Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı
Sahtú Renewable Resources Board

2002 Bluenose-East Caribou Contaminant Study

Summary

This report summarises the data from the analysis of liver and kidney tissues from caribou collected south and west of Deline, NT in March, 2002. The samples were analysed by ICP/MS for a full suite of twenty-two metals by Taiga Laboratory in Yellowknife. The same tissues were analysed for naturally occurring radionuclides and cesium-137 by Whiteshell Laboratories in Pinawa, MB.
Most metals were detected in the two tissues in all the caribou harvested, however beryllium, lithium and uranium were not detected in any sample. Other metals, like aluminum, thallium, and silver were only detectable in a few samples of either liver or kidney. Metals of concern, like cadmium and mercury, are relatively low in these animals and are not expected to be a danger to the animals or people who hunt them.
Several natural radionuclides were measured in the tissues, but all levels remain within the normal range found in caribou in the North. Potassium-40, a natural nuclide found in all living tissues, remained at slightly less than 100 Bq/kg, consistent with all other caribou. Uranium-235, radium-226 and thorium-232 are all natural nuclides that form from the decay of uranium-238, but are found at very low concentrations in these animals. Lead-210 and polonium-210, two natural nuclides, are present at levels within the ranges normally found for caribou in the NWT. Although meat wasn’t tested in this study, it is expected from other studies that these isotopes would be <10 Bq/kg in meat. These data indicate that there is no evidence of contamination of metals or radionuclides, and that the caribou meat remains a healthy, nutritious food source.

Reports

  pdf Summary of Bluenose-East Caribou Contaminants Report 2002(1.44 MB)

 

 

Caribou Program and Projects

Caribou Genetic Study

 The main goal of the caribou research project is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the identities and relationships among caribou populations and Dene people in the Sahtú region in order to inform and prioritize management efforts. The project will bring together traditional knowledge and non-invasive population genetics to organize and understand the biological diversity of caribou and to develop an approach to caribou research that balances and accommodates aboriginal and scientific ways of knowing.

 Untitled

Caribou occupy a central place in the livelihoods and identities of Aboriginal people. Some caribou groups are more closely related to each other than others. Understanding the differences between caribou herds and populations is a question of interest to managers, ecologists, and First Nation hunters. For example, because caribou populations are often identified for management purposes it is important to understand if caribou from one area ever travel to different places and mate with other groups of caribou. In the Sahtú Region, caribou are given different names if they live in the mountains, or the boreal forests, or in the tundra. We are interested in understanding how groups of caribou are related to other groups of caribou in the Sahtú Region.

In the fall of 2012, the Sahtú Dene and Métis of the Northwest Territories passed a resolution detailing their resolve to conduct respectful caribou research and management. The caribou genetics study has developed collaborations with the Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı and the Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę of Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Tulı́t’a, Délı̨nę, and Colville Lake to research and monitor caribou populations. It is critically important to develop a collaborative approach to wildlife management that uses multiple sources of data and knowledge systems to help define the boundaries of different groups of caribou. We hope to increase our understanding of caribou in the Sahtú Region with information from hunters and trappers as well as population genetics.

Population genetics allows scientists to understand how different groups of caribou are related to each other in much the same way humans are related to their extended families. A strong partnership with the communities of the Sahtú Region is essential to the project because the research is dependent on the voluntary collection of caribou fecal pellet (scat or poop) samples by local community members. We are able to take DNA from the outside mucus layer on caribou scat (poop) that is found frozen on the snow. Each caribou has its own individual DNA that is found in the mucus. Once the scat is brought to the lab, technicians take the mucus off a piece of scat from each individual caribou. By running the mucus through machines, we are able to identify each individual caribou and to see how that caribou is related to other caribou. This would be the same thing we could do with a piece of hair from a person to see if a sibling or parent was related to that person.

Preliminary results from the samples collected during the winter of 2013 can be found on the project website here:http://nricaribou.cc.umanitoba.ca/sahturesearch/?page_id=437

Team Members

Funders 

Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, Environment and Natural Resources - Northwest Territories, Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program - Northwest Territories, University of Manitoba, Environmental Studies Research Fund

2014-2015 Budget

 $184,850

Dechenla Caribou Stewardship

 Sahtú delegates attended a meeting hosted by the Ross River Dena Chief, Councillors and community members during July 23 and 24, 2014 to discuss concerns about the boreal mountain caribou population in the Dechenla/K’á Tǝ (McMillan Pass/Canol) area. In addition to Sahtú delegates, approximately 45 people from the Ross River community participated in the two-day meeting. During the meeting, concerns about impacts of harvesting by both non-aboriginal and aboriginal visitors from other regions leading to an observed decline in the local population of boreal mountain caribou were expressed. We were told that efforts have been made to seek action on this issue over the past five years. Participants in the meeting achieved consensus with respect to the following five recommendations for immediate action to be considered by the Tulı́t’a and Norman Wells Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę (Renewable Resources Councils) and Sahtú Secretariat Incorporated.

