presented at the Commu-
nity University Expo, Victoria, British Columbia, May 4-7,
2008.
»» Chatwood, S. “The Arctic Health Research Network.”
Canadian Rural Partnership, Data Sources and Access for
Rural Communities. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories,
January 2008.
»» Chatwood, S, Healey, G, Butler Walker, J, Kassi, N. “Arctic
Health Research Network – A Pan Northern Initiative.”
CIHR Team in Circumpolar Chronic Disease Prevention
Annual Meeting. Banff, Alberta, April 2007.
»» Chatwood, S. “Development of the Arctic Health Research
Network.” Community Health Research in Labrador:
Listening, Learning and Working Together. Newfoundland
and Labrador, May 2006.

Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010) 45
 In 2009, ICHR commissioned John Rombough, a Łutselk’e-based Dene
artist to create an original logo to better symbolize our hopes and aspirations.

46 Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Five Year Report (2005 - 2010)
 Acknowledgements
The Institute would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors, affiliates, and partners:
 — ICHR.CA —

Find us on

P.O. Box 11050 • Yellowknife, NT X1A 3X7 CANADA

Tel: 867.873.9337 • Fax: 867.873.9338