University of Saskatchewan

Purpose

The project explores how changes to terrestrial, freshwater and coastal ecosystems (sea-ice and coastal processes, freshwater, snow, permafrost thaw, and changing marine ecosystems) impact Inuit youth's mental health and well-being. The interdisciplinary team, with expertise across the physical and social sciences, takes a community-engaged approach to this research, and provides an Inuit-led structure and methodological pathway for community members to themselves determine how these systems are experienced. The project is critical given that Inuit youth remain chronically underrepresented in shaping climate policy.