Wellbeing. Kent Spiers PhD Candidate University of Calgary ReSDA - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Northern Exposure: A Comparison Study of Alaska and Yukon Models of Measuring Community Wellbeing.

Kent Spiers PhD Candidate University of Calgary ReSDA October 27th 2016

Question

What are the similarities and difference in models

• f measuring community

wellbeing in Alaska and the Yukon ? What was the level of local input in the construction of the models?

Introduction

• Research suggests that communities

successful in establishing an agreed upon model of measuring community wellbeing will benefit from local

• wnership of community affairs, such

as greater decision-making, a larger capture of material wealth, and empowerment over resource management.

• This thesis highlights the need to

investigate models in the Arctic that address; the clash between mainstream and Indigenous measures

• f wellbeing, the lack of accurate and

longitudinal data, remoteness, lack of infrastructure, and small population sizes.

The Notion of Wellbeing

• Rooted in philosophic perspectives of

hedonic and eudemonic traditions. (Ryan and Deci 2001)

• NASA
• 60’s: Department of Health, Education,

and Welfare called for wellbeing to include health and illness.

• Gross National Happiness.
• 70’s: Social Indicators Movement

included both economic and non- economic indicators of wellbeing.

• WHO

Definition of Wellbeing

The combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural and political conditions identified by individuals and their communities as essential for them to flourish and fulfill their potential. (Center for Spirituality & Healing and Charlson Meadows 2013).

Model of Measuring Community Wellbeing

Methods

• 1. Assessment of the level of local input from

community residents.

• Reviewed publications related to each model.
• Asked respondents about their involvement in

particular models.

• Checked background information for each

model

2833 774 539 447 421 349 256 251 210 180 156 151

Alaska and Yukon Frequency Counts Combined

• 2. Experimental Content analysis using keywords from the

literature and supported by respondents.

• 3. Qualitative analysis of

interviews.

• Conducted 8

interviews.

• Transcribed and coded

into themes

• Definitions of

Community. Wellbeing, Indicators to measure wellbeing, social ills, culture, aboriginal peoples, education and employment.

Pseudonym Gender Region of Study Occupational background

John Male Alaska Environmental Anthropologist Patsy Female Alaska Biologist Estelle Female Alaska Economist Rose Female Yukon Community Capacity Consultant Dennis Male Alaska Resource Development Consultant Betty Female Alaska Anthropologist Eddie Female Yukon Community Development Specialist Dorothy Female Alaska Educator

List of Models

Name Region Organization Type of Indicators

Eagle Gold Project Central Yukon Victoria Gold Corp. Quantitative & Qualitative Yukon Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Strategy Yukon Territory Government of the Yukon. Department of Health and Social Services Quantitative & Qualitative Community Wellbeing Index Canada – focus on Yukon findings for this study. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Quantitative Shareholder Employment at Red Dog Mine North West Arctic Borough, Alaska Institute of Social and Economic Research Quantitative

• Live. Work. Play.

Municipality of Anchorage Anchorage Economic Development Corporation Quantitative Destination 2020 Municipality of Anchorage Anchorage School District Quantitative

Health

2833 774 539 447 421 349 256 251 210 180 156 151

Alaska and Yukon Frequency Counts Combined

Health

“I think everyone in my community is depressed.” “We need to have trained people to actually deal with the trauma that we are going through. We have suicide, alcohol, very risky behaviors and chronic diseases. We need education and then start implementing our own cultural ways to address these issues.”

Overall Results

• Most models used limited or no local

input.

• Community members need to be included

in all aspects of model design. Those not consulted felt resentment or totally rejected the model.

• Models need to incorporate both
• bjective and subjective indicators (e.g.

GDP, income, self-reported levels of satisfaction with community services, and happiness and worry) that are agreed upon by community members.

• There is growing tension around the lack
• f direct action and funding to improve

local living conditions.

Results in Action?

Fogo Island, Newfoundland Shorefast foundation

“A dream for my community would be to have a holistically healthy community; where people are laughing and smiling because they feel good and where peoples’ basic needs are met and

• ur people don’t have to

struggle with past issues of abuse or addictions. Where there is an open forum for them to discuss those things.” – Diyet van Lisehout

Thank you

Kent Spiers, PhD Candidate University of Calgary Arctic Institute of North America kspiers@ucalgary.ca