Table of Contents
- Understanding Fish Mercury Concentrations in Dehcho Lakes
- Community-Based Monitoring of Arctic Char in Nunatsiavut: Increasing Capacity, Building Knowledge
- Contaminants in Traditional Foods of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation
- Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Project (TAEMP)
- Expanding Community-Based Monitoring of Contaminants Concentrations in Marine Country Food Used by Mittimatalingmiut: Science and Local Knowledge Assessing the Risks to Human Health in Pond Inlet
- Mobilizing Inuit Knowledge and Land Use Observations to Assess Ecosystem Trends and Processes Affecting Contaminants
- Contaminants in Traditional Food in the White River First Nation Territory
- Traditional Foods Contaminant Monitoring Program
- Community Monitoring of Plastic Pollution in Wild Food and Environments in Nunatsiavut
- Contaminant Monitoring and Community Interests in the Lower Northwest Passage
- Sources of Methylmercury, Perfluoroalkyl Substances, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls to Ringed Seal Food Webs of Lake Melville, Northern Labrador
Understanding Fish Mercury Concentrations in Dehcho Lakes
Project Leaders
George Low and Mike Low, Dehcho First Nations
Heidi Swanson, University of Waterloo
Team Members
Grand Chief Gladys Norwegian, Dehcho First Nations; Priscilla Canadien, Deh Gah Gotie First Nation; Chief Gladys Norwegian, Jean Marie River First Nation; Mike Low, Dehcho Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management; Chief Lloyd Chicot, Ka’a’ gee Tu First Nation; Melaine Simba, Ka’a’ gee Tu First Nation; Chief Maurice Moses, Pehdzeh Ki First Nation
Funds
$33,385
Project Summary (2019-2020)
Fish are a central part of the traditional diet and culture of the First Nations of the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories. Some lakes in this region have fish with mercury levels that are above human consumption guidelines, while other fish in lakes that are relatively close by have levels that are well below guidelines. Our research aims to help Dehcho communities better understand mercury issues and determine which factors (both between lakes and between fish species) relate to or predict levels of mercury in fish.
Results from our previous five years of research show that between lakes, the factors that affect mercury concentrations are different for each species. These factors, like food web structure and lake landscape, can be affected by climate change. The current study will expand our research into the northern region of the Dehcho (Pehdzeh Ki First Nation), and will involve six lakes in the Dehcho region. This will give us data from a wider representation of the lakes in the Dehcho region and improve our model of how climate and land-use change factors affect fish mercury levels.
Community-Based Monitoring of Arctic Char in Nunatsiavut: Increasing Capacity, Building Knowledge
Project Leaders
Rodd Laing, Nunatsiavut Government
Derek Muir and Jane Kirk, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Team Members
Paul McCarney, Carla Pamak and Liz Pijogge, Nunatsiavut Government; Joey Angnatok, Community of Nain; Aullak, Sangilivallianginnatuk (Going Off, Growing Strong) Youth Program; Environment and Climate Change Canada
Funds
$6,140
Project Summary (2019-2020)
Labrador Inuit have experienced a shift in their consumption of traditional foods from a diet consisting of primarily caribou to one that includes more ringed seals and Arctic char. This shift in diet can be attributed in part to the decline in numbers of the George River Caribou herd and the ban that followed on hunting the herd in Winter 2013. Nunatsiavut residents are concerned about how this shift in diet affects their health and well-being. Five years ago, this Community-Based Monitoring of Arctic Char in Nunatsiavut: Increasing Capacity, Building Knowledge study was developed to monitor levels of mercury and selenium in Arctic char and respond to the concerns of Nunatsiavut residents.
This project is community–led and engages the community in all of the different activities of the project, including designing the study and collecting samples. Twenty arctic char are collected from two locations, Nain and Saglek Fjord, just before they return inland from feeding in the sea. The fish are caught and processed by local community members, with support from staff at the Nunatsiavut Research Centre. Sampling has been collaborative and successful, bringing together the Nunatsiavut Government, Parks Canada, Conservation Officers, youth, and harvesters to collect samples and facilitate knowledge exchange between generations and organizations. Researchers at Environment and Climate Change Canada in Burlington, Ontario analyze the samples for contaminant levels. As part of Dr. Max Liboiron’s (Memorial University) study, plastic analysis will also take place on these char.
