PERSPECTIVES FROM THE INUVIALUIT SETTLEMENT REGION · inuqnit okaosiqaqsotik, maliqtoksaqot, sila...

UNIKKAAQATIGIIT:

PUTTING THE HUMAN

FACE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE

INUVIALUIT SETTLEMENT REGION

D_156905_inuvialuit_Cover 11/16/05 11:45 AM

UNIKKAAQATIGIIT:

PUTTING THE HUMAN

FACE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE

INUVIALUIT SETTLEMENT REGION

Workshop Team:Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), Inuit TapiriitKanatami (ITK), International Institute for SustainableDevelopment (IISD), Centre Hospitalier du l’Universitédu Québec (CHUQ), Joint Secretariat: InuvialuitRenewable Resource Committees (JS:IRRC)

Funded by:Northern Ecosystem Initiative, Environment Canada

* This workshop is part of a larger project entitledIdentifying, Selecting and Monitoring Indicators forClimate Change in Nunavik and Labrador, fundedby NEI, Environment Canada

This report should be cited as:

Communities of Aklavik, Inuvik, Holman Island, Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk, Nickels, S., Buell, M., Furgal, C., Moquin, H. 2005. Unikkaaqatigiit – Putting the Human Face on Climate Change:Perspectives from the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Ottawa: Joint publication of Inuit TapiriitKanatami, Nasivvik Centre for Inuit Health and Changing Environments at Université Laval andthe Ajunnginiq Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Naitoliogak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.0 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2.0 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4.0 Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4.1 Pre-Workshop Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4.2 During the Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4.3 Summarizing Workshop Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5.0 Observations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5.1 Regional (Common) Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Changes to Weather: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Changes to Landscape: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Changes to Vegetation: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Changes to Fauna: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Changes to Insects: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Increased Awareness And Stress: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Contaminants: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Desire For Organization: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

5.2 East-West Discrepancies And Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Changes to Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Changes to Landscape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Changes to Vegetation: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Changes to Insects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Changes to Fauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Increased Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

5.3 Community-Specific Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Inuvik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Aklavik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Tuktoyaktuk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Holman Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Paulatuk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

5.4 New and Unusual Bird and Animal Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

6.0 Going Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

6.1 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

6.2 Information Dissemination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

6.3 Monitoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

6.4 Partnerships/Scientific Inclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

6.5 Alternative Energies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

7.0 Conclusions & Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

8.0 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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1.0 NAITOLIOGAK

Akongani okioni 2002 onalo 2003, meetika-tarqtut tavvaoi talimat inuvialuit nunaini ovaniInuvialuit Nunataqviani Nunainni (ISR) elittok-saiyut taotuqtaini sila allangoqtoak. Tabkoainuqaqneet okoamat Inuvik, Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk,Oloksaktok, onalo Paulatuk. Tasamani metiq-paoqtoakmata kinatlo RC-d nalonaiyaktoaninuqnit okaosiqaqsotik, maliqtoksaqot, silaallangoqtoakmat talavani ISR elittogitiaqtatsilaqtik allangoktoak, ona nuna kanogilitoaksila allangogami, ovalo kanoqtut inusiginiakpatsila allangoktoak naliak sivoniqmot aolavigi-niaqpat inusiqmot.

Tasamani angitqiaq savaksak, metiotiginiakpatajikotanik nunami tasamani ovanilo As Labrador,Nunavik onalo Nunavut. Samna sivosiqsatsavaqsak pannaiyaqniaqpat opalonaiyaklotiksivoniqmot allangoliqtomi nuna silalo okaosi-givaqniakpat metigagomik ovalo ayoitot esiv-gioktit silamik nunani savaqpakniakpat. Elaasamani sivoniqsami savaaginiakpat sunaqquteliogailotik ovalo sivoniqsami nuna allangoliq-tomi metiotigivaqniakpat. Nalonaiqtoak,sivoniqsa samani elittoqsiyat, nunami metiqtitsavaagivaqniaqtat opalongaiyaqlogo ovaloesoaksaklogo malgoq kanga ISR metiotaniovani Oloqsaqtomi ovanilo Paulatuk-mi.

Tamani naitolioqlogo esomalogitiyat talimat ISRinuqaqtoat, samna onipqaksak emaitoniquq:

• Sila onaqsaligami kivatanit ovalo oaliniqmioniISR inuqaktoani. Tamaita inuqaqtoat nunatelitogitoaqtot sila onaqsivaliayuq. Kivataaniinuqaqtoat nuna ajikotainik elisimaliqtoatsila onaqsaliqmat (onaqtoak) okiotlo kesiani,emailitoat, aoyangat niglaomaliqsoni.

• Tamaita inuqaqtoat nunat, tamaini kivatanilooaliniqmiotlo, elisimaliqtoat emaq sikoahaliyuq ovalo nunap atani siqo mahaqti-liktuq. Okoa taimailiyut ayuksaotigivagatnunano aolaagiami nunani ovani ISR.

• Tasamani elittogitoaqtat tabkoat kiqtogiatkivataanimiot ovalo oalinikmiot ovani ISR.Tamani oaliniqmiot nunani, kiqtogiat angi-glitiaqtooat, amigaiqsotiqlo ovalo tama-neeqsakpaliktoat. Ovani Kivataani, emaitoat,nunani kiqtogiat miqiniqsaoyut, ekilivlotiq.

Ovani inuit meetiqtoat elittogiyut okoa Inuvialuiteliogaivaliqtoksat nutanik savaotinik sila allango-taililogo. Ovani okoa emaitoqsat:

• Amigaitoaqlogit tosaaqatigeeqlotik sunaqot(i.e. cell phones, CBs, nalaotiqot ovalo silataotoqtoaqlogo okoalo tagiomi nainaiksi-malogo nalaotini ema sila allangoktoaqsuliyami sivoganaqsioq ovalo nalonaqsivloniaolaagiami.

• Esoaqsaqlogit ekiaqmiot piqsait ayoqnai-logit, oqaqlogit sivoganaktoat nunat ovalonalaotiqut tosaaqataqlotik ovalo eligailotiqiglokpakniq nunani oqovikhanik emasilaloqtoaqpat silaqiteeviqsanik emaloemaq emaqoqsigangat.

• Sanalotiq ovalo monagilogit nunani inuitsequteeviit ema niqqit kiqomayangitniema siqot nongotiqtoat kiqiteeviknik emaekitoanik angoniagiami sogaanik.

• Ekayuqlogit esivgiogait kanogilitoat savaatnanigiaqtoqtoat angoyait amiqliktoat mani-liogotait ovalo ekayuqtoaqlogit nanigiaq-toktit nutanik angoniagotiniq.

• Oktaqtoalogo emaq ematot emaq namma-gonaqsiok kisiani ema salumania taotoqlogosivoganaitomiq sila allangoqtoami. Oqaosi-giyat niqqitlo esivgioklogit nammanigitniq.

Sapqonani metiotaini elisaiyuni, kafsit apiqoti-gilogit oktaktait nuna taotoqlogo silalo, elisai-niqotlo atoqtoqsanik, tosaatjutiniqlo ovalopannagiqlotik savaqatigiiktoaqlotik katimayiit.Tavvani esumaalotigiyat okaotigiyat kengoliqmielangani “Sivomot Aolaloni” ona oktoqtoatkanoq alaqut Inuvialuit eliogainiaqtut savao-tiksamingniq sila allangoqmat.

Samna onipqatoak elitaqnaktok sivitoyoat ovalokanoqut esivgioklotik nunami tasamai ovalosomit inuqaqtoanit esumainik, elait nunat silaallangoqtomi ajiqeengitmata. Elait elitogiyait,suqqut savaqniaktat ovalo sunatigut savaoti-qaqlotik homi nuna esumaalutaoyut Inuvialuitesuvagiyait taotoqtaitlo, ovalo Inuit piomayaitovalo sivolioquyait, esomaksaqsioqniakpaitsavaktaoyuksat nunani, nunaini, kanatami,asiniikyoat nunaitnilo.

P2 | UNIKKAAQATIGIIT: PUTTING THE HUMAN FACE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

1.0 SUMMARY

Throughout 2002 and 2003, workshops werecarried out in five communities in the InuvialuitSettlement Region (ISR) to collect observationson climate change. These communities includedInuvik, Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, Holman Island,and Paulatuk. Each workshop brought togetherrepresentatives from the communities to discuss,through a series of guided discussions, thechanges that the people of the ISR are seeingin their environment, the impacts or effectsthese changes are having, and how they havealready or how they can best respond oradapt to them in the future.

As part of a larger project, workshops weresimilarly held in the regions of Labrador,Nunavik and Nunavut. A key goal of this pro-ject was to build local capacity to implementand carry out future environmental changeworkshops and research in communities in theregion. In fact, this goal was realized, as regionalrepresentatives took the lead in organizingand facilitating two latter ISR workshops inHolman Island and Paulatuk.

By summarizing the main concerns of five ISRcommunities, this report shows that:

• Temperatures vary between the easternand western ISR communities. All westerncommunities have seen temperatures in allseasons rise. Eastern communities have alsoseen milder (warmer) winters but, in contrast,have seen cooler summer temperatures.

• All communities, both in the east and thewest, have observed diminished thicknessin ice and melting permafrost. These con-ditions have led to difficulties with travelin all areas of the ISR.

• A stark contrast exists in observationsregarding mosquito populations betweenthe east and the west of the ISR. In thewest, mosquitoes are larger, more plentifuland have a longer season. In the east, con-versely, both communities reported thatmosquitoes are smaller, less plentiful andthe mosquito season in this area is shorter.

The community workshops show what Inuvialuitrequire in order to develop further adaptationmeasures and to minimize the effects ofclimate change. These include such things as:

• Increased communication accessibility(i.e. cell phones, CBs, two-way radios) andbetter weather and ocean information tolocal radio stations in the face of weatherunpredictability that is causing danger anduncertainty with travel.

• Making satellite imagery more available,marking unsafe areas, and increasing com-munication and the number of shelterson the land to aid in coping with bad iceconditions and low water levels.

• Rebuilding and maintaining communityfreezers as well as subsidizing householdfreezers to compensate for thinning anddepleted ice and permafrost conditionscausing a decrease in the number ofanimals harvested.

• Support to analyze potential effects of theprojected decline in the quality of furs andtrappers’ incomes and the means to helptrappers adapt to the changes influencingtheir livelihoods.

• Testing water to ensure confidence in securityof the water system but also to be certainthat water quality does not deteriorate asenvironmental conditions change. It wassuggested that suspect meat should alsobe tested.

