Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-hvd4g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-08T19:16:47.478Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Human geographies of sea ice: freeze/thaw processes around Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2008

Gita J. Laidler  and
Pootoogoo Elee
Gita J. Laidler
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Sidney Smith Hall Rm. 5047, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G3, Canada
Pootoogoo Elee
Affiliation:
P.O. Box 142, Cape Dorset, Nunavut, X0A 0C0, Canada
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Sea ice has been, and continues to be, an integral component of life in the Inuit community of Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Located on an island of the same name off the southwestern coast of Baffin Island, the strong Hudson Strait currents prevent extensive ice formation around the community. Nevertheless, sea ice remains an important travel and hunting platform, enabling access to Baffin Island, hunting and fishing grounds, and nearby communities. With the combined importance, dynamism, and continuous use of this frozen ocean environment, local Inuit elders and hunters have developed a detailed and nuanced understanding of sea ice conditions, freeze/thaw processes, and the influences of winds and currents on ice conditions. Working collaboratively with the community of Cape Dorset since October, 2003, we present the results of 30 semi-directed interviews, 5 sea ice trips, and 2 focus groups to provide a baseline understanding of local freezing processes (near-shore, open water, sea ice thickening, landfast ice, floe edge, and tidal cracks), melting processes (snow melt, water accumulation and drainage, break-up, and cracks/leads), wind influences on sea ice (wind direction and strength affecting sea ice formation, and movement), and current influences on sea ice (tidal variations and current strength affecting sea ice formation, movement, and polynya size/location). Strong emphasis is placed on Inuktitut terminology and spatial delineations of localised ice conditions and features. Therefore, this paper provides insights into local scale ice conditions and dynamics around Cape Dorset that are not captured in regional scale studies of Hudson Bay and/or Hudson Strait. Results have the potential to inform future research efforts on local/regional sea ice monitoring, the relationship between Inuit knowledge, language, and the environment, and addressing community interests through targeted studies.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 44 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 51 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Note. All interviews referred to below took place in Cape Dorset and were conducted by the first author with the second author translating or facilitating. All originals (and transcripts) are archived at the local Community Learning Centre (Nunavut Arctic College).Google Scholar
ACUNS (Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies). 2003. Ethical principles for the conduct of research in the north. Ottawa: Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies.Google Scholar
Alasuaq, A. 2004. Interview. 27 April 2004(AA1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aporta, C. 2002. Life on the ice: understanding the codes of a changing environment. Polar Record 38: 341–354.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aporta, C. 2003. New ways of mapping: using GPS mapping software to plot place names and trails in Igloolik (Nunavut). Arctic 56: 321–327.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aporta, C. 2004. Routes, trails and tracks: trail breaking among the Inuit of Igloolik. Études/Inuit/Studies 28: 9–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aporta, C. 2005. From map to horizon; from trail to journey: documenting Inuit geographic knowledge. Études/Inuit/Studies 29: 221–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, K. 2002. Interviews and focus groups. In: Shurmer-Smith, P. (editor). Doing cultural geography. London: SAGE Publications Ltd: 151–164.Google Scholar
Bennett, J., and Rowley, S.. 2004. Uqalurait: an oral history of Nunavut. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blodgett, J. 1991. In Cape Dorset we do it this way: three decades of Inuit printmaking. Kleinburg: McMichael Canadian Art Collection.Google Scholar
Copley, J. 2000. The great ice mystery. Nature 408: 634–636.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dorais, L.-J., and Krupnik, I.. 2005. Preserving languages and knowledge of the North. Études/Inuit/Studies 29: 17–30.Google Scholar
Doubleday, N., Mackenzie, A.F.D., and Dalby, S.. 2004. Reimagining sustainable cultures: constitutions, land and art. The Canadian Geographer 48: 389–402.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duerden, F. 2004. Translating climate change impacts at the community level. Arctic 57: 204–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunn, K. 2000. Interviewing. In: Hay, I. (editor). Qualitative research methods in human geography. Melbourne: Oxford University Press: 50–82.Google Scholar
EC (Environment Canada). 2003. Canadian Ice Service products — ice charts. Ottawa: Environment Canada (EC). URL: http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/app/WsvPageDsp.cfm?Lang=eng&lnid=9&ScndLvl=yes&ID=10364#schd.Google Scholar
