Northern Yukon Ecological Knowledge Co-op
Proceedings of the First Gathering
Whitehorse, Yukon
February 13-14, 1996
Contents
- Introductory Remarks
Lindsay Staples, Chair, Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) - Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network
Don Russell, Canadian Wildlife Service - The State of the Northern Yukon
Joan Eamer, Canadian Wildlife Service, WMAC(NS) Member - The National Science Foundation Community Sustainability Project
Gary Kofinas - Goals for the Gathering
Doug Urquhart, Facilitator - Small Group Session #1
Identifying Change - Indicators of Ecosystem Health
Brian Smiley, Institute of Ocean Science - Small Group Session #2
Identifying Indicators
- Small Group Session #3
Evaluating and Selecting Indicators - Community Involvement in Ecological Monitoring
Billy Archie and Gary Kofinas - Group Presentations and Discussion
Identifying Monitoring Agencies - Concluding Remarks
- Proposed indicators of climate change
- Proposed indicators of contaminants
- Proposed indicators of development
(note: when printing this report, the figures must be printed separately)
Appendix 1 - List of Participants in the Small Group Sessions
Small Group A - Lakes and Rivers
Small Group B - Land
Small Group C - Coast and Ocean
Appendix 2 - Summary of Comments and Discussion in Small Group Session #1: Identifying Change
Small Group A - Lakes and Rivers
Small Group B - Land
Small Group C - Coast and Ocean
Appendix 3 - Summary of Discussions during Small Group Session #2: Identifying Indicators
Small Group A - Lakes and Rivers
Small Group B - Land
Small Group C - Coast and Ocean
Appendix 4 - Participant Contact List
The gathering began with individual introductions around the room and a review of the agenda and expectations by the gathering facilitator, Doug Urquhart.
Lindsay Staples, Chair, Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope)
Lindsay welcomed all participants to the First Annual Gathering of the Northern Yukon Ecological Knowledge Co-operative. He extended a special welcome to those participants who had come to Whitehorse from the communities.
The Yukon North Slope has seen much research in the past few decades. WMAC(NS) recognizes the need for long term monitoring and research so that changes on the North Slope can be better understood. It is important to know how these changes will affect the people living there. WMAC(NS) also supports the development of a database. The database will compile summaries of the research that has been done and show us what we know about the North Slope.
This gathering will allow for a 'hands on' experience for community members. It is important that they provide direction and guidance to the monitoring initiatives to ensure that the process will work at a community level. This gathering will be a good opportunity to work over the long term on a co-operative basis, across borders of the Yukon and NWT.
2. Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network
Don Russell, Canadian Wildlife Service
Don summarized the history of the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN). The need for a national ecological monitoring network was first recognized by, and then established under, the Green Plan. The network began its work by selecting monitoring sites in each Canadian ecozone. The selection was based on a variety of criteria, such as a concern about levels of contaminants and the existence of long term data or research. The site in the northern Yukon selected to be part of the national network is mainly within the Taiga Cordillera ecozone. It covers the range of the Porcupine Caribou herd and the near-shore marine system of the Yukon North Slope.
Ecological monitoring of the environment will allow us to assess future changes and help in long-term decision making. It provides an opportunity to combine western scientific knowledge with traditional knowledge and involve the communities. It allows for the sharing of information. It will be possible to become part of larger monitoring networks and develop a common database.
Ecological monitoring won't replace the day-to-day management of resources, such as the establishment of hunting quotas. It is not a funding source, so it requires a full partnership among the interested parties to ensure that the work is continued and carried out. It is important to remember the following guidelines:
GO SLOW
KEEP IT SIMPLE
BE RELEVANT
LONG TERM
ECONOMIZE
At the meeting held by the Co-operative organizers, in May 1995, a number of proposals were put forward regarding the goals and the process of maintaining the Co-operative. It was proposed that Environment Canada would act as the co-ordinating agency. The Co-operative should produce an annual report and establish a World Wide Web site, to facilitate communication. An annual community tour should be conducted to enhance local participation.
3. The State of the Northern Yukon
Joan Eamer, Canadian Wildlife Service, WMAC(NS) Member
Joan gave a presentation titled 'The State of the Northern Yukon'. This slide show was a variation on the one originally developed for the National EMAN Conference, in Halifax, in January 1996, to explain the ecological monitoring initiatives that are underway in the Yukon.
There are three ecosystems being looked at in the northern Yukon: terrestrial (land), freshwater (rivers and lakes) and marine (coasts and oceans). In each of these ecosystems, three environmental stressors are being examined - climate change, development and long range contaminants.
Joan's slide presentation included an introduction to the World Wide Web site that is being developed for the Co-operative. She gave a demonstration of how a user would be able to find a variety of information about the northern Yukon ecosystems, using the Old Crow Flats as an example.
A database, summarizing the past, current and ongoing research conducted in the northern Yukon, is being prepared as one of the Co-op's initiatives. The need to compile a central listing of northern research was recognised; this listing will provide a way to share knowledge. Joan presented a print-out of the listings that had been entered into the database to date and asked the workshop participants to provide any additional information they may have. Information doesn't have to be in the form of a report. Any form of information can be entered into the database.
