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The desire to understand and account
for population and demographic changes in rural/northern communities has
motivated a Manitoba focused youth migration study undertaken by provincial and federal
government representatives, researchers, students, and community
representatives. With this project, Rural Team Manitoba’s Youth
Standing Committee research team intends to develop increased clarity
around the nature of and reasons for rural/northern youth migration.
A key goal of this research is to speak with Manitoban rural/northern
youth from a selection of regions to develop a nuanced and
multi-perspective understanding of their experiences in rural/northern
communities, their intentions to leave or stay, and the motivations for
leaving, staying, or returning to these smaller communities. A case
study approach will be adopted to focus on three regions of
Manitoba: Francophone communities, Northern communities, and
Parkland
communities.
The research project has three key objectives:
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Investigate the extent of youth
migration from rural/northern communities
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Explore reasons for migration
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Provide data to assist
communities, regions, government departments and others to identify
opportunities to keep youth in Manitoba
and to attract youth back to rural/northern communities.
To ensure a collaborative approach to the research, a project steering
committee has been established to assist in research design and
implementation. The project is considered a two phase research
project with a literature review and secondary data analysis completed
in the first phase, and interviews and data analysis completed in the
second phase. Examining existing literature and using secondary
data from multiple sources will develop an understanding of the scope of
youth migration as well as inform the development of population pyramids
for the three regions. Being a multi-method project using a
case-study approach, and to gain further insight into instances of
rural/northern youth migration, qualitative information will be gathered
using focus groups, semi-structured interviews, participant observation,
and content analysis.
At least one focus group discussion
will occur in each of the three regions selected with rural/northern
youth (youth being defined as those between the ages of 18 and 34
years). Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted in each
region with youth and community representatives. Community based
organizations, such as employment centres, community development
corporations, schools, and municipal offices will assist in generating
youth participation for both the focus groups and interviews.
This project will be coordinated by
the Rural Development Institute (RDI) at
Brandon University; a partnership has been established with le Conseil de développement
économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba
(CDEM) to facilitate research in the three regions. This research
project is supported by Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth; Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern
Affairs; and the Rural Secretariat.
For more information contact
Dr. Robert Annis, Director
Rural
Development Institute
Brandon University
Ph: 204-571-8515 or annis@brandonu.ca
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