Throughout these workshops, a number ofrequests were made for environmental moni-toring, educational tools, communications, andincreased organization and partnering. Theseconcerns are discussed in the final section“Going Forward” which aims to define someof the ways that the Inuvialuit would like toimplement their responses to the challengesposed by climate change.

This report shows the importance and need ofexamining this issue from both the point ofview of the region and from that of the indi-vidual community, since not all environmental


changes affect each area in the same way. Fromthese findings, the proper course of action andappropriate resources can be directed to theareas of concern that Inuvialuit feel are themost pressing. Finally, this report was writtenin anticipation that these environmental obser-vations, as well as Inuit needs and priorities,will be taken into account by decision-makersat the local, regional, national, and eveninternational levels.

2.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, the workshop team wouldlike to thank all of the workshop participantsfor their participation and for sharing theirknowledge on climate and environmentalchanges. A full list of participants, organizedby community, is provided on p. 30.

Acknowledgement also goes to the fivecommunities, Aklavik, Holman Island, Inuvik,Paulatuk, and Tuktoyaktuk, for participating inthe project and for providing space as well asresources for the workshops. The team wouldlike to also thank the following specific individ-uals and organizations for their help, participa-tion, efforts and humour during the workshopsin Aklavik, Holman Island and Tuktoyaktuk.

Thank-you to Diane Dillon (HTC AdministrativeSupport Officer, Joint Secretariat), Agnes Tardiff(Resource Person, Aklavik Hunters and TrappersCommittee), Robin Fonger (HTC TechnicalResource Person, Joint Secretariat), BarbaraArmstrong (Regional Contaminants Coordinator,Inuvialuit Regional Corporation), Mark Buell(Health Liaison Officer, Inuvialuit RegionalCorporation), Lillian Kanayok, Heather Hansen,Chris Alway, CKHI FM Radio Station, DebbieRaddi (Resource Person, Tuktoyaktuk HamletOffice), and Eleanor Ross (Resource Person,Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee).

We would also like to thank the followingorganizations and individuals for allowing their

employees to participate in the workshops andfor their interest and support in the project:Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Joint Secretariat:Inuvialuit Renewable Resource Committee,Hunters and Trappers Committee (Aklavik,Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk), OlokhaktomiutHunters and Trappers Committee, AklavikHamlet Office, Holman Island Hamlet Office,Southwind Radio Station, Diane Ruben, PaulatukVisitor Centre, Parks Canada, Gilbert Thrasher Sr.,Heather Hansen and Chris Alway. The teamwould like to thank all Inuvialuit in the fivecommunities and elsewhere for making themembers feel welcome throughout their visits.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge thosethat provided the financial support for thisworkshop. They include Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami,International Institute for Sustainable Develop-ment, Ajunnginiq Centre, National AboriginalHealth Organization, Health Canada, andEnvironment Canada through the NorthernEcosystem Initiative Program as well as CIHRthrough a fellowship provided to C. Furgal.Their financial support and interest in this workis greatly appreciated.

Figure 1. Map of theInuvialuit Region


3.0 INTRODUCTION

Evidence of global warming is projected tobecome most apparent first in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Rising temperatures havealready created a variety of changes to theenvironment, and these changes are expectedto intensify. Some of these shifts include changesin the characteristics of the ecosystems thathave supported traditional Inuit activities andlife for centuries. Cycles and movements ofmigrating animals, a decrease in the periodwhen it is safe to travel on the land and onthe ocean, reduced access to certain naturalresources, and the destabilization of trails haveall become growing challenges for Inuit in thelast few decades.

As residents of the higher latitudes, and usersof the land and its natural resources, Inuitpossess unique and specialized knowledgeabout the land. They are sensitive to the effectsof climate change emerging in the North.Weather conditions, ice conditions, changesin flora and fauna, and physical changes tothe landscape are all being closely observedby Inuit. Some of these changes are affectingtheir livelihood and culture, and affectingthe subsistence and trapping economies thatdominate northern communities.

In the past 30 years, and in the past decadein particular, Inuit have been confronted withvery difficult challenges to the ways they usetheir environment. This report looks at theobserved changes that are taking place in theISR of Canada’s Arctic, an area comprising435,000 square kilometres of land and oceanthat stretches from the Mackenzie Delta regionto the high Arctic, and the responses by thepeople living in these communities to thesechanges. This report represents a synthesis ofinformation expressed at a series of commu-

nity workshops held in five ISR communitiesbetween 2002 and 2003. These communitiesincluded Inuvik, Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, HolmanIsland, and Paulatuk. Each workshop broughttogether representatives from the communitiesand aimed, through a series of guided discus-sions, to help communities document theirobservations of environmental and climatechange, the impacts these changes were havingon aspects of Inuit community and individuallife and what is already being done or could bedone in response to these changes to minimizeimpacts and take advantage of whateveropportunities these changes may represent.

4.0 METHODS

4.1 Pre-Workshop Methods

For all community workshops, standard methodswere adopted and used. The workshop teamincluded representatives from ITK, IISD andthe CHUL Research Centre – Laval University.The team prepared written materials prior tothe workshops outlining several exercises thatcould be used during the workshop to gathercommunity observations of climate changeand to develop a set of potential communityindicators for monitoring change and climatechange impacts. These exercises drew fromparticipatory analysis and planning techniquesincluding Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)1

and Objectives Oriented Project Planning(ZOPP)2. ZOPP and PRA encourage participa-tion by everyone at a workshop, allowing acommunity to identify and analyze its ownproblems. Pre-workshop meetings involving thefour workshop facilitators (Scot Nickels, PitseyMoss-Davies, Chris Furgal, Jennifer Castleden)and regional representatives helped to:

1. plan the workshops;

2. discuss objectives (overt and covert);

1Robert Chambers of the University of Sussex pioneered the PRA approach over twenty years ago. He has writtenextensively on its use in promoting local input into project planning and implementation. See for exampleChambers, R. 1997 Whose Reality Counts? Putting the First Last. Intermediate Technology Publications, London.

2The ZOPP technique was developed by the German development agency GTZ. ZOPP is an acronym for ZielOrientierte Project Planning (see ZOPP: An Introduction to the Method. 1987 Deutsche Gesellschaft FürTechnische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany)


3. review the proposed workshop methodology;

4. adapt the methods as appropriate; and

5. plan training for regional and communityrepresentatives.

The facilitators agreed that an approach whereall workshop participants – community mem-bers, regional representatives and facilitatorswould be co-investigators in the process. Theworkshops were intended to be a dynamiclearning process for all, where everyone had anopportunity to investigate the issue of climatechange and its meaning to their community.There was emphasis on animating a two-wayexchange of information and perspectives onclimate change.

To facilitate the commitment to co-investigation,the project team prepared a list of guidelinesto follow during the workshops:

1. Have fun! The experience of learning andsharing knowledge with each other will beinsightful and enriching.

2. Try to choose activities that are mostappropriate for the people you are workingwith. Not all of the activities will necessarilybe useful or practical for every group.

3. Be flexible in that the group or communitymay already have their own methods andtechniques for sharing information. Theseideas can be shared at the beginning of theworkshop and incorporated as the groupsees fit.

4.2 During the Workshop

Each workshop began with a series of openingquestions related to the groups’ hopes andexpectations for the workshop. In order toensure contribution from all workshop partici-pants, people were split into manageable groupsof five to six people (if required) for muchof the work with groups periodically comingback into a plenary session to share the discus-sions of the smaller groups. After the openingdiscussions and introductions, groups were

asked to record the environmental changesthey have noticed and heard about in theirarea that they believe are related to climatechange on cue cards. These observations wererecorded, one per card, and then posted on thewall for plenary discussion and the assemblyof a timeline. When relationships were notedbetween observations (cause and effect orotherwise), these observations were groupedtogether. The participants were asked toarrange the observations according to whenthey started seeing each change. This wasdone in plenary with many participants goingto the wall and grouping cards by decade.

Following the placing of the observations in thetimeline, the small groups were asked to reviewthe observations they recorded and discuss theassociated impacts they are experiencing as aresult of these changes. These were discussedfrom the participants’ personal perspective.A plenary session was held and each groupprioritized and recapped these effects for theentire group of participants in attendance.

After discussing the effects of the changes thathave been observed, workshop groups dis-cussed what could be done by individuals andcommunities to adapt or cope to these changes.Sometimes, there were already things beingdone in the community to adapt to environ-mental changes, and many of these werenoted. Participants were also asked to discusswho they wanted to know about their climatechange observations, from local officials tointernational organizations.

The final presentation of the workshop wasdirected at providing information to the par-ticipants as to how their information wasconnected to other environmental initiatives.At the national level these include DIAND’sInuit-specific multi-year strategy, EnvironmentCanada’s Northern Ecosystems Initiative, andITK/IISD’s Pan-Northern Monitoring Strategy.Internationally, it includes the Arctic ClimateImpact Assessment (ACIA), initiated by theArctic Council, among others.


4.3 Summarizing Workshop ObservationsThroughout the course of the ISR workshops,hundreds of observations were recorded. Obser-vations raised repeatedly during the workshopprocess and by more than one of the workshopgroups were generally deemed the most impor-tant or most prevalent in that community, andwere recorded as such. The remainder of thisdocument aims to:

1) Highlight and discuss observations that aresignificant in all ISR communities (Sections5.1 and 5.4). These are observations thatindicate high priority concerns for all ISRresidents, and should dictate the majorityof future attention from scientific andgovernmental bodies.

2) Isolate which environmental changes arespecific to more western ISR communities(Inuvik, Aklavik, and Tuktoyaktuk) fromthose specific to more eastern ISR commu-nities (Holman Island and Paulatuk) (seemap p. 3). The ISR spans several biogeo-graphical regions, roughly characterizedby the fluvial Mackenzie Delta in the westand the high Arctic polar tundra in the east.There are basic differences between thewestern and the eastern regions in termsof the changes taking place, and how thesechanges affect the people who live onthe land. In some cases, a common envi-ronmental change has different effects indifferent parts of the Arctic, leading peoplefrom different communities to view thesechanges very differently.

3) Highlight and discuss observations that areunique to each ISR community. Issues thatare distinct to certain communities may beovershadowed by the collective concernsof the region. By isolating concerns specificto each community, the aim is to betterunderstand the differences that belie thevarying priorities within the ISR. One exampleof this is the effects of thinner ice. In Inuvik,this affects the economy because the iceroad is useful for fewer weeks of the year.In Paulatuk, it affects the economy becausethinner ice has a negative effect on the sealpopulation.

