Dechinta Bush University Centre for Research and Learning
Name | Phone Number | ||
Primary Contact | Catherine Lafferty | catherine@dechinta.ca | (867) 445-9061 |
Secondary Contact | Mandee McDonald | mandee@dechinta.ca | (867) 445-1897 |
Download Dechinta Bush University Centre for Research and Learning profile as a PDF document
Owner
Dechinta Bush University/Blachford Lake Lodge
Membership
Regular Member
Website
www.dechinta.ca
Latitude
62.165386
Longitude
-112.6837825
Location
17-mile freshwater lake, Boreal ecosystem adjacent to Great Slave Lake within unique geophysical rare-earth complex.
Nearest Community
Yellowknife, (3 hrs snowmobile, 20 min. float/ski plane, 30 min helicopter)
Territory/ Province
Northwest Territories
Aboriginal Government/ Homeland
Chief Drygeese, Akaitcho Treaty 8 Yellowknives Dene First Nation Territory
Facility Type
Year-Round Research Station
Research Hinterland
Discontinuous Permafrost, Freshwater, Lake, Taiga / Boreal forest, Terrestrial
Main Research Disciplines
Anthropology, Archaeology, Astrophysics, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Biochemistry, Climatology, Environmental Sciences, Geology and Sedimentology, Geophysics, Geocryology, Geomorphology, Human Biology/Wellness, Hydrology, Limnology, Mapping/GIS, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Sociology, Soil Science, Terrestrial Biology/Ecology, Traditional/Aboriginal Knowledge
Current Projects
Dechinta is currently involved in multiple research projects, including digital economies, gaming and story-telling, knowledge economy, resiliency and health, land-based education impacts, Indigenous pedagogy,Indigenous Boreal Guardians, and sustainable remote development
Power
Generator, Solar, Wind
Communications
Satellite phone, VHF, Internet, Computer, Printer/scanner, Fax
Local Transportation
Access by skidoo, float or ski plane and helicopter from Yellowknife
Equipment Storage
Heated and un-heated storage available, including sample storage
Dormitory/Sleeping Facilities
5 Lodge rooms + 5 log-cabins (wood and pellet heat + electricity), winterized tent-frames x 15.
Dining/Kitchen Facilities
Full commercial kitchen with cook, large post-and-beam lodge, common facilities, dining room and break-out/classroom spaces.
Laboratory Facilities
Multi-purposes spaces and tent frames have been set up as mobile wet lab, dry lab and geophyisical lab
Fuel Availability
Diesel, Jet A + B and boat, skidoo and chainsaw gas/oil
Research Requirements
All research in the NWT must be licensed in accordance with the Aurora Research Institute http://www.nwtresearch.com/, process of which includes permission process with the host First Nation YKDFN.
Special Rules and Regulations
N/A
Local External Resources
Weather station, sampling stores, experimental boreal and arctic permaculture greenhouses and food security projects, composting waste systems, Elder Professors and experienced guides
Nearest Medical Service
WFA on-site, emergency response coordinated on-site to Yellowknife (30min)
Safety Considerations
Boreal Bush environment. Recommended that all researchers have predator defense, or work with an assigned wildlife monitor during field work. Mandatory compliance with safety plans and facility guidelines.
Cost
Scaling rates depending on accommodation and facility requirement starting at basic room and board + additional for equipment, guides, etc., as needed
Other Information
Post and Beam Lodge 5 bedrooms, 3 lounges/classrooms, large conference room, offices, composting toilet, solar/wind, on-demand hot-water and laundry, 5 log cabins with full electricity, 15 tent-frames, lab additional accommodation. 45 in the winter 100+ in the summer months. 12 aluminum boats, dog team, skidoos. Organic gardens, sauna, hot tub, tee-pees, canoes, kayaks, helipad and float and ski plane access. Open all seasons. Large populations of bear, moose, loons and other small mammals and waterfowl.
Last Updated
2016-03-30