Esterberg, K.G. 2002. Qualitative methods in social research. Toronto: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Etidlouie, E. 2005a. Interview. 14 January 2005(EE1).Google Scholar
Etidlouie, E. 2005b. Interview. 15 January 2005(EE2).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ezekiel, A. 2005. Interview. 18 January 2005(AE1).Google Scholar
Ford, J.D., and Smit, B.. 2004. A framework for assessing the vulnerability of communities in the Canadian Arctic to risks associated with climate change. Arctic 57: 389–400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ford, J.D., Smit, B., and Wandel, J.. 2006a. Vulnerability to climate change in the Arctic: a case study from Arctic Bay, Canada. Global Environmental Change 16: 145–160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ford, J.D., Smit, B., Wandel, J., and MacDonald, J.. 2006b. Vulnerability to climate change in Igloolik, Nunavut: what we can learn from the past and present. Polar Record 42: 127–138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fox, S. 2002. These are things that are really happening: Inuit perspectives on the evidence and impacts of climate change in Nunavut. In: Krupnik, I., and Jolly, D. (editors). The Earth is faster now: indigenous observations of Arctic environmental change. Fairbanks: Arctic Research Consortium of the United States in cooperation with the Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian Institution: 12–53.Google Scholar
Fox, S. 2003. When the weather is ‘uggianaqtuq’: Inuit observations of environmental change. Boulder: National Snow and Ice Data Centre and Arctic System Sciences, National Science Foundation [CD-ROM].Google Scholar
Freeman, M.M.R. 1976. Inuit land use and occupancy project (3 vols). Ottawa: Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.Google Scholar
Freeman, M.M.R. 1984. Contemporary Inuit exploitation of the sea-ice environment. In: Cooke, A., and van Alstine, E. (editors). Proceedings of a conference on Sikumiut: ‘the people who use the sea ice’. Ottawa: Canadian Arctic Resources Committee: 73–96.Google Scholar
Furgal, C.M., Innes, S., and Kovacs, K.M.. 2002. Inuit spring hunting techniques and local knowledge of the ringed seal in Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk), Nunavut. Polar Research 21: 1–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gagnon, A.S., and Gough, W.A.. 2005. Trends in the dates of ice freeze-up and breakup over Hudson Bay, Canada. Arctic 58: 370–382.Google Scholar
Gearhead, S. 2005. Using interactive multimedia to document and communicate Inuit knowledge. Études/Inuit/Studies 29: 91–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gearheard, S., Matumeak, W., Angutikjuaq, I., Maslanik, J., Huntington, H.P., Levitt, J., Kagak, D.M., Tigullaraq, G., and Barry, R.G.. 2006. ‘It's not that simple’: a collaborative comparison of sea ice environments: their uses, observed changes, and adaptations in Barrow, Alaska, USA, and Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada. Ambio 35: 203–211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gearheard, S., and Shirley, J.. 2007. Challenges in community-research relationships: learning from natural science in Nunavut. Arctic 60: 62–74.Google Scholar
Gibbs, M. 2001. Toward a strategy for undertaking cross-cultural collaborative research. Society and Natural Resources 14: 673–687.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gough, W. A., and Houser, C.. 2005. Climate memory and long-range forecasting of sea ice conditions in Hudson Strait. Polar Geography 29: 17–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heide-Jorgensen, M. P., and Laidre, K.L.. 2004. Declining extent of open-water refugia for top predators in Baffin Bay and adjacent waters. Ambio 33: 487–494.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Henshaw, A. 2006. Pausing along the journey: learning landscapes, environmental change, and toponymy amongst the Sikusilarmiut. Arctic Anthropology 43: 52–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Higgins, G.M. 1968. South coast-Baffin Island, an area economic survey. Ottawa: Industrial Division, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.Google Scholar
Huntington, H.P. 1998. Observations on the utility of the semi-directive interview for documenting traditional ecological knowledge. Arctic 51: 237–242.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
IPCC. 2007. Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability (Summary for policymakers). Geneva: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Secretariat.Google Scholar
Joanasie, M. 2004. Interview. 20 November 2004(MJ1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kearns, R. 2000. Being there: research through observing and participating. In: Hay, I. (editor). Qualitative research methods in human geography. Melbourne: Oxford University Press: 103–121.Google Scholar
Kelly, S. 2005. Interview. 29 November 2005(SK1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kellypalik, M. 2004a. Interview. 15 April 2004(MK1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kellypalik, M. 2004b. Interview. 16 April 2004(MK2).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kemp, W. B. 1976. Inuit land use in south and east Baffin Island. In: Freeman, M.M.R. (editor). Inuit land use and occupancy project, (Vol 1). Ottawa: Department of Indian and Northern Affairs: 125–151.Google Scholar