It is important to note that this report depictsonly a synopsis of the observations discussedthroughout the ISR workshops, and that if anobservation does not appear here it is notnecessarily because it is not considered asignificant indicator of climate change to Inuitin that area. The individual workshop reportsfor each community should be referred to inorder to get a more complete picture of theenvironmental changes taking place in thatcommunity and the required adaptationswhich residents reported need to be developed.

Overall, methods employed throughout theworkshop process aimed to flesh out an honestrepresentation of the intricate and unique climatechange observations distinct to each community,and to give life to some of the real impactsthat climate change is having on Inuvialuit.Due to the participation of the ISR residents inthe community workshops, the detailed docu-mentation of each community’s observations,based on the rich and valuable traditional Inuitknowledge, has been recorded and is accessiblefor referral by local, regional, national andinternational bodies.

5.0 OBSERVATIONS

The following sections (5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4)describe the results of the five ISR workshopsthat were held in the winter of 2003. Section 5.1summarizes all regional concerns and obser-vations that were raised several times withineach workshop and by all five communities.When warranted, some attention is also givento observations that were discussed in at leastfour of the five communities. Some concernsand observations were significant exclusivelyto the eastern or the western regions of theISR, and these are discussed in section 5.2.Concerns that are unique to certain communitiesare discussed in section 5.3. Section 5.4 presentsa summary of some of the new and unusualbird and animal species that are being seenacross the ISR.

When possible, recommendations, reported inthe communities regarding future action andresearch, are given. These are intended to ease


the challenges posed by the effects of climatechange. In most cases, these recommendationsare adaptations that residents have started toput into practice, but which need further sup-port in order for them to be more effectivelyconducted. One example is the need to increasethe capacity of certain communities to organizegroup hunting activities for Elders who arehaving difficulty accessing geese.

It may or may not yet be proven whether someof the changes reported by Inuvialuit are actualresults of global warming, but even withoutscientific corroboration of their direct linkto climate change, these observations areextremely valuable and represent legitimatechanges and matters of genuine concern. Theyshould be viewed as sound and compellingstatements that describe the ISR environmentand the environmental changes that are takingplace there.

5.1 Regional (Common) Concerns

The following environmental changes haveaffected all five communities throughout theISR (Figure 2). As a whole, these observationsand their effects should be given high priorityand consideration when deciding what actionplans should be put into play to aid in theadaptation, mitigation, and monitoring ofenvironmental changes. It is important torealize that although these changes are feltthroughout the ISR, their effects can be verydifferent given the economies, priorities, andvalues of each community. As much as possible,attention to the different effects and adaptationsthat each community expressed during theirworkshop are also described here.

Changes to Weather:

Higher temperatures have been observedthroughout all the ISR communities. The rise,

Figure 2. Summary of Shared Concerns

All ISR communities reported the following environmental changes takingplace in their area:

Changes to Weather • Higher or “high” temperatures, winter lows not as extreme.

• Less snow.

• More wind in summer.

• Weather is less predictable overall.

Changes to Landscape • More erosion of banks and shores.

• More sedimentary deposits in oceans and rivers.

• Rougher and less safe trails; decreased accessibility of animals, fishing areas and camps.

• Sea Ice: — Diminishing thickness.

— Early spring break up.

— Delayed fall freeze up.

Changes to Vegetation • Number / size of plants in general are on the increase.

• Territory of willows is expanding.

• Size of willow plant is increasing.

• Decrease in the number of berry-producing plants.

• Berry-producing plants are producing fewer berries.

Changes to Fauna • Caribou migration routes are changing.

• Many new and unusual species.

Changes to Insects • Many new and unusual species.

Increased Stress and • Concern for overall pollution levels/ contaminants, and risk to human health.

Awareness • Desire for organization on Inuit climate change issues.


however, is not uniform. Western communities(Inuvik, Aklavik, and Tuktoyaktuk) have seentemperatures in all seasons rise, particularlyduring summer months. Eastern ISR commu-nities are experiencing milder temperatures aswell, but not in summertime when conditionsare cooler and damper. Throughout the ISR,winter temperatures are milder than everbefore. Several residents of each communitycommented that temperatures are not dippingas low as before and cold “snaps” are notlasting for as long as they used to.

Aside from the temperatures themselves,other indicators have helped identify a risein temperatures. These include an increase infreezing rain during the winter months (Inuvikand Paulatuk); snows of a heavier consistency(Inuvik); a higher prevalence of fog (Inuvik) andmore cumulonimbus cloud formations (Aklavikand Tuktoyaktuk). Residents directly relate eachof these occurrences to higher temperatures.

Though less frigid winter temperatures aregenerally welcomed, they also come withtheir own challenges. In the western regions,where trapping is still an important part of theeconomy, animal fur has been negativelyaffected (discussed in section 5.2, p. 12).Changes to sea ice, wind patterns, animalmigration, and permafrost are all thought tobe results of changed temperature patterns.Impacts from these (such as impacts on travelroutes, or increased fog) are discussed withinthe following sections of this report, alongwith recommendations and possible ways toease human adaptation.

Less snow is a serious concern all over theISR. In the west, less snow has created driersoil conditions, resulting in fewer plants andfewer berries. It has also meant there is lessrunoff, and that lake and river levels are lower.It is believed that low water levels haveincreased water temperatures, have affected thequality of fish meat and have caused spawningto commence earlier in the spring. In the Deltaregion, lower river levels have also meant morehazardous conditions for boating and certainareas have become impossible to navigate. In

other areas, people are concerned about theadditional wear to ATVs and skidoos (causedby traveling over rocky and muddy terrain). Insome instances, less snow forces people totravel on the ocean, which is considered to bemore dangerous at certain times of the year.

More wind in summer has a dangerous effecton travel, since high winds on the ocean cancreate waves large enough to strand or capsizeboats and also to threaten homes and campssituated near the ocean. High winds can beextremely dangerous, so planning trips onthe open water or even on the open ice canbe very challenging. Strong, variable windsin autumn cause sea ice to break up beforerefreezing into a rough surface that is difficultto travel by skidoo. In these cases, people areforced to travel around rough areas of sea ice.The overall result has been fewer hunting trips,or longer more expensive ones.

Weather throughout the ISR in general hasbecome more variable and therefore lesspredictable. This affects everyone but particu-larly hunters, trappers, and guides. Elements ofthe weather that were once accurate predictorsof weather, such as winds and clouds, can nolonger be relied upon. Primarily, this makeschoosing safe travel routes more crucial, andalso more difficult to do. Consequently, peopleare less likely to go out of town unless weatheris forecast to remain stable for a long periodof time. Psychologically, the landscape is per-ceived as less accessible, and hunting activitiesare associated with more fear and uncertaintythan before, particularly by the youngergeneration.

Recommendations: Many uncertainties relatedto weather could be mitigated by better accessto weather information and communication,especially through greater accessibility ofpersonal communication devices such as cellphones and CBs, and better local scale weatherinformation available to local radio stations.Creating better communications between thecommunities and the Coast Guard, as well asimproving infrastructure (such as shelters onthe land) could also improve search and rescue


effectiveness. The more information peoplehave access to, the more correct their inter-pretations of the weather will be, which willlead to safer outings. Community residents inthe ISR requested these forms of improvementin weather monitoring, information and commu-nications in relation to the impacts associatedwith effects of unpredictable changes in weather.

Changes to Landscape:Erosion of banks and shores is a primaryconcern, particularly for those whose homesare near river embankments or those con-cerned about the deterioration of meaningfulsites (such as graves and historically significantareas). Reclamation projects, such as those thathave been undertaken in Tuktoyaktuk and inInuvik, are an ongoing expense. Insecurity andworry beset those whose homes are threat-ened by physical degradation of foundations,or nearby banks and shorelines.

Over the long term, water currents carry earthand rock downstream, where it is depositedin areas where accumulated sedimentationcreates further problems. More sedimentationencourages plant life to propagate in water.In many areas, algae and increased effluencehave created murky-tasting drinking water ofquestionable quality and safety. Also, riversthat were once channels for boat transpor-tation are now too shallow to navigate withocean-worthy vessels. Sandbars and shallowareas have become a hazard in many areas.

There is strong consensus that certain qualitiesof sea, river, and lake ice have changed. Thisincludes 1) diminished thickness of sea andfreshwater ice, likely caused by shorter andwarmer winters; 2) early spring break up ofocean, river and lake ice. This is believed tobe caused by #1; and 3) delayed freeze up ofocean, lake and river ice believed, in the west,to be caused by longer and warmer summersand, in the east, by temperatures that are notas low in the winter. In the Delta and on thetundra, the ISR is dominated by poorly drainedand waterlogged terrain. It is hard to estimatehow far-reaching the effects of changing icepatterns can be to Inuit, whose culture and

economy are rooted in their environment.Water, whether it is frozen or liquid, dictatespeople’s activity on the land.

Trappers and hunters are affected by thinnerlake and river ice. They generally access theland on foot, by skidoo, or by ATV and arerequired to cross numerous streams, riversand lakes in order to reach animals. Once icestarts to get thin, trappers’ ability to accesstheir trap line is hindered, and overland routesbecome dangerous and obstructed. The safetyof certain travel routes, and the timing of thin-ning ice, can no longer be relied upon. Thisintroduces fear and unease. Many people arevery hesitant to take part in hunting activitiesunless ice conditions are known to be safe. Inessence, the changing conditions of the landhave made a psychological barrier to huntingas well as a physical one.

On the ocean, rougher, thinner sea ice hasfar-reaching effects. Thin ice inhibits traveling tocamps in the fall and spring when the sea ice ischanging and travel routes become dangerous.People are required to choose their routesmore carefully. Rougher and thinner sea icecan lead to shorter hunting trips when hunterschoose not to go out at all, in order to avoidthe risks associated with hunting in changeableor unknowable conditions. Other times, it mayresult in longer trips when Inuit are forced totake roundabout routes to avoid dangeroussea ice.

As a layer between the ocean and the air,ice cover has the effect of reducing humidityand preventing foggy conditions. Earlierbreak-up of sea ice has resulted in morefoggy days, conditions that are risky for anyactivity on the land. Further, sea ice has aprotective quality for people who travel onthe open water since it keeps waves down.Obviously, less sea ice means there is alsoless protection from rough water.

People have adapted to these increased risksby increasing communication efforts. Few willleave town without a radio, and people discussforecasts, wind, ocean and ice conditions, as


well as their travel route before leaving town.Another adaptation has been to build morestationary seasonal hunting camps far from town.This means hunters can remain relatively moresedentary when they hunt, while also being ableto access animals that may be far from town.