The information collected by this project will be used to understand contaminant loads and how they are changing as a result of climate change and increased industrial development.
Contaminants in Traditional Foods of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation
Project Leader
Josee Tremblay, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
Team Members
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting; Xiaowa Wang and Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Funds
$27,462
Project Summary (2019-2020)
The Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation is concerned about the levels of contaminants in their traditional foods. This project will measure the contaminant levels in moose and fish from the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Traditional Territory and compare current contaminant levels to levels from ten years ago. Moose samples will be collected and harvesting fish and analyzing fish samples will happen in 2019-2020.
This project will also build capacity in the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun by involving the community in collecting, preparing and shipping moose and fish to laboratories for analysis. Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Lands Officers and Fish and Wildlife Officers will be trained on how to prepare samples by a qualified research scientist and will be taught traditional and cultural practices by local elders. This project will help the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation community and northerners as results will provide current data for comparison against historical data. The results will inform the community on northern contaminants and help the First Nation to make informed decisions related to gathering and consuming traditional foods.
Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Project (TAEMP)
Project Leader
Michael Birlea, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Team Members
Sean Richardson, Terell Knapton-Pain, Phoebe Rabesca and Nicole Dion, Tłı̨chǫ Government; Sarah Elsasser, Ryan Fequet and Jody Pellissey, Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board; Cameron Stevens, Golder Associates Ltd.; Jennifer Hickman, Wilfrid Laurier University
Funds
$47,370
Project Summary (2019-2020)
The Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP) is a successful community-based monitoring program that helps the Tłı̨chǫ people learn whether fish from their traditional lakes are healthy and safe to eat. Tłı̨chǫ community members are directly involved in the collection of fish tissue, water, and sediment samples, and there are many opportunities to exchange scientific and Tłı̨chǫ knowledge in appropriate community and on-the-land settings. The results are shared back to communities by community members and through educational activities at schools where students learn about aquatic ecosystems and environmental monitoring. Through providing training, educational activities and work to the Tłı̨chǫ people, this project ensures that Tłı̨chǫ waters are monitored by Tłı̨chǫ people.
The TAEMP annually rotates sampling activities through each of the four Tłı̨chǫ communities, with sampling happening in each community once every four years. Started in 2010, the Program’s initial baseline sampling phase concluded with the 2014 camp near the community of Whatì. In September 2015, the comparative sampling phase began.
Expanding Community-Based Monitoring of Contaminants Concentrations in Marine Country Food Used by Mittimatalingmiut: Science and Local Knowledge Assessing the Risks to Human Health in Pond Inlet
Project Leader
James Simonee, Community-Based Researcher in Pond Inlet
Team Members
Vincent L’Hérault, ARCTIConnexion and University of Winnipeg; Derek Muir and Xiaowa Wang Environment Canada; Chris Furgal, Trent University; Heidi Swanson, University of Waterloo; Pierre-Yves Daoust, University of Prince Edward Island; Cortney Watt, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Sandie Black, Calgary Zoo
Funds
$68,552
Project Summary (2019-2020)
As a resident of Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) all my life, I have been noticing changes in weather, sea ice, marine mammals, land wildlife, and fishes. My experience at Nunavut Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program made me question what I see out there and made me realize that there are some changes that we cannot tell just by our “naked” eye and that we, as Inuit, need to seek more to find out the unnoticeable things impacting our environment. As Inuit, country food is our main resource all year round and we especially need to know if the animals that we hunt or fish are being affected by the changes we can see, as well as those we can’t.
I wanted to start my own research project on arctic char, seals, and narwhals to find out if they are being affected not only by climate change but also by human activities. Research by Arctic scientists has shown high levels of contaminants in seals, especially mercury and persistent organic pollutants. When I first heard about these results it really made me curious as a hunter and I wanted to continue to research and make sure the food is safe for myself, my family and my community.
