Health and Environment

The Health and Environment Division of IRC was established in 2004. Every year it accesses approximately $150,000 in funding from the following: ArcticNet; Network Centre of Excellence, Nasivvik; and Centre for Inuit Health and Changing Environments, Northern Contaminants Program.

As part of the funding conditions, the Health and Environment Coordinator at IRC also acts as an Inuit Research Advisor (IRA) for the ISR. An IRA is available in each of the Inuit region across Canada - Inuvialuit, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunasiavut (Labrador).

Health and Environment Coordinator

  1. Develop a long-term communications strategy/plan for the ISR on education and communication for use within the region and with other Inuit regions in the development of a national Inuit communications strategy.
  2. Sit on committees and councils such as the NWT Environmental Contaminants Committee, Inuit Advisory Council, and the ARI Research Advisory Council, Arctic Health Research Network and the Inuit Research Advisors Committee.
  3. Promote northern needs, concerns and issues relating to climate change, contaminants and health for beneficiaries in the ISR.
  4. Provide quarterly reports on the above issues to the IRC Board.
  5. Develop an IRC proposal to the Northern Contaminants Program based on education and communication priorities set by IRC and manage the projects proposed for the 2007-2008.
  6. Attend national and regional contaminants meeting as and when requested by IRC.

Inuit Research Advisor

  1. Deliver and discuss the progress and results of research or activities occurring under Northern Contaminants Program, ArcticNet or Nasivvik organizations with the ISR.
  2. Assist researchers and students undergoing community consultation or research in the ISR.
  3. Provide Inuit Research Advisor Support:
  4. Work daily with Northern Contaminants Program, ArcticNet and Nasivvik as a regional Inuit Research Advisor for the ISR which includes attending monthly IRA teleconferences.
  5. Identify opportunities to fund and train educators, researchers, students and beneficiaries.
  6. Develop a list of priority research issues in the region under the themes of a) food, nutrition ands health; b) healthy homes; c) Inuit knowledge and d) contaminants.
  7. Identify funding for research projects, provide guidance on ongoing projects, communicate results and aid in the development of research guidelines for the ISR.
  8. Learn about, monitor and communicate research to beneficiaries of the ISR to ensure best practices, training opportunities and community involvement.
  9. Provide midterm and year end reports on the above activities to Northern Contaminants Program, ArcticNet and Nasivvik.

For more information, please contact Tamara Hansen, Inuit Research Advisor, Community Development Division, at 867.777.7026 or thansen@irc.inuvialuit.com.