Table of Contents
- Variable fish mercury concentrations in the Dehcho: effects of catchment control and invertebrate community composition
- Community-Based Monitoring of Arctic Char in Nunatsiavut: Increasing Capacity, Building Knowledge
- Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP)
- Contaminants concentrations in traditional country food from the Eclipse Sound and dietary exposure in Pond Inlet, Nunavut: Science and local knowledge assessing a short-term and local baseline of the risks to human health
- Mobilizing Inuit Knowledge and Land Use Observations to Assess Ecosystem Trends and Processes Affecting Contaminants
- A East Hudson Bay Network research initiative on regional metal accumulation in the marine food web
- Mercury in Seaweed and Lichens from the Home Range of the Qamanirjuaq Caribou
Variable fish mercury concentrations in the Dehcho: effects of catchment control and invertebrate community composition (year 2)
Project leader(s)
Heidi Swanson, University of Waterloo
George Low, Dehcho First Nations
Team
Dean Homan, Liidlii Kue First Nation; Priscilla Canadien, Deh Gah Gotie FN; Chief Gladys Norwegian, Jean Marie River FN; Mike Low, Dehcho AAROM
Funds
$27,428
Plain language summary
In the Dehcho region, some lakes contain fish that show high or an increasing trend in mercury levels over time, whereas in other lakes, fish mercury levels appear to be stable or low. Results from research conducted over the last three years on eight lakes in the region indicates that the differences in fish mercury levels across lakes are not adequately explained by expected factors such as fish age, size, growth rates, or concentrations of mercury in water. This project will study four lakes in two different landscapes in the Dehcho region to investigate if differences in fish mercury levels between lakes can be explained by the type of invertebrates, the level of mercury in invertebrates, and/or differences in geology and water flow patterns.
In 2017 (Year 2), two additional lakes (one in each landscape type) will be sampled to complete the sampling design and study program.
Community-Based Monitoring of Arctic Char in Nunatsiavut: Increasing Capacity, Building Knowledge (year 4)
Project leader(s)
Rodd Laing, Nunatsiavut Government
Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Jane Kirk, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Team
Carla Pamak, Nunatsiavut Government; Liz Pijogge, Nunatsiavut Government; Joey Angnatok, Community of Nain; Aullak, sangilivallianginnatuk (Going off, Growing strong) Youth Program
Funds
$7,061
Plain language summary
A social fishing enterprise was started by the Nunatsiavut Government, distributing 55,000 pounds of arctic char to the community freezers within Nunatsiavut since 2013.
Twenty arctic char will be captured at two locations, Nain and Saglek Fjord, just before they return inland from feeding in the sea. The fish will be caught and processed by local community members, with support from staff at the Nain Research Centre, including the Northern Contaminants Researcher. Information will be used for a variety of purposes including providing needed information for dietary advice, understanding contaminant loads and how they are changing as a result climate change and increased industrial development.
Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Project (TAEMP)
Project leader(s)
Jody Pellissey, Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board
Team
Susan Beaumont, Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board
Nicole Dion, Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories
Gloria Ekendia-Gon, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Dr. Sarah Elsasser, Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board
Dr. Marlene Evans, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Ryan Fequet, Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board
Dr. Jennifer Fresque-Baxter, Government of the Northwest Territories
Ryan Gregory, Government of the Northwest Territories
Roberta Judas, Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board
Ellen Lea, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Linna O’Hara, Government of the Northwest Territories
Sean Richardson, Department of Culture & Lands Protection, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Boyan Tracz, Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board
Sjoerd van der Wielen, Department of Culture and Lands Protection, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Dr. Paul Vecsei, Golder Associates Ltd.
Funds
$13,200
Plain language summary
“Are the fish safe to eat and is the water safe to drink?” The Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP) is a successful community-based monitoring program that meets the needs of the Tłı̨chǫ people in determining whether fish condition, water quality, and sediment quality are changing over time. Tłı̨chǫ community members and researchers are provided with opportunities to exchange knowledge in appropriate community and on-the-land settings. The TAEMP annually rotates sampling activities through the four Tłı̨chǫ communities, sampling each community once every four years. The TAEMP has completed its initial baseline-sampling phase with all four Tłı̨chǫ communities. The comparative sampling phase will continue with a return to Rae Lakes near the community of Gamètì in 2017, and will continue to provide a means of addressing community concerns related to changes in the environment and allow for monitoring of trends over time.
Contaminants concentrations in traditional country food from the Eclipse Sound and dietary exposure in Pond Inlet, Nunavut: Science and local knowledge assessing a short-term and local baseline of the risks to human health
Project leader(s)
James Simonee, community-based researcher in Pond Inlet
Team
Vincent L’Hérault, ARCTIConnexion, and Université du Québec à Rimouski
Derek Muir, Environment Canada, Water Science and Technology Directorate
Xiaowa Wang, Environment Canada, Water Science and Technology Directorate
Chris Furgal, Indigenous Environmental Studies Program, Trent University
Heidi Swanson, Department of Biology, University of Waterloo
Pierre-Yves Daoust, Atlantic Veterinarian College, University of Prince Edward Island
Funds
$57,717
Plain language summary
Two key components of determining the level of risk are to i) quantify the actual concentration of various contaminants in food species for different organs, and ii) determine the exposure levels of the community to contaminants by investigating dietary habits and choices. Working in the community of Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik), the goal of this project is to address these two components by developing a novel research framework combining contaminants research with Inuit knowledge led by a local researcher and hunter. This project will also involve a team of mentors to provide year-long mentorship and training opportunities that will build research skills required for the benefit of the community. In with year one, we will research contaminants concentrations in ringed seal and conduct local interviews with elders/hunters. On year two, we will research contaminants concentrations in narwhals and run a community survey on dietary choices and risks perception pertaining to contaminants. On year three, we will analyse Persistent Organic Pollutants and report on the global findings of the project in partnership with health authorities.
