Learning the diverse Indigenous meanings of water governance and resiliency is critical to addressing ongoing drinking water crises in remote Indigenous communities in Canada. Many such communities continue to face long-term drinking water advisories, aging and inadequate infrastructure, contamination risks from surrounding land use, and limited jurisdiction over water decision-making. Indigenous communities hold distinct cultural and relational epistemologies of water, yet dominant resilience frameworks often overlook these perspectives, further compounding water insecurity in remote contexts. Guided by a relational theoretical framework and a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, this study sought to understand Indigenous meanings of drinking water governance and resiliency through engagement with a rural and remote First Nation community, [the community], located in Treaty 4 territory, Saskatchewan. Data were generated through a water-sharing circle with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members, creating a respectful space for collective reflection on lived experiences, responsibilities, and relationships with water. Findings demonstrate that Indigenous traditional knowledge and practices are central to community understandings of water governance and resiliency. For participants, water resiliency is not defined solely by infrastructure or supply, but by living well with water in ways that ensure intergenerational access, uphold cultural practices, and maintain reciprocal responsibilities to the land and all living beings. These insights highlight the importance of self-determined, Indigenous-led approaches to water governance. The study underscores the limitations of current water protection strategies and offers contributions relevant to Indigenous communities, policymakers, and researchers seeking more equitable and culturally grounded responses to drinking water insecurity.
This study presents a qualitative analysis of eight focus groups conducted in November 2024 to examine public perceptions, misconceptions, and informational needs related to low-dose radiation (LDR). Participants from diverse backgrounds discussed trust in science, perceived risk, personal experience, media influence, and expert communication. Initial uncertainty and skepticism were common, with many conflating LDR with high-dose exposure and nuclear accidents. Conflicting media portrayals, limited educational resources, and distrust of industry-funded research compounded this uncertainty. Trust in scientific authority was conditional: participants valued academic and government-backed research but were cautious of findings influenced by politics or corporations. Canadian studies were generally perceived as more credible than US research due to differences in regulatory and accountability frameworks. Risk perception was not static; expert presentations clarified the natural presence of radiation and its medical and environmental applications, leading to shifts in understanding in some groups, though skepticism persisted in others. Personal experiences, such as undergoing radiation therapy, and media representations shaped interpretations of risk. Across all groups, participants emphasized the need for transparent, emotionally resonant, and audience-specific communication. Recommendations included using trained science communicators, leveraging multimedia tools and social media platforms, and providing public health resources such as radon test kits and more precise risk-benefit explanations. Findings suggest that knowledge, experience, media, and institutional trust influence the public's understanding of LDR. Targeted, empathetic communication, combined with transparency in research, can foster a more informed public discourse. These insights have implications for public health communication, policymaking, and strategies to engage audiences on complex scientific topics (e.g., LDR) in a skeptical, media-saturated environment.
This study explores the intersectional impacts of flood disasters on minority health within the unique context of Bangladesh's wetlands. Focusing on minority communities, it investigates the disproportionate vulnerabilities and health challenges they face during and after floods compared to the mainstream population. The research focuses into the intricate intersections of socio-economic disparities, cultural practices, and religious identity, examining how these factors contribute to heightened risks and hindered access to essential resources for minority communities. The study assesses community-based adaptations undertaken by these minorities to enhance their resilience in the face of recurrent flood disasters. Learning from decolonial research approach, including interviews, surveys, and participant observations, the findings aim to illuminate the nuanced dynamics of minority health and the effectiveness of community-driven strategies in mitigating the adverse impacts of floods. The study contributes valuable insights to the discourse on inclusive disaster management, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive and community-based approaches for promoting health equity and resilience among minority populations in the unique environmental context of Bangladesh's wetlands.
This study examines public perceptions of low-dose radiation (LDR) and small modular reactors (SMRs) to inform strategies for improving nuclear literacy and acceptance. Survey results revealed that, despite high levels of formal education, knowledge of radiation was limited. Most participants relied on media rather than scientific sources. Expert-led presentations noticeably increased perceptions of LDR safety. Opinions on SMRs were divided, with notable concerns about proximity to residential areas. Emotional responses to SMRs were largely neutral, with signs of cautious optimism. The findings underscore the need for accessible, evidence-based communication and public engagement to foster informed support for nuclear technologies in achieving climate goals.
