NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: traditional knowledge, ecology, protected area

Objective(s): The objectives of this project are: (1)To collect traditional ecological knowledge of Edaiila with the elders of DTline; (2)To present this knowledge as a description of the current and historical ecology of Edaiila and as a rationale, from the DTline elders' perspective, for the protection of Edaiila under the NWT Protected Areas Strategy or, alternatively, under the Sahtu Land Use Plan.

Project Description: The objectives of this project are: (1)To collect traditional ecological knowledge of Edaiila with the elders of Déline; (2)To present this knowledge as a description of the current and historical ecology of Edaiila and as a rationale, from the Déline elders' perspective, for the protection of Edaiila under the NWT Protected Areas Strategy or, alternatively, under the Sahtu Land Use Plan. Charlie Neyelle will interview Déline elders. Lorien Nesbitt and Charlie Neyelle will work together to analyze the collected traditional knowledge data and will run a workshop in Déline on June 9, 2008 to further explore the collected traditional knowledge with the Déline elders. Lorien Nesbitt will write a report expressing the ecological importance of Edaiila as demonstrated by the collected traditional knowledge. Charlie Neyelle will present the report for review, when it is completed, to the Déline elders and other community representatives and authorities, as interested. He will also present the report to the Edaiila Working Group under the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. This research was requested by the Déline Renewable Resources Council and is strongly supported by the Déline elders. This information may also be used in finalizing the Sahtu Land Use Plan currently in draft (Edaiila is already identified as a potential Conservation Zone). Fieldwork will be conducted from June 09 to 30, 2008, at Déline.