www.291filmcompany.ca
www.garthlenz.com
J.D. McKinnon
Research in the Peace-Athabasca Delta
Sarah Baines
www.usask.ca
Objectives
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To share my understanding of the questions PADEMP
wants to study
To provide a timeline of my research
To hear from the PADEMP partners on your priorities
and recommendations for my research
http://pademp.ca/delta-ecology/

A Little About Me
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Grew up in BC but moved to Yellowknife in 2003
Spent a year living in Wekweètì
Worked for the Mackenzie and Wekʼèezhìi Land and
Water Boards, BHP Billiton (EKATI), and the Tlicho
Government (consulting)
Moved to Saskatoon to attend university for a Master’s
degree
My Understanding of the Problem
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PADEMP has produced lots
of information, but the
upstream decision makers
don’t seem to be using it.
PADEMP wants to know why,
and what the partners can
do to influence decisionmaking.
A strategic communications
plan is needed.
My Research


Need to satisfy the needs of PADEMP and the university
requirements for a thesis.
Research Questions:
o What is the legal framework within which PADEMP
works? How is affecting the use of PADEMP
knowledge?
o Is PADEMP knowledge informing decisions related
to water quality and quantity? Which decisions?
o What PADEMP attributes will help increase the use
of PADEMP information in decision making?
Research Timeline
Timeframe
February 2015
June-July 2015
Activity
Proposal approval
Research in the delta communities
(interviews with PADEMP partners)
July-August 2015
Research in Edmonton (interviews
with decision-makers)
Late 2015/Early 2016 Workshop with PADEMP
August 2016
Defend thesis – PADEMP partners
will be provided a copy
PADEMP Input Required

All input welcome but some questions to start the
conversation:
o Will my research questions address your needs?
o Which decision-makers should I talk to?
o Are there any important policy initiatives or
decision processes going on right now?
o Are June and July good months to be in the
communities?
I look forward to working with you!
All photos courtesy of www.pademp.ca/photo-gallery/