CRIAW Presents: FemNorthNet Investigating the downside to ‘up’

Who we are. We represent: the Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) - We are the only women’s organization that focuses on nurturing feminist research

Why is Feminist Research Important? -Because it advances social justice and equality for ALL women (including you) -Because it promotes advocacy and education for women

We got funding for a new research project! This project is called FemNorthNet. FemNorthNet will go where few research initiatives have gone before – to Canada’s North! Funded by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Community-University Research Alliance (CURA)

What is FemNorthNet trying to investigate? We already know: BUT we now want to know: that new industries have arrived in northern Canada and this changed your community socially, economically, and culturally. HOW these new economic developments affect you, women in Northern communities? WHAT can be done to improve women’s quality of life in Northern communities? HOW these new economic developments affect you, women in Northern communities? WHAT can be done to improve women’s quality of life in Northern communities?

In short, FemNorthNet investigates…. the downside to ‘up’ that cannot be ignored

4 Research Questions that Guidethis Study a)What are women’s experiences of economic restructuring and related community transformations in the North? b)How do economic development plans and programs for the community address these experiences?

c)What can women do collectively to address their experiences and any gaps in community or economic development initiatives? d)What do women’s experiences and responses teach Canadians about how to add economic restructuring and related community transformations?

Where is our research taking place? La Loche, SK – Located in Northern Saskatchewan Thompson, MN. – Located in Northern Manitoba Happy Valley – Goose Bay, NL - Located in central Labrador

Who is involved? FemNorthNet will be working with many partners in 3 communities. – 2 municipal officials – 6 community-based organizations – 3 national organizations – 9 researchers from 6 universities

Who else is involved? Hopefully… You, the expert! **Because you know your community best, YOU SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THE RESEARCH FROM BEGINNING TO END.

PAR is a type of research that we choose to use. This type of research is community driven PAR looks like this: Participatory Action Research (PAR) Researchers (Us) Researchers (Us) Community Members (YOU) Community Members (YOU) * taking action together* PAR Takes Place in Your Northern Community CHANGE

PAR is intends to: value all your inputs train you to do research be relevant to your community “PAR is all about empowering you to create change – the type of change that YOU want to see for your own community”

“Now, remember how we said that this research regards ALL different types of women?” We actually mean it! We even have a research framework that makes sure ALL women are being properly represented! Introducing… The “INTERSECTIONAL FEMINIST FRAMEWORK (IFF)”

IFF: “The person is a product of interacting social categories.” Race Ethnicity Language Religion Immigration Status Gender Family Status Age Geographic Location Income Occupation Ability Indigeneity Education Sexuality ♀ V Heritage/History

What Research Themes Guide Our Research? Community Infrastructure and economic development Community engagement and governance Community inclusions and exclusions Migration, immigration and mobility

Community Infrastructure and Economic Development Will examine priority infrastructure issues within each of the communities. Eg. Economic infrastructure such as roads and bridges is just one type of infrastructure. *Social infrastructure such as accessible childcare, housing, and social services should also be integrated into the community. Infrastructure will be regarded as a human right

Community Engagement and Governance Investigating how women’s involvement can make a difference to bring a different view of politics. Exploring strategies to involve women in decision-making. In short: “How can we get women from our community to influence our politics?”

Community Inclusions and Exclusions Who is and is not seen as being part of the community? – How this affect resource and power distribution – Do community practices and structures ignore the range of women’s needs? In short: “Who are ignored? What are their needs and how are they ignored? How does this affect them?” “Who are the privileged? How does it benefit them?”

Migration, Immigration and Mobility How are women affected by migration, immigration and the need for ongoing mobility to find work? In other words, what happens to and in your community when workers come from away for short periods? How do you deal with your partner’s absence and presence to work away?

What do we hope to do by the end? -Understand women’s diverse experiences and improve the quality of women’s lives in Northern communities. -Identify, implement, and evaluate strategies for women to influence economic development plans -Strengthen public policy -Share the research findings

In Short… This is a safe place to express yourself! Get your voice heard and you deserve to take control of your own community!

“Don’t leave without leaving something behind!”