Using a community-driven approach to identify local forest and climate change priorities in Teslin, Yukon

• Published in: Cogent Social Sciences
• Main Authors: Joleen Timko, Scott Green, Robin Sharples, Adam Grinde
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2015
• Subjects: community-driven research; participatory research; boreal forest; climate change; traditional and local knowledge; Social Sciences; H; Yukon; Teslin; tlingit
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2015.1047564; https://doaj.org/article/bbb7004c13a544ecb17713289144d8e1

The likelihood of addressing the complex environmental, economic, and social/cultural issues associated with local climate change impacts is enhanced when collaborative partnerships with local people are established. Using a community-centered approach in the Teslin region of Canada’s Yukon Territory, we utilized our research skills to respond to local needs for information by facilitating both an internal community process to clarify traditional and local knowledge, values, and perceptions on locally identified priorities, while gathering external information to enable local people to make sound decisions. Specifically, we sought to clarify local perceptions surrounding climate change impacts on fire risk and wildlife habitat, and the potential adaptation strategies appropriate and feasible within the Teslin Tlingit Traditional Territory. This paper provides a characterization of the study region and our project team; provides background on the interview and data collection process; presents our key results; and discusses the importance of our findings and charts a way forward for our continued work with the people in the Teslin region. This approach presents an excellent opportunity to help people holistically connect a range of local values, including fire risk mitigation, habitat enhancement, economic development, and enhanced social health.