Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #1:Inuit, Science and Germans in Baffin Land in the 1880s: Inuit Communities and the Legacies of the First International Polar Year and Arctic  (NUNA-TOP 2007-2008)

Outline
In 1882-84 the Inuit of Qikirtaaluk (Baffin Island) in arctic Canada experienced the stationary and roaming activities of German scientists under IPY 1 and subsequent studies by Franz Boas. In 2007, it will be 125 years since IPY 1 and, in 2008, the 150th anniversary of Franz Boas’ birth will be commemorated as the initiator of arctic and cultural anthropology. Since the early 19th century Inuit had been exposed to foreign expeditions by explorers and whalers who over-wintered or established stations. These events have had an influence on the Inuit, who experienced rapid changes in livelihood, social organization and relations with outsiders. Unbeknownst to them, although being witness to and even participants, the scientists in their midst in the early 1880s contributed to the advancement of polar science understanding natural global systems and to the emergence of Boasian cultural anthropology probing human-environmental relations. The origin, conduct, results, and social aspects of these studies have not yet fully become an integral part of Inuit and circumpolar history or polar research in Canada because the archival and literary sources are not fully analysed and remain still mainly in German. In partnership with Inuit organizations, Canadian institutions, and an international consortium, focusing on the life and social dynamics of polar field stations since IPY 1, this project will provide detailed knowledge of these historic scientific events as part of polar and Inuit studies. The focus will be on aspects of the relations between local communities, field stations and environment. (1) Review of historical materials and ethnographic collections in archives and museums in Germany, Canada and the USA, with a focus on the human dimension of the German IPY station (1882-83), Boas’ studies (1883-84), the Inuit communities and other IPY 1 stations in Canada. (2) Analysis and presentation in English or Inuktituk of Boas’ Baffin-Land (1885), the forerunner to his seminal Central Eskimo (1888). (3) Interpretation and visualization of historic and modern Inuit place names and geographical perception based on Boas’ collection and the resurvey conducted by Indigenous Names Surveys (1984). (4) Interviews on local oral history and site studies of the historic locations assessing their environmental and material conditions (i.e. Kingua and Kekerten in Cumberland Sound; sites along Davis Strait). (5) Preparation of materials for purposes of education and outreach; organization of an international symposium on the life of polar field stations and local communities in 2008.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Under Theme 6, the project’s targets are (1) the accessibility of so far unavailable historic data on the human dimensions of previous IPY research, (2) the transfer of knowledge of historic events to local communities and the research community at large, (3) the importance and legacy of IPY research (field stations) and its human dimension, and (4) the proper integration of singular events into local history and the history of science as part of identity and the memory of sites.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project is based on intensive cooperation with colleagues and institutions in Canada (Nunavut, Ontario, Québec) and Germany, who have expertise in arctic research and represent fields such as cultural anthropology, cultural studies, geography, and Inuit studies and who are involved in cultural heritage. In addition, this project is part of a larger emerging consortium of social scientists from Great Britain, Sweden, and the USA, who are engaged in the study of the life and social dynamics of polar field stations (cf. list of collaborators and partners below).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographical locations for the proposed project are in southern Baffin Island along the coasts of Cumberland Sound and Davis Strait with its main settlements of Pannirtuuq and Qikirtajuaq in Nunavut Territory, Canada. Archival studies require visits to Ottawa and also to places in Germany and the USA.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 02/09            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Logistics is provided by existing public means (scheduled flights) as well as by private transport to be arranged locally.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Not applicable in the sense of Note 1, however, materials and documentation resulting from the project will be permanently placed and installed with local museums and cultural centres (e.g. museum in Iqaluit, Angmarlik Cultural Centre in Pannirtuuq).

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Commercial operator
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Social Context of Research

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

This project is a new initiative. It draws from previous work conducted by the proposer (L. Müller-Wille) and will link with similar projects that are developed under either national or international frameworks (e.g. IASSA).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed and administered by the proposer (Dr. Ludger Müller-Wille, McGill University) in cooperation with the individual team members (listed as Name 2 to 4). Potential institutional partners are mentioned as Name 5 to 7. Local field studies will be conducted in conjunction with members of the local Inuit communities and under required research licenses. The international network is established under a consortium focusing on the legacy polar field stations (listed as Name 8 to 10).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Next to the scientific results, the project has as its major aim to prepare and publish materials that can be easily introduced in school curricula, college courses and general public dissemination. All available technical tools will be utilized to facilitate this transfer into public knowledge in close cooperation with public and Inuit organizations.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data generated by this project consist of texts, glossaries (i.e. place names), and visual materials (maps, drawing, photos, etc.), and will be systematically managed in existing and customized programs easily accessible and usable in communities in the north.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The total cost of the project including preparatory word towards the International Polar and final publications is estimated at CAD$ 180,000.00. Funding will be sought from various sources. In Canada: SSHRC, FQRSC, DIAND-NSTP and private foundations (Donner Canadian Foundation; Symons Trust Fund for Canadian Studies, Trent University; and others); in Germany: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing; in Europe: European Science Foundation, European Union Research Commission.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project’s contribution is aimed at the transfer and integration of knowledge, data and information from historic scientific events in international polar research, which has not yet been made available to northern peoples and researchers in Canada. The project’s goal is to fill this gap and bridge different cultures, languages and academic traditions.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Ludger Müller-Wille
Department of Geography, McGill University
Burnside Hall 705, 805, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal (Québec)
H3A 2K6
Canada

Tel: 514-398-4960
Mobile: 450-465-2966
Fax: 514-398-7437
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation