Traditional Knowledge protecting Canadian Arctic marine environment

John Crump, Senior Science Writer

By GRID-Arendal

September 20^th, 2017

From a distance, the coastline of the Amundsen Gulf appears barren and lifeless. But the land -- and sea – in this part of the Northwest Passage are full of life.

On shore, all you have to do is look down to see the variety of plants that hug the frozen ground. Caribou and muskox tracks are mixed in with the droppings of rabbits and fox. The deep footprint and distinctive claw marks of the region’s most dangerous predator, the grizzly bear, cross a mud flat while overhead Sandhill cranes and Snow geese form up for the long flight south.

The seas are home to Arctic char, cod, eels, beluga whales, polar bears and several species of migratory birds.

Regional map showing the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area

In early September, the Arctic ground turns brilliant colours. Photo: John Crump

The Inuvialuit of this region have always hunted on the land. But it is the sea which provides the richest storehouse of food. And that’s why the creation of the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area in Darnley Bay last year is so important.

Its boundaries were established based on the knowledge of the local people who have occupied this land for countless generations. The role of Indigenous Peoples in determining the boundaries is guaranteed in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, a regional land claim settlement or modern treaty finalized in the 1980s.

Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam is home to important species on which the 300 people of the community of Paulatuk rely for food. Conserving them is the primary purpose of the protected area, which is closed to development such as mineral or oil and gas exploration.

“This community is very special,” says Maya March, the manager of the adjacent Tuktut Nogait National Park. “We would rather not develop than threaten traditional lifestyles.”

John Kudlak is the former head of the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee. Kudlak says the four small communities in the region got together in 2008 to begin work on establishing a marine protected area.

John Kudlak, the former head of the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee. Photo: John Crump

Local knowledge was used to define the boundaries of the park. Photo: Oceans North

Local harvesters are working with federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other researches, collecting samples that are then used for monitoring purposes. These samples go towards developing a baseline “to monitor changes in the food chain” to help determine the health of local populations, he says.

Inuvialuit are the “eyes and ears” of the area, Kudlak says. “We are looking for unusual sightings, deformities in seals, fish or polar bears.” If they find anything out of the ordinary, samples are sent for analysis.

While the combination of traditional knowledge and modern research techniques is groundbreaking, Kudlak says it’s also an opportunity to educate young people.

“We’re encouraging grades 9 to 12 students (approximately 14-18 years old) to work with us in the summer,” he says. “Maybe if they enjoy it they can set a goal to be a biologist and open their minds to know there are unlimited possibilities.”