This publication is a collaboration between the Aurora Research Institute, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Thank you to all who submitted a summary of research or photographs, and helped make this publication possible. Editors: Kristi Benson, Jolie Gareis, Ryan Davis, Niccole Hammer, Jonathon Michel, Tanya Henderson, Davonna Kasook Copyright © 2017 ISSN: 1205-3910 Printed in Yellowknife through the Aurora Research Institute ii Foreword Welcome to the 2017 Compendium of Research in the Northwest Territories. It is with great pleasure that I present this annual publication. For over 30 years the Aurora Research Institute, in collaboration with the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, has compiled plain language summaries of all research licensed in the Northwest Territories. When reading through this year’s compendium, I would like to draw your attention to some interesting trends in research in the NWT. First, there is a notable increase in the number of licenses for climate-change research, which includes local, national, and international research projects. Also of interest, is the strong representation of NWT government agencies, institutions, and consultants in this year’s compendium. Finally, there are a number of research projects that focus on the preservation of the rich cultural landscape of the NWT. In addition to the compendium summaries, please refer to ARI's NWT Research Database, for more information about past and present research initiatives in the Northwest Territories. The NWT Research Database is publically-available, map-based, continuously updated with new records, and designed to make information about NWT research more accessible to the people and stakeholders of our territory. As you look through this Compendium, I encourage you to contact the researchers if there is a project that is of interest to you. The summaries in this publication are only a brief outline of the rich findings and scientific advancements that have been made over the past year. Pippa Seccombe-Hett Vice President, Research Aurora Research Institute iii Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................v Aurora Research Institute................................................................................................................ viii Department of Environment & Natural Resources ............................................................................. ix Department of Fisheries and Oceans .................................................................................................. x Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre ......................................................................................... xi 2017 Licenced Research Projects Biology ..............................................................................................................................................1 Contaminants ....................................................................................................................................9 Engineering ......................................................................................................................................17 Health .............................................................................................................................................22 Physical Sciences .............................................................................................................................. 31 Social Sciences ................................................................................................................................. 78 Traditional Knowledge ................................................................................................................... 101 Archaeology................................................................................................................................... 108 Fisheries ........................................................................................................................................ 116 Wildlife .......................................................................................................................................... 134 Glossary ...............................................................................................................................................................................155 Author Index ........................................................................................................................................................................160 Index ....................................................................................................................................................................................164 iv Introduction Introduction This compendium offers a summary of research licences/permits that were issued in the Northwest Territories during 2017. The information contained in this book is a product of collaboration between the Aurora Research Institute (ARI), the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The Compendium series began in 1984. Licensing in the NWT Under territorial legislation, all research in the NWT requires a licence/permit from one of four agencies, depending on the type of research being conducted: • Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - Archaeology; • Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories - Wildlife; • Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Fisheries; or • Aurora Research Institute - all other research in the NWT. Through the licensing process, researchers are informed of appropriate organizations, communities and other licensing/permitting agencies that should be contacted prior to conducting studies. Licensing ensures research activities are communicated to interested parties and provides opportunities for the exchange of information. The Compendium provides a summary of all licences/permits issued in the NWT by all four licensing/permitting bodies. As each research project is represented by a short abstract, the reader is encouraged to contact the researcher for additional information and results. v Introduction How to Use This Book This book has four main sections. Each of these sections reflects a specific licensing agency and type of licence/permit issued. Within each section, research descriptions have been grouped by subject and listed alphanumerically by the principal researcher’s last name. Refer to the Table of Contents for the specific page on which each section and/or subject begins. An index is included at the end of the compendium listing all researchers in each section. 1. File Number The file numbers shown in each of the Aurora Research Institute’s subject areas refer to the file number issued to a particular researcher. It allows cross referencing with research material that may be available on file or in the ARI library. The reference numbers of the other three agencies refer directly to the permit numbers given to each researcher. When requesting information from any of these agencies on specific research outlined in the compendium, please refer to the reference number in your correspondence. 2. Regional Abbreviations Throughout the book, reference is given to the specific land claim region(s) in which the research took place. The regions are shown on the following page. Some of the land claim regions are still under negotiation and the boundaries shown are only approximations. The abbreviations shown for each region are as follows: DC Dehcho SS South Slave NS North Slave SA Sahtú Settlement Area IN Inuvialuit Settlement GW Gwich’in Settlement Area Region 3. Glossary A glossary of terms has been added to the Compendium. The intent of the glossary is to allow the reader to better appreciate the research descriptions. Available in Print or Free Download This compendium is available as a printed publication or can be downloaded from the Aurora Research Institute’s website (nwtresearch.com). Copies can also be requested by contacting the Aurora Research Institute. Send Us Your Comments Whether you are a researcher or an interested member of the public, the Aurora Research Institute welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning this publication. Contact us by mail, email or telephone (see address on page viii). vi Introduction Figure 1. Land claim regions in the Northwest Territories vii Introduction Aurora Research Institute The Aurora Research Institute’s mandate is to improve the quality of life for NWT residents by applying scientific, technological and indigenous knowledge to solve northern problems and advance social and economic goals. ARI is responsible for: • licencing and coordinating research in accordance with the NWT Scientists Act: this covers all disciplines including the physical, social, biological sciences and traditional knowledge; • promoting communication between researchers and the people of the communities in which they work; • promoting public awareness of the importance of science, technology and indigenous knowledge; • fostering a scientific community