Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Traditional Knowledge Study
Organization Responsible
Ramona Maraj – Carnivore Biologist, Yukon Government
Dorothy Cooley – Regional Biologist, Yukon Government
Marsha Brannigan, Regional Manager, GNWT
Partner Organizations
Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope)
Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT)
Government of NWT
Parks Canada, Western Arctic Field Unit
Yukon Government, Department of Environment
Program Description
This project proposes to gather local and traditional knowledge related to the population status of polar bears, and climate change and the influences that climate change has had on polar bears and their habitat in the Southern Beaufort. Traditional knowledge studies in the region have not focused on this species, yet there is a rich history of using this species for subsistence and, in the last several decades, for Inuvialuit-guided commercial sport hunts. Therefore, there is a strong oral history related to ice conditions and habitat use.
To acquire information on polar bear ecology in the area, we propose to 1) perform a search of known databases to amalgamate and review the potential sources of local and traditional knowledge of polar bears in the region, 2) conduct a gap analysis of the information currently available, and 3) interview hunters, elders, locals, and individuals who use the land. This information will be consolidated in a report and used to inform management decisions that pertain to polar bears.
Individuals will be selected by HTCs in Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, and Tuktoyutuk. By interviewing individuals in each of five ISR communities this will provide a regional perspective on the ecology and status of the Southern and Northern Beaufort polar bear populations. Some interview work has been conducted on the Alaska side of the Southern Beaufort population. We will work with managers in Alaska to incorporate the information acquired during that local and traditional knowledge assessment. Residents of each community will be used to conduct or assist with conducting interviews.
There is a joint interest in collaborating among agencies and organizations that are responsible for polar bear management in the Southern and Northern Beaufort Sea. Recognizing this joint interest and the benefits of having a consistent approach to collecting and examining local and traditional knowledge, the lead responsible organizations (listed above) will initiate development of the survey instrument, then the survey instrument and approach will be modified and approved by the partner organizations (listed above). Similarly, a collaborative approach will be used for determining how to examine/analyze and incorporate the knowledge into polar bear management.
Where possible, youth from each community will attend interviews. This is a good opportunity for young people to hear the information that Elders to have to share with us.
The appropriate agreements will be developed and approved to address matters of data ownership, informed consent, and confidentiality. (Templates exist for previous traditional knowledge studies undertaken with the Aklavik HTC).
Management Implications
This project compliments existing and proposed efforts (coastal bear survey, population survey, and denning survey) to understand how climate change may be affecting polar bear habitat and population status. National committees are interested in acquiring more local and traditional knowledge on this species, so that the information can be incorporated into reports and used to assist with management decisions.
This would be a 2 to 4 year project, dependent on the availability of funds. Background research and database searches would take place in the first year (this work will be completed March 31, 2009). Primary interviews would take place in the first and second year. As required, follow-up interviews may take place in the third or fourth year. Reporting would take place in the third or fourth year.
Budget