4. The National Science Foundation Community Sustainability Project
Gary Kofinas
Gary introduced himself as a member of the National Science Foundation Community Sustainability Project, a four-year study co-ordinated by the University of Alaska. The project will focus on understanding how potential development and climate change will affect the sustainability of northern communities. It will be asking - How will the future look? Research conducted as part of this project will combine local traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge. It will be used to develop public policy to address potential changes due to climate change and development.
The project will be concentrated within the range of the Porcupine Caribou herd. Gary will be traveling this spring to Kaktovik, Arctic Village, Aklavik, and Old Crow. He also hopes to include Fort McPherson. Community involvement will be an important part of the project to ensure that local goals are recognised. It will provide an opportunity to document local knowledge.
With reference to work the Knowledge Co-operative and National Science Foundation Community Sustainability Project are doing, it is important to keep in mind that this kind of approach is new. It includes many different interests such as local, regional and national governments, academics and First Nations. The research and monitoring will make information available when it is needed. It will help us to start thinking in a different way by involving the communities and bringing everyone together.
Doug Urquhart, Facilitator
Doug reviewed the goals of the National EMAN, in relation to the goals of the current gathering. EMAN is a Canada-wide initiative that will tell us how the environment is changing over time. The network is based on ecozones. Our ecozone is northern Yukon and includes the range of the Porcupine Caribou herd and off-shore resources.
Doug referred to the guidelines introduced earlier by Don Russell:
GO SLOW
KEEP IT SIMPLE
BE RELEVANT
LONG TERM
ECONOMIZE
In the Yukon, to 'be relevant' monitoring initiatives have to be of interest to the people of the communities. Communities have to understand the importance of each project, as it relates to their needs, in order for the initiative to be sustained over the long term. In the small groups sessions, the community representatives must be sure that what we're talking about is relevant. Community development takes time, so it will be necessary to 'go slow'.
The monitoring has the potential to be a very complicated process. There is a need to 'keep it simple' so that we won't get lost. EMAN has limited money to keep it going, so we must 'economize'. The network is being set up to co-ordinate what is already being done and build on that.
There is a need for a product to serve as a measure of where we're going. The three products have been identified are a World Wide Web site, an annual report and a community tour to keep the communities involved and informed. This gathering is important to initiate work on all three of these products. To make sure that these products are generated, a Management Plan needs to be developed at this gathering. It needs to be a co-operative measure for it to work. No one person or agency has ownership.
Within the North Yukon ecozone three different ecosystems are to be considered. To begin with each small group will be asked to discuss trends in the area and talk about changes in general. Later on each group will be asked to identify indicators.
6. Small Group Session #1 - Identifying Change
Workshop participants broke into smaller groups, with each participant choosing an ecosystem (lakes and rivers, land, or coast and ocean) on which to focus. Appendix 1 lists participants in each group.
During this first session, participants were asked to speak in general terms about the changes that they had seen. A summary of what was said in each of the small groups is presented in Appendix 2.
7. Indicators of Ecosystem Health
Brian Smiley, Institute of Ocean Science
Brian spoke about how indicators of ecosystem health are useful in the context of EMAN. The ecosystem includes all living things, big or small, natural or managed, including humans. The EMAN approach to ecosystem health is a way of thinking about things and a way of doing things. The EMAN focus is long term and large scale. It is integrated.
An indicator can be defined as a measurable feature that, singly or in combination, provides evidence of ecosystem health. Indicators provide evidence of trends and early warnings of trouble. Indicators must be useful to scientists, managers and other interested parties.
When selecting indicators it is important to use the following framework questions:
What is the issue?
What's been happening?
Why is it occurring?
Why is it such a big deal?
What's being done about it?
Is it enough?
When selecting an indicator make sure its a 'good' indicator. For example, is it easy? inexpensive? widespread? accurate? does it give an early warning or forecast? is it important to the goals of the community?
A diagrammatic example was presented to illustrate the relationship between natural factors, human activity, environmental conditions, ecological and socio-economic effects, and societal response. (This diagrammatic representation has been used in figures 1 to 3 to illustrate proposed indicators.) Examples were given for each of the factors. Examples of societal responses attempting to address the issues of change included the making of new laws, modified curriculum, employment re-training and citizen involvement.
Community involvement and relevance was stressed as important to the success of all monitoring and the selection of indicators. Community programs can be developed to conduct the monitoring.
8. Small Group Session #2 - Identifying Indicators
Workshop participants returned to their small groups to consider the question of identifying indicators of ecological change. A summary of the discussions in each of the small groups is presented in Appendix 3.
9. Small Group Session #3 - Evaluating and Selecting Indicators
Workshop participants returned to their small groups to evaluate the indicators they had identified during the previous small group session. Each identified indicator was rated against a check list of the following questions:
Is it measured now and is it likely to be in the future?
Is it easy and inexpensive to measure?
Does it cover the region and the time period of concern?
Are measures of the indicator accurate?
Does it give an early warning or forecast?
Is it important to the goals of the communities?
Does it help us understand important points of change?
Is it used in other places?
The indicators which were selected as appropriate are summarized, according to environmental stressor, in Figures 1 to 3. The summaries presented represent the proposed indicators from all small groups combined.
A summary of the discussions in each of the small groups is presented in Appendix 3.
10. Community Involvement in Ecological Monitoring - Billy Archie and Gary Kofinas
Billy and Gary gave a slide show presentation titled 'Local Knowledge Systems and the North Yukon Ecological Knowledge Co-operative'. This presentation was originally developed for the National EMAN Conference, in Halifax, in January 1996.
