Connections to the Land: the Politics of Health and Wellbeing in Arviat, Nunavut Is About Traditional Knowledge As Process
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Connections to the Land: The Politics of Health and Wellbeing in Arviat Nunavut by Sherrie Lee Blakney A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Natural Resources Institute University of Manitoba December 2009 Copyright © 2009 by Sherrie Blakney THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES ***** COPYRIGHT PERMISSION Connections to the Land: The Politics of Health and Wellbeing in Arviat Nunavut by Sherrie Lee Blakney A Thesis/Practicum submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy © 2009 Permission has been granted to the Library of the University of Manitoba to lend or sell copies of this thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm this thesis and to lend or sell copies of the film, and to University Microfilms Inc. to publish an abstract of this thesis/practicum. This reproduction or copy of this thesis has been made available by authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research, and may only be reproduced and copied as permitted by copyright laws or with express written authorization from the copyright owner. Abstract Connections to the Land: the Politics of Health and Wellbeing in Arviat, Nunavut is about traditional knowledge as process. The thesis examines the relationships between Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) [“the Inuit way of doing things”; traditional knowledge (TK);], Inuit perceptions of health and wellbeing and the land; and what the relationships mean for integrated coastal and ocean management. Among Arviat Inuit (Arviarmiut), IQ, health and wellbeing and the land are tightly interconnected. When one relationship is stressed, disruptions occur throughout the whole system. IQ is embedded in Inuit perceptions of health and wellbeing, and to be healthy, Inuit maintain they must interact with the land in Inuit ways. In 2004, issues surrounding the nature of IQ, its control, production, documentation and legitimation were hotly contested by Arviarmiut. Inuit strongly resented input from academics, resource managers, scientists or other southern “experts”. Arviarmiut sensitivities regarding IQ were in part the result of the rapid social change that had occurred over the last half century. Social systems suffered upheaval as colonial processes and institutions impacted values, networks, families and identity. The rate of change did not allow for time for traditional systems to adapt, and aspects of social change happened out of sync with each other resulting in dysfunction. Arviat’s history of relocation, uneven social change and expanded communication ability all affected the formation of IQ. Through participatory research, participant observation, interviews and network-building with Inuit organizations, the research explores IQ as process and the interconnections with the land and wellbeing. It recommends greater integration of Inuit into resource management planning and decision- making in ways consistent with IQ; and allowing Inuit to decide what processes and policies are most appropriate for them. ii Acknowledgements There are many Arviarmiut who gave so generously of their time, their honesty, their frustrations and their experiences in hopes of bringing about a healthier community and increased wellbeing through improved government-community relations in their lifetime. First are the elders (in alphabetical order): Marc and Simone Ahikashwa, Manual and Kitty Akat, Dorothy and Joseph Akatsiaq, Louis Angalik, Martine Anoee, Luke and Mary Anowtalik, Little Elizabeth (relative of Angie Eetak), Paul Inauliak, Mark and Mary Kalluak, John and Rhoda Karetak, Philip Kigusiotnaaq, Andy Kowtak, James and Helen Kunne, Martha (elder sister of Angie Eetak), Elizipee and Jimmy Muckpah, Job and Eva Mukjurnik, Mary Nagiyak, Elizabeth Nibgoarsi, Annie Seowee, Peter and Lydia Sewaksiork, Matilda and Bernie Sulurguk, Philip and Nancy Tasseur, Richard and Lucy Tutsweetuk, and Donald Uluadluak. Many Arviarmiut were involved in the project through interviews, hunting, trapping and fishing excursions, interpretation, visits and multiple interactions involved in living their day-to-day lives with me in their midst. In alphabetical order they are: Theresa Agaark, David and Dorothy Aglukark, Janet Akat, David and Hattie Alagalak, Larry and Elizabeth Alagalak, Peter Alareak, Dianne Angmak, Eric Anoee Jr., Luke and Aileen Anoee, Susan Arloo, Betty Curley, Paul Ee, Angie and Mark Eetak, Abraham Eetak, Ernie Eetak, Micheal Eetak, Randy Eetak, Micheal Evunirjuk and Nellie Nagiyak, Judy Issariark, Jeanie Kalluak, Lucy Kalujuk, Joe Karetak, Pierre Komak, Peter Kritagalik, Isaac Levi, Peter Mikijuniak, Florence Mikijuniak, Noah Muckpah, Tommy Muckpah, Billy and Tamar Mukjurnik, Rebecca Nagiyak, Frank and Martha Naturasungnik, the Naturasungnik girls, Peter Naturasungnik, iii David Nibgoarsi, Thomas Nibgoarsi, Arden and Theresa Nibgoarsi, Annie Ollie, Paul and Linda Pemik, Pauline Pemik, Joe and Susan Savikitaaq, Melinda Sewaksiork, Luke Suluk, David Suluk, Melanie Tabvehtah and Shirley Tagalik. There were also Qablunaat who gave interviews or contributed to the research. They include: Mitch Campbell, Alain Chouinard and Mike Setterington, Government of Nunavut Environment; Brock Junkin, Government of Nunavut, Economic Development; Margaret Joyce, Government of Nunavut Education; Todd Johnson, John Mains and Rick Van Horne, Arviat Hamlet; and Gordon and Martha Mains, Northern Store. Special appreciation goes to David Rosenberg who applied his outstanding editing skills to the thesis draft, and to Leah Hartwig who assisted with the maps and charts used in this project. This thesis would not have been possible without the efforts of Thomas Suluk who reviewed interview tapes, verified transcriptions, read thesis drafts, corrected errors and misconceptions, and when necessary, called Arviarmiut to fill in missing details and gaps. Last, but not least is my husband Ivan Blakney who endured long months of separation while I was in Arviat, and many hours of isolation while I worked on thesis development. This project was funded through: research grants from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ArcticNet, and the Oceans Management Research Network (OMRN); doctoral fellowships from Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the University of Manitoba, the James Gordon Fletcher Ph.D. Fellowship; and first year graduate support was provided by a SSHRC/DFO grant to F. Berkes for Blakney’s work as the OMRN Integrated Management Node Coordinator. iv Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................... ii Chapter One: Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Vignette 1: The shadow of the shaman............................................................................. 1 Framing the thesis .................................................................................................................. 4 Purpose and objectives...................................................................................................... 4 Orientation ........................................................................................................................ 5 Theoretical perspective .......................................................................................................... 6 Constructions of the land ..................................................................................................... 13 Traditional Knowledge (TK) .......................................................................................... 16 TK and Arviarmiut.......................................................................................................... 23 Methods................................................................................................................................ 25 Literature review............................................................................................................. 25 Community collaboration and participatory research..................................................... 26 Participant observation.................................................................................................... 27 Interviews........................................................................................................................ 28 Other activities ................................................................................................................ 35 Ethical considerations ..................................................................................................... 35 Chapter Two: Constructions of Inuit and the land................................................................... 37 Life on the Inuit land............................................................................................................ 37 Early history.................................................................................................................... 38 Pre-settlement economy.................................................................................................. 42 Perspectives,