Nunavut Polar Bear Monitoring and Management

Researchers of the Bearwatch project were initially hesitant to enter into a conversation on quota. The topic of quota setting was considered as outside of their sphere of influence, and scope of scientific research objectives.

This hesitation followed a 15 year gap of government research into polar bears, despite a promise to gather additional information to inform an effective management plan for the years after the moratorium The community's frustration speaks to a tangible gap between their priorities and the infrastructure available to them to have their priorities sufficiently funded, permitted and researched.

While community organizations like HTAs provide insights via consulting, handle requests for community sanction of research funding and permitting, and assume important roles within the research itself, (government) researchers have not made themselves sufficiently available for questions of concern of the community itself.

Such dynamics have consequences for ongoing and future (research) partnerships, including those within the BW project.

"Return to Cut 1": Voices of Thunder, to consider the responsiveness of the BearWatch researchers when it comes to the concerns put forward by the Gjoa Haven HTA.

Return to Cut 1: Voices of Thunder Testimonial Reading