Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #182:Sustainability of Traditional Inuvialuit Ice Houses and Sod Houses in a Warming Climate  (Sustainability of Traditional Inuvialuit Ice Houses and Sod Houses in a Warming Climate)

Outline
This project will see the construction of a sod house and ice house on Herschel Island, Yukon, by local Inuvialuit community members combined with ongoing scientific monitoring and documentation of the effects of warming climates on these traditional structures. For generations, Inuvialuit spent part of their year living in sod houses. On Herschel Island remains of these structures date as far back as 700 years. These sod houses were made from driftwood that floated down the Mackenzie River and deposited on the shores of the island. Log-supported structures were covered with sod, moss, dirt, and glazed with ice. The houses were partially submerged and whenever possible, built into the side of a hill which provided additional insulation. These were permanent structures used primarily during the fall and winter. The houses, usually designed to hold two or more families, consisted of a central shared room and a sleeping platform for each family. Ice houses were constructed on Herschel Island during the whaling boom (1890-1907). They were built to help preserve meat and other food that needed to be kept frozen during the summer months. One of the original ice houses can still be seen on Hershel Island today although it has deteriorated significantly in recent years. There is wide interest in reconstructing a sod house and an ice house on Herschel Island for interpretive purposes, and to provide an opportunity for local residents to learn about their cultural heritage. The construction of an ice house and a sod house will provide a further opportunity for a scientific examination and ongoing monitoring of the geophysical aspects of their composition, while examining the sustainability of such structures in a warming climate. This project provides a unique opportunity to combine traditional use and scientific investigation.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will primary address the IPY themes of changes in the environment and human dimensions. It is a multi-disciplinary and community-based project involving meteorologists, botanists, soil and permafrost researchers/geologists, as well as aboriginal elders, and aboriginal owned and operated media organizations. It will address human adaptation to polar environments and document the possible effects of a future changed climate on traditional Inuvialuit cultural structures.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project has potential for international collaboration although none have been established as yet. Similar structures have been used by northern peoples throughout the circumpolar world.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
This project will take place on Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Park, Yukon. The park was created as a direct result of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement in 1987. Qikiqtaruk is 116 square kilometres and lies just five kilometres off the north coast of the Yukon in the Beaufort Sea. The southern shore faces the mountainous Yukon mainland, while the north shore lies only 90 kilometres south of the permanent pack ice of the Arctic Ocean.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 - 03/08       07/08 - 09/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Aircraft/ motor boats to transfer participants to the site. Temporary field camp on the island to accommodate participants. Other project partners will assist with logistical support as appropriate.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
YES. The ice house and the sod house will provide ongoing interpretative facilities.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Logistical support will be supplied by Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Park, Parks Canada (Western Field Unit) and the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope). The community of Aklavik and Inuvialuit cultural resources agencies will assist with research and construction. Logistical support will be provided by other partner agencies as required (see partner list below).

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: Traditional Knowledge and Practices

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?
Expansion

The construction component is a new project to be carried out in the IPY. There is an existing, small ecological monitoring program (vegetation, permafrost, active layer, weather station and wildlife use) on the island. By 2007, these datasets will be 19 years long.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The construction component will be managed and coordinated by the staff of Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Park and other cultural resource partners (see list below), in consultation with Inuvialuit elders. The scientific component will be managed and coordinated by the Yukon Department of Environment in conjunction with other scientific partners (see below).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will be fully documented by Inuvialuit media (Inuvialuit Communications Society). Elders and students from Aklavik will be the primary participants in the design and construction of the two houses along with other community members. Once complete, the ice house and sod house will be used as long term educational components for Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Park. Park staff will be key monitoring personnel.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be the responsibility of the Yukon Government Department of Environment.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
No external funding has been identified or secured to date. In - kind logistical support, such a use of boats to transport participants and materials, will be provided by Parks Canada (Inuvik) and Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Park. Estimated budget for the project is currently between $100,000 and $135,000. Funding is required for research and preparation (including cultural and scientific research, and study design), construction materials, travel, field camp costs, elder honoraria, and outreach, education and interpretation programs.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project provides a unique opportunity to combine traditional use and scientific investigation and has already generated a lot of excitement among all those that know about it.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Richard Gordon
Box 1129, Inuvik, NWT


X0E 0T0
Canada

Tel: 867-777-4058
Mobile: no
Fax: 867-777-4062
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation