Centre for Northern Studies Participatory Photography Project Showcased at Iceland Conference

(June 14, 2011 – Thunder Bay, ON) Two researchers associated with Lakehead's Centre for Northern Studies will attend the 7th International Congress of the Arctic Social Sciences(ICASS) Conference in Akureyri, Iceland, June 22 - 26, 2011, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

Dr. Harvey Lemelin, Lakehead University Research Chair, and Lillian Trapper, Land Use Plan Coordinator for Lands & Resources with the Moose Cree First Nation, will present the results of a two-year participatory photography project conducted in cooperation with citizens of the Moose Cree and MoCreebec First Nations.

In an effort to understand better the impact of climate change on the distribution of culturally significant flora and fauna as well as Cree livelihood in the Canadian sub-Arctic, the project explored and documented changes using photo-history and Photovoice. Participatory photography is an excellent tool for community-based research; community members and researchers work together and engage in meaningful dialogue throughout the project.

"This presentation gives the Centre an excellent opportunity to showcase its commitment to First Nations in Northern Ontario," says Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu, Director of the Centre for Northern Studies. "The project also demonstrates the benefits of conducting participatory research with First Nations detailed in Chapter 9: Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada in the revised Tri-Council Policy Statement on the Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans."

The Centre for Northern Studies will be well represented at the ICASS conference as other centre members make presentations on education in Nunavut, the social economy of the Canadian Arctic, wildlife management, and tourism resilience in the Canadian North.

- 30 -

Media: Dr. Lemelin and Lillian Trapper are available for media interview. To arrange interviews, please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 orcommun@lakeheadu.ca.