ChùNet

Chù (water in the Southern Tutchone language) ecosystems can teach us about ourselves and the world around us. When humans, other life and viruses interact with or live in water, they shed their genetic material. One way we can learn from water is by examining this genetic material (eDNA) to determine (for example) which types and how many microbes we leave in our wastewater via eDNA analysis. Water monitoring programs have been established across Canada to cost-effectively track pathogens and respond rapidly to health threats. Although such monitoring covers up to 80% of the population in some provinces, current monitoring is disproportionately in urban environments. There is a need to include more Northern, Rural, Remote and Isolated (NRRI) communities in such water monitoring so they can reap the same health benefits.

NRRI communities face unique challenges, and have needs that differ from urban priorities. Therefore, approaches are needed that reflect community interests, including more wholistic integration of eDNA data with monitoring of traditional food sources. This regional project will therefore initiate a case study for development of a local knowledge and data sharing network for monitoring that reflects community preferences. This project, with joint academic and community co-leadership, will help expand water monitoring capacity, with more inclusion of NRRI communities in monitoring efforts. It is intended to serve as a model for broader national/international use that complements other efforts to aid more inclusive eDNA monitoring.