Team Members

  • Deborah Simmons, Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı
  • Michael Neyelle, Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı
  • Heather Sayine-Crawford, NWT Environment and Natural Resources-Sahtú Region
  • Candace daCoste, Canol Remediation Project, Contaminants and Remediation Directorate
  • Leon Andrew
  • Frederick Andrew, Parks Canada Delegate
  • William Horassi, Tulita Renewable Resources Council Delegate
  • Edward Oudzi, Norman Wells Renewable Resouces Council Delegate
  • Camilla Rabisca, Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı

Funders

Core Fund - Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı, Aborignal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), Environment and Natural Resources (ENR, GNWT), Parks Canada

Total Budget

$5,247.18

Cumulative Impact Research

coming soon

Bosworth Creek

Between 2007 and 2010, a monitoring project of Bosworth Creek was sponsored by the Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gotsę́ Nákedı, with funding from the NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (CIMP) along with other partners. As part of this project, students at Mackenzie Mountain School were engaged to monitor aquatic ecosystem health. Sampling and analysis of bird populations, soil and water chemistry, fisheries, fish habitat, benthic invertebrates, amphibians, and creek habitat were conducted. Community monitors and researchers were trained, and Mackenzie Mountain School students learned a wide range of scientific applications. The Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gotsę́ Nákedı developed capacity to monitor impacts and account for natural and man-made changes to watersheds. This information was considered in the Mackenzie Gas Project cumulative effects hearings.

bosworth

Bosworth Creek originates at Hodgson (Jackfish) Lake (65° 18’N 126 41’W), Tulita District, Sahtu Settlement Area and parallels the base of Discovery Ridge before changing course and joining the Mackenzie River within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Norman Wells. The creek exhibits a variety of habitats along its course and has played an important role in local history. Natural flow was impeded with the construction of a weir in 1960 approximately 250 metres from its convergence with the Mackenzie River. The pond created behind this weir supplied both the oil refinery for their steam plant and the Town of Norman Wells with drinking water. The town abandoned this water source in 1991 and closure of the refinery in 1996 prompted channel flow reclamation as recommended by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). The weir was removed and natural flow restored in 2005 under Imperial Oil Resources NWT Limited’s (IORL) Reclamation and Restoration Plan.

bosworth2

The weir site at the lower Bosworth Creek bridge within the IORL lease property

bosworth3

The weir site at the lower Bosworth Creekbridge between 1960 – 2005

bosworth4

The current site following removal of the weir in 2005

The Bosworth Creek Monitoring Project was developed following questions raised by local residents regarding the absence of whitefish and other aquatic species. The general question was “Now that the barrier has been removed, will these animals re-inhabit the stream on their own or should they be re-introduced?” The SahtuRenewable Resources Board (SRRB) contacted the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and discussed possible avenues of mitigation. It was concluded that re-stocking the creek was unnecessary due to the weir’s removal and that natural introductions should occur following stream reorganization.

The recent restoration of Bosworth Creek presents a unique opportunity for local youth and residents to monitor aquatic ecosystem health. This monitoring project enables students and others to learn about local fish, invertebrates, hydrodynamics, sedimentology, streambed morphology, sampling techniques, data collection and evaluation. Students from Mackenzie Mountain School learn a wide range of scientific applications and report their findings to the scientific community through public presentations, science fair projects and publications. 

Project Summaries:

pdf Bosworth Creek Ice Study: Implications for the Northern Ecosystems(2.33 MB)

pdf Bosworth Creek Ice Study: Implications for the Northern Ecosystems Poster(1005 KB)

pdf Bosworth Creek: Literature Review(255 KB)

pdf Bosworth Creek: Water Quality Data(2.80 MB)

pdf Bosworth Creek History Project(2.94 MB)

pdf 2006-2007 Bosworth Creek Monitoring Project(2.40 MB)

pdf 2007-2008 Bosworth Creek Monitoring Project(1.13 MB)

pdf  2008-2009 Bosworth Creek Monitoring Project(40 KB)

pdf 2009-2010 Bosworth Creek Monitoring Project(45 KB)

Research Guidelines and Ethical Protocols

Wildlife Research Permit

Under the Wildlife Act (section 24), a valid wildlife research permit is required to study wildlife or wildlife habitat in the Northwest Territories (NWT). It is an offence to conduct a survey or census of wildlife or wildlife behaviour, administer drugs, collect or purchase specimens or carry out any scientific research relating to wildlife without a permit. 

Under the NWT Wildlife Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is responsible for issuing wildlife research permits. 

Aurora Research License

All research conducted in the Northwest Territories must be licensed. Information on the research project is shared with other scientists and northern residents. Summaries of the research conducted each year are distributed to media, community organizations and other researchers. In addition, research information is added to existing and developing scientific databases.

Before an Aurora Research Institute Scientific Research Licence is issued, the researcher must consult with, and gain support from the appropriate governing bodies. For research into social, cultural or economic aspects, or the testing of people contact the Métis Local and/or Band Council. Research involving land, water or wildlife requires support from the local Renewable Resources Councils and the Sahtú Renewable Resource Board. Any research within the municipal limits requires support from the Municipal Council(s).

For more information contact:

Scientific Services Manager

Aurora Research Institute 

PO Box 1450

Inuvik, NT

X0E 0T0

Phone: (867) 777-3298

Fax: (867) 777-4264

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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  3. HTOs/RRCs
  4. 2012-2016 Caribou Populations Study