Recommendations: It is recommended thatresidential drinking water, along with othersources, be tested more regularly and thisinformation be made available to communityresidents. This is becoming increasingly essentialnot only to ensure confidence in security ofthe water system but also to be certain thatwater quality does not deteriorate as environ-mental conditions change. Inuit are aware thatseveral mining and drilling operations in thearea have stored tailings and other contaminantsin the permafrost, a practice that may be back-firing as the climate warms and areas that werepermanently frozen begin to thaw. Inuit areconcerned that seeping contaminants, as wellas increased effluence and higher levels ofalgae, are all serious threats to their watersupply and to their well being.

In order to aid decision making when planningtrips, it would be very useful if current satelliteimagery were made available to residents. Thiscould help to determine areas of thin or roughice, shallow areas in rivers, or snow cover. Itcould also aid in determining some of thelong term changes to landforms, like pingos,sand dunes, and shorelines.

Increased communication resources for localinhabitants would aid in helping people toforecast weather. Simply making CB and two-way radio more widely available would increasesafety, and allow people in town to have infor-mation from people who are already out onthe land. Other communications, like weatherand ocean reports from drilling camps andweather stations, should also be made morewidely and easily available. Such informationshould be regularly distributed through thecommunity radio stations.

Changes to Vegetation:ISR residents have noticed that there are moreplants of all types growing in previously barrenareas. For the most part these are willows andsometimes grasses, which have experiencedan increase in their territory and their size. Inthe west, these changes are thought to berelated to higher overall temperatures. In theeastern areas around Holman Island, the north-ward shift in willow territory also indicates anorthward expansion of the tree line. It is notclear if rain has caused the expansion of willowand grasses, since some areas report higherrain and others less.

All ISR workshop participants also agreedthat there is a decrease in the number of berryplants, and that those berry plants that havesurvived are producing fewer berries. This beganin the 1980s but has become widespread inthe last five years. The reasons for this varydepending on the area. Less rain and increaseddrought-like conditions in the west are nega-tively affecting cranberries, yellow berries andblueberries. In the case of cranberries, it wasreported that plants are not only producingless fruit but that the fruit is very pale, possiblydue to stronger solar rays. In recent seasons,some fruit-bearing plants have dried up beforefruit has a chance to develop, and in other casesthe only plants bearing fruit are those that growin shaded or boggy areas. In general, berryharvesting is taking place earlier in the summer(July or early August). Conversely, there are con-current reports that blueberries, when healthy,are growing to sizes never before seen.

In the west, where summer temperatures havebeen lower and conditions very rainy, manyberries simply do not ripen, or ripen very latein the season but then freeze.

The reduced number of berries is not having aserious economic effect on this region. Berrypicking is however considered a culturallyimportant activity to Inuit and losing this wayof life is seen as serious. It is a well-liked family


activity and it is a favourite way to spend timeon the land. Also, it is one of the few activitiesthat can be enjoyed by four year-olds and84 year-olds alike.

Changes to Fauna:Since the early 1980s, migration routes ofcaribou have changed. In most communities,this means that caribou are not available at the“habitual” time of year in “habitual” places. ISRresidents had several possible explanations forthese changes. In Aklavik, an introduced muskox population, as well as changes to habitatcaused by climate change, are both beingblamed. In most other areas, earlier break-upand later freeze-up of river and lake ice arebelieved to be forcing caribou herds into differ-ent areas. Softer soils due to melting perma-frost may also be making travel more difficultfor the animals. It is assumed that longermosquito and black fly seasons may be taxingcaribou and their young. In Holman Island,where the number of mosquitoes has actuallydecreased, caribou are being found furtherinland (away from town) since there is lessreason for them to stay near windy shores.

Other problems accompany the change inmigration patterns. Around Holman Island, thenumber of caribou has decreased, and thosethat are harvested have been much thinner thanusual. In Inuvik it has been noticed in the last30 years that caribou have developed swollenjoints. Some are infected with parasites andworms that burrow in their flesh. These caribou,if hunted, end up being thrown away or fed todogs. The result is that people are becomingmore wary of caribou meat and selective aboutthe health of the animal that they kill.

As discussed earlier in this section, the effectsof warmer temperatures (thinner lake and riverice, earlier thaws etc.) have made overlandtravel and hunting expeditions more proble-matic for hunters. This affects hunting of allkinds, but especially caribou hunting sinceherds are further away. There is less desire togo out on the land when conditions are change-

able and dangerous, since hunters generallydo not wish to take undue risks. The result isthat the risk and the effort of finding cariboumay outweigh the benefit of the hunt, so huntersmay choose not to hunt as much.

Changes to Insects:

There are numerous “new” and unusual insectsbeing seen in the ISR lately. Biting and stinginginsects, though they are not necessarily new,are on the rise. Spiders, bees, wasps, andunknown insects like “flying ants” are veryworrisome to northerners who have not seenthem before and who worry that they maycarry diseases. A more detailed discussion ofinsects that are new to the ISR is listed inFigure 6 on p. 24.

Increased Awareness and Stress:

Uncertainty could arguably be one of the mostimportant impacts that climate change is havingon Inuit. So far we have seen that climatechange, and the uncertainty that it brings,decreases the overall amount of time thatpeople spend on the land. With trapping,hunting, and foraging becoming less acces-sible and convenient, people are sometimesdeprived of their livelihood, and sometimesforced to find new economic pursuits. This canleave them without their most meaningful andcustomary ways to practice their culture andto express it to future generations.

Contaminants:

Although environmental contaminants seemlike a matter that is totally separate from climatechange, Inuvialuit see these two issues as closelylinked. For one, contaminants in the Arcticsometimes originate from mine tailings thatare stored indefinitely underground, frozen inpermafrost. It is believed that warmer tempera-tures and melting permafrost are threateningto release some of these contaminants intothe groundwater and soil. Two, global circu-lation patterns in the atmosphere already bringairborne pollutants to the Arctic where theyaccumulate. Inuvialuit are worried that shifts in


air circulation patterns, and possibly in watercirculation patterns, may increase the input offoreign contaminants into the local ecosystem.Far from being separate issues, climate changeand contaminants are closely linked in theperspective of ISR community residents.

The potential relationship between climatechange and contaminants in the North is aserious concern, since some contaminants bio-accumulate in animal organs and flesh,particularly seals and fish. Inuvialuit feel thatthe natural indicator for higher contaminants isa decline in animal and human health. Already,in Paulatuk, some char that are deformed havebeen noticed. In Holman Island, people havenoticed an increase in the amount of cancerand diabetes in their community and wonderif it is from the increase in contaminants.

Since contaminants and human health areso closely linked, they are matters of utmostimportance and high priority. A perceived lackof information compounds their fear. To solvethis sort of problem is no simple task, but severalsuggestions are made in the final section of thisreport “Going Forward”. Suggestions include,bolstering communication and informationdissemination, and creating strategic partner-ships, as ways to help put people at ease andanswer some of these important questions.

Desire for Organization:

As discussed in the Inuit Climate ChangeRoundtable, held in March 2003 in Ottawa,there is a recognized need for greater organi-zation in the effort to monitor and mitigateclimate change. In the ISR, there is a feeling ofisolation that goes beyond simple geography.Information, outreach, education, and resourcescan seem far away. Establishing an umbrellaorganization for northern communities wouldcreate a structure capable of tending to theirmultifaceted needs. Basically, it could facilitatethe communication of requirements, ease infor-mation dissemination such as the results ofmonitoring programs and educational materials,and also help to share ideas on adapting to thechanges being seen in the environment. This

idea is discussed in further detail in the finalsection of this report entitled “Going Forward”.

Recommendations: Residents feel there aremany questions and a lack of hard facts sur-rounding contaminants, their presence andeffects in the region. At the moment, residentsare aware that there are threshold levels foreating certain types of meat, but they wouldstill like to see more education channels andoutreach materials concerning this issue. Theywould like to see more resources devoted totesting suspect meat. Also, they would liketo see more resources aimed at monitoringcontaminants and climate change indicators,and they would like to have more informationmade available to them from around theCanadian Arctic and from other nations.

5.2 East-West Discrepancies and PatternsA number of differences and patterns exist inobservations reported in eastern versus westernISR communities regarding their observationsof climate and environmental change (Figure 3).Several potential reasons for discrepancies exist.One is that Inuvik and Aklavik are settled inthe Mackenzie River Delta, a region with soliddifferences from the coastal maritime regionswhere Holman Island and Paulatuk are located.Tuktoyaktuk is located between the two areas,and can be characterized by climate and faunasimilar to that found in the Delta area as wellas the polar maritime climates more character-istic of areas to its north and east. Aside frombeing within (below) the tree line, Inuvik andAklavik in the Delta area can also be character-ized by fluvial lowland terrain, with countlesslakes and discontinuous permafrost. Paulatukand Holman Island are situated on rockier terrain,more likely to have continuous permafrost.

Changes to WeatherIn the western ISR, weather patterns are domi-nantly continental. This means that the areatypically receives short, cool, humid summersand cold, snowy winters. By contrast, HolmanIsland and Paulatuk are in a ‘Polar’ climate zone,and are more likely to experience very coldand dry weather in all seasons. These overridingweather patterns should be kept in mind when


Figure 3. Summary of East-West Discrepancies and PatternsIsolating the environmental issues specific to eastern and western areas of the

Inuvialuit Settlement Region

West East (Inuvik, Aklavik and (Holman Island and

Tuktoyaktuk) Paulatuk)

Changes to Weather

Changes to Landscape

Changes to Vegetation

Changes to Insects

Changes to Fauna

Increased Stress

Precipitation

Summers

Storms/Winds

Rivers/Ice/

Water levels

Vegetation

Mosquitoes

Geese

Fish

Mammals

• Precipitation is harder to

predict.

• More dry spells, droughts =

lower water levels.

• Summer storms are more

extreme (tornados) and

summer temperatures are

warmer.

• There are more thunderstorms,

and more fog.

• Winter storms are fewer and

less intense.

• More sedimentary deposits.

• Lower water levels.

• Thinner ice and melting

permafrost.

• More willows and grasses.

• Number of mosquitoes has

increased.

• Length of mosquito season

has increased.

• Insects seem larger.

• Fewer geese. Migration route

has changed.

• Fish are spawning earlier.

• Cougars are new to the tree

line areas.

• Fur-bearing animals: fewer

muskrat and beaver.

• Wolverine: fur is priming later

and is shorter.

• Hare: fur is thinner and more

yellow.

• Fox: fur is thinner, yellow,

priming later.

• Wolf: fur is thinner, yellow,

priming later.

• Numbers of otters have

increased.

• Economic effects of environ-

mental change.

• Physical erosion of cultural/

gravesites.

• More rainy days; heavier

rainstorms (HI).

• More freezing rain (P).

• Summer temperatures are

cooler.

• Unpredictable wind directions.

• Prevailing wind direction has

changed.

• More erosion and deposits (P).

• Low and high water levels

noted.

• Thinner ice and melting

permafrost.

• Very few berries and berries

ripen later.

• Number of mosquitoes is

fewer.

• Shorter mosquito season than

before.

• Mosquitoes are smaller than

before.

• More geese.

• More turbot, salmon and cod.

Also larger.

• Polar bears are more of a

nuisance.

• General stress caused by

change.

• Fear of the unknown.


comparing regions within the ISR. Whilecomparing the changes that each area hasexperienced in the last few decades, it isimportant to remember that changes arerelative to the weather typical of the area.

Characteristics of climate change that arereported to be taking place in the westernregion of the ISR are fundamentally different tothose being experienced in the east. All com-munities in the west have reported increasesin temperature in all seasons. Winter lowsare less extreme and there is an increase inuncomfortably hot summer days, particularlyat mid-day. Less precipitation and moredrought conditions have led to lower waterlevels in the Delta area (this is discussed atlength below). Dry conditions have also hadan impact on the local vegetation, particularlyberry plants, which sometimes dry up beforethe end of the season. Surviving plants have notbeen able to produce fruit or it is produced inmuch smaller quantities.

Shorter and less intense winter storms aresometimes a welcome change as safety isincreased and there is less threat to property.Calmer winds have created safer conditions forhunting, with there being fewer whiteouts anda decreased potential for freezing skin.

Summer temperatures, precipitation, and stormsare more extreme and unpredictable. Storms“come up faster” and are more likely to beviolent. Fog is very hard to predict (when itwill arrive or when it will lift). Fog is morecommon now than before and it is an addeddifficulty when out on the land. The overallresult is that people have become more fearfulespecially when traveling on the ocean. Thisaffects everybody, but is most significant tohunters who cannot travel safely and whohave a hard time planning a safe trip.

In the eastern region of the ISR, changes withprecipitation were unique to each community.Paulatuk residents noted an increase in freezingrain, which is dangerous for hunters and isdiscouraging for travellers. The community

of Holman Island has seen an increase in rainysummer days and heavier rainstorms.

Paulatuk and Holman Island have also experi-enced unpredictable wind directions, with theprevailing wind direction in Paulatuk reportedto have shifted from southwesterly to westerly.Coastal communities are very sensitive tochanges in wind conditions as they affect every-thing from sea ice, tides, temperature, bugs,to a plethora of other things. In Holman Island,high winds coupled with high tides can becomevery dangerous and can threaten roads andhomes along the shoreline. High winds maybreak up land-fast ice, or crowd a bay with icepans making access and safety on the sea icevery uncertain. People have not been able toadapt to these conditions easily. They are morereluctant to go out on the land since there isa greater degree of fear and inaccessibilityassociated with hunting.

Summers were found to be getting cooler inthe eastern region of the ISR. It is unusual thatin a workshop aimed at collecting observationsrelated to global warming patterns, that obser-vations indicate lower summer temperatures,but this is the case in Holman Island and tosome degree in Paulatuk. This phenomenonconflicts with typical assumptions of climatechange – that temperatures will go up through-out the globe. It is important to remember thatone of the consequences of climate change isa general disruption of regular water and aircirculation patterns and that, together, thesemay result in some areas cooling. In the easternregion of the ISR, it is not known exactly whatis causing cooler summers. One possibility isincreased cloudiness (higher humidity causingless sunshine at ground level). It may also bedue to cooler localized ocean currents andwind currents. These possibilities have yet tobe explored.

Recommendations: Since weather is morevariable and less predictable, people in thewest have adapted by using cabins (in winter)and by overnighting at established summercamps while out on the land hunting, fishingand traveling. This allows them to access far


away areas without traveling back and forth asmuch. Increasing the number of cabins out onthe land can both increase the accessibility ofcertain areas (making the region more attractiveto hunters) and offer life-saving shelter inrough conditions.

Marking unsafe areas (such as putting up buoysand markers) would also likely be effective inhelping people navigate shallow, rough waters,and help when traveling in fog. Efforts to dothis in the past have sometimes resulted inthe markers being blown over or engulfed inice. An investment in durable, high qualitybuoys would help to make the expendituremore worthwhile.

Increasing communication and access to infor-mation would help to ease fears and would helppeople to plan safer trips. Sources of weatherinformation might include Environment Canada,or direct access to information from some ofthe regional weather offices including HerchelIsland, Yukon, and Inuvik. It could also be usefulto access weather information from places thatare “upwind”, so as to know the incomingweather (and perhaps ice conditions as well).Community radio stations could becomeresponsible for collecting and broadcastingthe weather conditions in outlying areas.

Improving capacity of the local coast guardand search and rescue operations is anotheroption, although it is assumed pre-emptiveefforts (like communications and informationsharing) may help to decrease the need forresponsive ones (like search and rescue).

Changes to LandscapeIn terms of the physical changes that are beingseen throughout the ISR, the eastern andwestern communities are seeing some similarchanges. Observed changes in the Inuvik andAklavik areas can be related directly to theestuarine landscape where they are located. Anincrease in sedimentary deposits coupledwith decreased water levels (since the 1970s)has made traveling in the summer and fall verychallenging. Sandbars are a constant hazard insome areas. In some cases, it is believed that

sedimentation increases effluence and has anegative impact on the quality of drinking water.

In the east, in particular in the community ofPaulatuk, a similar trend in landscape changehas been observed. Residents have noticed anincrease in the erosion of banks and shorelines,especially in deltas. The Hornaday River wasmentioned as a specific example, with reportsthat it is filling with sediment.

Lower river water levels compound the prob-lem of higher sedimentary deposits (and may infact be the cause of them). Also, lower precipi-tation, especially in the wintertime, means thatlakes are not being replenished. The result isthat it is difficult to travel by boat, particularlyin smaller creeks, and this makes it harder toaccess hunting areas and camps. Traveling tothe ocean is also more difficult. Schooners thatwere often used up until the 1960s are not usedmuch anymore since their deeper keels do notallow them to navigate the rivers. Another pos-sible result of lower water levels is that river andlake temperatures are warmer in the summer-time, which may be affecting the quality offish meat, as sometimes netted fish are “soft”.

In the east, similar reports of low water levelsand consequent difficulties with fishing andtraveling were made in the Holman Islandworkshop. In fact some residents commentedthat some rivers have run dry altogether. Con-versely, in Paulatuk, the second community inthe east, residents reported that higher tides(and high winds) are causing higher water levelsand stronger currents. High water levels andsubsequent river conditions in this communityare thought to be causing increased erosionand therefore increased sedimentary deposits.Conversely, as previously discussed, increasedsedimentation in the west has been attributedto opposite conditions, lower water levelsin rivers.

There was consensus in the Inuvik and Aklavikworkshops that the thickness of river ice hasdiminished since the 1970s. In Tuktoyaktuk,thin ice was noticed in the 1980s. As a resultof diminished ice thickness, spring break-up


on rivers occurs earlier in the season, lasts forless time, and is less dynamic and noisy. Thishas three main effects: 1) A decreased numberof months that the ice road can be of use (dis-cussed in the Inuvik specific portion of section5.3). 2) A decreased degree of safety on theriver itself. Thin river ice is a serious hazardto hunters who use the river as a corridor fortravel in the winter. 3) A decrease in the amountof trapping that can take place. Late formationof river and lake ice means that the land is lessaccessible by skidoo or by foot. This can haveserious economic effects for some families.

The Delta region is in an area of discontinuouspermafrost (i.e. 50% to 90% of the land ispermanently frozen due to lack of solar heat).Warmer summers, milder winters, less snow,as well as other changes related to climatechange have started to melt areas that wereonce frozen and to increase the depth of the“active layer” that lies overtop of permafrostduring summer months. The effects on thewestern ISR are multiple: 1) storing meat is morechallenging, and this problem is compactedby the small, and sometimes malfunctioning,community freezers. The impact on Elders ishighest as their capacity to hunt is challengedby old age and they rely on community freezersto supplement what is otherwise available tothem. 2) There are an increased number ofmudslides, especially at banks and shoresin the region. 3) An increase in the amountof slumping, resulting in roads and homesneeding to be moved.

Similar observations of diminished ice thicknessand melting permafrost were observed in theeastern region of the ISR. Both communitieshave seen travel become more dangerous asa result. Travel to camps in the fall and springhas been inhibited because sea ice is changingand unpredictable during these seasons. Huntingtrips have become shorter also as a result ofthese ice conditions.

Recommendations: People have adapted totraveling on shallow rivers by using flat bot-tom boats. These boats are not appropriate,however, to use on the ocean and few people

have the capacity to buy two different types ofboats. Residents have also tried to find differentroutes to safely access the land and the ocean,though this is not always successful, and comeswith its own dangers. One solution might be tomark one river route from the towns to the ocean(with buoys), allowing people to use a corridorthat is relatively safe for deeper keeled boats andoutboards. Dredging may be required in someof the shallow areas to create the requireddepth, and this may need to be repeated eachyear in order to maintain a safe route.

Residents are unsure of the quality of the drink-ing water. Their concern is based on two mainfactors: 1) the increased effluence and “swampy”taste and; 2) the possibility that melting perma-frost may contribute to the release of previouslyfrozen contaminants. It is recommended thatresidential drinking water along with othersources, be tested regularly and this informa-tion be communicated to residents to secureindividuals’ confidence in their water source.

It was suggested that the Mackenzie Riveraround Inuvik and Aklavik be monitored withthe aid of satellite imagery to track changes anddetermine areas that are under the greatestthreat of low water levels, degrading shoresand banks, higher sedimentation and emergingsandbars.

Ice houses, gas-powered freezers, and com-munity freezers should be considered as waysto moderate the effects of thinning and depletedpermafrost. Most hunting activity in the areatakes place in the spring and summer months,putting a seasonal strain on community andhousehold freezers. Out on the land duringthe summertime, permafrost is key to storingmeats until they can be transported back totown. It would take a substantial amount ofgas, manpower, and ongoing maintenance torebuild and manage the freezer. Alternativescould include subsidizing the cost of householdfreezers.

A cost-benefit analysis should take place todetermine what, if any, actions would mostbenefit the community.


