Polar Bear Observations
What kind of reporting and observations have you heard about polar bears?
But what is not shared as much is a more nuanced perspective from Inuit communities, who for centuries have lived alongside polar bears
Similar to other wildlife like caribou, these communities hold intricate observations on shifts in polar bear behavior, health, and habitats
And this narrative that all bears are declining because of climate change is a bit more complicated than that,
there isn't this one size fits all story for polar bears, and that is in part because there isn't one population
In this segment, we will look at Inuit tracking and observations about Nanuk in the Davis Strait region.
It will delve into the rich and nuanced understanding Inuit communities have developed regarding polar bears. It explores how Inuit track polar bears using traditional methods and what they observe about their habitat, populations, body conditions, prey, and threats. Through detailed accounts and practices, participants will gain insight into the sophisticated and time-tested techniques Inuit use to monitor and interpret polar bear behaviors and environmental interactions. This module emphasizes the value of Inuit knowledge in providing a comprehensive view of polar bear ecology, highlighting its significance in modern conservation efforts and the management of polar bear populations.
Policy
Inuit knowledge can better inform background context for policy making, and can contribute to more applicable policy options.
Research
Inuit knowledge can be incorporated alongside scientific research. Thinking about methods and citation can make this easier while maintaining rigor in research reporting.
Adaptations to Change
In “Bear Tracks”, two hunters from Iqaluit, Nunavut, go through the process of tracking and understanding polar bears without direct observation. This includes reading tracks to learn about bear sex and body conditions, demonstrating the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation efforts
Adaptations to Change
In “Bear Tracks”, two hunters from Iqaluit, Nunavut, go through the process of tracking and understanding polar bears without direct observation. This includes reading tracks to learn about bear sex and body conditions, demonstrating the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation efforts
WELCOME
But what is not shared as much is a more nuanced perspective from Inuit communities, who for centuries have lived alongside polar bears
Similar to other wildlife like caribou, these communities hold intricate observations on shifts in polar bear behavior, health, and habitats
And this narrative that all bears are declining because of climate change is a bit more complicated than that,
there isn't this one size fits all story for polar bears, and that is in part because there isn't one population
Human-Bear Encounters
In “Bear Tracks”, two hunters from Iqaluit, Nunavut, go through the process of tracking and understanding polar bears without direct observation. This includes reading tracks to learn about bear sex and body conditions, demonstrating the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation efforts
"Through Derrick’s lens, viewers get a sense of the safety-related issues coming from changing polar bear populations, habitats, and behaviours"
- Derrick Pottle, Nunatsiavut
Key Takeaways
Not all polar bear populations are in decline
We would not be who we are without our eco-friendly design, which is at the core of our strategy. We are constantly working to improve our offerings and expand upon our capabilities when it comes to design and production. Get in touch to learn more.
Not all polar bear populations are in decline
We would not be who we are without our eco-friendly design, which is at the core of our strategy. We are constantly working to improve our offerings and expand upon our capabilities when it comes to design and production. Get in touch to learn more.
Not all polar bear populations are in decline
We would not be who we are without our eco-friendly design, which is at the core of our strategy. We are constantly working to improve our offerings and expand upon our capabilities when it comes to design and production. Get in touch to learn more.
Not all polar bear populations are in decline
We would not be who we are without our eco-friendly design, which is at the core of our strategy. We are constantly working to improve our offerings and expand upon our capabilities when it comes to design and production. Get in touch to learn more.
Reflection
What does Inuit observational knowledge tell us about the current state of polar bears? How does this change your perception?
Tracking & Monitoring Bears
In this segment, we will look at Inuit tracking and observations about Nanuk in the Davis Strait region.
It will delve into the rich and nuanced understanding Inuit communities have developed regarding polar bears. It explores how Inuit track polar bears using traditional methods and what they observe about their habitat, populations, body conditions, prey, and threats. Through detailed accounts and practices, participants will gain insight into the sophisticated and time-tested techniques Inuit use to monitor and interpret polar bear behaviors and environmental interactions. This module emphasizes the value of Inuit knowledge in providing a comprehensive view of polar bear ecology, highlighting its significance in modern conservation efforts and the management of polar bear populations.
