From Observation to Response: The use of inclusive indicators to inform coastal Inuit resilience in Northern Labrador.

This project focuses on building a framework for socio-ecological and economic indicators that integrate local observations and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The primary goal is to uncover valuable knowledge of coastal communities and provide a tool that encompasses TEK in measuring the status and trends in the health of marine resources while at the same time advancing our understanding of Inuit community values and customs. Due to the absence of data that characterize the coastal ecosystems and communities of Labrador, developing such indicators has been heretofore impossible. In identifying the current state of fisheries and the indicators that can help improve the ecological and social outcomes from fisheries management in Nunatsiavut, I will be organizing focus group discussions with Nunatsiavut communities and semi-structured interviews with local and regional stakeholders involved in the pre and post harvesting sector. Early involvement of those groups in identifying the needs and challenges for the development of indicators is critical in making sure that their input and local observations are effectively taken into account.

Faculty Supervisor:

Megan Bailey

Student:

Partner:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: