NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: fish health, marine ecosystem

Objective(s): 1. Document Inuit knowledge and observations of Arctic char and Greenland cod movement ecology and health; 2. Co-produce knowledge among Inuit and scientists to better understand changes in Arctic char and Greenland dod and fisheries; and, 3. Examine if and how the changes in movement ecology and health are affecting Inuit-Arctic char and Greenland cod interactions, and how Inuit are adapting to these changes.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5768. 1. Document Inuit knowledge and observations of Arctic char and Greenland cod movement ecology and health. 2. Co-produce knowledge among Inuit and scientists to better understand changes in Arctic char and Greenland dod and fisheries. 3. Examine if and how the changes in movement ecology and health are affecting Inuit-Arctic char and Greenland cod interactions, and how Inuit are adapting to these changes. The researchers will work with the OHTC to identify 15-20 Inuit knowledge holders to invite to participate in the research. The OHTC to will govern and administer the research funds. Data collection will include three steps: 1. Meet with Ulukhaktomuit to document their knowledge and observations of changes in Arctic char and Greenland cod movement ecology and health; 2. Share research findings from fish movement and body condition research with Ulukhaktoktomuit; and 3. Co-interpret research findings among Ulukhaktomuit and researchers. Data will be collected by researchers and an Inuit research partner hired to work on the project. Participants will be recruited using purposive and convenience sampling to identify Inuit knowledgeable of the Arctic marine environment and fishing, participation will be voluntary, conversations will be conducted at locations convenient to the participant (e.g. work place, home, meeting room) and are expected to take approximately 30 minutes. Conversations will be recorded if consent is given to do so and otherwise hand-written notes will be taken. The data will be analysed to identify recurring or common themes related to the research question. Quotes will be used when appropriate to capture observations using the words and language of the knowledge holder. Communication between researchers and OHTC will be ongoing throughout the research. Researchers will work together with the OHTC and a local Inuit research partner to develop appropriate and effective methods for communicating results at the community level. These may include plain-language summary reports in Inuinnaqtun and English with photos and key findings, updates over local/regional radio broadcasts, household visits to discuss results, and presentations for the community and local school, Helen Kalvak Elihakvik School. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: February 01 - February 29, 2024 May 01 - June 30, 2024 September 01 - October 31, 2024