Effective study of environmental change requires participation of groups at all levels. In the Western Arctic, where indigenous people have a long association with the land and an intimate relationship with its renewable resources, scientists have conducted twenty years of intensive research. In some cases, their work has been ineffective and conducted without the involvement of the region's indigenous people. Since the settlement of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement in 1984, a spirit of co-operation has evolved which draws on the strengths of locals' knowledge and scientific approaches to understanding change.
One example of co-operation is recent studies of Beaufort Sea beluga stocks. While northern co-management agreements have contributed to science-community collaboration, there have also been problems. Difficulties are often related to communication issues, for example the 1992 studies of cadmium levels in caribou. Strained transactions between government researchers and native leaders led to local confusion about associated human health risks. Learning from these experiences, the North Yukon Ecological Knowledge Co-operative includes design features which allow for sharing of information and local assessment and interpretation of findings.
11. Group Presentations and Discussion - Identifying Monitoring Agencies
In a plenary session, a variety of agencies and organizations were identified as having the potential to provide information about the proposed indicators. The selection criteria were current resources, previous involvement, and community interest. Identified agencies will be invited to participate in the monitoring network.
The results of the workshop were put together by the group onto three large boards, one for each environmental stressor. Many of the proposed indicators will require background research and assessment, and so are considered as 'tasks'. Other proposed indicators are currently being monitored and can be reported on annually.
A number of individuals commented on monitoring in general, the gathering itself and on the future direction of the process as a whole.
Joe Charlie commented that Gwich'in communities have always talked about 'getting it down on paper'. The Renewable Resource Councils and the Hunters and Trappers Committees should be strong. The people at this meeting need to inform the people back home and tell them why this monitoring work is important.
Lindsay Staples commented that individuals with a 'social' focus should be invited to participate at the meeting next year. He added that indicators are by and large administrative data, collected by the government. This collection is good and diverse but there is a need to go further. We need the observations of the people. We need to learn how to talk to local people, to learn from traditional knowledge and to learn how to put that knowledge to use. Traditional knowledge has got some recognition but it still needs more. We have to live up to our obligations set out in the land claims.
Charlie Snowshoe remarked that this was only the second time he had had an opportunity to sit down all together like this. This gathering was a real co-management session. We are all working towards the same goals. It's good that we're all together. We have to keep it this way and keep it going.
Billy Day said that it is important to put all the information together for the communities, so that we know what's been done. It's OK to ask the communities what they want done but first we have to know what is being done and what needs to be done.
Vicki Sahanatien commented that other indices will come up. We have to stay open to the introduction of more. Some of the identified indicators need to be developed further. Someone must take responsibility for the task of developing indicators.
Don Russell reminded participants that this is a long term project. We need to think where we will be with this project in ten years time.
Billy Archie suggested that the next gathering be held in the north. It would be a good idea to get more elders involved.
Doug Urquhart closed the gathering by thanking all participants for their hard work and encouraged everyone to carry on with the initiatives identified over the two day gathering.
Figure 1: Proposed Indicators of Climate Change
Figure 2: Proposed Indicators of Contaminants
Figure 3: Proposed Indicators of Development
(Use your browser's back button to return from the figures to this report)
Appendix 1 - List of Participants in the Small Group Sessions
Small Group A - Lakes and Rivers
Doug Urquhart - facilitator
Billy Day (Inuvialuit Game Council)
Fred Koe (Tet'lit Gwich'in Renewable Resource Council)
Charlie Snowshoe (Tet'lit Gwich'in Renewable Resource Council)
Gillian Lynn-Lawson (Yukon Government, Renewable Resources)
Peter Abel (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation)
Bill Slater (DIAND Water Resources)
Roy Moses (Vuntut Gwitchin Renewable Resource Council)
Jim Hawkings (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Debbie van de Wetering - rapporteur (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Small Group B - Land
Gary Kofinas - facilitator
Jacqueline Prunner (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation)
Frank Edwards (Aklavik Renewable Resource Council)
Joe Charlie (Porcupine Caribou Management Board)
Duane West (Parks Canada)
Vicki Sahanatien (WMAC-NS, Parks Canada)
Doug Larsen (Yukon Government, Renewable Resources)
Nelson Green (WMAC-NS)
Rae Moses (Vuntut Gwitchin Renewable Resource Council)
Robert Hoskins (University of Wyoming)
Don Russell (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Nancy Hughes - rapporteur (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Small Group C - Coast and Ocean
Brian Smiley - facilitator (Institute of Ocean Science)
Andy Tardiff (Yukon Government, Renewable Resources)
Billy Archie (Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, WMAC-NS)
Norm Snow (Joint Secretariat)
Lindsay Staples (WMAC-NS)
Joan Eamer (WMAC-NS, Canadian Wildlife Service)
Herbert Felix (Inuvialuit Game Council)
Aileen Horler - rapporteur (WMAC-NS)
Appendix 2 - Summary of Comments and Discussion in Small Group Session #1: Identifying Change
Small Group A - Lakes and Rivers
Water levels have dropped in many lakes in Old Crow Flats and the Mackenzie Delta. The same applies to rivers. Tug boats used to go 100 miles above McPherson but now they can't even make it to town.
Lakes in the Delta are drying up, both those above and within the flood area.
Last year was similar to 1976. It was very dry and there were lots of places where people couldn't travel because of low water levels.
