Northern CommunitiesTransitioning to Resilience

The idea of "contextual fluidity" was included in the Letter of Intent. Where did this idea come from? The "practice model" was developed by Dr. Connie Nelson and Dennis McPherson of Lakehead University. Dr. Nelson is using the concept in her current research on "social capital within place-based settings to enhance food security and thus health and well-being". Here's how Dr. Nelson describes the development of the "contextual fluidity" concept (from http://socialwork.lakeheadu.ca/?display=page&pageid=9):

"In the mid-eighties, colleague Dennis McPherson and I developed a concept Contextual Fluidity (formerly referred to as Contextual Patterning) for describing how formal indigenous (aboriginal) workers negotiated the boundaries between formal and informal organizations and the two cultures of ‘decision-making’. Our initial peer-reviewed publications in this area were quoted and referenced in many subsequent publications and three books on northern practice. Research on this idea lay ‘dormant’ for the ten years that I devoted my career to research administration (Dean of Graduate Studies and Research) and my colleague returned for both LLB and MLB degrees. We have renewed research in this area based on supportive feedback from colleagues and students. The model has to date been published in two peer-reviewed journal articles, presented at a national peer-reviewed workshop, presented at a national peer-reviewed academic conference,used as a teaching module for Ph.D. students in an online course at University of Arizona, and for a Action for Neighborhood Change workshop. Planned activities for 2009 include using Contextual Fluidity in teaching community practice as part of a 4^th year theory course; and within the next two years to write a book on the theory and experiences of Contextual Fluidity. Moreover, Contextual Fluidity presently is the operational structure for the Food Security Research Network that is the catalyst for many interdisciplinary research projects focused on food security. Contextual Fluidity is based on complexity theory which embraces that life just is in being unpredictable, emergent, evolving and adaptable (in contrast to machine like); recognizes that adaptation to change begins with being contextual and simultaneously fluid in one’s responses to specific contexts; embraces density of networks that overlap in contrast to linear, predefined processes; builds on strengths, respects each person’s contributions, and builds open and trusting relationships. We can only act in time and space from who we are. Every point becomes a centre. What may initially be viewed as an apparent limitation can actually be our greatest asset. All connections (both big and small) alter the patterns around us as we ourselves shift. These times of enormous complexity offer tremendous opportunity for transformation."

You can read more about the Conceptual Fluidity concept on the Lakehead University Food Security Research website at http://www.foodsecurityresearch.ca/resources/Contextual%20Fluidity%20Model.pdf.