Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Tags: biology, caribou, traditional knowledge, wildlife, hunting, animal behaviour, international analogy
| Principal Investigator: | Anderson, David G (8) |
| Licence Number: | 13010 |
| Organization: | University of Alberta |
| Licensed Year(s): |
1998
|
| Issued: | Oct 05, 1998 |
| Project Team: | Rob Wishart |
Objective(s): This project is to examine how local caribou hunters understand the movements and agency of migratory caribou. The research hypothesis is that indigenous peoples have developed very sophisticated empirical models based on observing the behaviour of animals. It will be argued that these models can be used to supplement or replace formal biological models which examine ideas of carrying capacity, instinct, hunger, etc. The research project is comparative for it will be based simultaneously in the Gwich'in Settlement Area and in the Taimyr Autonomous District of Siberia. Indigenous hunters will be equal participants in the project and will be invited to visit both regions.
Project Description: The method of data collection will be participant observation of hunting and processing activities at camps established within the Gwich'in Settlement Area. The camps will be established by the Gwich'in Renewable Resource Committee and will involve several generations of Gwich'in hunters: elders, adults and youth. One research assistant will participate in setting up the camp and in the day-to-day activities of the camp. The first camp will be established in October of 1998. Future camps will be established in the spring & autumn of 1999, and spring of 2000. Gwich'in hunters will be invited to visit similar camps in the Taimyr in August of 1999. Evenki hunters will be invited to visit a Gwich'in camp in the spring of 1999. Exact dates will be determined by dates of caribou migrations. The data collection method will be processual through participant observation and reflections within written field diaries and through still camera photography. Towards the end of the project in 2001, specific formal interviews will be organized if participants wish to formally record their observations on the similarities and differences in caribou hunting in the two areas. Data written, photographic or otherwise will be kept in triplicate. One copy will be on file with the language centre in Ft. McPherson, a second at the Dept. of Anthropology, University of Alberta and a third copy will remain with the investigators. A special set of curriculum materials will be developed for the school in Fort McPherson.