This paper examines Indigenous community-led water governance at Star Blanket First Nation, emphasizing the critical role of traditional land-based knowledge, cultural teachings, and decolonial frameworks in advocating for Indigenous water governance and self-determination. Through collaborative research, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and youth outline culturally embedded water protection practices that ceremonial responsibilities, land-based learning, and relational governance. Following decolonial and relational learning responsibility, this study explores systemic barriers, including challenging western water policies and industrial contamination. It highlighted the adaptions in Indigenous water protection methods and the transformative potential of integrating these practices within existing governance structures. This participatory study used collective sharing circles and storytelling methods with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, water protectors, and youth. Our study suggests that sustainable water governance must prioritize Indigenous self-determination, community-driven monitoring, and intergenerational knowledge transfer to address ongoing water insecurity. This research highlights the need for policy reforms that honor Indigenous treaties, traditional land-based practices, and environmental stewardship.
Indigenous Peoples worldwide have long understood that water is not a resource to be managed, but a living relative with spirit, agency, and sustainability. This community-led research article draws from decolonial story sharing, land-based conversations, and water ceremonies conducted with Starblanket Cree First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan, Canada. Drawing from community-led decolonial story sharing held with the Starblanket Cree First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan, Canada, the study examines how Indigenous water science contributes to relational, ethical, and community-led approaches to sustainable water governance and water healing. Focusing on relationality, ceremony, and collective responsibility, the Starblanket Cree First Nation's water activities and teachings show that sustainable water governance must be understood as an ethical and spiritual practice rooted in reciprocity, rather than as a technical exercise.
An ethnographic study employing 72 qualitative interviews with agricultural producers and associated water decision-makers concerning farm climate change adaptation in Saskatchewan, Canada concludes that farm size matters. Inductively we established a distinction of 2025 hectares as the differentiation between small and large agricultural farms; very small farms (less than 810 hectares) and one very large farm (51,030 hectares) were most vulnerable. Our research deviates from prior research that has concluded either large or small farms are more adaptive. In Saskatchewan, large farms mitigate climate impact risk of drought or flood over a bigger area, and have institutional and financial capacity to undertake adaptations. However, small farmers embrace more adaptation through environmental farm practices. Unlike other areas of the world where farms are becoming smaller and fragmenting, the trend is toward larger farms. Farmers thought of their farms as businesses; however, their multi-generational connection to the land was strong, and the concept of sustainability was rejected as farmers wanted to leave the land in a better state for future generations. The most important adaptive strategy identified, regardless of size, was ensuring the financial health of a farm through cashflow and the ability to pay expenses and debt.
This paper critically explores Indigenous women-led climate change solutions through an anti-racist lens. Indigenous communities, particularly women, have long been disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. However, they also possess invaluable knowledge and resilience rooted in their deep connection to the land and environment. Centering Indigenous women's voices and experiences, this reflection aims to shed light on their innovative strategies, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and countering their intersecting oppressions. Following decolonial and relational theoretical frameworks, we learned that Indigenous women's leadership and traditional land-based knowledge offer unique perspectives and solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change. It emphasizes the importance of building respectful and reciprocal relationships, actively listening to Indigenous voices, and amplifying their calls for justice and equity. Indigenous women helped us to learn how to challenge systemic injustices and work towards collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable climate solutions that center Indigenous women's knowledge, leadership, and self-determination. We can forge a path toward a more just and resilient future for all by uplifting Indigenous voices.
