Social Economy Research

Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada

ICHR Facilitators:

• Rajiv Rawat (NWT Coordinator), Diane Essery (Research Assistant)

Partnerships:

• Chris Southcott (Lakehead University – P.I.), Valoree Walker (Yukon College – Coordinator), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Carleton University, University of Saskatchewan, University of Alberta, Memorial University, Northern Research Institute, Aurora Research Institute, Nunavut Research Institute, Canadian Social Economy Hub

Since 2008, ICHR has served as the NWT coordination node of the Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada (SERNNoCA), a  coalition of university-based researchers and community representatives conducting research relevant to the social economy in Canada’s North. While this northern focus has been important in arriving at a regional understanding of how the social economy functions and the variety of social conditions it faces, the research also aims to survey the full diversity of social economy actors, systems, and practices found in the North. In particular, the research examines the nature and relationship of the social economy to the collectivist traditions of Northern indigenous societies.

“Social economy refers to the grassroots voluntary or non-profit sector outside both the government (public) and private for-profit sectors. In addition to non-governmental organizations, cooperatives, and charitable foundations, the social economy of the North may also embrace many of the traditional economic activities of aboriginal societies given its focus on democratic values that enhance community life.”

Arctic and sub-arctic communities are currently undergoing rapid social, cultural, economic, and environmental change, adding to the already formidable challenges posed by the history, climate, and geography of the Canadian North. However, the social economy as a third sector beyond both public and private, has long played a prominent role and offered tools to help these communities face these challenges as seen by the region’s rich variety of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal third sector organizations. Northern governments, both indigenous and public, can use research on this sector to evolve realistic program and community economic development policies that build on this rich experience while tapping into the emerging scholarship in the field.

In addition to assisting SERNNoCA’s activities in the NWT, ICHR hosts the network’s comprehensive NWT website that highlights SERNNoCA funded research in the NWT, provides information on the local social economy and links to institutes, agencies, organizations, and other  social economy resources.

For more information on ICHR’s role in the network, please visit our nodal website.