Kerr, R.A. 1999. Will the Arctic Ocean lose all its ice? Science 286: 1828–1828.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kilabuk, P. 1998. A study of Inuit knowledge of the southeast Baffin Beluga. Iqaluit: Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.Google Scholar
Krupnik, I. 2002. Watching Ice and weather our way: some lessons from Yupik observations of sea ice and weather on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. In: Krupnik, I., and Jolly, D. (editors). The Earth is faster now: indigenous observations of Arctic environmental change. Fairbanks: Arctic Research Consortium of the United States in cooperation with the Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian Institution: 156–197.Google Scholar
Laidler, G.J. 2007. Ice, through Inuit eyes: characterizing the importance of sea ice processes, use, and change around three Nunavut communities. Unpublished PhD thesis. Department of Geography, University of Toronto, Canada.Google Scholar
Laidler, G.J. 2006a. Inuit and scientific perspectives on the relationship between sea ice and climate change: the ideal complement? Climatic Change 78: 407–444.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laidler, G.J. 2006b. Some Inuit perspectives on working with scientists. Meridian spring/summer: 4–10.Google Scholar
Laidler, G.J., and Elee, P.. 2006. Sea ice processes and change: exposure and risk in Cape Dorset, Nunavut. In: Riewe, R., and Oakes, J. (editors). Climate change: linking traditional and scientific knowledge. Winnipeg and Québec City: University of Manitoba Aboriginal Issues Press and ArcticNet: 155–175.Google Scholar
Laird, J. 2004. Cape Dorset. In: Dewar, M. (editor). The Nunavut handbook. Iqaluit: Ayaya Marketing and Communications: 271–274.Google Scholar
Lindsay, J.M. 1997. Techniques in human geography. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
MacDonald, J. 1998. The Arctic sky: Inuit astronomy, star lore, and legend. Toronto and Iqaluit: the Royal Ontario Museum and the Nunavut Research Institute.Google Scholar
Mangitak, E. 2004. Interview. 16 April 2004(EM1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manning, J. 2005a. Interview. 19 January 2005(JM1).Google Scholar
Manning, J. 2005b. Interview. 28 January 2005(JM2).Google Scholar
McDonald, M., Arragutainaq, L., and Novalinga, Z.. 1997. Voices from the Bay: traditional ecological knowledge of Inuit and Cree in the Hudson Bay bioregion. Ottawa and Sanikiluaq: Canadian Arctic Resources Committee and Environmental Committee of the Municipality of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut.Google Scholar
Meier, W.M., Stroeve, J., and Gearheard, S.. 2006. Bridging perspectives from remote sensing and Inuit communities on changing sea ice cover in the Baffin Bay region. Annals of Glaciology 44: 433–438.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mikigak, O. 2004a. Interview. 26 November 2004(OM1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mikigak, O. 2004b. Interview. 27 November 2004(ON2).Google Scholar
Milne, S., Ward, S., and Wenzel, G.. 1995. Linking tourism and art in Canada's eastern Arctic: the case of Cape Dorset. Polar Record 31: 25–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mysak, L.A., and Manak, D.K.. 1989. Arctic sea-ice extent and anomalies, 1953–1984. Atmosphere-Ocean 27: 376–405.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mysak, L.A., Ingram, R.G., Wang, J., and Baaren, A.. 1996. The anomalous sea-ice extent in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, and Labrador Sea during three simultaneous NAO and ENSO episodes. Atmosphere-Ocean 34: 313–343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nakashima, D.J. 1993. Astute observers on the sea ice edge: Inuit knowledge as a basis for Arctic co-management. In: Inglis, J.T. (editor). Traditional ecological knowledge: concepts and cases. Ottawa: International Program on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and International Development Research Centre: 99–110.Google Scholar
NCE (Northern Climate ExChange). 2000. A northern assessment of the impacts of climate change: defining our knowledge base and research priorities. Whitehorse: Northern Climate ExChange, Northern Research Institute, Yukon College.Google Scholar
Nelson, R.K. 1969. Hunters of the northern ice. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Nickels, S., Furgal, C., Buell, M., and Moquin, H.. 2006. ‘Unikkaaqatigiit’ — putting the human face on climate change: perspectives from Inuit in Canada. Ottawa: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nasivvik Centre for Inuit Health and Changing Environments at Université Laval, and the Ajunnginiq Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization.Google Scholar
NRI (Nunavut Research Institute). 2002. Gap analysis of Nunavut climate change research. Iqaluit: Nunavut Research Institute.Google Scholar
NRI (Nunavut Research Institute). 2006. ‘Anijaarniq’: introducing Inuit landskills and wayfinding. Iqaluit: Nunavut Research Institute [CD-ROM].Google Scholar
Nuna, A. 2004. Interview. 15 April 2004(AN1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nunguisuituq, I. 2004. Interview. 19 April 2004(IN1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