Mobilizing Inuit Knowledge and Land Use Observations to Assess Ecosystem Trends and Processes Affecting Contaminants
Project leader(s)
Joel Heath, The Arctic Eider Society
Lucassie Arragutainaq, Arctic Eider Society
Team
Dr. John Chételat, Environment and Climate Change Canada,
Dr. Steven Ferguson, Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Johnny Kudluarok, Arctic Eider Society,
Dr. Robert Letcher, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Carleton University,
Dr. Gita Ljubicic, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies,
Carleton University
Funds
$51,377
Plain language summary
By building on extensive infrastructure already developed for an Interactive Knowledge Mapping Platform (IK-MAP), the current project will provide culturally relevant tools to Inuit hunters to document their observations using mobile devices during subsistence activities. Tools will include GPS referenced photos, comments and waypoints tagged with culturally relevant meta-data (e.g. wildlife species, sea ice terminology, traditional place names, etc.) allowing them to be systematically organized and shared in near-real time with community members and stakeholders for feedback through a social media style interface.
This project will focus on documenting ringed seal and polar bear diet on the Belcher Islands, as well as body condition, animal ecology, local environmental/sea ice conditions and other relevant observations during subsistence hunting activities. These observations, particularly diet profiles, will be used to support better interpretation of ongoing NCP programs including results of ecological chemical tracers such as stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and fatty acids, and accumulation of contaminants in the marine food web. In addition to short-term benefits, the project will facilitate development of important roles and mechanisms for Inuit Knowledge in contaminants research and monitoring and well as mechanisms for disseminating results to communities and stakeholders, providing long term benefits for wildlife co-management, planning and decision making by Inuit organizations.
A East Hudson Bay Network research initiative on regional metal accumulation in the marine food web
Project leader(s)
Joel Heath, The Arctic Eider Society
John Chételat, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Team
Raymond Mickpegak (Sakkuq Landholding Corp., Kuujjuaraapik)
Lucassie Arragutainaq (Hunters and Trappers Association, Sanikiluaq)
Allie Nalukturuk (Niqautik Hunters Association of Inukjuak)
Annie Kasudluak (Amiturvik Landholding Corp., Umiujaq)
John Lameboy (Cree Nation of Chisasibi)
Funds
$65,321
Plain language summary
A community-driven research network - the East Hudson Bay Network (EHBN) - has been established to measure and better understand large-scale cumulative environmental impacts in East Hudson Bay. Building on EHBN collaborations and activities in five communities (Sanikiluaq, Kuujjuaraapik, Inukjuak, Umiujaq, Chisasibi), this NCP project will collect new and critical information on contaminants (specifically metals) that provide a regionally integrated perspective on metal exposure in the East Hudson Bay marine environment. The five communities will sample coastal bioindicator species (blue mussel, common eider). Offshore bioindicators (ringed seal, herring gull, plankton, fish) will additionally be collected from Kuujjuaraapik and Sanikiluaq. These locally-important bioindicators of metal accumulation will be used to characterize geographic and habitat-specific variation (coastal and offshore zones) in East Hudson Bay and James Bay. Community-driven execution of biological collections as well as parallel ecosystem measurements on sea ice and water will allow for more integrated research in the context of environmental change.
Mercury in Seaweed and Lichens from the Home Range of the Qamanirjuaq Caribou
Project leader(s)
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting
Team
Emma Kreuger and Keenan Lindell, Arviat NU
Funds
$10,780
Plain language summary
Qamanirjuaq caribou have higher mercury concentrations than many other Arctic caribou herds. Usually, caribou get most of their mercury from lichens, but local elders described the Qamanirjuaq caribou eating seaweed from the seashore. Since seaweed is known to accumulate some metals, the caribou may be getting additional mercury from this source. This project was designed to explore traditional knowledge held by hunters/elders from the Kivalliq region regarding caribou consuming seaweed, and then to use that knowledge in designing collection protocols for seaweed in the five communities in the region. Lichens will also be collected, to determine how much mercury is coming from that dietary source. Elder interviews and sample collections were carried out by two former students of the Environmental Technology Program at Arctic College, Iqaluit. Project results will be presented to each community in the spring of 2017.
This year, the research group seeks to determine if seaweed is a major contributor of mercury to the Qamanirjuaq caribou, gather traditional knowledge about caribou foraging habits in the Kivalliq region, measure mercury concentrations in two caribou forages from the Kivalliq region: lichen and seaweed and build capacity in the north in sample collection, mercury analysis and communications.