This paper offers an in-depth exploration of the critical role played by women within vulnerable wetland communities in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of disaster adaptations. As climate change-induced disasters become increasingly prevalent, it is essential to recognize women's agency, knowledge, and resilience within these communities, and between minority Hindu and majority Muslim women. Employing a feminist framework, this research delves into the nuanced dynamics of gender, faith, and community-based disaster adaptation strategies. Through narratives and stories from local women, the paper unveils the innovative and adaptive approaches often overlooked in conventional disaster management practices, the heightened agency of majority Muslim women and their "witnessing" of the suffering of the minority Hindu women. It highlights the intersectionality of gender, faith, poverty, and environmental vulnerability, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by women in wetland areas, especially vulnerable Indigenous and Hindu minority women. The findings of this paper underscore the need for more inclusive, gender-responsive disaster policies and programs, and call for a shift away from top-down approaches to more participatory, community-led solutions. By amplifying the voices and experiences of local women in Bangladesh, this paper contributes to a broader discourse on sustainable disaster adaptation strategies, ultimately striving for greater equity and resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
Public understanding of low-dose radiation (LDR) is often limited, which may affect support for emerging nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs). This study aimed to assess whether targeted infographics could improve LDR understanding and influence SMR support, interpreting the findings through the lens of the social license to operate (SLO). Two types of infographics were developed: one used natural analogies to compare natural and artificial sources of radiation, and the other focused on LDR protection procedures in hospitals and nuclear power plants. Their impact was evaluated using pre- and post-infographic surveys and focus group discussions. Results were analyzed using binary logistic regression, with infographic type, gender, age, income, and education as independent variables, and SMR support as the dependent variable. Both infographics increased support for SMRs in Alberta and Saskatchewan. However, in Ontario—the only province currently generating nuclear power—the natural analogy infographic led to a slight decrease in support. These findings are discussed within the SLO framework, emphasizing the need for context-specific communication strategies in nuclear policy engagement.
One of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), SDG 7, is to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” This goal addresses the need for environmental sustainability while highlighting energy’s vital role in promoting social and economic justice. It calls for sustainable, affordable, modern, and reliable energy usage for the health and well-being of society while mitigating climate change. Here, we briefly review available literature and data to examine how renewable energy, food security, and sustainability are interconnected in Arctic countries and regions, and how these regions can “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” and progress towards achieving food self-sufficiency by integrating renewable energy sources into food production systems. We analyze several case studies to draw conclusions on how Arctic communities can become resilient, sustainable, and economically prosperous by promoting local food production while preserving cultural practices.
This paper offers an in-depth exploration of the critical role played by women within vulnerable wetland communities in Bangladesh, particularly in the context of disaster adaptations. As climate change-induced disasters become increasingly prevalent, it is essential to recognize women’s agency, knowledge, and resilience within these communities, and between minority Hindu and majority Muslim women. Employing a feminist framework, this research delves into the nuanced dynamics of gender, faith, and community-based disaster adaptation strategies. Through narratives and stories from local women, the paper unveils the innovative and adaptive approaches often overlooked in conventional disaster management practices, the heightened agency of majority Muslim women and their “witnessing” of the suffering of the minority Hindu women. It highlights the intersectionality of gender, faith, poverty, and environmental vulnerability, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by women in wetland areas, especially vulnerable Indigenous and Hindu minority women. The findings of this paper underscore the need for more inclusive, gender-responsive disaster policies and programs, and call for a shift away from top-down approaches to more participatory, community-led solutions. By amplifying the voices and experiences of local women in Bangladesh, this paper contributes to a broader discourse on sustainable disaster adaptation strategies, ultimately striving for greater equity and resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
Mobilizing efforts for active contributions to sustainable societies is an increasingly important task, particularly given the escalating impacts of climate change affecting site specific locations in various intensities. In this article, we explore stories of municipal priorities for sustainability as generated through the Governing Sustainable Municipalities (GSM) project in Saskatchewan, Canada. Through the Deleuzoguattarian concept of the refrain, we question what is actually sustained in sustainability to move to a critical examination of what sustainability does through ontological relationality. Rather than suggesting a universal definition of sustainability, we open up pathways of sustainability policy making and implementation as situated within localized place-based responsiveness to social, environmental, and economic threats; actualizing participatory governance and educational pathways to engender problematization and politicization in reimagining sustainability for different temporal horizons. This article contributes to existing conceptual Deleuzoguattarian work by adding important empirical connections and contributing to the field of critical environmental education.
Arctic food systems blend Traditional Ecological Knowledge with modern, often energy-intensive influences, triggered by colonization. Food systems’ future depends on alignment of tradition with innovation, facilitation of resilience and a heritage-driven interaction with the global economy – at a pace determined by local communities.