There are new plants in the Old Crow Flats since the 60s. The water has dropped about five feet in some areas.
Water levels in 'landlocked' lakes in Old Crow Flats have remained fairly stable between the 1960s and the 1980s but even the non-flood lakes in the delta are getting lower.
Moose have increased in the Old Crow Flats and the Delta over the past 50 years.
Many muskrat lakes have become overgrown with willow.
The dumping of gravel into the Peel could be a problem. You can almost walk across the river below Fort McPherson.
There are more coniferous trees with 'burns' on top- that is the needles on the outer tips of the branches have turned brown while the rest of the tree remains green. Similar observations for birches (not in winter).
The glaciers at the head of the Peel River are melting back.
The Porcupine River is breaking up earlier.
With lower water levels in the Mackenzie, the current is slower and at break up the ice moves out slower and sometimes just sits there until it melts rather than being carried rapidly away by a strong current.
The level of the permafrost from the surface is changing. When excavating for freezers, trappers on the Old Crow Flats used to have to dig down to about 6" to reach permafrost. Now they have to dig 8" to 9".
Some small tributaries of the Porcupine and Crow Rivers flow longer into the summer season before drying up. They used to dry up in June. Now they continue to flow until August.
No problems noted with the fish abundance in the lakes.
In Old Crow Flats, where it used to be good for ducks, such places have dried up and the plant communities have changed so much that the ducks go elsewhere.
There were more ducks in the Delta in the 1950s but since so much has dried up they may have moved to the Anderson River Delta.
The number of ducks in Old Crow Flats does not appear to have changed, except maybe the number of pintails are down.
The number of songbirds in the Delta has declined in the past few years. Used to be that you couldn't sleep the birds were so loud. Now it's quiet.
Muskrat numbers have dropped in the Old Crow Flats and the Delta because nobody is trapping them.
A Prairie Falcon was sighted this summer on the Porcupine River, 35 miles up. He stayed a long time near the camp.
Mink numbers have dropped on the Old Crow Flats but there's still lots in the Delta.
Large dams in Alberta are maybe influencing water levels in the lower Mackenzie.
Low river levels causes lakes to drain, then the lake changes, willows grow and the moose come in.
Garbage from drilling rig (1972 - Shell) on the bank of the Peel River above Caribou River makes people not trust the water, so they drink water from Jameison Creek. Sewage from Fort McPherson goes into a lake and then into the Peel. The town gets water from a lake beside the sewage lake. Is the water treated?
Small Group B - Land
Before the 1970s, the Elders say that they never had forest fires. In the 1970s had to bring in a Forest Fire Office. After fires have been through an area, there are more willows and more birch which need more water. Maybe this will cause problems with rivers and lakes drying up.
The past three springs, in Paulatuk, have been earlier than normal. The spring is earlier but the water level is lower. Are things drying out?
This summer the Firth River was really high. It rained almost daily. The previous summer, there was very little rain. It is primarily precipitation that regulates the water levels.
It's getting warmer each summer. Maybe this is thawing out the permafrost. There have been slides along the Peel. One was half way across the river. These slides began to occur from 1970 onwards.
The weather determines if we go out on the land and the success of the hunters.
There is an increase in the numbers of muskox. There seems to be more moose now around the Peel, the Delta, Old Crow Flats, and the Richardson Mountains.
There has been a steady increase in the caribou population since the early 1970s. Since the 1970s, the caribou have been spotted where they were not usually seen. Now you can cross the Peel at Fort McPherson and see caribou. This is a change in the migration patterns.
There might be a 10 year shift in wintering areas of the caribou. For example, in 1992 there were few caribou around Old Crow, in 1994 there were lots. It seems to take 3 years to 're-invade' an area.
Recently a few muskox have been spotted near Old Crow. Sheep have also been seen.
Some cliffs along the Porcupine River seemed to just sink into the ground. Slides have occurred as well.
Some unusual things have been seen, such as a mountain lion near Aklavik.
Traditional knowledge has been overlooked. For example, Elders say that migration routes change to maintain good level of food along their route. Perhaps people now are not as respectful of animals as in the past. They're not leaving the lead animals alone. Now they're being shot and possibly this changes their migration patterns.
Hunters are not as selective as they used to be. Sometimes now they take cows.
Maybe traditional hunting strategies are changing.
What about the quality of the water in the Peel and Porcupine Rivers? In the early 1960s there was development up the Peel and there were few environmental concerns. Now there is stuff coming out. It's the garbage from 1965. There were toxic dumps on land that contaminate the water.
There has been a switch from industrial to tourist intrusions on the north coast. There is an increase in air traffic.
The vegetation gets damaged just by people walking on it.
More waste is generated with the increase in the number of people.
No shift has been observed in the caribou calving areas. The calving peak seems to be a few days earlier than before. It used to be June 4 or 5. Now the peak is June 1 or 2.
Caribou bulls stayed around Aklavik this winter. They came in October, dispersed into smaller groups in November and are still there. The snow developed a crust and they got stuck.
Trappers in the Delta have noticed a change in the water.
Ft. Chipewyan has no delta now since the dam was built. What are the upstream effects of the dam? The Athabasca Delta is drying up.
In the fall of 1993, many calves were killed by lynx on the edge of the Flats.
The hare cycle seems to have peaked in the winter of 91-92. The fox were scarce for a period.
