| Polar bears (Ursus maritimus, Nanuut) are a culturally and economically important species to the Inuvialuit. As a result of climate change, the Arctic is experiencing rapid ecological changes with the potential for profound impacts on polar bear populations. The objectives of the thesis were to document Inuvialuit knowledge of polar bear population health and to identify the indicators used by Inuvialuit to assess polar bear health. Using community-based participatory research methodologies, participant observation, and semi-directed interviews with twenty-seven locally identified community experts and knowledge holders from Sachs Harbour, NWT, this thesis documents Inuvialuit knowledge of polar bear population health within seven categories of indicators: body condition and behavior; breeding success; diet and feeding behaviors; distribution and movements; habitat conditions; population abundance; and unique observations. This research finds that Inuvialuit of Banks Island have an accumulated wealth of traditional knowledge about polar bears and this can contribute to monitoring of polar bears. |
