Personnel Involved: Monica Krieger, Department Manager, and community members
Total Project Expenditures Funded by WKSS: $443,000 (2002-2005)
The traditional territory of the Åutsÿl K’e Denesôåine, encompassing the boreal forest and barrenlands of the Northwest Territories, Canada, continues to be under tremendous pressure from industrial development activities. Over the past few years, the Åutsÿl K’e Dene First Nation designed and has been implementing a community-based program to monitor environmental and socio-economic changes within the traditional territory and the community of Åutsÿl K’e.
This program was initiated through the Community-Based Monitoring and Traditional Knowledge in the Kache Tué Study Region projects. In 2002-2003, these projects were amalgamated into one, the Ni hat’ni – Watching the Land program, to better examine cumulative effects and the interplay between environmental and socio-economic changes and impacts. It should be noted that the two Ni Hat’ni reports produced to date have not been peer reviewed using the process applied to earlier WKSS Traditional Knowledge studies.
Ni Hat’ni 2002-2003
As noted in the Ni Hat’ni 2002-2003 report cycles of monitoring around valued features of the traditional territory, the Denesôåine culture and the socio-economic context were conducted. Indicators, based upon traditional values and ways of knowing, were assessed and measured by adapting traditional ways of doing to the modern monitoring context. Based upon the results generated through the compilation of indicator information, Elders and land-users analyzed and interpreted environmental monitoring knowledge by comparing it with the collective, long-term oral history of the Denesôåine people. Through such comparison, it could be deemed whether indicator information represented either natural stability or unnatural change. Indications of unnatural change proceeded to be dealt with by community leadership, whereas information revealing natural stability was incorporated both into the traditional oral history and a digital traditional knowledge database. Socio-economic indicator information was analyzed using statistical database methods. Results were then presented to community organizations for interpretation and action. All results were incorporated into the database along with environmental knowledge
This report presents the results of 2002-2003 monitoring activities under the auspices of the Ni hat'ni - Watching the Land program, as well as implications of this knowledge for Denesôåine Nÿne and the community of Åutsÿl K'e. This knowledge will help the Denesôåine of Åutsÿl K'e assess the changes happening on their land and in the community, and provide direction in efforts to predict change, prevent and mitigate negative change, and encourage positive change in the interest of attaining community visions, goals and objectives.
Ni Hat’ni 2003-2005
The Ni Hat’ni 2003-2005 report presents results of 2003-2005 monitoring activities under the Ni hat’ni – Watching the Land program, as well as implications of this knowledge for Denesôåine Nÿne and the community of Åutsÿl K’e. This knowledge will help the Denesôåine of Åutsÿl K’e assess the changes happening within their traditional territory and their community, and provide direction and recommendations for change and action. Indicators developed under the previous projects continue to be utilized. Results were presented to Elders, land-users, community organizations, and leadership for interpretation and recommendations on action. All results have been incorporated into the database and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program.
Environmental monitoring cycles in 2003-05 continue to show that most animal species are healthy and in good condition, with the exception of the Bathurst caribou herd and the fish in Stark Lake, which are undergoing significant and drastic changes. Some species are exhibiting rises and falls in population numbers, but this conforms to the natural cycles that people have been observing for years.
Socio-economic monitoring cycles continue to show that use of the Chipewyan language and knowledge of traditional skills is rapidly decreasing among the younger generation, and drastic measures need to be taken now to prevent this trend from continuing. There are very few people participating in traditional recreational activities such as drum dances and hand games, and there are still low levels of people who attend public meetings and volunteer for community events. Youth are not satisfied with the quality of education they receive in Åutsÿl K’e, and feel they are not well prepared when they move to bigger centres to further their education. There is little community support for youth activities, and very few recreational opportunities available (although an arena is planned for next year). The community is currently dealing with massive financial problems and a leadership crisis.
This report also presents some of the unique circumstances, financial and otherwise, which affected the implementation of the Ni hat’ni – Watching the Land program in 2003-2005. Implications of these circumstances on the quality and quantity of research are discussed, and recommendations for future incarnations of the program are presented.