The periods of animal fluctuations could be as long as 10 years for caribou-wolf-moose.
Many people have seen new birds in the area such as hawks and ducks. There was a heron seen on the Bell River in the fall.
The tree line is moving north from Aklavik.
The tree line is moving north from Old Crow.
The berries vary in the spring.
In the 1980s in Fort McPherson, there would be a 'chinook' every December and they would get rain.
In Alaska, they have been measuring the northward movement of the dwarf birch replacing willow communities.
Hunters are using the same areas as in the past, but they are traveling there faster.
Small Group C - Coast and Ocean
The colour of the trees in the Delta have changed. They used to be so green but now they are brown.
The elders are saying that things are changing. It's warming up. River currents are changing. There have been changes in the number of coney that are running.
Within the federal government, there have been big changes in the number of scientists working on Arctic oceanography. There aren't as many people doing studies in the Beaufort Sea. There is no longer an 'Arctic Group'.
There is less industrial development than there was a few years ago.
There is less driftwood now than there was 25 years ago, in the area west of the delta. It doesn't seem to have changed on the Tuk peninsula.
There is evidence of coastal recession. More slumps on the North Slope, but not by Tuk. The recession rate is increasing in areas where it occurs. Grave sites are sloughing into the ocean. Slumps happen over night.
The lagoons are closing. It's no longer possible to get into them in some areas like King Point.
Driftwood has more movement. It's necessary to keep moving logs away from the lagoons.
During the whaling days the whalers had to go miles to find driftwood. They had to use coal for fuel. The driftwood was cleared out all along the coast.
In 1955 a big storm took away all the driftwood at Shingle Point. The banks eroded 10 feet. Pauline Cove was flooded over.
In 1993-94, there were huge fall storms that created a styrofoam spill all over Herschel Island.
There is an increase in the number of storms, especially in the fall. The NW winds are very strong. When the big storms come there are much bigger tides and waves at Herschel.
Seems like water levels have gone down. Places where the schooners used to be able to get in would be too shallow for them now. Also, its difficult to get into the Firth River. You have to know the channels.
In 1986, unusual currents and winds brought ice into Herschel.
There are some 'hot spots' along the shore of the North Slope that are receding at 6 m a year.
Water levels in the delta have been crazy in the last few years. Break-up was at the end of April last year. This is very early.
Early break-up has meant a reduction in channel size and a dramatic decrease in water flow.
There was a big silt build-up after the last flood in Aklavik.
Temperature extremes in summer and winter have changed. They are getting longer. It's a lot colder for longer than it was 25 years ago. It stays at -40 or -50 for a lot longer. In the past 10 years, the hot periods have been getting much longer. It used to be hot for only a week or so. Now it will stay hot for 3 or 4 weeks.
There doesn't seem to have been any change in marine life.
Appendix 3 - Summary of Discussions during Small Group Session #2: Identifying Indicators
Small Group A - Lakes and Rivers
Climate Change
(after the introduction of a climate change scenario) We shouldn't worry about the consequences of climate change scenarios as we can't predict whether it will be dry or wet or anything.
Water levels? Water Survey of Canada only works on rivers, not lakes. Some measurements are being taken, mostly on rivers. Is there a need to measure lake water levels near communities? The water has really gone done in the last few years. It's hard to say what it will be like this spring. A lack of snow means thick ice. The mouth of the Delta is completely different now.
Permafrost? A temperature profile of permafrost can tell whether or not it's changing. Need to find out how to measure permafrost. What is the most meaningful way? Environment Canada has white boxes in the ground. They could be testing, but I don't know for sure.
Winter temperatures are warmer now than when I was a kid 50 years ago.
When you have an early spring, the land is dry in the summer.
There are concerns in the communities about skin cancer.
Forest fires? Most of the fires that start these days are because of thunder and the dry season. Black bears are skin and bones. No bears around to hunt because of all the burnt land. You get more mushrooms after a fire, but people in the community don't eat them.
Break-up? We have to determine past break-up dates. A search should be done of the old records. RCMP?
The ice was three and a half feet thick last year. The ice used to be 6 or 8 feet thick, now its only 3 or 4.
Snow depth? Some agencies are measuring snow depth now, but it may not continue. Snow can be very variable. In 1976 it was snowy and deep until May 31.
Flowering of aquatic plants has been used in other places to indicate climate change.
Contaminants
Organochlorines are hard to measure in water. You get a better representation in the sediments.
Do we want to take sediment samples?
Something killed the fish on a lake that was associated with development in the 1970s Someone (maybe DFO?) is trying to find out what killed them.
There should be people in the communities that are trained to take soil samples. Some work was done last summer. It's not expensive to do.
The spring flooding of water at one lake can affect the surrounding lakes.
Geology can also affect what's happening in lakes.
There's a lake that had a ('development') camp on it in the 1960s This lake has two creeks coming from it. When it was sampled for contaminants, the wrong creek was sampled. There should have been a local person there to tell the specialists that they had the wrong creek.
In reference to sewage, water samples are being taken on a regular basis. Some burbot are radio-tagged. Work will be conducted again in March.
There is a need to check out the old samples from 20 years ago to see if there have been any changes.
An individual from a community could take a sample into the federal water resources office every year.
Some fish have been sampled in the past. There's a need to find out where and when the sampling was conducted.
Last year in Fort McPherson one fish was caught that had cancer. The community was scared because no one understood what had happened and communication of the facts wasn't any good.
