University of Guelph hosted OJS journals
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Reversing the trend: lessons learned from young in-migrants in two rural communities in Nova Scotia
No full textTaking its lead from calls to change attitudes of Nova Scotians, this research explores the motivations, experiences, and contributions of young people who are bucking the trend of youth out-migration and rural population decline, and choosing rural lifestyles. Looking beyond the migration decision to what has happened since the move, migrants reveal opportunities to leverage existing human and social capital and to attract and retain young people. Connections between youth and community wellbeing have been identified through the recognition of youth out-migration as a symptom and cause of rural decline, and the presence of young people as an indicator of community success. While the economic impact of in-migrants has been studied in various contexts, their potential holistic contributions to wellbeing warrant further research. This research found that young people were aware of their importance to the future of the community in maintaining services such as local schools, replacing aging volunteers, and bringing the energy of youth more broadly. This presentation will provide an overview of the results of this research from two communities in Nova Scotia, as well as potential lessons learned and next steps for policy makers, community members, and researchers in attracting and retaining young people in rural communities
Exploring the suitability of the Harbour Authority governance system to facilitate effective climate change adaptation
No full textVarious governance institutions in Atlantic Canada will play a critical role as coastal communities develop climate change adaptation strategies. Volunteer operated Harbour Authorities provide critical organization and leadership to commercial fishing harbours in Canada. The Small Craft Harbours (SCH) branch of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans serves as a major source of funding, training and support for Harbour Authorities. How then are Harbour Authorities and SCH prepared to provide adaptation leadership within fisheries? This research looks at nesting, analytic deliberation and institutional variety as criteria with which to analyze a series of qualitative semi-structured interviews with SCH business managers and Harbour Authority presidents in Nova Scotia. Interviews reveal strengths as well as areas of opportunity for adaptive capacity within harbour governance institutions. Results highlight the role of co-management between SCH and Harbour Authorities, the importance of multi-level social connections in developing trust and legitimacy, and the need for more socio-economic indicators of success
University-based researchers supporting rural and remote community resiliency: the First Nations Innovation project
No full textRemote and rural communities are creating innovative local opportunities through partnerships with university supported research initiatives. Universities are heavy-hitters in social and economic spheres in the centres where they are located. Universities shape the minds of the local elite and community leaders within these centres. They are an economic force because of the large number of stable jobs at all levels of the pay scale that support local and regional development. Research undertaken by academic staff can attract significant federal and other outside funding into the region and create local innovation opportunities. However remote and rural communities located some distance away from the universities may experience limited impact unless there is a concerted effort by the university to support their development. My presentation will suggest ways that individual researchers and university research projects can support community development in remote and rural communities, by sharing observations from the First Nation Innovation research project based at the University of New Brunswick
Composing Community: Improvising with Ajay Heble
No full textGeorge Lipsitz reflects on Ajay Heble\u27s ongoing legacy. Lipsitz writes, "When I think of Heble’s impact and importance for the study and practice of improvisation I am reminded of the great Duke Ellington’s role in changing music and its contexts of creation, performance, and reception," going on to explore the similarities between Ellington and Heble\u27s roles as musicians, community builders, and public intellectuals
And After Landing Wrong?
No full textMark Lomanno reflects on the impact of Ajay Heble\u27s work—especially the book "Landing on the Wrong Note"—on his life and career
Utilisation of Teachers\u27 Resource Centres for Continuous Professional Development among Primary School Teachers in Tanzania
No full textMany teachers rarely engage in continuous professional development activities despite having teacher resource centres nearby. The study explored teachers\u27 resource centres (TRCs) uses for effective continuous professional development (CPD) among primary school teachers. The study employed a phenomenological research design where 18 purposefully selected teachers, resource centre coordinators and TRC facilitators participated in an in-depth interview. Also, researchers reviewed key documents to establish the actual use of the TRCs. The findings show teachers understand that the purpose of TRCs is for training that constitutes teachers\u27 CPD. Further, teachers misinterpreted the purpose of TRCs and strategies for utilising them. While some teachers use TRCs as learning and interaction places, others use them as examination centres and meetings for non-academic matters. Lastly, findings show teachers acknowledge the usefulness of teachers\u27 resource centres in enhancing literacy teaching skills and upgrading computer skills. Therefore, TRCs are critical in strengthening CPD despite the prevailing challenges to their proper utilisation, such as insufficient teaching facilities that jeopardise the achievement of their intended goal
A Complex Migration Story: As Told by the Youth of Tumbler Ridge, BC
No full textRural and small-town places across Canada have been undergoing rapid sociodemographic and economic changes since the early 1980s. These changes are the product of the 1980s recession which fostered neoliberal public policies that reduced the role of the state and effectively shifted government initiatives away from community-building. Many communities in northern BC were originally developed to house the working families of the post-war natural resource economy. Since then, service infrastructure has aged, the original workforce is retiring, and many youth and young families have migrated out of these communities. The changing resource economy combined with an unsuitable service infrastructure has changed the nature of rural and small-town places for the young people seeking employment and quality of life within them. In the context of a changing rural, out-migration of local youth and little in-migration of young people has long been identified as a pressing issue. My research explored the migration plans of senior high school students through a mixed methods exploratory case study of Tumbler Ridge, BC. The focus was exploring senior high school students’ feelings about staying, leaving, or returning to their community, and what factors contribute to those decisions. This research is relevant to Tumbler Ridge and other rural and small-town places across BC to improve their understanding of local youth migration and relevant to the academic literature as an important part of the rural story
Planning Community Needs Assessments for Recreation in Three Inuit Communities
No full textThe Hamlets of Arviat (pop. 2657), Kangiqtugaapik/Clyde River (pop. 1053), and Sanikiluaq (pop. 882) are Inuit, fly in communities in Nunavut with heavily youth-skewed populations. In partnership with Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut, we completed community-based consultations for recreation in these communities. Using principles of Participatory Action Research, we developed a needs assessment process that included whole community events, school visits, recreation staff interviews and program reviews, and focus groups to ensure there was input from all stakeholders in each community. The process we designed captured input from community members including Elders, Youth, Parents, the Hamlet Council, and Recreation staff members. From this process, we developed a recreation strategic plan for each community with the goal of developing sustainable recreation built on the unique needs of the community. By amplifying these diverse user groups, we were able to address the challenges for recreation in remote rural Inuit communities while promoting cultural identity and honouring the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit Traditional Knowledge). We will present our model for community needs assessments developed specifically for small Indigenous communities. This model could be adapted and applied to other rural settings