Local Knowledge of Fish Movements and Habitat Use in the T…
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Local Knowledge of Fish Movements and Habitat Use in the Travaillant Lake System Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board Report 04-06 Janet Winbourne September 30, 2004 DEDICATION This report is dedicated to Billy Cardinal, a Tsiigehtchic elder, who passed away on April 29th, 2004. Billy was a well-respected traditional hunter and trapper, who cared deeply for the land. We will miss his guidance and wisdom. Cover Photo: Dan Andre with lake trout, Travaillant Lake, July 2003 (GRRB). __________________________________________________________________________ Local Knowledge of Fish Movements and Habitat Use in the Travaillant Lake System i SUMMARY Local knowledge regarding fish and fish habitat has been gathered to provide baseline information about fish distribution, movement and habitat use, as well as ecological characteristics of lakes and streams in the Travaillant Lake (Khaii luk) system. During the first phase of the research, various databases were searched for previously recorded traditional ecological knowledge. A literature review was also conducted to compile any information relevant to the study topic and area. A list of sources searched, search keywords, and pertinent results are included as part of this report. The second phase of the research involved conducting interviews with community members from Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik to document traditional and contemporary local knowledge of the Travaillant Lake area. Twenty-six participants were chosen for their knowledge regarding fish and fish habitat in the study area. Semi-structured individual or group interviews (2-4 people) were conducted in March and April, 2004, in the two communities. An interview guide consisting of 12 open-ended questions was used during each interview. Questions focused on connections between lakes; ecological characteristics of lakes and streams; fish distribution and movements; and any observations regarding habitat use, such as spawning, rearing or over-wintering areas. Participants were also asked to comment on environmental changes observed in the area, as well as any concerns or general comments they wished to have recorded. Interview results were analyzed for content and sorted in two ways: by water body/place name, and by specific topic (e.g. spawning habitat). Results were also sorted into several themes that emerged from the texts; these themes were then organized under three study topics: 1. Traditional and contemporary patterns of fish harvest; 2. Fish distribution, movements, and habitat use; and 3. Physical and ecological characteristics of streams and lakes. Relevant text excerpts were entered onto a spreadsheet, and comments pertaining to specific mapped locations given a unique code. These results were then digitally mapped and catalogued. A CD-ROM containing the interactive map as well as all the study products is included as part of the final report. The interview results form the main part of this report; findings of the literature review and database searches are used to either corroborate or contrast with these results where relevant. ____________________________________________________________ ii Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board Report #04-06 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We have many people to thank for making this project a reality. First, we thank members of the Andre family who have consistently spoken out about the importance of the Travaillant Lake area, and whose interests and concerns for the land formed the initial motivation for this project. Second, we thank all the interview participants that generously gave their time and shared their experiences and wisdom. We have included a short biography and photograph of each participant at the end of this report. Thank you to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, who contributed significant financial support to the project, and to Fisheries and Oceans Canada for their cooperation on research efforts in the area. A number of other individuals and organizations also provided support—through expertise, great ideas, equipment loans, or reviewing drafts. They are: Tracy Creighton, Gwich’in Integrated GIS Project Robert Alexie Jr., Gwich’in Land and Water Board Community Knowledge Interviewers: Liz Hansen and Anna May MacLeod Gwichya and Nihtat Gwich’in Renewable Resource Councils and Coordinators Database researchers: Terry Halifax and Brenda Green Alestine Andre, Kristi Benson and Ingrid Kritsch, Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute Joan Eamer, Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op Kim Howland, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Dan Andre, Jozef Carnogursky, Les Harris, Catherine Jorstead __________________________________________________________________________ Local Knowledge of Fish Movements and Habitat Use in the Travaillant Lake System iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. I SUMMARY......................................................................................................................II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................................III LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................... IIV LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... IIV INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 Objectives......................................................................................................................1 Background....................................................................................................................2 The Gwich’in, the Gwich’in Settlement Area, and Resource Management.............................2 Previous Fisheries Research ............................................................................................................4 Study Area....................................................................................................................4 METHODS........................................................................................................................6 Study Design ................................................................................................................6 1. Database and literature searches.............................................................................................6 2. Local Knowledge Interviews .......................................................................................................6 Preparation/Development .............................................................................................................6 Selecting Participants ...................................................................................................................7 Interview Methods.........................................................................................................................7 Review of Results ...........................................................................................................................8 Data Analysis................................................................................................................8 1. Database and literature searches.............................................................................................8 2. Local Knowledge Interviews ......................................................................................................8 Limitations.....................................................................................................................9 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...................................................................................9 Introduction .................................................................................................................9 Summary of findings from the literature and database review..............................................9 Summary of interview results ........................................................................................................11 Organization of the results ............................................................................................................11 1) Traditional and contemporary patterns of fish harvest............................ 12 Traditional Use ................................................................................................................................. 12 Contemporary Use ............................................................................................................................ 14 2) Fish distribution, movements, and habitat ................................................... 19 Fish Distribution............................................................................................................................... 19 Lake Trout..................................................................................................................................... 33 ____________________________________________________________ iv Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board Report #04-06 Arctic Grayling............................................................................................................................. 34 Whitefish and Crookedback...................................................................................................... 35 Spawning Locations and Seasonal Migrations...................................................................