To work in the NWT, researchers must make sure their work follows territorial and regional laws, policies and protocols.

Territory-Wide Legislation and Guidance

Legislation

• NWT Health Information Act: Research that uses medical data records or time in hospitals requires a review under the Health Information Act and a research agreement with the hospitals. This process is coordinated through the Department of Health and Social Services Research Coordinator.
• NWT Scientists Act: This Act manages all research not involving wildlife in the NWT and is administered by the Aurora Research Institute.
• NWT Scientists Act regulations
• NWT Health Professions Act: This Act regulates the designated health and social services professions of the NWT.

Guidance

• Department of Health and Social Services Research Q&A
• Aurora Research Institute: Scientific Research Licensing
• Email the Department of Health and Social Services Research Coordinator

Regional Protocols and Policies

• Dedats’eetsaa | Tłı̨chǫ Research and Training Institute
  • The Tłı̨chǫ Research Agenda provides key context and direction about Tlicho research priorities and methodologies as well as a database of completed research.

• Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute:
  • Conducting Traditional Knowledge Research in the Gwich’in Settlement Area: A Guide for Researchers outlines best practices for research in the Gwich'in Settlement Area, including a checklist for researchers and expectations for reporting back, translation/interpretation and presentations to Chief and Council.
  • Researcher Information provides guidance to researchers on how to approach their research project in the Gwich'in Settlement Area.
  • Email the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute Research Director 
• Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board:
  • 2013-2018 Research Priorities
  • Research Interests Summary

• Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
  • Guidelines for Research in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region sets out in detail what the IRC is looking for in a draft research plan and what a researcher can expect, including timelines.
  • IFA-101 is an eLearning program created by the IRC to increase understanding of Inuvialuit rights and importance of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA).
• Inuit Tapiirit Kanatami
  • Negotiating Research Relationships With Inuit Communities, A Guide For Researchers
  • National Inuit Strategy on Research

• Northwest Territories Metis Nation: Research in the South Slave of the NWT

• Sambaa K’e Dene Band: Policy Regarding the Gathering, Use and Distribution Yúndíit’õh (Traditional Knowledge)