Changes to Vegetation:The three western ISR communities have seennumbers of willow and grasses rise in theirregion. In the Aklavik workshop, it was notedthat there has been an expansion in the territoryof the willow. The height of these plants isgreater as well. In contrast, in the eastern regionof the ISR (where there were few observationson vegetation) in the community of Paulatukthe number of grasses has decreased. In addi-tion, a change in the growth of berries wasnoted in both eastern communities. Berriesare less plentiful and are seen to ripen later,or not ripen at all now.

Changes to InsectsIt is interesting to note the disparate experi-ences that different areas of the ISR are havingwhen it comes to mosquitoes. In the west, thenumber of mosquitoes has increased, alongwith the length of the “bug season” and thesize of mosquitoes. This is partly explained bythe increase in stagnant water (caused by lowerriver and lake waters) and a thicker “activelayer” of soil overlying melting permafrost. Itis also likely caused by longer spring and fallseasons that the area is experiencing. It isbelieved that more mosquitoes drive caribounorth to the shores where higher winds maygive them relief from the biting insects.

In Holman Island and Paulatuk the exactopposite seems to be true. There are fewermosquitoes, the length of the mosquitoseason is shorter than before, and the insectsthemselves are smaller. It is probably relevantthat both towns also reported longer winterswith freezing temperatures lasting well intothe spring, which effectively decreases thenumber of weeks per summer that mosquitoescan survive. Furthermore, the terrain in theeastern ISR is dominated by rocky tundra andcontinuous permafrost so it is not as ideal formosquito breeding as the Western Delta region.

Changes to FaunaSince the 1990s, several changes in the qualityand characteristics in animal fur have started to

take place. Terrestrial mammals such as hare,fox, wolf, and wolverine have been affected.Changes include yellowing of the fur, a decreasein the amount of guard hair, and shorter furoverall. Priming takes place later in the fallseason due to temperatures staying warmerlater. This is of economic importance to all ISRcommunities, but particularly to the westernISR where these changes have been morepronounced and where trapping is a mainstayof the economy. To compound the problem,muskrat and beaver populations in the Deltahave decreased since the 1990s. The result isthat people are not taking part in hunting ortrapping as much, since the economic benefitsmay not outweigh the cost of the hunt. Addi-tionally, seamstresses are sometimes requiredto buy furs at the local co-op, which can bevery expensive.

It is noteworthy that there has been a rise inthe number of sightings of cougars in theDelta region. However, cougar are a worryfor residents that come into contact withthem, especially while out on the land. It isnot understood yet how to behave duringsuch encounters in order to avoid tragedy,or what the true dangers might actually be.

Since the early 1990s, Inuvik, Aklavik andTuktoyaktuk residents have seen the springgoose migration patterns shift eastward, awayfrom their communities and into the easternISR lands. Today, longer travel is required inorder to hunt geese, and overall these birdsare harder to locate. One response has beento organize an Elders goose hunt to ease someof the difficulties that the seniors have in access-ing geese. The drop in availability in goosemeat (and the concurrent drop in availabilityof ducks, in some communities) has forcedMackenzie Delta residents to look to othercommunities for these meats, usually HolmanIsland, Sachs Harbour, and Paulatuk, which arelocated in areas that seem to have benefitedfrom the eastern shift in the goose migrationroute. Unfortunately, intercommunity sharingcontinues to be hindered by the lack of well-maintained community freezers.


In the eastern ISR, where communities aresituated on the coast, polar bear, and to somedegree grizzly bear and wolves, are comingcloser to town than ever before, and inhabi-tants are fearful of them. It is not yet under-stood whether these animals are driven bychanges in their environment brought aboutby climate change, or if they are simply lured bygarbage and stored meat. It is likely however,that thinner sea ice and earlier break-up forcespolar bears off the ocean and onto land earlierin the season, where they have less access tothe seals that make up most of their diet. Itshould be noted that grizzly tracks have beenseen on the ice, and that polar bears havebeen seen within the tree line, indicating thatthey are exploring territories outside of theirtypical habitat.

Recommendations: Thinning ice across theISR (discussed earlier) and the decline in thequality of furs means that trappers’ safety andincome from the traditional fur-based economyare threatened. Given the projected increasesin temperatures over the next several decades,changes to the land and to the quality of furmay not be reversible. There is a need to furtheranalyse the potential effects of the projecteddecline in this culturally and economicallysignificant industry, and a need to develop themeans to help trappers adapt to the changesthat are influencing their livelihoods.

It is strongly suggested that to counter unfore-seen fluctuations in the patterns of many animals(i.e. geese), the community request support tofix and maintain the community freezer. Thismight help to bolster intercommunity tradingin country food, easing the disproportionateavailability of certain species, and helping tostore meats.

Another positive impact of increasing thecapacity for freezers is that they could alsohelp to keep animals out of town and awayfrom camps, as animals such as bears andwolves do not easily detect properly storedand frozen meat. If meat is stored or disposedof improperly, there is a possibility that someanimals may grow accustomed to identifying

villages and camps as sources of food. To deterthe development of “problem” bears, sometowns in the eastern areas of the ISR may alsowish to consider secure, bear-proof garbagecans in their communities.

Increased StressAlthough there is little direct consequenceto subsistence, health, or livelihood, there isa great deal of concern over the erosion ofcultural sites in the western areas of the ISR.This includes the erosion of grave sites and ofareas that were felt to be culturally important,such as old whaling beaches, lookout sites, andancient graves. These are considered to besignificant places in the lore and ancestry ofthe area, and there exists significant anxietyover their deterioration.

In all communities where workshops wereheld there was much fear and anxiety voicedregarding the tentative accessibility of game,hunting camps, and fishing areas, as well asrougher and less safe travel routes. Also, fearof the unknown, particularly where diseaseand contaminants are concerned, is extremelydisconcerting (this is discussed in detail insection 5.1, p. 7). Overall, it cannot be ignoredthat climate change is having serious effectson all aspects of the environment. In a regionso closely tied, culturally and economically tothe land and sea, this is having deep reper-cussions. People are fearful of the attrition oftheir culture and well being (both economicaland mental) as activities that must, by necessity,take place on the land are becoming moredifficult, less safe, and economically unfeasible.

5.3 Community-Specific ConcernsDespite numerous overlapping observations andconcerns in the ISR (discussed in the previoussection), appropriate attention should also begiven to some of the unique environmentalchanges that have been observed in eachcommunity. These changes also have deepand significant impacts on the economies andwellness of the people that reside in the ISR.The following are some of the environmentalobservations that are unique to each ISRcommunity (Figure 4).


Inuvik

More Forest Fires:

Residents from Inuvik were the only ISR resi-dents to express deep concern over the increasein the number of forest fires in the region sincethe 1970s. Settled within the tree line, forestfires concern them more than any other ISRcommunity. Residents link this phenomenonto two things. 1) More frequent “dry seasons”and drought-like periods, with less precipita-tion at all times of the year. 2) The perceived“increase” in forest fires may also be a resultof how forest fire management has changed inthe past. Forest fires are left to burn for longerperiods of time now, so long as they are notthreatening people. Forest fires affect the com-munity in a variety of ways. First of all, there isa certain amount of natural fear and anxietythat is tied to the idea of forest fires. Also, inthe short term, animals (muskrat, bear, mink,

marten, etc) are scared away from burn areasand this makes trapping impossible. Migrationroutes, in addition, circumvent recent burn areas.And in the long term, forest fires reduce theavailability of berries.

Warm Water is Affecting the Quality of FishMeat:Shallower, warmer rivers and lakes are believedto be having adverse effects on local fish. SeveralInuvik residents complain that after several hourscaught in fish nets, fish die more quickly. Also,their flesh becomes soft, particularly on top,and is not able to be dried as it is mushy and“cooked”. The result is that some fish have tobe thrown away as they cannot be preservedor eaten fresh. To avoid fish dying in the netsand rotting, fishers no longer leave their netsin the water overnight and they limit the timethat they leave their nets in the water duringthe daytime.

Figure 4. Summary of Community-Specific Concerns

A summary of environmental concerns unique to each ISR community

Inuvik • More forest fires.

• Warm water is affecting the quality of fish meat.

• Numbers of insects are increasing and staying longer in the fall.

• Ice roads threatened.

Aklavik • Weather has become more violent (tornados).

• Earlier spawning of fish.

• Number of whales has decreased.

• Changing drainage patterns.

Tuktoyaktuk • Permafrost is melting quickly.

• Herring are thinner. Their numbers have decreased.

• Numbers of ptarmigan have decreased.

• Algae in rivers and lakes has increased.

Holman Island • There are fewer mosquitoes.

• Seals are negatively affected by less snow and ice (skinny, harder to raise pups, poor pelts).

• Polar and grizzly bears are closer to town.

• Diabetes and cancer are more prevalent.

Paulatuk • “Mosquito season” is shorter.

• More char are deformed (their spines and heads).

• Higher ocean levels and tides cause stronger currents.

• More freezing rain.


Number of Insects are Increasing and StayingLonger in the Fall:Contrary to the reports from Paulatuk, Inuvikresidents are finding that the “bug season” intheir area has become longer and that there aremore insects and more different insect speciesthan ever before. Sand flies and mosquitoes arethe greatest worry since they are not only anuisance but they are believed to carry disease.While in town, residents cope with this prob-lem by installing screens on windows. Cariboumay be reacting to the increased bug and mos-quito population by spending more time closerto the coast where the wind offers respite.

Ice Roads Threatened: Inuvik is a unique community as it one of theonly Inuit communities with ice roads linkingit to the south. The quality and longevity ofthese ice roads have an enormous impact onthe economy of Inuvik. Residents have noticedthat the longevity and the condition of iceroads have deteriorated since ice forms later inthe fall, and breaks up later in the spring. Thisaffects people’s mobility on the land, since iceroads are used as avenues to access game. Italso affects the cost of doing business, eating,and living in general, since transporting goodsinto Inuvik by air is much more costly thantrucking goods in. The decreased existence ofice roads has affected people in that 1) theyare forced to use alternate routes when travelingon the land; 2) they are much more dependenton outboards in the spring and on skidoos inthe fall (expensive items which may or may notbe available); and 3) they are forced to payhigher prices for store-bought foods at a timewhen alternatives (the local game) are noteasily accessible. Besides greater monitoringand communication, there are few things thatcan aid in making the ice road safer.

Aklavik

Weather has Become More Violent:A tornado sighting (away from the community)was reported in the past two years. Althoughit had little physical effect on the community,

it has left a deep impression that the possibilityfor unusual and extreme weather exists. It alsodrove home the fact that micro climates (weatherpatterns that are very localised), whether theyare caused by climate change or not, can beextremely powerful. The community would liketo know how to prepare for this type of an event.

