More than three -quarters of adults in Inuit Nunangat face food insecurityA rate more than six times the Canadian national average. This statistic reflects not only limited access to market food, but also disturbances in Arctic ecosystems having an impact on the availability of traditional foods.
The main food sources for many Aboriginal peoples in the region, including the Inuit, are the Arctic fauna such as Muskox and Caribou. The Inuit connection has with the land, the sea and the animals is an integral part of bodily, mental and spiritual health. However, climate change is not only an upheaval of the Arctic ecosystems, but also threaten the sources of traditional food and the well-being of the Inuit.
Climate change also has an impact on health, sustainability and safety of Arctic key species such as Muskox, Beluga and other land and sea animals. The movement of South species in the Northand the arrival of invasive species And winter rainsare just a few climate -related phenomena which modify the health and distribution of arctic species.
On shared stories and food, we have gathered various people and prospects to discuss ways to use DNA for Arctic Wildlife and Indigenous Food Safety. Through workshopsWe create space in the Arctic communities for ancients, hunters, trappers and other members of the community and stakeholders – including scientists – to share knowledge, sparkling dialogues and research.
Can DNA information help alleviate these threats against Arctic fauna? If so, how? What animals are the priorities? The answers to these questions require collaboration between various stakeholders, including Aboriginal communities and peoples, scientists, tourism operators, outfitters, decision -makers and decision -makers.
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Community workshops
Can we assess the size of the herd of Muskox or the health of individuals using DNA? How do we samples them? How much would it cost? Can we do it in a non-invasive way by just using their poop? Can we find killer disease in their poop? What about the food they eat? Pulmonary worms in there? Are the continent and Muskoxen island different?
These are some of the questions we discussed during last year Muskoxen and genomic in the community workshop. We learned about DNA technologies such as environmental DNA (EDNA) and their usefulness, profitability and limitation.
Relying on a community workshop model, we and the Arctic genomic team Widens by a hybrid format which prioritizes dialogue in person and cultural land while connecting remotely with Western scientists on the other side of the North circumpolar.
This approach allows more in -depth conversations on DNA -based tools, in particular listening to experts, seeing examples of their use, the discussion of applicability to priority concerns, the evaluation of cultural relevance and acceptance and identification of means of protecting biocultural goods.
(Shivangi Mishra)
Share knowledge
Genomics and DNA -based methods provide powerful tools to understand biodiversity and emerging diseases. However, without involving the community, these methods could disconnect from the needs of the real world.
During workshops, the ancients recalled how their ancestors read the land through the behavior of animals as Umingmak (Muskox) and Tuktu (Caribou), using generations of observation to predict the changes in the environment. Today, growing distance hunters must travel to find that Muskox reflects the impacts of deepening climate change.
These conversations and questions explain how traditional knowledge, values and experiences are shared. This is where we learn that understanding is going through not only linguistic, cultural and geographic barriers, but is also shared between traditional knowledge and Western sciences.
Traditional knowledge offers the first signs of ecological change, such as animal behavior observations, migration models and changes in color and taste of meat. By incorporating local knowledge from genomics, scientists can conduct research that not only align with the needs of the community, but also provide a crucial context for the design, implementation and interpretation of the results of the study.
In Inuktitut, piliriqatiginiq is the value that emphasizes Work together for a common cause. To create a bridge between the two knowledge systems, you just have to listen, communicate and undertake to work with others. When hunters can be trained to collect muskic samples, scientists can be trained to report results from the community.
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Food security led by the community
Aboriginal communities have long been underestimated, overwhelmed and exploited by Western scientists. Significant commitment requires reciprocal and respectful long -term partnerships. Community workshops are a way of favoring them and collaborating with other scientists committed by the community is another. However, like any relationship, strengthening confidence takes time.
DNA research in the community guarantees not only that collaboration puts knowledge in action, but also guarantees that genomic and genetic concepts are part of the self -determination of the Inuit. During the workshop, by incorporating different knowledge systems and knowledge holders, we connected other species, such as the Arctic Willow, Raven, Slugs and Mosquitoes, to the health and well-being of Muskox.
The workshop has generated a list of priority species for sequencing the genome that can help the health of the muskic population. We have helped establish new connections between hunters and trappers and scientists, so that samples can be taken for genome sequencing. This is an example of the results of our workshops informing the ways whose DNA -based tools can help monitoring and co -management of wildlife. This process helps to ensure that research is relevant and based on the regions where it is carried out.
Above all, the commitment must extend beyond community sampling; It should support the interpretation of collaborative research, co-author and management of ethical data. Our workshop participants are Co-creators and reports of reports,, Conference summary and the journal’s publications (currently reviewing). They recognize their role and contributions to knowledge of research.
Research on community DNA led by Inuit that integrate traditional knowledge and Western knowledge offer a powerful and evolving model to combat food security in an Arctic changer. It combines culturally anchored science with indigenous perspectives to protect ecosystems and arctic regimes, support cultural identity and empower future generations.