Bringing back the beluga whale harvest in Aklavik

Location: Aklavik, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Inuvialuit in Aklavik have a long history of harvesting beluga whale (qilalukkat) on the coast of the Mackenzie Estuary. Since the 1990s, the hamlet’s harvest numbers have declined dramatically due to a combination of environmental change and social challenges. After interviews and discussions with many harvesters about the changes they are facing, the project has identified ways this harvest can be revived. For future generations to confidently harvest whales, Elders and hunters need to pass on their knowledge through shared, lived experiences. This can happen at on-the-land camps on the coast during the summer. This needs to be immersive: three weeks long, open to any who are interested to learn, and taught by both Elders and experienced harvesters. By bringing together the generations on the land to transfer knowledge, the Aklavik beluga harvest can continue in a safe way.

Qilaluganik angunasuarunnaliqtitaukkannirniq Aklavikmi

Piliriaksami sivuliqtuq: Michelle Gruben

Ikajuqtuijuq Timiujuq: Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee

Namiinninga: Aklavik (Inuvialuit Settlement Region)

Aklavikmi Inuvialuit taimannganituqamit qilalugarnik (qilalukkat) angunasuaqattaqsimalirmata Mackenzie Ualiniup tariungata sigjagijangini. Taimannganit 1990-mit, haamlaujumit angunasuaqtiuvaktut unuqtuuningit mikłigiaqsimalirmata pijjutigillugit avatigijaujup asijjiqpallianinganit ammalu inuuqatigiiktuni pijaritujuullutik piliriaksauvaktunit. Qaujigiaqsimalirsugit apiqsuinikkut ammalu uqallaqatiqaqattarniqtigut amisukallaujunik angunasuaqtinik pijjutigillugit asijjiqpallianiusimajunit angunasuaqpangninginnut, piliriangukainnaqtumit nalunaiqsisimalirunnalauqput qanuq angunasuarunnarningat uummaqtitaugiakkannirunnarmangaat. Sivuniriniaqtattinni kinguvarijumaaqtavut qilanngillutik qilalugurnik angunasuaqattarunnaqullugit, inutuqarijaujuit ammalu angunasuaktiit qaujimanirijaminnik tuniuqqaisimaliriaqarmata amiqqarutiqarniqtigut, atuqsimajaminniklu makkuktunut. Tamakkua piliriniujut tamaitiguungaliqtitausimajariaqarpuq: pingasunut pinasuarusirnut, matuinngatitauluni kinatuinnamut ilinniaqtitausimalirumajunut, ilinniaqtitsiniqaqtitaulutik inutuqarijaujunit ammalu angunasuktimmariujunit. Makkukturijangit inutuqarijaujullu katinngaliqtitausimaningittigut qaujimanirijaujunik nunamut tunisisimalirningitigut, Aklavikmi qilalugarnik angunasuarniuvaktut naammattiaqtukkut kajusititausimalirunnarniarmat.