“YOU KNOW THE SAYING, THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT YOU HAVE TO WEAR SHADES?” DESCRIBING COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES ON WELLBEING, ENVIRONMENTS AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES WITH THREE REMOTE, OFF-GRID NUNATUKAVUT COMMUNITIES

Abstract

This research aims to support three NunatuKavut Inuit communities – Black Tickle, Norman Bay and St. Lewis (Fox Harbour) – as they identify and pursue sustainable futures. This study builds upon an existing NunatuKavut Community Council Community (NCC) Governance and Sustainability Initiative and related doctoral research by Amy Hudson, who is the Research, Education and Culture Manager at NunatuKavut Community Council. Building from priorities and needs identified by those communities, it draws from decolonial and community-based participatory research methods to help create research that is equitable and collaborative. It uses qualitative methods (focus groups and interviews) to gather and assess community members’ perspectives about wellbeing, land, diesel, renewable energy and sustainable futures. Results are presented in both academic and non-academic (i.e. community report) formats within this thesis. Participants described sustainability in their communities as wholistic and wellbeing is one significant piece of that puzzle. Well-being is connected to the land, the community and the sustainable future of NunatuKavut. Diesel and renewable energy may act as pathways to sustainable futures, but those pathways must be embedded within Inuit communities and ways of being. The findings from this research show that NunatuKavut Inuit have their own conceptions of sustainability, which underline the importance of Inuit decision-making; deep, reciprocal relations with the land; and community and culture in planning for the future. The communities believe in their own sustainable futures and are clear that plans for the future must respect their autonomy, and support resurgence and empowerment of NunatuKavut Inuit.