Earlier Spawning of Fish:It is not certain what causes this. Warmerwaters, faster break-ups of river ice, increasedsediment, and less run-off are all presented aspossible causes.

Number of Whales has Decreased:Only in the past few years have bowhead whalesbecome less common. Since the early 1990s,Aklavik residents have hunted bowheads, andhave come to rely on their meat. The decreasein whales, or in whale sightings, has meantthat the community has had to trade withother communities for meat when they needsome. They have also learned to rely on thecommunity freezer to help with their supplywhen they run out.

Changing Drainage Patterns:There are several possible causes for this. Lesssnow is believed to contribute to less springrunoff and lower water levels overall. Also,melting permafrost is believed to be the causeof entire lakes draining. Furthermore, increasedsedimentary deposits and sandbars havechanged the character of certain parts of theriver Delta. Overall, the landscape is drierthan it was in the past.

Tuktoyaktuk

Permafrost is Melting Quickly:Mudslides, landslides, and erosion, as wellas “disappearing” pingos (used as a referencewhen out on the land) are all more commonnow due to melting permafrost. In town, roadsand infrastructure are threatened. It is suggestedthat this is brought on by more rain and highertemperatures.


Herring are Thinner, their Numbers haveDecreased:Thinner and fewer herring are a concern thatonly Tuktoyaktuk residents have voiced, thoughother communities have the same concern forother fish species. Residents have adapted tothis by beginning to fish for herring earlier inthe year.

Number of Ptarmigan has Decreased:This was described as a long term trend. Itis believed that the ptarmigan are migratingcloser to the river now. With fewer of themfound near town, capturing enough to makea meal is difficult and more energy must bespent traveling to find them.

Algae in Rivers and Lakes has Increased:Tuktoyaktuk residents believe this is related tolow water levels, and more stagnant waters.They have also noticed that the taste of fresh-water from lakes is “swampy”. People preferthe freshwater that comes from icebergs inwintertime.

Holman Island

Effects of the Decrease in Snow and Sea Ice:There are numerous concerns shared betweenthe communities (see Figure 2 on p. 7). Oneof these common concerns is the affect thedecrease in the thickness of sea ice is havingon animals and travel route access in theregions. It is significant that, although eachcommunity voiced alarm over this recentenvironmental change, not all communitiesfind it important for the same reasons.

One example is the following: While other ISRcommunities link the effect of thinning iceto the decreased accessibility of travel routesand game, Holman Island residents link thediminished thickness of sea ice directly to itseffects on seals, and to some extent on polarbears. Thinning ice means that break-up takesplace earlier in the year, when mother seals arenursing their young on the sea ice. Holmanresidents maintain that the advent of break-up

significantly decreases the amount of timethat seals spend with their young. They havereported that seal pups have become fewerand also skinnier, and that there has been adecrease in the quality of their pelts, possiblyindicating malnourishment. They have alsonoticed that polar bears are forced off theoceans earlier in the season and onto land,thereby spending more time closer to thecommunity.

Decrease in the Mosquito Population:Although the community of Paulatuk hasnoticed a decrease in the mosquito season(the number of weeks each summer thatmosquitoes survive), it was only in HolmanIsland where residents were concerned overthe apparent decrease in the local mosquitopopulation. It is uncertain what the cause ofthis is, though the increase in wind and drierconditions could be causing a drop in thenumber of these pesky insects.

Polar Bears and Grizzlies are Closer to Town:In general, this is seen as a danger and a nui-sance. It is also frightening, and residents havebecome very careful in terms of how they storetheir meat and dispose of animal remains.

Diabetes and Cancer are More Prevalent:The community has expressed concern overthese two diseases and stressed that they donot know why they seem to be more prevalentnow than ever before. Also, they would like toknow how to cope with these diseases andfind out whether their occurrence is relatedto genetic or environmental factors.

Paulatuk

Shorter Mosquito Season:Throughout the ISR (Inuvik in particular), andin other areas of the Arctic, mosquito popu-lations have benefited from the milder andsometimes damper climates. This is not truein Paulatuk, where residents are reporting ashorter mosquito season. It is not certain whatthe exact cause for this is although higher winds


near the coast and cooler, drier summers havebeen considered as possible contributors toshorter mosquito seasons.

More Deformed Char:Some char have been found with misshapenspines and at least one captured char had abulge on its head. Also, the meat of some charis pale, not bright pink. It is suspected that con-taminants may be causing these deformationsand the worry is that bioaccumulation ofcontaminants in fish will lead to the furtherpoisoning of seals and humans who eat char.

Higher Water Levels in the Oceans:Higher tides cause stronger currents, whichresult in changes in the characteristics of thecoast and erosion of the shorelines and beaches.One good example can be seen at Johnny GreenBay, once a thirty-foot-high lookout for whalers.Over time, its height has decreased greatly.

More Freezing Rain:In the past few years, Paulatuk residents haveobserved more freezing rain. This is dangerousfor hunters both on the land and on the sea. Inaddition, it was noted that freezing rain some-times drives caribou away as they search forfeeding areas free of freezing rain. This furthersthe problems for hunters as caribou movefurther distance away and are sometimesout of reach.

5.4 New and Unusual Bird and Animal LifeExcept in the case of Holman Island, it seemsvery apparent that ‘new’ southern bird specieshave started making themselves more at homeat higher latitudes (Figure 5). There are almosttwenty recognizable new bird species beingnoted by local inhabitants. In the western ISR,tree-line birds such as robins, kingfishers, andblue jays have been more commonly sightedsince the 1980s. In Paulatuk, tree-line birdshave been noted since as early as the 1960sand have become increasingly common sincethen. Gulls, ravens, and crows, though alreadycommon to the area, have all notably had an

observed population surge in all communitiessince the end of the 1980s.

Holman Island stands alone in this regard.Besides a greater number of geese, the com-munity did not report many new or unusualbirds. This is likely due to Holman’s locationon the northern archipelago, and a geographythat cannot support other species beyond highArctic maritime birds. Of the five communitiesdiscussed here, Holman has the most unvariedlandscape in comparison to the others withlandscapes including tundra, tree line, Delta,and/or ocean that can support a wider arrayof bird life. Although bird life may be a goodindicator of climate change in the other fourcommunities, it is likely that birdlife is simplynot symptomatic of environmental changes inthe Holman Island area.

Hardy animals, such as fish and insects, makeup the majority of observations of new andunusual (and typically more southern) animalspecies (see Figure 6, p. 24). Except for anincrease in the size and prevalence of salmonand the recent appearance of cougars in theDelta region (which may or may not be relatedto climate change), there is little consistencyor pattern to the species of unusual animalsvisiting the region. What is significant, how-ever, is that all communities reported seeingnew species from the south, and that thesesightings continue to become more andmore common.

It should be noted that flora and fauna typicalto the region (such as polar bear, char, sealsand fox) are not considered on these tables.Increases in their population and changes intheir patterns and behaviours are considered inother parts of this report. Further, observationsthat are extremely unusual (such as pelicanand dolphin sightings) have been included inFigures 5 and 6, in order to create a consis-tent and thorough report, and to omit thepreconceived notions of non-residents asmuch as possible.


Figure 5. New or Unusual Bird Species Observed inthe ISR

Inuvik Aklavik Tuktoyaktuk Holman Is. Paulatuk TOTAL

Robin ● ● 2

Goldfinch ● ● 2

Hummingbird ● ● ● 3

Heron ● ● ● 3

Eagle ● ● 2

Vulture ● ● 2

Raven ● ● 2

Crow ● 1

Gull ● ● 2

Kingfisher ● 1

Red Grebe ● 1

Blue Jay ● 1

Goose ● 1

Shorebird ● 1

Songbird ● ● 2

Pelican ● 1

Magpie ● 1

Snowy Owl ● 1

TOTAL 7 7 7 1 7 29


Figure 6. New or Unusual Animals Observed in the ISR

Inuvik Aklavik Tuk. Holman Paulatuk TOTAL

Fish Jellyfish ● 1

Eel ● 1

Salmon (increase) ● ● ● 3

Turbot (increase) ● 1

Cod (larger) ● ● 2

Insects Grasshopper ● ● 2

Ant ● ● 2

Yellow Jacket ● 1

Hornet ● 1

Bumblebee ● 1

‘Reddish’ Beetle ● 1

Dragonfly ● 1

Spider ● 1

Reptiles Lizard ● 1

Amphibians Frog ● 1

Mammals Cougar ● 1

Lynx ● 1

Beaver ● 1

Rat ● 1

Shrew ● 1

Marine

MammalsDolphin ● 1

TOTAL 4 9 1 5 7 26


6.0 GOING FORWARD

Currently, there is great concern over some ofthe changes taking place in the ISR. Residents’awareness of the various environmental threatsat play in Arctic regions is not always coupledwith the knowledge of what can be done tohelp mitigate their effects. It is important toensure that Inuit have the capacity and resourcesto participate in regional, territorial and federalclimate change and energy-related activities sothat they can make informed decisions regardingthe impacts of climate change and the effectsof measures to address climate change. Inuitcan then determine the most appropriate miti-gation and adaptation actions to minimizeadverse effects on the health and quality of lifein their communities. To do so, they need thecapacity to initiate an ongoing strategic plan-ning process, centered on a long term Inuitclimate change strategy.

This section discusses some of the ways thatInuvialuit would like to go about respondingto these challenges. These include:

1. Create an organizational structure respon-sible for overseeing and coordinating anInuit response to climate change.

2. Increase communication and informationthat is available to the region.

3. Increase the amount of monitoring thattakes place so as to develop quantifiableknowledge regarding the changes takingplace in the North.

4. Increase local participation in scientificresearch that takes place in the area, soas not only to include the perspectives ofhunters but also those of Elders, youth,and women.

5. Access more information on alternativeenergy, identify potential renewable energyand energy efficiency projects, promoterenewable energy and energy efficiencytechnologies in the communities, includingbetter access to household energy audits.

These five points are discussed below.

6.1 Organization

There is a need for an Inuit-specific organiza-tional structure. Many Inuit needs would beanswered by installing a full-time climate changeresource person at the national level (possiblyat ITK) with full-time regionally based peoplein the communities. This committee could focuson climate change issues that link regional,national and international organizations. Theywould manage the relationships and partner-ships between research bodies and communi-ties. They would manage and promote thecommunication channels that are required forinformation exchange and education initiativessurrounding the climate change issue. Theywould coordinate and promote alternativeenergy efforts in the ISR (and in all Inuit regions),and they would help to source funding for propermonitoring of climate change indicators.

