North American Caribou Workshop Proceedings Available
The proceedings of the 13th North American Caribou Workshop (NACW), are now available online at http://septentrio.uit.no/
Of note are the contributors from the NWT: John B. Zoe provides his perspective on key messages from the Talking Circle, and an overview of caribou and Tłı̨chǫ language, culture and way of life. Walter Bayha discusses the role of stories in caribou co-management, and Joseph Judas shares key Tłı̨chǫ stories that provide management guidance. Danny Beaulieu offers insights into traditional knowledge about caribou population cycles, and how this knowledge might be used in decision-making. Fred Sangris makes the case for renewing Dene laws in caribou management. There is one youth contribution from Tuktoyaktuk by Devalynn Pokiak, who points to the challenges and importance of renewing the connection with the land and caribou. Also of interest from elsewhere are the papers by Gabriel Nirlungayuk, and abstracts by Joe Tetlichi and Albert Thorassie.
Together these papers provide a glimpse of the perspectives shared during the Aboriginal Talking Circle at the NACW, as described in the brief overview provided in the proceedings. At least thirty-six Aboriginal people contributed to the Talking Circle, representing thirty organisations and nearly as many First Nation, Inuit and Metis nations. Delegates converged from a geographical area spanning caribou ranges in six provinces and all three territories of northern Canada.
In the Talking Circle there was general consensus that stories are an important means of preserving and sharing knowledge about caribou. There was also an emphasis on the role of language as a carrier of knowledge and meaning about caribou ecology, people’s relationship with caribou, and the spiritual dimension of this relationship. At the same time, it was acknowledged that there are new challenges to be faced in interpreting Aboriginal knowledge in the context of environmental and social change. Through their stories, Talking Circle speakers all asserted the responsibilities of Aboriginal peoples as both knowledge holders and stewards of caribou; frustration was often expressed about the ways in which this role has been usurped by federal, provincial and territorial governments in the guise of science-based decision-making.
For more information, contact Issue Editor Micheline Manseau, micheline.manseau@pc.gc.ca or Co-Editor Deborah Simmons, simmons@cc.umanitoba.ca.
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