Inuvialuit traditional ecological knowledge of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) under changing climatic conditions in Tuktoyaktuk, NT

Devin Waugh; Tristan Pearce; Sonja K Ostertag; Verna Pokiak; Peter Collings; Lisa L Loseto

doi:10.1139/as-2017-0034

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Inuvialuit traditional ecological knowledge of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) under changing climatic conditions in Tuktoyaktuk, NT

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Inuvialuit traditional ecological knowledge of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) under changing climatic conditions in Tuktoyaktuk, NT

Devin Waugh, Tristan Pearce, Sonja K Ostertag, Verna Pokiak, Peter Collings and Lisa L Loseto

Arctic Science, Vol.4(3), pp.242-258

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/as-2017-0034

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Abstract

Environmental Science and Management

Arctic

climate change

traditional ecological knowledge

Indigenous

co-management

This paper documents Inuvialuit traditional ecological knowledge of beluga, including ecology and behavior, hunting techniques, and food preparation under changing climatic conditions in Tuktoyaktuk, NT. Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an important food source for Inuvialuit in the western Canadian Arctic, a region that is experiencing dramatic climate change. Data were collected using semi-directed interviews with 17 Inuvialuit beluga harvesters and participant observation. The research found that Inuvialuit beluga harvesters possess detailed rational knowledge of beluga, particularly regarding hunting techniques and food preparation, both which are guided by a moral code about how to behave with respect to beluga. In terms of beluga ecology and behavior, Inuvialuit knowledge is limited to anecdotal reasoning drawing on generalized observations of beluga and the accounts of others. Inuvialuit are experiencing the effects of climate change, but seem to be coping thus far in the context of beluga harvesting but ongoing change in the region may increase the risks associated with hunting and preparing beluga in the future.

Details

Title: Inuvialuit traditional ecological knowledge of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) under changing climatic conditions in Tuktoyaktuk, NT
Authors: Devin Waugh (Author) - University of Guelph, Canada
Tristan Pearce (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Sonja K Ostertag (Author) - Freshwater Institute, Canada
Verna Pokiak (Author) - Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Canada
Peter Collings (Author) - University of Florida, United States
Lisa L Loseto (Author) - Freshwater Institute, Central and Arctic Region, Canada
Publication details: Arctic Science, Vol.4(3), pp.242-258
Publisher: N R C Research Press
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1139/as-2017-0034
ISSN: 2368-7460
Copyright note: Copyright © 2018 The Author. This article is open access. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en_GB.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450855602621
Output Type: Journal article