“When We’re on the Ice, All We Have is Our Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit”: Mobilizing Inuit Knowledge as a Sea Ice Safety Adaptation Strategy in Mittimatalik, Nunavut

Wilson, K.; Arreak, Andrew; Itulu, Jamesie; Committee, Sikumiut Community Management; Ljubicic, Gita; Bell, Trevor

doi:10.14430/arctic74212

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…We then combine these with our sea-ice observations and IQ, creating timely and relevant ice travel safety maps for our communities. The IQ knowledge is recorded on paper maps through participatory mapping (Wilson K. J. et al, 2021) and digitized, becoming layers within our mapping application. Those data include areas of known dangerous ice conditions during different times of the season and safe travel routes.…”

Section: Project Goals and Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indigenous self-determination in cryospheric science: The Inuit-led Sikumik Qaujimajjuti (“tools to know how the ice is”) program in Inuit Nunangat, Canada

Beaulieu¹,

Arreak²,

Holwell³

et al. 2023

Front. Earth Sci.

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Inuit have lived along the shoreline of the frozen Arctic Ocean for centuries. Our wellbeing, culture, and identity are closely tied to safe and dependable ice access. As the ice becomes more unpredictable with a changing climate, Elders and experienced ice users recognize that their accumulated wisdom and experience of safe ice travel—their Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ; a term used to describe Inuit knowledge and values) of sea-ice—must be shared and applied in new ways for the benefit of younger generations. Here we illustrate one such application that enables young Inuit scientists to learn and apply the tools and skills they need to create operational community-scale sea-ice maps (Sikumik Qaujimajjuti, or “tool to know how the ice is”). Our cross-cultural partnership approach—called the Sikumiut-SmartICE model—focuses on developing the skills of young Inuit to create the maps, while non-Indigenous partners provide mentorship, tools, and training. Our novel maps incorporate culturally relevant ice terminology, on-ice monitoring data and observations, and IQ-grounded interpretations of ice features and travel conditions from near-real time optical and radar satellite imagery. The layers of data are integrated into a local GIS, enabling the creation of maps that reflect local and seasonal travel patterns and meet our information needs in information content, extent and frequency. The maps are posted and shared through social media platforms preferred by the community. The maps are a trusted source of travel information because they are made by one of our own, using local language, experience, and IQ. The Sikumik Qaujimajjuti program illustrates the incredible potential of Indigenous self-determination in cryospheric science when the scientific merit of IQ is fully recognized, when Indigenous researchers are able to access technologies and training to apply their IQ, and when non-Indigenous partners mentor and support young Indigenous scientists.

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Section: Project Goals and Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indigenous self-determination in cryospheric science: The Inuit-led Sikumik Qaujimajjuti (“tools to know how the ice is”) program in Inuit Nunangat, Canada

Beaulieu¹,

Arreak²,

Holwell³

et al. 2023

Front. Earth Sci.

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“…En el aspecto lingüístico, algunos topónimos indígenas que hacen referencia a accidentes geográficos, animales, plantas y alimentos nativos ya no describen con precisión las condiciones o asociaciones medioambientales 119 . Los cambios en el hielo marino de Alaska harán que ciertas palabras del dialecto inupiaq de Gales que tienen que ver con el medioambiente queden obsoletas 120,121,122 . Estas condiciones alteradas podrían provocar problemas de salud y seguridad e importantes impactos culturales 28,122 .…”

Section: Culturaunclassified

“…Los cambios en el hielo marino de Alaska harán que ciertas palabras del dialecto inupiaq de Gales que tienen que ver con el medioambiente queden obsoletas 120,121,122 . Estas condiciones alteradas podrían provocar problemas de salud y seguridad e importantes impactos culturales 28,122 . Los cambios fenológicos impactan la sincronización de los patrones culturalmente significativos de la naturaleza (KM 8.2).…”

Section: Culturaunclassified

Cap. 16. Tribus y pueblos indígenas. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

2023

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“…The CAA's complex terrestrial geography further determines local sea ice phenology and movement, impacting where and when sea ice will form, break, stay, and move to (Howell et al, 2009;Howell and Brady, 2019;Cooley et al, 2020). Many Inuit have reported changes in sea ice and weather patterns connected to long term climatic changes and climate variability (e.g., Krupnik et al, 2010;Ford et al, 2019;Fox et al, 2020;Wilson et al, 2021b). These include, but are not restricted to 1) later ice freeze-up and earlier breakup, 2) thinner and more unstable ice that is vulnerable to winds and currents, 3) changing wind and weather patterns, 4) warming temperatures, and 5) changes in the health and migration patterns of wildlife important for subsistence (The Communities of Ivujivik, Puvirnituq and Kangiqsujuaq et al, 2005;Gearheard et al, 2006Gearheard et al, , 2017Laidler et al, 2009Ford and Pearce, 2012;Johnson et al, 2016;Ford et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Sea Ice Conditions Affect Caribou Crossing Areas Around Qikiqtaq, Nunavut: Uqsuqtuurmiut Knowledge Guides Ice Chart Analysis

Paquette¹,

Ljubicic²,

Johnson³

et al. 2023

ARCTIC

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Though polar ecologists consider sea ice primarily as a habitat for marine mammals, caribou use sea ice to complete their reproductive cycles, to access areas with preferred climatic and vegetation conditions, and to avoid predators seasonally and sporadically. Building on previous caribou research in Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven, Nunavut), we explored the connections between caribou and sea ice phenology in 5 community-identified caribou crossing areas around Qikiqtaq (King William Island). We defined freeze-up and breakup based on Uqsuqtuurmiut (people of Uqsuqtuuq) knowledge of caribou habitat requirements, to orient our analysis to the complex and multifaceted hazards that caribou can encounter while moving through their dynamic and unpredictable sea ice habitat. We investigated the reliability of caribou sea ice habitat surrounding Qikiqtaq, prioritizing key transitional periods with intensified caribou movement. We use regional ice charts produced by the Canadian Ice Service (CIS) and held workshops with Uqsuqtuurmiut to understand how sea ice phenology and caribou mobility have changed over time. The high spatial and temporal variability of sea ice phenology around Qikiqtaq facilitates caribou moving across sea ice should they need to respond to seasonal or unpredictable changes in ecological conditions or anthropogenic disturbance. Therefore, these localized sea ice conditions may increase caribou resiliency to changes or extreme events by providing alternative options for movement across the sea ice. We encourage others to consider the needs of wildlife sea ice users when assessing or providing ice information.

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“When We’re on the Ice, All We Have is Our Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit”: Mobilizing Inuit Knowledge as a Sea Ice Safety Adaptation Strategy in Mittimatalik, Nunavut

Cited by 8 publications

References 47 publications

Indigenous self-determination in cryospheric science: The Inuit-led Sikumik Qaujimajjuti (“tools to know how the ice is”) program in Inuit Nunangat, Canada

Indigenous self-determination in cryospheric science: The Inuit-led Sikumik Qaujimajjuti (“tools to know how the ice is”) program in Inuit Nunangat, Canada

Cap. 16. Tribus y pueblos indígenas. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

Seasonal Sea Ice Conditions Affect Caribou Crossing Areas Around Qikiqtaq, Nunavut: Uqsuqtuurmiut Knowledge Guides Ice Chart Analysis

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