How to tell a bear's gender by it's tracks
In “Bear Tracks”, two hunters from Iqaluit, Nunavut, go through the process of tracking and understanding polar bears without direct observation. This includes reading tracks to learn about bear sex and body conditions, demonstrating the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation efforts
Tracking Polar Bears
In “Bear Tracks”, two hunters from Iqaluit, Nunavut, go through the process of tracking and understanding polar bears without direct observation. This includes reading tracks to learn about bear sex and body conditions, demonstrating the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation efforts
WELCOME
But what is not shared as much is a more nuanced perspective from Inuit communities, who for centuries have lived alongside polar bears
Similar to other wildlife like caribou, these communities hold intricate observations on shifts in polar bear behavior, health, and habitats
And this narrative that all bears are declining because of climate change is a bit more complicated than that,
there isn't this one size fits all story for polar bears, and that is in part because there isn't one population
Knowledge Synthesis
But what is not shared as much is a more nuanced perspective from Inuit communities, who for centuries have lived alongside polar bears
Similar to other wildlife like caribou, these communities hold intricate observations on shifts in polar bear behavior, health, and habitats
And this narrative that all bears are declining because of climate change is a bit more complicated than that,
there isn't this one size fits all story for polar bears, and that is in part because there isn't one population
Hear more from Knowledge Holders
This is your Team section. Briefly introduce the team then add their bios below. Click here to edit.
Reflection
How would you describe Inuit methodology, and how would you cite Inuit sources?
I feel very blessed to have that educational process... not in an academic way, but from an inner perspective of being on the land and sharing and knowledge gaining and and just being a part of the whole connection to Inuit and the land and the animals.
Derrick Pottle
Rigolet, Nunatsiavut
Our
Story
Our
Story
What kind of reporting and observations have you heard about polar bears?
Did you know?
-
High expenses for polar bear monitoring has led to data deficiency and minimal long-term studies
-
Great need for place-based, local knowledge about bears that is long-term and generational
-
Crucial to understand human-polar bear relationships in times of ecological change
What kind of reporting have you seen about polar bears?
What kind of reporting have you seen about polar bears?
78% of polar bear subpopulations do not have long term population data from Western Science
Welcome visitors to your site with a short, engaging introduction. Double click to edit and add your own text.
Polar Bear Tracks and some information about bears in the Davis Strait Range
Women
Identity
Youth
Stories
Culture
Preservation
Identity
Observations
Stories
Preservation
Elders
Ethics & Values
Youth
Experiences
Elders
Women
Management Systems
Uses
Identity
Elders
Stories
Youth
Preservation
Learn more from a Policy Angle
Learn more from a Research Angle
Bear Behaviour
This is a great place to add a tagline.
Tell customers more about you. Add a few words and a stunning pic to grab their attention and get them to click.
This space is ideal for writing a detailed description of your business and the types of services that you provide. Talk about your team and your areas of expertise.
Our Services
1
Service Name
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
2
Service Name
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
3
Service Name
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Polar Bear Tracks
Stewardship and education are key priorities in the management of wildlife, plants, and fisheries across Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Nunavut. This is in part to support and promote the ethics and practice of customary rules as relate to fish, wildlife, and plant resources. ADD MORE __________________. These polar bear learning resources will facilitate opportunities for youth to learn Indigenous life skills and norms, and to cultivate positive relationships with polar bears.
Polar Bear Tracks
Stewardship and education are key priorities in the management of wildlife, plants, and fisheries across Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Nunavut. This is in part to support and promote the ethics and practice of customary rules as relate to fish, wildlife, and plant resources. ADD MORE __________________. These polar bear learning resources will facilitate opportunities for youth to learn Indigenous life skills and norms, and to cultivate positive relationships with polar bears.
Nanuk Teaching Kit
The Paigitsiaguk Project is a _____________________________. There are kits currently being developed for various species, including caribou, salmon, crab - and nanuk!
The Nanuk learning kits include:
-
Polar bear hide
-
Polar bear skull
-
Polar bear teeth
-
Polar bear carving
-
A safety poster
-
Variety of nanuk books that include a wide variety of facts
-
Nanuk stuffed animal
-
Laminated posters
-
Four Polar Bear Journals
-
Video clips to the Nanuk Narratives video series!
Learning Resources
Example:
Grade level: K-2 Subjects: Science/Social Studies
Duration: 1 hour
The nanuk kit contains four journals. We want to collect stories about nanuk/nanuit from the students and their families to share stories with other schools in Nunatsiavut.
Students will take a nanuk journal home to record a story about nanuit. Their families/guardians can write for them and can write a story about nanuk/nanuit. Four journals are included in the kit, meaning four journals can be sent home each night with four students.
Teachers are encouraged to read stories that are recorded in the journals to their class.
Students may ask their families the following (but are not limited to):
-
Nanuk hunting stories
-
Nanuk safety tips
-
Nanuk tales and legends
-
Diet
-
A time when a nanuk visited your community
-
Any other information related to nanuit
Primary School
K-6 Learning Resources
Social Studies | Science
In-person | Digital | Hybrid
Secondary School
7-12 Learning Resources
Social Studies | Biology | Climate Change
In-person | Digital | Hybrid
Post-Secondary
7-12 Learning Resources
Social Studies | Biology | Climate Change
Culture | History
In-person | Digital | Hybrid