Local and traditional ecological knowledge of beluga whales in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR)

This project was initiated to identify and record local ecological knowledge (LEK) and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) for inclusion in beluga monitoring and research. There is a need and interest to include LEK and TEK in beluga monitoring in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). The development and documentation of LEK and TEK indicators would complement the traditional scientific indicators currently monitored. Our hope is that findings from the pilot year can advise and feed into long term monitoring. Bringing together local observational indicators and traditional scientific knowledge may provide greater insight into how environmental change may impact the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga population. The aim of this study is to identify potential ecological indicators of beluga health and ecosystem changes in the Beaufort Sea, through the inclusion of LEK and TEK.