Some young people in the community have been trained to handle, tag and 'process' fish, so work on fish doesn't have to be very expensive.
If the communities are concerned then maybe the RRC could provide the money to do fish testing periodically.
Indicators should be food sources because it will always be a concern.
Food source indictors could be ducks, muskrats and beaver, as well as fish.
Development
Tourism 'pollution' could cause coliform levels in water to increase.
We need to think about sites that would be used so that indicators of pollution can be monitored now to indicate changes in the environment because of tourism.
It's difficult to second guess where mining will occur.
We need to monitor before, during and after in order to document 'changes'. We need to focus on areas where potential development could occur.
DFO is monitoring salmon population levels on the Porcupine River and Fishing Branch.
There's lots of interest about the char. Some tagging work has been done on them.
If we knew what development to expect and where, we could pick indicators. But if we don't know its hard to pick indicators.
It's important to know where the water goes. Development in one area can have a profound effect on water far away.
General Comments
There have been three or four fish studies on the Rat River and one on the Big Fish River. There has been lots of char work on the North Slope and the Peel.
Rare occurrences must be monitored for 'consistency'. Can't have peaks in effort. Must distinguish between 'first' occurrence and 'trends'.
If work needs to be done, the HTC is approached and people are recommended. In general, there are many trained people in Aklavik so most stuff can be done locally.
In Old Crow, people would be expected to approach both the RRC and the First Nation in order to get something started.
In the Yukon, most survey work is done by Environment Canada.
There should be a system in place so that there is community consultation on every issue.
It's difficult to do work in Old Crow without contacting the people of Old Crow first.
Long ago people used to hold moose in high regard. Now the people only eat caribou.
Ozone depletion and forest fires are the reason why there are more moose. Maybe the smoke from fires drove them to the flats.
Small Group B - Land
Climate Change
Plant phenology? Both flowering dates and the dates when the leaves come out could be used.
Timing of ice melt off the lakes? An estimate is important to the communities. It's a good indicator because some of it is being done now at a few sites in Ivvavik Park and across the circumpolar north. It's easy and inexpensive to do. School kids could do some of it.
Abiotic factors? This could include temperature, snow depth, first snowfall, snowmelt patterns, permafrost. These are all good because Environment Canada collects this information now and there are some weather stations in Ivvavik. They are accurate indicators and good at indicating trends.
Hatch date of mosquitoes? Not a good indicator because different species emerge at different times. Hatching is related to conditions in winter, like snow depth.
Movements of wildlife could indicate change, but there are too many other factors other than climate that could explain different movements. For example the region that they are traveling from may have changed.
Shifts in range of animals? Examples include the muskox near Old Crow and a white fox trapped near Old Crow. Invasions of animals are measured elsewhere. It would depend on local knowledge, so the information would be easy to collect. Could use the rate of new species per decade as an indicator of change, although its not a good forecaster and doesn't help us understand change.
Tree ring data? Can core trees and examine width and density of rings to determine previous periods of stress. This work is being done now. It is easy, although expensive. It's not intrusive.
Frequency of forest fires? It should be easy to get information from previous years.
Lake sediments? Look for pollen and diatoms to get an indication of the situation in the past. Not a good indicator to forecast change.
Body condition of caribou? You could find out about fat from the hunters. If there is deep snow in the winter, the hair will be rubbed off the legs. Body condition can be used to predict caribou pregnancy and visa versa. The less fall fat there is, the less chance of pregnancy.
Arrival and departure dates of some key species? Local people can observe and make notes. Departure dates are not as noticeable.
Socio-economic indicators? The number of air conditioners in Old Crow? Changes in fuel consumption? No good because there are too many other factors influencing this. Daily amount of time on the land? This will depend on the timing of the snowpack melt. There are too many factors effecting this for it to be a good indicator. Quality of fur? Price of fur? Number of travelers stranded on the land? Number of voiced concerns about traveling conditions?
Contaminants
Mercury and cadmium are naturally occurring contaminants. Mercury is a problem in aquatic systems. Cadmium is found in the lichen-caribou-wolf complex, primarily from naturally occurring sources, although there is some caused by incineration and industry. There are some long range transport concerns.
Organochlorines and PCB's are not high in birds and mammals. They are not measurable in most tissue. If people are mainly eating an aquatic diet, there could be a problem. Birds of prey are susceptible to DDT but this has been improving. Radiocesium was noticed in small quantities after the Chernobyl accident. There was a decline in amounts of detected radiocesium during the 1960s, that had occurred because of atomic bomb tests.
Radioactivity is a natural occurrence. What we're checking for is human-caused increases in radioactivity.
Snow samples? They are being taken in the Yukon at Tagish and the White Pass. Organochlorines and metals are measured in the snow. Bulk samples of the snow are collected in the spring. Right now, Dawson is the furthest north where collection is occurring. It's quite expensive to analyse.
Tissue samples for radiocesium? Lots of work was done in the late 50s and early 60s. Then there was some activity after the Chernobyl accident, 1985-90. Lichens and mushrooms were collected and levels measured. Radiocesium tends to be carried by rain so levels are lower in the Yukon since it is drier. Background levels could be checked every 5 years unless an event occurs in that period. It's easy and cheap to analyse caribou, lichens and mushrooms. Apparently some people were tested 4 years ago in Old Crow and Fort McPherson.
