NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: biology, traditional food, traditional knowledge, lake trout

Objective(s): To document traditional and local knowledge of the existence and ecology (i.e., distribution, movement, habitat, diet and morphology) of different lake trout morphotypes in Great Bear Lake, NWT; to gain better understanding of lake trout ecology by working with traditional knowledge, local knowledge, and scientific information; and to make traditional and local knowledge on lake trout diversity available to scientists, wildlife managers and communities.

Project Description: The objectives of this research project are: 1) to document traditional and local knowledge of the existence and ecology (i.e., distribution, movement, habitat, diet and morphology) of different lake trout morphotypes in Great Bear Lake, NWT; 2) to gain better understanding of lake trout ecology by working with traditional knowledge, local knowledge, and scientific information; and 3) to make traditional and local knowledge on lake trout diversity available to scientists, wildlife managers and communities. The researchers will work in collaboration with local fishermen and or former sport fishing lodge guides from Déline, since this community harvests lake trout from Great Bear Lake. Because lake trout is an important item in the diet of Déline community members, the researcher expects that fishermen from this community will have observed marked differences among morphs. They will likely also have some knowledge of where and how deep they catch the different lake trout morphs and if morphs vary by area. As community members eat the stomach and because the stomachs are opened for cleaning, they will also have an idea what the stomachs of the different morphs contain. The research method will be participatory, in collaboration with a community researcher who is fluent in the local Sahtúot’ine (Great Bear Lake Dene) language. Details of the research design will be worked out with the Déline Renewable Resources council and Déline Knowledge Project, as well as the community researcher. Based on preliminary discussion with the Déline Knowledge Project, the research will involve a combination of focus group discussions, individual interviews, an open house providing broader opportunities for input and validation, and if possible, a Traditional Knowledge-science workshop at the school. The focus group discussion will be organized first, followed-up by individual interviews; both will be related to the occurrence of multiple morphs of lake trout. The primary language of research will be Dene language; the community researcher will be familiar with the research questions, and will be able to co-facilitate the work with the lead researcher. When it is necessary for the lead researcher to present information or ask follow-up questions, this will be communicated in plain language, and translated in Dene language for the participants. Indigenous traditional knowledge is story-based, and the approach will be flexible, and respectful of this way of knowing, providing space for participants to explore their own questions and interests related to trout populations around the lake. This approach will enrich results, to discoveries about the core research question that may not come to light in a more structured question-based context. At the same time, the process will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about scientific questions driving the research, and provide specific elicited input. The research will combine a number of different kinds of documentation, including mapping, stories, and Dene terminology related to place, names, fish nomenclature and morphological terminology, and diet. Dene language spellings and meanings will be verified by a language specialist either during or following work with knowledge holders. Key members of the community with active, long term lake trout fishing experience and expert knowledge of lake trout in Great Bear Lake and elders will be invited to discuss the diversity of lake trout in Great Bear Lake. The Déline Renewable Resources Council (DRCC) will be asked to recommend participants, and along with Déline Knowledge Project, will have an opportunity to review and provide input on the focus group process design. The meeting duration will be two days and will be held in the town of Déline. The structure of discussions will likely be place-based, and will start out by mapping of fish “zones” around the lake, as a starting point for scoping the kinds of stories and knowledge that will be shared. On the morning of Day two, the researcher may make a plain language presentation about scientific research questions and what has been learned to date. This information will be discussed in a workshop so that participants have an opportunity to more fully understand and interpret the scientific questions and results from their own perspective. Finally, the focus group will likely discuss follow-up activities, including the possibility of a TK-science workshop at the school, as well as the kinds of questions that should be addressed in interviews, and who should be interviewed. The discussions will be audio-recorded and notes will be taken, possibly displayed using a digital projector so that participants can verify that their knowledge is being properly understood. Google Earth, maps and pictures will be provided as tools if needed in the discussion. The interviews will allow for more in-depth exploration of traditional knowledge questions with the most knowledgeable individuals. The interviews will be semi-structured, based on key themes identified during the focus group. Questions from a pre-determined questionnaire on habitat, movements, diet and morphology of lake trout in Great Bear Lake will be asked to each participant. The interviews will be recorded and notes will be taken. This knowledge exchange between the community and scientists will help to improve understanding and co-management of the resource, and will contribute an important baseline component for monitoring populations. The sustainability of lake trout diversity is an important objective for the community of Déline due to the cultural, spiritual, economic, and ecological value of lake trout to the region. Great Bear Lake plays an important role in the local economy, with both sport and subsistence fisheries. In recent years, biologists, resource managers, and local communities have increasingly recognized the importance of interdisciplinary participation in conservation initiatives. Educational opportunities will include an open house and if possible an Elder-Scientist workshop at the school. This study will be the first traditional knowledge research focused on Great Bear Lake fisheries, and information resulting from it should prove significant for future generations. Presentations to northern communities will result of this project, including to Déline, Déline Renewable Resources Council (DRRC) and Norman Wells (via the Sahtu Resources Board meeting (SRRB)). If possible an Elder-Scientist workshop at the school will be held to encourage dialogue among generations. Summary and results will be provided to the SRRB and the DRRC boarding the form of a plain language report. Final copies of the PhD thesis and any primary publications resulting from the work will also be provided to these organizations. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 22, 2011 to September 8, 2011.