This three-year study will build on my previous work on Arctic char and ringed seals. In year one, I will continue my research on contaminants levels in Arctic char and ringed seals. In year two, I will research contaminants concentrations in narwhals and work with local hunters on their observations and knowledge. In year three, I will research Mittimatalingmiut food choices and exposure to contaminants and look at persistent organic pollutants in country foods. I will also work with my community and the health authorities to determine the best way to communicate the results.
As I did in the past, many mentors including NCP researchers will aid in my research in terms of field work preparation and sampling, contaminants analyses, statistics, preparing presentations, and writing reports.
Mobilizing Inuit Knowledge and Land Use Observations to Assess Ecosystem Trends and Processes Affecting Contaminants
Project Leaders
Joel Heath and Lucassie Arragutainaq, Arctic Eider Society
Team Members
John Chételat and Magali Houde, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC); Robert Letcher, Organic Contaminants Research Laboratory, ECCC and Carleton University; Steven Ferguson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Johnny Kudluarok, Arctic Eider Society; Gita Ljubicic, Carleton University
Funds
$39,560
Project Summary (2019-2020)
This goal of this project is to significantly expand the contribution of Inuit knowledge to contaminants research by providing tools that allow hunters to systematically document their observations and knowledge of wildlife, sea ice and environmental context using the SIKU platform and mobile app, and sharing these details with community members and researchers in near-real time.
The long-term goal is to provide these tools to community-driven contaminants projects interested in better linking Inuit knowledge to their results. The current pilot study in Sanikiluaq will look at the diet, body condition and habitats of ringed seal and polar bear to assess general trends (year 1), seasonal trends (year 2) and between year trends (year 3). Sanikiluaq hunters have noticed the diets of seals shifting from cod to shrimp in recent years, and this study will help document these ecosystem trends and determine potential impacts on priority contaminants pathways in the food web of seals and polar bears. An analysis of this project's results by core contaminants programs for seals and polar bear will help them evaluate if diet preferences lead to differences in contaminants uptake in seals and polar bears. Together, this will provide an approach that expands on the traditional sampling sheets to more meaningfully include Inuit knowledge indicators of environmental trends and demonstrate how Inuit knowledge can play a stronger role in contaminants research.
Contaminants in Traditional Food in the White River First Nation Territory
Project Leader
Ray Sabo, White River First Nation
Team Members
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting; Heidi Swanson, University of Waterloo
Funds
$22,675
Project Summary (2019-2020)
The White River First Nation is concerned about contaminants in fish in their traditional territory. This study will collect samples of fish from three lakes within the White River First Nation Traditional Territory to determine if contaminants are a concern for fish populations or for community members who eat these fish. We will also collect information on water chemistry and lake measurements to get a better picture of the factors (including climate change) that may affect contaminant concentrations in fish. We will also compare contaminant levels in fish from this area with existing data from fish from other areas of the Yukon (particularly Kusawa Lake and Lake Laberge). Results will also be presented to citizens of the White River First Nation in a public meeting and as a plain language summary for each year of the project. In cooperation with Territorial Health officials, we will also evaluate the data to see if it should be submitted to Health Canada for a health assessment.
Traditional Foods Contaminant Monitoring Program
Project Leader
Anna Schmidt and Stephen Badwhar, Taku River Tlingit First Nation
Team Members
Mary Gamberg, Gamberg Consulting; Xiaowa Wang and Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Funds
$24,714
Project Summary (2019-2020)
Traditional foods are an important source of nutrition and have spiritual, social, and cultural significance for the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN). This project will determine contaminant levels in moose and two commonly harvested fish species within the Taku River Tlingit Traditional Territory, so that community members can make informed choices about consuming these foods. TRTFN Land Guardians, in cooperation with local hunters, will collect samples from moose, grayling, and lake trout from the TRT Traditional Territory and local hunters will also help by collecting moose samples. Moose and fish samples will be analyzed for a variety of elements (including cadmium and mercury), and legacy and new contaminants. This project will build capacity within the First Nation through training from an experienced contaminants researcher on designing contaminants projects, how to collect and process fish samples for contaminant analysis, and communicating results to the community.
