Data supporting the project "Agent Based Modeling as a Tool to Investigate Comprehensive Indigenous Health Impacts of Flooding\

GeoNetwork record: www.gwfnet.net/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/6e3783bc-6ba0-49b1-98ac-06917282bc73

Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, sharing circles, participatory mapping, participatory drawing (rich pictures), agent-based rule generation in sharing circles, evaluative data (counts) of scenarios modelled and characteristic of model runs in each community. This dataset includes:
- Database and systematic review of effects of floods in Indigenous community from academic and grey literature
- Transcripts of interviews, focus groups, sharing circles, with community members on effects of flooding on reserves
- Maps created using participatory mapping activities and community tours
- Rich pictures (participatory drawings) made with youth
- Agent rules for agent-based models based on previous data
- Evaluative data of ABM use in two communities

Grounded by diverse mixed methods data sources, we developed two models of communities with ABM to assess and investigate comprehensive impacts on Indigenous communities from flooding and demonstrate the model’s capability as an operational tool for evaluating and supporting health services, emergency planning and management measures. We will contribute to the sustainability of Indigenous communities and their environments by providing a tool to investigate complex interactions and feedbacks between human and natural systems and to communicate understanding of flooding impacts and improvements to mitigation measures. The process for co-creating the models will be applied towards other unresolved public health and water issues including Canada’s most pressing public health issue - drinking water in Indigenous Nations.

Agent-based models are computer models for simulating the interactions of decision-makers in a network to assess their impacts on the system. ABMs model complex patterns and interactions between individuals, and provide insight into what drives behaviours. Flooding is an issue for many Indigenous communities. Saskatchewan communities have experienced much flooding. Incidents of evacuation occurred over a series of years. James Smith Cree Nation has experienced 4-5 consecutive years of flooding and has had to issue a state of emergency. At the same time, the Red Cross (CRC) was providing services to 6 Manitoba Nations impacted by ice-jam flooding on the Saskatchewan River. Flooding has long-term impacts on communities. In April 2013, 11 First Nations of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council declared a state of emergency and as of 2016 were still dealing with impacts of flooding from 3 years previous.

Assessments of the long-term needs of First Nations affected by flooding noted management and recovery needs require efforts to address physical, emotional and social health. Recommendations included actions aimed at advancing health, social and emergency plans and services. Effective management takes coordination from agencies including the First Nations and local, municipal, provincial and federal agents. These groups need to work together to provide five major pillars (promotion, prevention, protection, education and surveillance) of public health. We are using ABM to support planning and coordination for improved health risk management and decision making with two partnered communities.

Model name: Agent-based model of flooding on reserves (1 for James Smith, 1 for yellow Quill)
Model version number: Anylogic 8.1
Model source/webpage: Custom built by computer science graduate student
Model output pre-processing script: N/A
Model output post-processing script: N/A
Model setup: N/A
Time step: Minutes, hours, days, weeks
Initial condition: Pre-flood
Boundary condition: Watersheds as defined by WWF for each reserve
Additional information: The simulations and outputs are property of each Indigenous partner community and protected by OCAP