NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: social sciences, dene culture, co-management, traditional knowledge, hunting, wildlife management, food sharing, Metis, harvest sustainability, renewable resources, traditional wildlife use

Objective(s): The Sahtu Settlement Harvest Study is an important project required under the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement (1993). The Sahtu Renewable Resource Board (a co-management board set up under the Claim), is responsible for conducting this project. The Study will count the numbers of fish and wildlife harvested by Sahtu Dene and Metis until April 2003 (5 year study). The Board will use this information to meet two specific objectives : (1) to establish the minimum needs of Sahtu Dene and Metis, and (2) to be used as a tool in natural resource management in the Sahtu.

Project Description: The Harvest Study is a 5 year, 5 community study being conducted in the Sahtu Settlement. Each month, in each community, a local interviewer recommended by the local Renewable Resource Council collects harvest information in their community using a brief face-to-face interview. All adult Sahtu Dene-Metis (16yrs +) and a select group of adult non-beneficiaries who provide for their Dene-Metis families are interviewed every month. Numbers and general locations of all fish and wildlife species harvested are collected. The study is private and confidential (Terms of Reference, Schedule 1 to Chapter 13, Sahtu Land Claim); harvesters names will never be released. Confidentiality is maintained through use of harvester ID numbers.