You are encouraged to attend the defence. The details of the defence and attendance information is included below:  

Date: April 7, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (PT)

Defence mode: Hybrid 
In-Person Attendance: Library (5-140D)
Virtual Attendance: via Zoom 

LINK TO JOIN: Please contact the Office of Graduate Administration for information regarding remote attendance for online defences. 

To ensure the defence proceeds with no interruptions, please mute your audio and video on entry and do not inadvertently share your screen. The meeting will be locked to entry 5 minutes after it begins: please ensure you are on time.  

Thesis entitled: PAIRING INUIT AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF ANADROMOUS ARCTIC CHAR, IQALUKPIK, (SALVELINUS ALPINUS) ECOLOGY IN THE WESTERN CANADIAN ARCTIC

Abstract: This research paired Inuit and scientific knowledge of sympatric populations of anadromous Arctic char, Iqalukpik (Salvelinus alpinus) in the Amundsen Gulf in the western Canadian Arctic to examine fish appearance, origin, movement, and health. Sixteen Elders and fishers from Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories were engaged through semi-structured interviews and workshops, during which they shared some of their knowledge of local anadromous Arctic char populations and co-interpreted the results of morphometric, telemetry, and health analyses on those same populations. Analysis of these discussions revealed points of alignment and divergence between Inuit and scientific knowledge, and gaps in our collective understanding of the species. Inuit informants confidently identified a fish’s lake-of-origin based on appearance alone, indicating differences in Arctic char morphology among lakes, contradicting the findings of scientific morphometric analysis. Informants confirmed two primary marine migration pathways for Arctic char also documented by telemetry, and a third pathway not captured by telemetry. Finally, a comparison of body condition factors (weight-length ratio) and informants’ assessments of fish health showed strong agreement, though informants employed a wider range of indicators, including stamina, skin and flesh colour, girth, and gill condition. By pairing Inuit and scientific knowledge, this research offers an enriched understanding of Arctic char, which is crucial for the effective monitoring and co-management of this species of significance to Inuit.
 

Defence Committee:  
Chair: Dr. Jacqueline Holler
Supervisor: Dr. Tristan Pearce
Committee Member: Dr. Lisa Loseto
Committee Member: Dr. Colin Gallagher
Committee Member: Dr. Neil Hanlon
External Examiner: Dr. Julian Idrobo