Community Monitoring of Plastic Pollution in Wild Food and Environments in Nunatsiavut
Project Leaders
Max Liboiron, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Liz Pijogge, Nunatsiavut Government
Team Members
Rodd Laing; Nunatsiavut Government
Funds
$43,654
Project Summary (2019-2020)
Marine plastics act as sponges for contaminants such as methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other persistent organic pollutants (POPSs). When ingested, these chemicals can collect in an animal’s tissues (bioaccumulation) and build up in the food chain resulting in contaminant levels being much higher for animals that eat other animals (biomagnification). As a result, contaminant levels can be high in some wild food species which can be concerning for the people of Nunatsiavut who depend on wild food for its nutritional and cultural significance.
This three-year project will: (1) determine species, locations, and trends of marine plastic pollution of concern to residents of Nunatsiavut; (2) conduct workshops on how to identify microplastics in wild-caught food with the goal of building local capacity for long-term plastic monitoring in wild food, without requiring outside scientists; (3) conduct laboratory studies with a student from Nunatsiavut attending Memorial University to profile chemicals of concern related to ingested plastics (likely methylmercury, among others); and (4) conduct surface water and shoreline studies to compare ingested and environmental plastics.
Contaminant Monitoring and Community Interests in the Lower Northwest Passage
Project Leaders
James Qitsualik, Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association
Virginia K. Walker, Queen’s University
Team Members
Stephan Schott, Carleton University; Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada; Amy Caughey, Government of Nunavut
Funds
$13,973
Project Summary (2019-2020)
Inuit households in Nunavut face moderate to severe food insecurity at a time when accelerated warming of the Arctic sea ice appears to have increased access to several fish species. In a project supported by Genome Canada, we are currently investigating stocks of char and whitefish populations with the goal to integrate traditional knowledge with leading-edge genomic science. However, community members, particularly in Gjoa Haven, have asked that these fish be monitored for metal, legacy organic pollutants and other contaminants to ensure that they are safe to eat. Thus, we are monitoring these contaminants, and as well, evaluating beneficial vitamin D levels, important for the building of strong bones. Fish are caught by elders, active harvesters and youth from the waters near the Lower Northwest Passage with sample preparation performed by trained community members. Whitefish from this area are among the most northerly populations studied and their contaminant levels are unknown, with char not been previously monitored for many years. This push from the community to evaluate the relative contamination levels in different types of fish will facilitate the community's well-being, food security, and offer the prospect of increased prosperity should they chose to build a sustainable fishery in this region of the lower Northwest Passage.
Sources of Methylmercury, Perfluoroalkyl Substances, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls to Ringed Seal Food Webs of Lake Melville, Northern Labrador
Project Leaders
Jane Kirk and Sarah Roberts, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Liz Pijogge, Nunatsiavut Government
Team Members
Rodd Laing, Paul McCarney, Carla Pamak, David Wolfrey and Carl Michelin, Nunatsiavut Government; Dave Blake and Kevin Gear, Northern Community Members in Northwest River; Amila DeSilva, Derek Muir, Magali Houde, Amber Gleason, Christine Spencer and Mary Wiliamson, ECCC; Elsie Sunderland, Harvard University; Igor Lehnherr, University of Toronto
Funds
$29,975
Project Summary (2019-2020)
People living on Lake Melville are concerned about contaminant levels in the ringed seals that they eat and want to know whether a planned hydroelectric power plant on the Churchill River will increase contaminant levels (particularly methylmercury) in seals. Lake Melville is a unique area to study because contaminants can come from local or international river and ocean waters. It is therefore important that we understand the sources and impact of different contaminants on Lake Melville ringed seals that can be linked to environmental changes.
This is a community-based research project in which the sampling of water, seals, and invertebrates is coordinated by the Nunatsiavut Government and involves community members. Seal samples are harvested by the community and analyzed for contaminants which include total mercury, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Results will be used to assess the impacts of the hydroelectric power developments on wildlife used for food by people of the region and for predicting the impacts of the 22 hydro-electric power developments planned across Canada.