Joint Secretariat
107 Mackenzie rd. X0E 0T0 Inuvik, NT, Canada

The Wildlife Management Advisory Council will be attending the 2020 Annual Status Meeting to determine this year’s status of the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, and Bluenose-East caribou herds on November 17-19. The Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management, which includes all the co-management boards in the range of the herds, meets every year to bring the best available local and scientific information together to cooperatively manage caribou. Learn more at www.accwm.com!

The Wildlife Management Advisory Council(NWT) is holding a community tour this fall. Come and hear about what is the Council has been up to and provide your input.

YOUTH JOB POSTING We are seeking for 1 youth (ages 15-25) from Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, and Aklavik who has some experience of beluga whale harvesting and is willing to demonstrate the traditional knowledge that is being passed down from their elders. The aim of this project is to document the ways in which Inuvialuit prepare, process, and cook with the traditionally harvested beluga whale, so that it can be shared with other Inuvialuit youth and community members. DEADLINE TO A...PPLY: NOVEMBER 20, 2020. MENTORSHIP & 2 FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY I.C.S Project Start Date: December 2020 February 2021 PAYMENT FOR YOUTH, FAMILY HOST, AND FOR KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS IS INCLUDED. For more information and to apply, please contact Chukita Gruben, Jr. Resource Coordinator at: 1-867-620-0339 or at [email protected]

The Inuvialuit Game Council is accepting nominations for a number of co-management board appointments. Deadline for nomination forms is November 27th 5pm. Please see the posters for additional information.

The Yukon North Slope is an incredible place to do research, attracting scientists from around the world. We want to share some of this incredible work with you...! Join us in our first of several Science Chats - our first one is with Syd Cannings of the Canadian Wildlife Service, and Kayla Nanmak Arey an Inuvialuit from Aklavik, as they talk North Slope bumblebees! This first chat is titled Igutchamik tautuktunga. Pronounced ig-goo-cha-mick dau-dook-doong-uh. If you said that out loud, you just said I see a bee in Inuvialuit. A bee-fitting title! You can also check out Kayla's blog post here: https://wmacns.ca//science-chats-part-1-igutchamik-tautuk/

The Joint Secretariat would like to acknowledge the first anniversary of the Munaqsiyit Program, which launched on October 19, 2019 of last year! This is a community-led, community-driven program that is coordinated through our office. Kirt Ruben, the Project Manager for the Community Based Monitoring Program says, It’s been a great experience working alongside such amazing, responsible and caring people who give 100% every day to ensure this program meets success. Their de...termination, motivation, compassion and appreciation of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region is truly a blessing, and as always makes my job so much easier. Monitor throughout the Inuvialuit Settlement Region have been hired for the program as the eyes and ear of the land. The crew holds responsible duties that include going out on-field, collecting and observing data, and connecting a communication gap for Western Science and Traditional Knowledge. The program is growing and is always encouraging more Inuvialuit to be a part of this program. Congratulations on a great start and we look forward to this program growing!

The Inuvialuit Game Council is looking for eligible applicants for a range of appointment on co-management and other boards. Contact the Davonna Kasook at the Joint Secretariat or your local HTC for more information and nomination forms. Nomination forms are due Friday September 11th at 5pm.

Oceans Day contest deadline has been extended to this Friday, August 28th. Send in your submissions and show us what the ocean means to you. Lots of great prizes!! There are two ways to enter the Oceans Day 2020 online contest: 1. Scan the barcode on the poster or enter the link https://arcg.is/1zOi1j to complete the online survey or... 2. Post their favourite oceans picture and use the hashtags #ProtectOurArctic and #ProtectOurHome See more

Last call for Ocean's Day contest. Show us what the ocean means to you. We'll be taking submissions until August 21st. Check out the poster for more info!

Good news, the Joint Secretariat Newsletter (Vol. 1 Issue 1) is on its way to the listed Inuvialuit Beneficiaries mailboxes! The JS newsletter will be published twice a year with updates on the wildlife and environment sector of our IFA. If you would like a copy mailed to you directly please send us your mailing information at: [email protected] Alternatively, you can also check out the newsletter online at https://www.jointsecretariat.ca .

The JS will be producing a newsletter! Calling all beneficiaries to PM or send your name and mailing address to [email protected] to get your copy!The JS will be producing a newsletter! Calling all beneficiaries to PM or send your name and mailing address to [email protected] to get your copy!

