Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Year(s) Funded: 2019-2021
Topic Area: Adaptation Planning, Food Security, Access to Land, Knowledge Sharing / Education, Mental Health, Water Quality Contact: Maggie Killabuk, Community Justice Outreach Worker @ Gov. of Nunavut (867) 473-8018 [email protected] Natalie Baird, Research professional @ Prairie Climate Centre (204) 292-3210 [email protected], Vincent L’Hérault, Director @ ARCTIConnexion (581) 246-2846 [email protected] Partners: James Simonee, ARCTIConnexion & Community-based researcher; Poisey Alogut, Hunter & Mentor; David Poisey, Pangnirtung Filmmaker & Mentor; Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Organization; - Hamlet Council of Pangnirtung; University of Winnipeg; Quebec Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Title: Pangnirtung youth tackle Climate Change: On-the-land knowledge exchange, monitoring, and filmmaking promoting adaptation and well-being
Action: The community of Pangnirtung as for long witnessed and experienced the reality of climate change and its consequences on the environment and Inuit. With the thinning of the sea ice and melting of permafrost, access to country food can be considerably reduced. Local organizations and community members contribute to countless academic studies and endeavours devoted to climate change, the environment, the culture, etc. However, what has always been missing is a community-led program within which the community would own and steer its own ideas and answer its own priorities. This project aims to learn from local knowledge and scientific monitoring to better understand changes to the environment and wildlife related to climate change, and share the knowledge through scientific data and short films. The community of Pangnirtung & HTO wishes to develop a land program centred on the harvest of seals, other marine species, and water. At summer 2019, three mentors (one Inuit hunter, one biologist, and one filmmaker) travelled to Pangnirtung to support the community for the implementation of the project-phase 1. We involved 9 youth, 2 Elders, 3 hunters and assistants and travelled out to traditional fishing and hunting areas for a total duration of two weeks. We delivered filmmaking workshops and short film assignments, seal hunting and fishing ‘lessons’, seal and fish necropsy training, and we held several multigenerational group discussions on the topic of climate change, traditional practices, and health and well-being. Indeed, opportunities for informal sharing took place all along the trip. The next land programs will be held in the fall of 2019 and in 2020. Results: As the project just began this year, no results are yet available. Outputs: Facebook posts, website updates, and short films are upcoming. Ultimately, the data and information collected will help to design a community adaptation plan to climate change impacts on country food. This adaptation plan will in turn feed decision-making processes for regional and community-based planning and other local uses. |
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