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THE CONVERSATION
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Author: David Bolish, Postdoctoral Fellow, Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Arctic and Sub-Arctic Studies. Ashley Kunsolo, Founding Dean, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Labrador Campus, School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies. Inez Shiwak, Community Research Her Partner. Jamie Snook, Adjunct Marine Program, Dalhousie University, Shelly Harper, Chair, Canadian Research Commission on Climate Change and Health, University of Alberta
We have shared a deep and enduring connection with the caribou throughout. However, in recent years, as a result of the dramatic decline in caribou populations, caribou-dependent communities are facing a range of cultural, emotional and health challenges.
From the 1950s to his 90s, the George River His caribou herd population increased from about 15,000 to about 800,000. But from the 1990s to his 2010s, this same herd has declined by more than 99% of his.
Like many communities in the Arctic, the Inuit have lived through previous caribou population cycles, but the exact cause of Labrador's recent decline is not fully understood.
In response to these sharp declines, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador enacted a complete ban on caribou hunting in 2013, which continues today. I'm here. Indigenous communities in Labrador have not been legally allowed to hunt caribou for almost a decade.
To maintain the relationship between the Inuit and the Caribou, documentary films and research initiatives over the years have begun to gather the knowledge of people across Labrador. It's called HERD: Inuit Voices on Caribou (or the HERD project).
This Inuit-led project brings together representatives of the Nunatsiavut Government, the Nunatskavut Community Council, the Turgat Wildlife, Plants and Fisheries Office, members of the Inuit community, and university-based researchers across Canada. Collecting.
HERD Project
Between 2016 and 2022, he recruited more than 80 Inuit from 11 different communities in Labrador. I took a picture. Gender, identity, age and connection to the caribou. Through this work, we produced several documentary films. One of them can be seen at CBC Gem.
The film depicts the interrelationships that exist between the Inuit and the Caribou, providing a glimpse of the loss felt by the community, and cultural perseverance in the context of ecological uncertainty. It's a proof of strength.
As a co-creator, health researcher and filmmaker who has worked closely with this initiative, it was an honor to hear the Inuit talk about caribou. We want to make sure their experiences and their voices are recognized.
Caribou were an important food source, eaten weekly or daily by many people. "It's the best meat in the world," said Patrick Davis of Cartwright, Nunatu Kabuto.
But caribou are more than just a food source. These animals connect people to their communities, their land, and each other through a collective experience where place-based knowledge and age-old practices are learned and shared.
Hunting Bans with Unintended Consequences
Declining caribou populations, combined with complete hunting bans, pose major challenges to Inuit throughout Labrador. increase.
Inuit explained how her lack of interaction with the caribou affected her view of herself on a personal and community level. “We just lose ourselves as a culture and as a people,” explained Ocean Lane of Makkovik, Nunaziabut.
These cultural and identity disruptions are causing complex emotional responses, including intense grief, distress, anxiety, fear, frustration, pain, and an overall lack of morale. "It just makes me sad to think that we don't even know how long we'll have to wait to harvest another caribou," said Cartwright's Woodrow Lethbridge of Nunatu Kabuto.
And, importantly, the Inuit expressed their sadness that cultural knowledge and practices were not passed on to younger generations. And losing food and cultural food is just as important as language, crafts and arts," said Judy Boise of Happy Valley Goose Bay.
The Future of Inuit-Caribou Relations
Stories and experiences shared through the HERD project suggest that caribou conservation is more than just conservation. I am emphasizing that Although an ecological process, it is fundamentally related to culture, mental health, food security, and other aspects of Inuit well-being. The lack of interaction between Inuit and Caribou poses a major challenge in maintaining cultural knowledge and practices.
To support the health of both herds and the communities that depend on them, future caribou-related policies must respect Inuit ties and values. It leads innovative initiatives to maintain the cultural skills and knowledge of caribou, including the Tuttusiugiannik project, which encourages young people and elders to go out together and learn about caribou.
Additional support for Inuit and other Indigenous-led strategies for conservation and community well-being must be prioritized.
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David Borish works at Memorial University's Labrador his campus and at the Trugat Wildlife, Plants and Fisheries Office. He received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Ashlee Cunsolo is funded by CIHR, SSHRC, and ArcticNet.
Inez Shiwak is funded by Torngat Wildlife, Plant and Fisheries Secretariat.
Jamie Snook is funded by the Torngat Wildlife, Plants, and Fisheries Office and her ECCC.
Sherilee Harper has received research grants from CIHR, SSHRC, and ArcticNet.
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