Lake sediments? This a good indicator of trends in metals.
Cadmium? In snow samples. Also in lake sediments to determine historic levels. Caribou tissue could be checked every 5 years using hunters' samples. You could look at the past record of tree rings and check them every 10 years.
Work must be done carefully to communicate information about contaminants.
Human health? Could use human health related pathology as indicators. Frequency of cancer is not a good indicator, because there are too many other factors involved, such as life-style. Could look at infant development and immune systems. Also mercury levels.
Development
Using the example of oil development in ANWR, the population of the Porcupine Caribou herd could be used as an indicator. You can monitor body condition. If a disturbance occurs you would see lower body fat in calves in the fall, lower body fat in cows, lower protein in calves (related to fall body weight) and lower protein in cows. Calving distribution depends on where plants grow fastest.
Birth rates, survival rates and population of caribou. We should collect information now on distribution, vegetation and wildlife.
Regarding Bonnet Plume development, need to know the quality and quantity of water now, before development.
Monitoring for samples over a 20 year period is a good idea. Then if a disturbance occurs we will have information to refer back to.
If calving distribution is known and you know what development is coming, we may have an idea of what will happen to the wildlife in these areas and could predict effects.
We need to know about the vegetation and how long it will take for areas to recover from disturbances.
There are studies that relate weather patterns to changes in vegetation.
The number of predators is not a good indicator. Its expensive to monitor and difficult to get an accurate count.
Measurement of land use changes? For example, the amount of land lost to roads, airports, development, septic beds.
Monitor changes in annual movements? For example, the presence of roads and pipelines seems to affect movements of cows and calves (Prudhoe Bay study).
Bear/ human interactions? There will be an increase with development but not a good indicator as too many other factors involved.
Monitor air quality? Some studies at Prudhoe Bay show a lot of particulate matter.
Change in volume of air traffic? Easy to measure.
Should watch for a change in the quality of living or destruction of people. For example, during the Beaufort boom, there was an increase in the crime rate, loss of culture, increase in suicide rates and school drop out rates. Many people entered the wage economy. The kids are lost when the economy goes belly-up. They have no schooling or traditional knowledge.
Socio-economic indicators could include subsistence verses wage economy; change in population; crime rate changes; number of people on social assistance; number of drug and alcohol cases; number of locals benefiting from development by working or controlling businesses; number of people using traditional areas; suicide rate.
Keep track of how much caribou people are using for subsistence.
Old Crow is a very isolated community. If road access occurred, the youth might leave and it would become an elder's community.
Snow geese may be displaced if disturbance occurs.
Falcon nesting sites are being monitored. There is large co-ordinated effort every five years.
On the Firth River, bear/ human interactions are being monitored. So is the effect of camps on vegetation.
Small Group C - Coast and Ocean
Climate Change
Could use the number of megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions as an indicator of human activity that will effect climate.
Environmental conditions could include precipitation, shoreline erosion, daily / seasonal air and sea temperature, mean sea level change, accumulation of driftwood, break-up dates of rivers and on the coast, and the intensity of fall storms.
Water levels could be measured on the Firth, Babbage and Mackenzie Rivers.
Timing of waterfowl nesting might be affected by climate change. It would have to be monitored weekly.
Some birds are being seen where they've never been seen before, like rough tailed hawks. Sightings of rare animals could be an indicator.
Ecological effects of climate change could include the number of polar bears seen in the summer, the arrival and departure of spring migrants, and the distribution of resident species.
Indicators of socio-economic effects of climate change could be the number of tourist dollars per year, the number or tourist days per year, and the distribution of the harvest.
Fat levels in polar bears (thickness and quality) could be an indicator of all kinds of change, both in climate and contaminants.
Contaminants
Activity indicators could include pesticide usage per year by country. Patterns around the world could be difficult to assess. Its a good indicator but its not always measured accurately or enough. In many countries no records are kept. Could also look at organochlorines and metals in snow sediments and water.
Organochlorines in beluga blubber; heavy metals in skin and organochlorines in the kidneys, liver and muscle of char, whitefish, lake trout. Samples could be taken from ring seals and polar bears, too.
An indicator of the effects of contaminants could be rates of consumption of country foods and general human health. People won't eat wild food if they think it has poisons in it.
Also the concentration of organochlorines and metals in humans could be measured but only if the people in the communities want it to be done.
The number of letters sent to decision makers regarding contaminants could be used as an indicator of increasing effects.
Development
Shore based port quarries, oil and gas development in the Beaufort, increase in the number of tourists could all be monitored as an effect of development.
Tanker traffic, the number and type of vessels and the frequency of passages would indicate an increase in development.
The number of spills and the size of spills would indicate an increase in development but it's not necessarily predictive.
Have to consider the difference between 'disaster effects' and 'regular routine effects'.
Need to look at how development affects the number and distribution of seals, polar bear, beluga, Bowhead, seabirds, and waterfowl. Socio-economic effects could be indicated by the harvest levels of all those species. Could look at the number killed, location, date, age, sex, unit effort and number of days on the land. Most of these are monitored routinely now.
Country food consumption could tell you a lot about ecological and socio-economic impact of development. If people are in the wage economy they won't have time to hunt or maybe don't need to hunt. Or maybe the development is driving away animals so it gets harder to hunt.
