RESOURCES

MULTI-MEDIA

Coastal Restoration Nunavut works with communities to document and address the health and condition of marine species and their habitats across the territory. Participatory mapping workshops draw on Inuit knowledge of harvesters and Elders as we work together to identify changes and support community-led restoration projects.

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publications

Articles

Bishop, B., Owen, J., Wilson, L., Eccles, T., Chircop, A., & Fanning, L. (2022). How icebreaking governance interacts with Inuit rights and livelihoods in Nunavut: A policy review. Marine Policy, 137. 104957, ISSN 0308-597X. Link

Technical Reports

Coastal Restoration Nunavut: Final Report, October 2022. (Marine Affairs Program Technical Report #21)

This final report documents the activities undertaken by the CRN research team from November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2022; it highlights the findings and lessons learned by the CRN team. Elders, hunters and other community members shared their knowledge on the health and condition of coastal ecosystems and identified restoration needs within their communities. The data collected over the course of the project represent a snapshot in time and are not a comprehensive inventory of all the coastal issues or priorities within a community. Key deliverables highlighted in this report include: (a) Completion of 25 community profiles, (b) Development of a project website in four languages (Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, French), (c) Completion of participatory mapping exercises in 21 communities, (d) Interactive online mapping of key issues and priorities for restoration in 21 communities, (e) Completion of three technical reports analyzing key issues affecting coastal aquatic ecosystems and changing coastal conditions in the Kivalliq, Kitikmeot and Qikiqtaaluk regions of Nunavut, and (f) Completion of nine restoration plans and their community-led implementation. The report concludes with an overview of feedback provided by representatives from five of the communities that implemented restoration projects, sharing the value of the Coastal Restoration Nunavut project, along with insights on ongoing needs and opportunities. Read more here.

Key issues affecting coastal aquatic ecosystems and changing coastal conditions in Nunavut: A comparative assessment of communities in the Qikiqtaaluk region. (Marine Affairs Program Technical Report #20).

This technical report presents the findings of the CRN team visits to Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kinngait, Pangnirtung, Resolute Bay, Sanikiluaq, and Sanirajak in the Qikiqtaaluk region. From the perspective of the knowledge holders, the major coastal issues described were decreasing water levels, changes in ice conditions, and fluctuations in key species populations. Coastal priorities and management interventions identified by knowledge holders were infrastructure improvements, environment and ecological studies, cleanup of key harvesting locations, improvement of fish migratory routes and the enforcement of commercial shipping policies and regulations. Read more here.

Key issues affecting coastal aquatic ecosystems and changing coastal conditions in Nunavut: A comparative assessment of communities in the Kivalliq region. (Marine Affairs Program Technical Report #19).

From the perspective of the Kivalliq knowledge holders, the most noted environmental and ecological changes, and hence the top coastal priority were related to species population abundance and health, decreasing water levels, and erosion at different sites and areas. Communities have identified important management interventions to address char fisheries issues (Whale Cove), explore potential fisheries options, lessen the impact of rockfalls, and address access road issues (Coral Harbour), alleviate the effect of sewage on the lake (Baker Lake), and assess the risks of diamond mining (Naujaat). Read more here.

Addressing community concerns around increased vessel traffic in Nunavut: A review of policy mechanisms within regional, national, and international jurisdictions. (Marine Affairs Program Technical Report #18)

Do shipping policies address community concerns about increasing vessel traffic in Nunavut? In this Coastal Restoration Nunavut (CRN) technical report, existing shipping policies within Canada and internationally are reviewed to determine how well community concerns are addressed. While policies protect the environment and vessel/crew safety, less attention is given to coastal communities impacted by vessel activities. To help address this gap, lessons from the review include adopting strategies that increase communication and information sharing, applying Indigenous laws, and strengthening regulatory and non-regulatory measures. Read more here.

Key issues affecting coastal aquatic ecosystems and changing coastal conditions in Nunavut: A comparative assessment of five communities in the Kitikmeot region. (Marine Affairs Program Technical Report #17)

Nunavut knowledge holders share their perspectives on changing coastal conditions: In our first Coastal Restoration Nunavut regional technical report, key concerns noted by residents from Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk, and Taloyoak in the Kitikmeot region were identified as decreasing water levels, erosion, and species changes. Actions for addressing these include the clean-up of contaminated sites, water and fish monitoring, and fisheries management interventions. Examples from Nunavut and nationally that address similar issues are also noted in the report. Read more here.

Newsletters

No.1 May, 2021

In this newsletter, we provide a summary of what we heard on coastal issues and restoration actions from the 18 communities we visited prior to COVID-19. We also highlight three restoration projects that have been implemented in Clyde River (Qikiqtaaluk Region), Coral Harbour (Kivalliq Region), and Kugluktuk (Kitikmeot Region). Our project is funded until March 2022. In 2021 we will be supporting at least two more restoration sites.

If you live in the territory and would like to share your perspectives on coastal issues, changes, and priorities, contact Jade Owen at 867-222-4395 or via email. Select a link below to read the newsletter in your preferred language. Comments and feedback are welcome.

English | Français | Inuinnaqtun | ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖅ

Funding Database

In addition to the funding opportunities provided in our newsletter, here are some additional funding sources that may also be of interest. Please note that this database is not updated regularly and is only current to April 2021. However, with the release of our next newsletter in the fall, we will update this information with upcoming funding opportunities for 2022.