NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: anthropology, knowledge transfer, traditional knowledge, ethnobotany, traditional plant use

Objective(s): The goal of this project is to collect and document traditional uses and knowledge of plants in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), to store this information in a permanent form for future generations of Inuvialuit, to promote and enhance education about Inuvialuktun language and culture as related to plant use within the ISR, and to educate present generations of Inuvialuit about conservation and sustainable use of these plants. Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to the use of plants for nutritional, medicinal, and structural uses will be documented and stored in a database that is accessible to all interested parties. Different learning tools will allow Inuvialuit elders to pass on information that is now not being passed on by traditional means.

Project Description: The goal of this project is to collect and document traditional uses and knowledge of plants in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), to store this information in a permanent form for future generations of Inuvialuit, to promote and enhance education about Inuvialuktun language and culture as related to plant use within the ISR, and to educate present generations of Inuvialuit about conservation and sustainable use of these plants. A literature and archival search on traditional uses of plants in the ISR will be conducted. Information sessions and consultation with community members will be held to determine the traditional plant harvesting sites to be visited, a trip schedule, and translation needs. Where possible, interviews will be carried out on the land. Interviews will be recorded in both audio and video formats. Small quantities of plant material will be collected in order to prepare the plant in the traditional way. Specimens will also be collected for preservation and to verify correct identification of species. Completed interview notes, videotapes, transcripts, and any secondary materials will be verified with interviewees for accuracy. As a result of this project, Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to the use of plants for nutritional, medicinal, and structural uses will be documented and stored in a database that is accessible to all interested parties. Different learning tools will allow Inuvialuit elders to pass on information that is now not being passed on by traditional means.