This is required to ensure that Inuit from allregions and communities:

• are informed of the potential health andenvironmental effects associated withclimate change;

• can participate in the federal governmentdecision-making process on climate change;

• can assist the federal departments involvedto deliver their climate change mandates;

• are able to participate in the scientific andpolicy initiatives required to define andreact to the impacts climate change maybring to the Arctic;

• are able to participate in energy-relatedprograms and initiatives; and

• have the capacity to make informed decisionsregarding the impacts of climate change.

There is a further need for an Inuit-specificcoordinating committee to focus on climatechange that links regional, national, and inter-national organizations. Similar to the Inuit


health model, funding should be available toinclude organizations like the Pauktuutit InuitWomen’s Association, youth and the RegionalInuit Associations.

An Inuit-specific mechanism could promotemeaningful Inuit responses and solutions.Capacity building and effective participationis critical. Cooperation and coordination areessential to this process. Inuit and the Arcticecosystem are at the vanguard of global warningand as a result, it is essential that recognition,respect, and support be provided to Inuit nowand in the future.

6.2 Information DisseminationInuvialuit need a well-entrenched, two-waycommunication strategy. The overall purposewould be to have relevant, complete, up-to-dateand accessible information for Inuit to increasetheir understanding and control over climatechange-related issues and problems, and toassist Inuit in making their own, informedlifestyle decisions.

During the workshops, Inuvialuit voiced specificitems that they felt were important to under-stand, and which they felt would be helpedby the implementation of a well-organizedcommunication strategy. These include:

1. Basic climate change material that can helpInuvialuit understand what causes climatechange, signs of climate change in their area,and other information on natural science.

2. Reports on present and future potentialhealth and environmental effects of climatechange in the North.

3. North American laws and regulations, aswell as the international accords that aimto moderate the effects of climate change.Inuvialuit have little or no control over manyof the environmental problems they areexperiencing. These are problems whichcome from southern and foreign places andwhich leave Inuit wondering why laws arenot more effective, and why penalties arenot high enough to deter polluters.

4. New energy-related technology options andrenewable energy and energy efficiencymeasures.

It would be best if this information were avail-able in schools, but also in community centersand other public buildings so that everyonecould have access to them. This informationshould be made available in Inuktitut.

It is important that information disseminationdoes not take place as a one-way channel. Itis equally important that knowledge regardingeffects of climate change or the success orfailure of adaptation and mitigation efforts isdirected outward to people who need thisinformation. Informal and formal dialogueswith other communities, as well as people inthe scientific and governing bodies wouldhave great benefit.

Once clear channels of information flow are inplace it will become far easier to effectivelymake use of community-based front-line com-municators. As people based in Inuit commu-nities, they would be able to answer questionsand serve as sources of knowledge on climatechange related matters. Their role would beessential in ensuring that Inuit build the capa-city and resources to participate in regional,territorial and federal climate change andenergy-related activities.

6.3 MonitoringThe extent of climate change, and the degreeto which it affects an area, can only be knownthrough proper monitoring. By collecting climatechange observations, an appropriate toolboxof climate change indicators can be developed.During discussions, communities pointed outareas where they felt monitoring these indi-cators would reveal significant trends. Forexample, Aklavik residents would like tosee the landscape at Shingle Point monitored,since its harbour has degraded and the landthere has subsided to the extent that peoplefear it may disappear altogether.


6.4 Partnerships/Scientific Inclusion

Many participants voiced a serious desire tobe included as equal partners in scientific andpolicy initiatives that arise from the changesin the Arctic that are brought on by climatechange. They would like:

• to have a say where research resources aredirected;

• to participate in scientific, mitigation, andimpact and adaptive initiatives to suggestways of using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)in studies and in the monitoring of climatechange, and;

• to ensure the participation and training ofInuvialuit youth in the technical and scientificareas of climate change, so as to encourageskill development, as well as to lay a foun-dation for lifetime awareness and sensitivityto this issue.

A good example of where partnering withscientific bodies could be of enormous benefitcomes from the Paulatukmiut, who wish tohave their drinking water monitored. Not onlywould this serve the initial purposes of guaran-teeing purity, quantifying contaminant levels,and easing people’s fears that water quality isnot affecting human health; it could also grantopportunities to people from Paulatuk to learnabout this aspect of the environment and takeon the responsibility to oversee the health ofthe town drinking water supply.

6.5 Alternative Energies

Inuvialuit expressed a desire to be involved indeveloping a plan to identify potential renewableenergy and energy efficiency projects and topromote these technologies in their communi-ties. This would ideally be done in consultationwith appropriate organizations and appropriatefederal government incentive programs shouldbe used. Community and household energyplanning initiatives, including energy audits,should be a part of this process.

7.0 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

The workshops in the ISR elicited communityperspectives on climate and environmentalchange in this region. Climate change is affect-ing many aspects of the environment in thisregion. In fact, it is in the Arctic regions wheremany of the most drastic effects of climatechange are already being seen. Local temper-atures rise in the face of global warming andthe physical environment, vegetation, animaland human life are all affected by the resultingchanges in a variety of successive steps andchain-like processes. Being the last level of thechain for many impacts, humans are forced torespond, cope and adapt to changes directlyto themselves and to those in the environmentaround them. As Inuit are so closely tied tothe land, sea, and waters around them via thespecies these environments provide, and asthe Arctic environment is one that is exhibitingvery rapid changes in the face of global climatechange, it is important to better understandInuit and northern community perspectiveson these issues and to begin to work withcommunities to develop adaptation measures.The following diagram (Figure 7) summarizesthe influence of global warming on Inuitcommunities.

To understand the climatic and environmentalpicture of the region as a whole, it was impor-tant to look at five distinct communities in theanalysis of change occurring in the ISR. Thefive communities who participated in theseworkshops were Aklavik, Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk,Holman Island and Paulatuk. Owing to theuniqueness of each community’s specificlocation as well as to their varied proximityto each other, a comparison and contrast ofdifferences and similarities was possible withinand between communities as well as betweenthe eastern ISR and the western ISR. This reportpresents this analysis in Section 5.0, coveringshared concerns between all ISR communities,comparisons and patterns between eastern andwestern ISR communities and finally a short


synopsis of changes unique to each community.Further, throughout this report recommendationsfor future action and research as well as adap-tations to be made by communities or thosealready being used at the community level weremade with regards to many of the changes

observed. Based on the community workshopsand perspectives expressed by residents inattendance, a summary of these recommenda-tions with regards to future research and actionon the issue of climate change and communityadaptations for the ISR is presented in Figure 8.

Human Coping,

Adaptation and

Mitigation

Rise inTemperatures

and UV-B

PhysicalEnvironment

and Vegetation

AnimalsInsects and

Birds

HumanInterations withthe Environment

As the physical environment, plant life, and animal life respond to climate change, people respond to the changes that are happening at ALL levels of their environment.

Each consecutive lvel is affected by all levels above it.Each consecutive level is affected by all levels above it.

Figure 7. Influence of Global Warming and Increased

UV-B on Inuit Communities


Figure 8. Summary of Recommendations

Concern Recommendation

Unpredictable weather makes travel

uncertain and sometimes dangerous.

Ice conditions and low water levels make

travel uncertain and sometimes dangerous.

Thinning and depleted ice and perma-

frost conditions are putting a strain on

storage space and capacity in community

and household freezers.

Thinning ice and warm temperatures are

causing a decline in the quality of furs;

trappers’ incomes are threatened.

Changes in current and future fluctuations

in the patterns of many animals (i.e. geese

and caribou).

Contaminated drinking water and increased

contaminants in meat.

• Increase communication accessibility (i.e. cell phones, CBs, two-

way radios).

• Better weather and ocean info (from drilling camps, regional

weather stations and Environment Canada) to local radio stations.

• Better communication between coast guard and communities and

build capacity within coast guard.

• Build more permanent shelters on land.

• Make satellite imagery more available to community residents to

track changes and areas of greatest threat.

• Mark unsafe areas with durable, high quality buoys; mark safe

routes for deep-keeled boats and outboards.

• Better communication and shelters on land.

• Icehouses, gas-powered freezers and rebuilt community freezers

should be considered as ways to moderate the effects.

• A substantial amount of gas, manpower and ongoing maintenance

to rebuild and manage the community freezers would be needed;

alternatives include subsidizing household freezers.

• Analyze potential effects of the projected decline in this culturally

and economically significant industry.

• Develop the means to help trappers adapt to the changes

influencing their livelihoods.

• Communities should request support to fix and maintain the

community freezers.

• Intercommunity trading in country foods should be bolstered.

• Water should be tested regularly to ensure confidence in water

sources and to monitor changes.

• Education on these issues should increase.

• More outreach materials to communities.

• Suspect meat should be tested.

• Monitoring contaminants and climate change indicators.


8.0 APPENDIX

Figure 9. List of Workshop Participants

Inuvik William Vaneltsi, Lucy Adams, Ruby McLeod, Sarah Tingmiak, JohnnyBanksland, Andy Tardiff, Joe Teddy, Mary Teddy, Walter Elias, JessieColten, Elias Aviugana, Maureen Elias, Deva Gordon, Elizabeth Firth,Albert Bernhardt, Agnes Nasogaluak, Catherine Mitchell, Mary Allen,Louie Goose, Roy Goose (observer), Lynn Lau (observer).

Aklavik Danny A. Gordon, Annie B. Gordon, Carol D. Arey, Jacob Archie, DannyC. Gordon, Pat Kasook, Jerome Gordon, Louisa Kelanik, Jim B. Edwards,Agnes Edwards, David John, Alice Husky, Gary Montgrand, Ruth Furlong,Faye Gordon (observer).

Tuktoyaktuk Maureen Pokiak, Agnes Felix, Noah Felix, Lena Anikina, Dennis Raddi,Bradley Voudrach, Ernest Pokiak, Emmanuel Adam, Billy Jacobson,Ernest Cockney.

Holman Island John Alikamik, Lisa Alikamik, Anita Oliktoak, Joshua Oliktoak, RyanOliktoak.

Paulatuk Connie Green, Josie Green, Peter Green, William Kuptana, Brenda Ruben,Edward Ruben Sr., Kathy Ruben, Larry Ruben, Mary Evik Ruben, PeterRuben, Veronica Ruben, Gilbert Thrasher Sr.

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE INUVIALUIT SETTLEMENT REGION · inuqnit okaosiqaqsotik, maliqtoksaqot, sila...

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