Inuvialuit Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) in a Changing Climate in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories

The Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an important species to the coastal Inuvialuit communities of the Western Northwest Territories (NWT). Despite the ongoing local cultural and nutritional importance of beluga whale, and ongoing scientific monitoring in the region, little research has examined local and traditional understandings of beluga. The dearth of knowledge is made more poignant by the rapid climatic and non-climatic changes that are occurring in the region. As key stakeholders in the outcomes of beluga management, Inuvialuit have indicated their desire to document their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of beluga. The ongoing research has documented traditional knowledge about the ecology and behavior of the beluga whale, hunting techniques, and subsistence preparation under changing climatic and non-climatic conditions through a case study in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region from June to August 2016. Three objectives will be addressed through the research, including: (1) characterizing the local Inuvialuit relationship with beluga, including ecological knowledge of the species, hunting techniques, and subsistence preparation (2) documenting change and stressors affecting Inuvialuit/beluga relationships, and (3) identifying challenges and opportunities for inclusion of TEK in beluga co-management regimes.