NWMB (Nunavut Wildlife Management Board). 2000. Final report of the Inuit bowhead knowledge study. Iqaluit: Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.Google Scholar
Oozeva, C., Noongwook, C., Noongwook, G., Alowa, C., and Krupnik, I.. 2004. Watching ice and weather our way. Washington D.C.: Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Ottokie, O. 2004. Interview. 27 April 2004(OO1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parkinson, C.L. 2000. Variability of Arctic sea ice: the view from space, an 18-year record. Arctic 53: 341–358.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parkinson, C.L., Cavalieri, D.J., Gloerson, P., Zwally, J.J., and Comiso, J.. 1999. Arctic sea ice extents, areas, and trends, 1978–1996. Journal of Geophysical Research 104: 20,837–20,856.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parr, A. 2004. Interview. 30 November 2004(AP1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Patton, M.Q. 1980. Qualitative evaluation methods. London: Sage Publications Ltd.Google Scholar
Pelly, D.F. 2001. Sacred hunt: a portrait of the relationship between seals and Inuit. Vancouver: Greystone Books.Google Scholar
Petaulassie, E. 2004a. Interview. 25 November 2004(EP1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Petaulassie, Q. 2004b. Interview. 29 November 2004(QP1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peter, A., Ishulutak, M., Shaimaiyuk, Ju., Shaimaiyuk, Je., Kisa, N., Kootoo, B., and Enuaraq, S.. 2002. The seal: an integral part of our culture. Études/Inuit/Studies 26: 167–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peter, N. 2004. Interview. 22 November 2004(NP1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poirier, P., and Brooke, L.. 2000. Inuit perceptions of contaminants and environmental knowledge in Salluit, Nunavik. Arctic Anthropology 37: 78–91.Google Scholar
Pootoogook, P. 2004. Interview. 23 April 2004(PP1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pootoogook, P. 2005. Interview. 13 January 2005(PP2).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riedlinger, D. 1999. Climate change and the Inuvialuit of Banks Island, NWT: using traditional environmental knowledge to complement western science. Arctic 52: 430–432.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riedlinger, D. 2001. Responding to climate change in northern communities: impacts and adaptations. Arctic 54: 96–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riedlinger, D., and Berkes, F.. 2001. Contributions of traditional knowledge to understanding climate change in the Canadian Arctic. Polar Record 37: 315–328.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riewe, R. 1991. Inuit use of the sea ice. Arctic and Alpine Research 23: 3–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robards, M., and Alessa, L.. 2004. Timescapes of community resilience and vulnerability in the circumpolar north. Arctic 57: 415–427.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saila, M. 2004. Interview. 26 November 2004(MS1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Solomonie, K. 2004. Interview. 28 April 2004(KS1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
StatsCan (Statistics Canada). 2006. 2006 community profiles (Cape Dorset, Nunavut). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. URL: http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/index.cfmGoogle Scholar
Suvega, S. 2004. Interview. 28 April 2004(SS1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Symon, C., Arris, L., and Heal, B.. 2005. Arctic climate impact assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Tapaungai, Q. 2004. Interview. 29 November 2004(QT1).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tapaungai, Q. 2005. Interview. 21 January 2005(QT2).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thorpe, N.L. 1998. The Hiukitak School of Tuktu: collecting Inuit ecological knowledge of caribou and calving areas through an elder-youth camp. Arctic 51: 403–408.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thorpe, N., Riedlinger, D., and Fox, S.. 2000. An assessment of documented traditional and local knowledge and perspectives on the impacts of climate change within Nunavut Territory, the Northwest Territories, Northern Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador. Yellowknife: GeoNorth Limited.Google Scholar
Tremblay, M., Furgal, C., Lafortune, V., Larrivée, C., Savard, J.P., Barrett, M., Annanack, T., Enish, N., Tookalook, P., and Etidloie, B.. 2006. Communities and ice: linking traditional and scientific knowledge. In: Oakes, J., and R. Riewe (editors). Climate change: linking traditional and scientific knowledge. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Aboriginal Issues Press and ArcticNet (Theme 3): 123–138.Google Scholar
Walk, A. 1999. Kenojuak: the life story of an Inuit artist. Manotick: Penumbra Press.Google Scholar
Wang, J., Mysak, L.A., and Ingram, R.G.. 1994. Interannual variability of sea-ice cover in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, and the Labrador Sea. Atmosphere-Ocean 32: 421–447.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wenzel, G. W. 1991. Animal rights, human rights: ecology, economy, and ideology in the Canadian Arctic. London: Bellhaven Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar