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Polar Bear Observations

What kind of reporting and observations have you heard about polar bears?

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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

 

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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

Cities visited:
Cities visited:
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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

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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?

How can we do better next time?

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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

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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


 

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Hear more from Knowledge Holders

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Reflection

How would you describe Inuit methodology, and how would you cite Inuit sources?

How can we do better next time?

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

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Our 
Story

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Our 
Story

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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

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What kind of reporting have you seen about polar bears?

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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

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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

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Youth

Experiences

Elders

Women

Management Systems

Uses

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Identity

Elders

Stories

Youth

Preservation

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Learn more from a Policy Angle

Learn More
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Learn more from a Research Angle

Learn More

Alexa Young, CA

“Testimonials provide a sense of what it's like to work with you or use your products. Change the text and add your own."

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. 

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Our Services

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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!

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Learning Resources

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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

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Primary School

K-6 Learning Resources

Social Studies | Science

In-person | Digital | Hybrid

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Secondary School

7-12 Learning Resources

Social Studies | Biology | Climate Change

In-person | Digital | Hybrid

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Post-Secondary

7-12 Learning Resources

Social Studies | Biology | Climate Change

Culture | History

In-person | Digital | Hybrid

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Learn more about the Paigitsiaguk Project

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