Aklavik, Northwest Territories
Year(s) Funded: 2014-2015
Topic Area: Food Security Contact: Aklavik Community Corporation (accmanager@northwestel.net) Partners: Aklavik Community Corporation, Moose Kerr School, Aklavik Elders, Hunters and Youth Website: http://www.aklavik.ca Title: Climate Change Impacts on Traditional Food Harvesting Safety and Community Health
Action: Aklavik people have been harvesting traditional foods such as whale, fish, caribou, moose, rabbit, berries and other traditional foods for as long as Aklavik people can remember. Elders still remember when the majority of food consumed by local people was made up of traditional food sources available on the lands and waters in the traditional lands surrounding Aklavik. Today local people are consuming more processed southern foods and the health of community people is becoming a concern as more and more chronic health issues are becoming common. This community based study was designed to collect data through observations during a summer traditional whale hunt and through a survey questionnaire. The data collected is used to explore if there are any linkages in participant’s responses and to determine if there are any observations that stand out by the community people and harvesters who are directly experiencing such changes on the land during their food and cultural harvesting activities. Results: A survey was administered in the community of Aklavik. Traditional knowledge collected through survey was analyzed with scientific method. Community adaptation workshops were held and recommendations and adaptation strategies were devised. Outputs: A report capturing survey results and analysis was developed. |