Appendix 4 - Participant Contact List
Frank Edwards, Aklavik Renewable Resources Council, Aklavik, NWT X0E 0A0, phone: (403) 978-2340 fax: (403) 978-2937
Roy Moses, Chair Vuntut Gwitchin Renewable Resource Council, HSE 765, Old Crow, Yukon, Y0B 1N0, phone: (403) 966-3034, fax: (403) 966-3034
Rae Moses, Secretariat Vuntut Gwitchin Renewable Resource Council, HSE 765, Old Crow, Yukon, Y0B 1N0, phone: (403) 966-3034, fax: (403) 966-3034
Don Russell, Manager, Canadian Wildlife Service, Mile 917.6B Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5X7, phone: (403) 393-6700 fax: (403) 667-7962, e-mail: russelld@ywc.yk.doe.ca
Joe Charlie, Chair, Porcupine Caribou Management Board, 61-13th Ave. Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 4K6, phone: (403) 633-4780 fax: (403) 633-4780
Billy Archie, President, Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, Box 133, Aklavik, NWT., X0E 0A0, phone: (403) 978-2723 fax: (403) 978-2661
Joan Eamer, Head, Ecosystem Health Canadian Wildlife Service, Mile 917.6B Alaska Highway Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5X7, phone: (403) 667-3949 fax: (403) 667-7962, e-mail: eamerj@ywc.yk.doe.ca
Lindsay Staples, Chair, WMAC(NS) Box 5928 Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5L6, phone: (403) 633-5476 fax: (403) 633-6900
Gary Kofinas, Resource Management, UBC, 436E 2206 East Mall Vancouver, V6T 1Z3, phone: (604) 822-9249 (6224) fax: (604) 822-9250, E-mail: kofinas@unixg.ubc.ca.
Alternate address: Institute for Global Awareness P.O. Box 832 Wilson, WY 83014, phone: (307) 733-9686
Jim Hawkings, Head, Resource Management, Canadian Wildlife Service, Mile 917.6B Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5X7, phone: (403) 667-3927 fax: (403) 667-7962, e-mail: hawkings@ywc.yk.doe.ca
Billy Day, Inuvialuit Game Council, Box 2120 Inuvik, NWT X0E 0T0, phone: (403) 979-2828 fax: (403) 979-2610
Nelson Green, WMAC(NS) Member, General Delivery, Paulatuk, NWT, X0E 1N0, phone: (403) 580-3507 fax: (403) 580-3404
Jacqueline Prunner, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, General Delivery, Old Crow, Yukon Y0B 1N0, phone: (403) 966-3606 fax: (403) 966-3820
Jillian Lynn Lawson, Habitat Protection Coordinator YTG Renewable Resources, Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6, phone: (403) 667-5803 fax: (403) 667-4727
Duane West, Parks Canada, Kluane National Park, Box 5495 Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0, phone: (403) 634-7276 fax: (403) 634-7277
Robert Hoskins, 2124 Rainbow Ave, Laramie, Wyoming USA 82070, phone: (307) 742-8209 fax: (307) 742-8209, e-mail: rhoskins@uwyo.edu
Charlie Snowshoe, Vice-President, Tet'lit Gwich'in Renewable Resource Council, Box 86 Fort McPherson, NWT X0E 0J0, phone: (403) 952-2330 fax: (403) 952-2212
Fred Koe, Tet'lit Gwich'in Renewable Resource Council, Box 86 Fort McPherson, NWT X0E 0J0, phone: (403) 952-2330 fax: (403) 952-2212
Andy Tardiff, YTG Renewable Resources, Box 1129, Inuvik, NWT, X0E 0T0, phone: (403) 979-4058 fax: (403) 979-4062
Matt Stabler, Fisheries Joint Management Committee, Box 2120, Inuvik, NWT X0E 0T0, phone: (403) 979-2828, fax: (403) 979-2610
Debbie van de Wetering, Canadian Wildlife Service, Mile 917.6B Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5X7, phone: (403) 667-3930 fax: (403) 667-7962, e-mail: wetering@ywc.yk.doe.ca
Brian Smiley, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Box 6000, Sidney, BC, V8L 4B2, phone: (604) 363-6551 fax: (604) 363-6479
Vicki Sahanatien, Parks Canada, Box 1840, Inuvik, NWT, X0E 0T0, phone: (403) 979-3248 fax: (403) 979-4491
Aileen Horler, WMAC(NS) Secretariat, Box 5928, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5L6, phone: (403) 633-5476 fax: (403) 633-6900
Nancy Hughes, Canadian Wildlife Service, Mile 917.6B Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5X7, phone: (403) 667-3928 fax: (403) 667-7962, e-mail: hughesn@ywc.yk.doe.ca
Herbert Felix, Inuvialuit Game Council, Box 2120, Inuvik, NWT, X0E 0T0, phone: (403) 979-2828 fax: (403) 979-2610
Bill Slater, Water Resources, Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, 345-300 Main St., Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2B5, phone: (403) 667-3147, fax: (403) 667-3195
Claire Eamer, 309 Hawkins St Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1X5, phone/fax: (403) 667-6332, e-mail: netword@yknet.yt.ca
Norm Snow, Joint Secretariat, Box 2120, Inuvik, NWT X0E 0T0, phone: (403) 979-2828 fax: (403) 979-2610
Doug Larsen, Chief, Wildlife Management, YTG Renewable Resources, Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6, phone: (403) 667-5177 fax: (403) 668-4363