Publications

@mastersthesis{Belanger2019,
title = {Tracking Denesoline Knowledge and Narratives along Ancestral Waters},
author = {Brendan Belanger},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10012/14779, University of Waterloo UWSPACE link
https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/14779/Belanger_Brendan.pdf, University of Waterloo PDF link},
doi = {10012/14779},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-06-26},
address = {University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1},
school = {University of Waterloo},
abstract = {The south slave region of the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada is the home of the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation (LKDFN) (Pelly, 1996). Like many Indigenous communities across Canada, the Denesoline relationships with their ancestral lands have become increasingly more vulnerable due to ecological, and sociological changes occurring in the sub-arctic regions of Canada (Holmes et al, 2016; Asfeldt & Henderson, 2010; Pelly 1996). Previous studies indicate how these changes affect the livelihoods of Denesoline communities but tend to ignore the contemporary spaces wherein Denesoline livelihoods are present. This study builds upon current literature by contextualising the positive and negative aspects of ecological and social change within the experiences of LKDFN representatives participating in a multi-day travel experience. This study illuminates Denesoline livelihoods in the present through the application of Northern, Indigenous, community-based research and by illuminating the knowledge through the narratives of land users, elders, and youth involved. The study’s principle aim has been to work in partnership with LKDFN representatives to document how traditional land-based knowledge and narratives can contribute to Dene self-determination, land and water governance, and cultural livelihoods.},
keywords = {Canadian arctic, cultural values, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), travel},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {mastersthesis}
}

@mastersthesis{Martin2019,
title = {The Importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge during times of Change in the Sahtú Region},
author = {Chelsea Martin},
url = {
https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/31da358f-d2b6-4d1f-b7fa-cee15409dc65/download/4bb3fd3b-48a5-49f8-bbc4-bbcd045ed34e, University of Alberta PDF link},
doi = {10.7939/r3-64ca-w573},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-06-04},
address = {University of Alberta, Faculty of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, Resource Economics & Environmental Sociology, Edmonton, AB},
school = {University of Alberta},
abstract = {This study aims to provide insight into the phenomenon and impacts of climate change in the Canadian Subarctic region, based on research with youth and elders from the community of Délįne located on Great Bear Lake (GBL) in the Mackenzie River Basin. In collaboration with the Sahtú Renewable Resources Board, the thesis research focused on understanding two key questions. What is climate change from the perspective of Délįne Got’ine people and their traditional knowledge (oral histories) of climate in the region? What are the impacts of climate change on the fishing livelihoods of the Délįne Got’ine people? Over the course of one month, 21 semi-structured interviews were carried out and the results were analyzed and verified with community members. In addition to contributing practical outcomes to decision-makers in the community and the region, the work may also be considered important to the territorial and federal government whose climate change policies have been based on limited traditional knowledge. Given that the majority of research on climate change involving Indigenous peoples in Canada has focused on the high arctic and marine environments, the work is unique in its focus in the sub- arctic region and relative to freshwater ecosystems and livelihoods.},
keywords = {Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {mastersthesis}
}

@mastersthesis{D'Souza2019,
title = {Diversification of Livelihoods in a Region Impacted by Hydroelectric Development: A Case Study in the Lower Mekong (Mun River/Sebok River)},
author = {Amabel D'Souza},
url = {https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-9kwy-8738, University of Alberta ERA link
https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/3b430d64-1a86-41fc-b95c-964d0e4ce1e8/download/47eabad7-1648-4d38-b488-e48ecafc42b7, University of Alberta PDF link
},
doi = {10.7939/r3-9kwy-8738},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-06-04},
address = {University of Alberta, Faculty of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, Resource Economics & Environmental Sociology, Edmonton, AB},
school = {University of Alberta},
abstract = {Local people living along the Mun River and its tributaries, have a deep connection to this fresh water ecosystem and have longstanding knowledge, practices and norms that are critical to their fishing livelihoods. However due to the rapid development of hydropower in the Mekong Basin, fishing livelihoods are becoming increasingly complicated by environmental impacts. Many households and communities are thus diversifying their livelihoods in an effort to adapt to the associated ecological and socio-economic changes in their regions. There is a large literature on the impacts of hydroelectric development in the region, however, there has been limited research on diversifications and how they vary spatially; there has also been little research focused on community-based resource management including roles and use and how they have changed in the context of hydroelectric development. To address these gaps an exploratory case study was carried out in the nine communities of Baan Hua, Hew #11, Baan Hua Hew #4, Baan Na Choom Chon, Baan Huay Mak Tai, Baan Kho Tai, Baan Don Sumran, Baan Wangsabang Tai, Baan Thalat and Baan Doom Yai in the Mun and Sebok river areas since the implementation of the Pak Mun Dam. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted in this area in an effort to better understand historical fishing practices and diversifications in livelihoods that have taken place over the last two decades. Additionally, an examination of the rules and practices of these communities are taken into account. To better understand how households and communities are coping with changes in their livelihoods and local aquatic ecosystems, research was also carried out to learn more about rules in use; specifically, what kinds of rules and practices have been developed to ensure both social and ecological sustainability? This research, therefore, has been conducted in the hopes of providing useful and important details about community diversifications and experiences, as well as potentially contribute to the literature needed to address the lack of Local Ecological Knowledge in terms of policy change in this region.},
keywords = {diversification, fishing livelihoods, Mekong},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {mastersthesis}
}

@mastersthesis{Oloriz2019,
title = {Towards biocultural diversity conservation. Knowledge, cultural values and governance of species at risk : the case of the White Sturgeon (Canada) and the Mekong Giant Catfish (Thailand)},
author = {Carrie Oloriz},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10613/12776, Royal Roads University link
https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/12776/Oloriz_royalroads_1313O_10613.pdf, Royal Roads University PDF link},
doi = {10.25316/IR-7090},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-06-03},
address = {Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada},
school = {Royal Roads University},
abstract = {To better understand the concept of biocultural diversity and its value in species conservation, my research explored the role of local fishers’ knowledge and cultural values in decision-making about the conservation of threatened, culturally significant fish in the Lower Fraser River (Canada) and the Mekong River (Thailand). This thesis uses exploratory, qualitative research into the case of the White Sturgeon or “skō:wech” (Acipenser transmountanus), and the Mekong Giant Catfish or “Plaa buek” (Pangasius gigas). Through semi-structured interviews and a review of existing information, this research set out to determine: 1) What kinds of knowledge do local fishers have about threatened species? 2) Are Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge influencing processes (research, assessment, monitoring) and informing conservation strategies for threatened species? If so, how? 3) Do cultural values influence conservation strategies for threatened species? If so, how? 4) Are there any opportunities to increase the role of local knowledge and cultural values to enhance existing conservation strategies and achieve both biological and cultural diversity conservation? Results suggest although there are some examples of success, there are opportunities to increase the influence local fishers’ knowledge and values have in current approaches employed to conserve species with special conservation status. Maintaining some level of traditional fishery, and support for cultural practices, education and outreach are critical aspects of maintaining culture, values and knowledge systems linked to these threatened species.},
keywords = {biocultural conservation, cultural values, Giant Catfish, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), White Sturgeon},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {mastersthesis}
}

@mastersthesis{Vazquez2019,
title = {Implications of Socio-Ecological Changes for Inuvialuit Fishing Livelihoods and the Country Food System: The Role of Local and Traditional Knowledge},
author = {Iria Heridia Vazquez},
url = {https://ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/39148, University of Ottawa link
https://ruor.uottawa.ca/bitstream/10393/39148/3/Heredia_Vazquez_Iria_2019_thesis.pdf, University of Ottawa PDF link
},
doi = {10.20381/ruor-23396},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-05-06},
address = {University of Ottawa Faculty of Arts, Department of Geography 60 University (047) Ottawa, ON Canada K1N 6N5},
school = {University of Ottawa},
abstract = {The Mackenzie River Delta is an ecologically rich freshwater environment in Canada’s Northwest Territories. It is vulnerable to multiple stressors such as climate change, resource development activities (oil and natural gas) and upstream-downstream linkages related to extraction activities in the southern part of the Mackenzie River watershed. Resultant socio-ecological impacts affect fishing livelihoods, which represent a significant component of the country food system and ways of life for Inuvialuit (Inuit of the Western Arctic), whose Settlement Area overlaps with the Delta. This thesis analyzes the implications of socio-ecological changes in the Mackenzie River Delta for Inuvialuit fishing livelihoods and the country food system, drawing from Local and Traditional Knowledge.
In collaboration with the Fisheries Joint Management Committee in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, the westernmost Inuit region in Canada, I undertook a participatory-qualitative research, while also drawing on relevant literature and complementary data. Using 28 semi-structured interviews about changes in the Mackenzie River Delta and the importance of fishing livelihoods, results indicated that fishing livelihoods are essential contributors to the Inuvialuit food system, as well as cultural practices surrounding fishing as an activity. Moreover, some results imply the importance of previously ignored species for food security, such as burbot and inconnu, which receive limited attention in other studies.
Key findings also indicate that multiple environmental changes are occurring in the Delta, including lower water levels, increasing land erosion, decreasing fish populations, and changes in Delta-reliant wildlife populations (e.g. more beavers), warmer water temperatures, poorer fish quality (e.g. softer flesh, parasites), thinner ice, climate variability, and an escalating cost of living. These changes affect primarily fishing access and raise important concerns about the safety of fish consumption for human health. Ultimately, limited access and declining fish quality have a negative impact on food security, given the key role of fish in the country food system and the importance of socio-cultural dimensions such as fishing knowledge and skills, and sharing practices.},
keywords = {fishing livelihoods, food security, Local and Traditional Knowledge (LTK), socio-ecological systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {mastersthesis}
}