Happy Inuvialuit Day! Want to learn more about the Inuvialuit Final Agreement? Check out IFA101.ca for an online course on this important and pivotal land claim. Have a wonderful day!

Happy Inuvialuit Day!!! May you all have a wonderful day celebrating with your families this momentous day. The Joint Secretariat is proud to continue their role in providing support to the IGC and the co-management boards mandated under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. We hope you are all staying safe and well. #IFA

The Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management is excited to launch its new website. If you are interested in learning about caribou management decisions, access resources, and much more, check out the link below! http://www.accwm.com/

Hey Inuvik, if you missed out on the Beluga Tagging meeting a few days ago, you can swing by the ICC boardroom for lunch and a drop-in session this afternoon!

Aklavik! We will be holding a community meeting to discuss the Beluga Tagging program Today at 5pm at the Hamlet Chambers. There will be dinner and door prizes.

Want to work with the JS & co-management? We're now looking to hire for 3 positions across three different fields. Attached are job descriptions. Take a look, and if any intrigue you, send us an application!

Thank you Inuvik for another great meeting discussing the Beluga tagging program. Miss the meeting? Have more questions? We are also hosting an open house March 6 from 12-4pm at ICC. This is a time for more tagging discussions as well as discussing new research directions.

There is a new deadline for the species conservation and Recovery Fund! Submit applications by March 13, 2020 to [email protected]. For more information on the fund, visit www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca

Hey Inuvik! Come learn, ask about, and discuss the Beluga Tagging program today at Ingamo Hall at 6 p.m. There will be door prizes as well as dinner served!

Thank you Paulatuk for the great meeting on the Beluga tagging program last week! There were good discussions and guidance on future work. Next up - tomorrow we'll be in Inuvik at Ingamo hall at 6!

Paulatuk! We will be holding a community meeting today to discuss the Beluga Tagging program at 5:30 at the Visitor's centre. There will be dinner & door prizes!

Ulukhaktok! FJMC, IGC, & DFO are continuing Beluga Tagging discussions today in your community. There will be a meeting to discuss the Beluga Tagging program Today at 5pm at the Community Hall. There will be dinner and door prizes.

Sachs Harbour! DFO, IGC, and FJMC will be holding a community dinner meeting today to discuss the Beluga Tagging program today. Come at 6pm to the Ajgaliaq Centre - There will be dinner and door prizes.

Paulatuk! The Community Based Monitoring Program (CBMP) will be launching the SmartICE and Munaqsiyit programs today at the Community Gymnasium. Please join us from 4 P.M. to 7 P.m. for a free home cooked meal, and to find out more about these great programs.

The Inuvialuit Game Council is now accepting nominations for a 3 year appointment to the Environmental Impact Review Board (EIRB). If you are interested, please fill out the attached nomination form (or contact HTCs for a copy), as well as a note (half page to 1 page) about why you are interested in being on the EIRB, as well as any relevant experience. Applications must be submitted to the JS office by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020. See pictures below or contact HTCs for more information

Do you have an idea for a project to help with the conservation, recovery and protection of species at risk in the NWT? The NWT Species Conservation and Recovery fund is an opportunity for organizations and individuals to apply for funding for a project thats relates to the following: Addresses threats to species, habitats, landscapes, or ecosystems.... Fills knowledge gaps related to species, habitats, or threats. Contributes to outreach, education, and awareness about species More information is available at www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2020.

Group photo of some of the Inuvialuit representatives for communities, co-management boards, IRC, IGC and their staff, along with many of their research, monitoring and co-management partners from last night’s ArcticNet banquet. Safe travels to everybody and congratulations on another successful and informative ArcticNet Annual Science Meeting!

Yesterday, Day 2 of ArcticNet Annual Science meeting included 2 presentations made by Inuvialuit members. Dennis Arey from Aklavik presented with Shannon MacPhee on the co-design process used to develop the harpoon-tag attachment used in the recent beluga telemetry program. John Noksana Jr. and Gerald Inglangasuk presented in the session titled, ‘Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Decision-Making’. Their presentation,’Local observations of a changing Arctic and their rol...e in fisheries co-management: The Inuvialuit Settlement Region’ shared the Inuvialuit observations of climate change and how the Fisheries Joint Management Committee is incorporating and addressing these changes in their adaptive co-management process. Both presentations highlight the innovative and adaptive nature of the Inuvialuit co-management system.

Yesterday was Day 1 of the ArcticNet Annual Science Meeting in Halifax. A number of Inuvialuit co-management board members and community members, along with Joint Secretariat staff made presentations on their work. Jen Lam, JS Committee Program Manager, and Amy Amos, the Executive Director for the Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board, co-chaired 2 sessions titled ‘Community-based monitoring research led, driven and delivered by Northerners’. This session included presentations... included staff and members from the Fisheries Joint Management Committee (FJMC), the ISR Community Based Monitoring Program(CBMP), Western Arctic Marine Protected Area Steering Committee (WAMPA) and Traditional Local Knowledge Coordination on the programs and initiatives driven and led by Inuvialuit communities. These presentations highlight the importance and value of empowering communities with resources, capacity and agency to lead research and monitoring work to address their own concerns and interest. This work benefits not only the communities, but the larger research communities and provides a diversity of data that would not be collected otherwise. See more

Here we go - Another year, Another ArcticNet! Today, our FJMC member John Noksana Jr. was part of a discussion panel called "How to work in Harmony between Northerners and Southerners" at Student Day. A changing world means a more connected world - working together is key to moving forward in a way that is healthy for our planet, and for our relationships with southern partners.

WMAC (NWT) and the GRRB are hosting and invite you to the ACCWM Annual Status Public Meetings in Inuvik on November 19th (Cape Bathurst) and 20th (Bluenose East & West). More information is in the poster below.

Hunters! You can help us with polar bear research.

The Environmental Impact Screening Committee & the Environmental Impact Review Board are finishing their community tours this month & will be in Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, & Paulatuk. See the poster attached for more information!

Interested in being an appointee for the Inuvialuit-Inuit (West Kitikmeot) Polar Bear Commission? IGC is looking for 2 members for a 3 year term. Deadline to apply is Friday November 29th. More information can be found in the photos attached.

We are estimating 2000 salmon have been provided to the Arctic Salmon program already this year. This almost triples any other year on record in the 19 years of... monitoring salmon with harvesters. Wow. What does all this mean? Here's some answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions. We are still accepting unlimited salmon heads! Bag, Freeze, and include date and location of harvest. Trade in to most DFO, ENR, RRC, HTC, HTO offices across the NWT and NU. Happy Fishing! See more

This week the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) and Fisheries Joint Management Committee met with the Presidents/Directors of all 6 ISR Hunters and Trappers Committee to discuss their community's concerns, management and research priorities. The discussion ranged from beluga monitoring, caribou management issues, ecological changes and expansion of salmon into the ISR. Their input will inform these co-management boards' research priorities for the upcoming fiscal.

Plastic is everywhere, and will continue to be everywhere - but that doesn't mean we can't play a role in making our environment cleaner and safer - for both us & wildlife.

The Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) is starting their annual Species at Risk community tour. Dates are below, and more information/venue location can be found in the attached posters. October 2-3 - Tuktoyaktuk October 16 - Inuvik October 17 - Aklavik... October 29 - Paulatuk See more

Over the weekend, the Inuvialuit Game Council and the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) met with the Canadian Wildlife Services (CWS) to begin discussions on increasing and formalizing co-management of the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MSB) in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, along with possible traditional knowledge projects on migratory birds. There are 5 MBS in the ISR: Anderson River Delta Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Banks Island No. 1 Bird Sanctuary, Banks Island ...No. 2 Bird Sanctuary; Cape Perry Migratory Bird Sanctuary; and Kendall Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Activity and management of these protected currently are under the authority of CWS, with some input from Inuvialuit wildlife management boards. These sanctuaries were established prior to the Inuvialuit Final Agreement in the 60s. This meeting is the first of a series over the next 4 years that will help develop a modern co-management structure and process to better manage these MBS and provide the Inuvialuit a great role and responsibility in this process. These discussions will involve the relevant regional Inuvialuit boards and community committees. The Joint Secretariat staff will be providing capacity to coordinate and facilitate these conversations and related traditional knowledge projects.

The Community Based Monitoring Program is developing a curriculum for Inuvialuit Wilderness First Aid. We learned of this concept from the Tch, who developed "Wilderness First Aid - Dene Style." Following in their footsteps, a consultation will take place October 21st to the 25th in developing the curriculum for Inuvialuit Wilderness First Aid. If you or someone you know has on-the-land safety, survival, and wellness skills - please consider submitting your name to the ...CBMP coordinator and help us develop a Wilderness First Aid program that places greater emphasis on Inuvialuit knowledge & practices. More information is in the poster attached!

A reminder that the IGC call for nominations close at the end of the week If you are interested, please make sure to get your applications in before Friday at 5:00 pm! See attached post for more information.

Tuesday had us celebrating the signing of the Porcupine Caribou Native User Agreement. Indigenous culture is first and foremost sharing-based, and as such, the Inuvialuit Game Council and Gwich'in Tribal Council celebrated the signing of an agreement that sets out sharing protocols for Porcupine Caribou among Indigenous users with a feast. Present at the feast were leadership & staff from all 5 signatory groups:... - The Inuvialuit Game Council representing the Inuvialuit user communities of Aklavik, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk -The Gwich’in Tribal Council representing the Gwich’in user communities of Inuvik, Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic -The Vuntut Gwitchin Government representing the Gwich’in user community of Old Crow -The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in representing the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in community of Dawson City - The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun representing the Northern Tutchone community of Mayo. Attendees were treated to performances by the Aklavik & Inuvik Inuvialuit Drummers and Dancers, the Gwich'in Youth Dancers, an old time dance, a feast with traditional foods, and more.

It's not too late to report your summer fishing and harvesting to the Inuvialuit Harvest Study!

The JS took part at the Inuvialuit-Inupiat Beluga Whale Commission Traditional Knowledge Workshop in Anchorage AK last week. The workshop was an eventful collaborative event, with sharing of Beluga research and monitoring from both sides of the border. By working together, we are able to fill gaps in knowledge, and foster collaboration with our other Northern counterparts. As a result of this workshop & meeting, the Inuvialuit-Inupiat Beluga Committee came up with 13 recommen...dations. Quyanainni to all those who attended and helped to expand our collective Indigenous knowledge!

Join us in commemorating the signing of the Porcupine Caribou Native User Agreement!

IGC is looking for appointees to several co-management Boards/Committees. The full list of appointments is attached. If you are interested in being appointed to any of the committees listed, the nomination form is attached and also available by contacting your local HTC office. For more information on the process or on any of the Boards/Committees, you can message the Joint Secretariat here on Facebook, or call Chanada Turner or Davonna Kasook at the JS office at 867-777-2828... Nomination forms are to be received by the IGC office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday September 12, 2019.

The Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Anglia Ruskin University, and the Nihtat RRC are looking for one youth for a research camp, as well as a boat operator and a wildlife monitor to help trap and study muskrats in August. The deadline to apply is July 30th - for more information check out the two posters attached.

Joint Secretariat's own Kirt Ruben (Imaryuk Program Manager) and the ISR Munaqsi Guardian's program is highlighted in this CBC article. The overall ISR program will be building capacity on the ground for Inuvialuit to monitor, document and communicate a range of environmental changes being observed here in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The Imaryuk program that Kirt manages is part of this larger ISR program. https://www.cbc.ca//inuit-guardian-federal-funding-1.51948

Say hello to our new Community Based Monitoring Program (CBMP) Project Manager - Kirt Ruben! Kurt will be working with our CBMP Coordinator Chloe Brogan to make sure the Monitoring program is the best it can be. Kirt brings a slew of knowledge from his past roles, including having worked with the Paulatuk Development Corporation as PDC manager. Kirt’s been working with us for the last 2 weeks and has hit the ground running, having already sat in on numerous meetings with the other co-management boards & going out to the ISR communities. He was also kind enough to give us a selfie when we asked from his first trip out to Tuk working with the JS. Thanks Kirt!

However unlikely it may be, please get in touch with your local HTC if you spot or harvest a Narluga.

Make sure to report your harvests! Tuktoyaktuk Hunters And Trappers

Happy Inuvialuit day! Today we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the IFA - the agreement that gave birth to all the boards that make up the Joint Secretariat. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation held its annual celebration at Jim Koe park, and most of the JS staff made its way over to help & participate in the festivities (and because sometimes a hot dog in the sun is preferable to a desk in front of a computer.) ... Quyanainni to the IRC for putting on today's event!

Stay safe Inuvik!

This week, a number of Inuvialuit representatives and Joint Secretariat staff attended the spring meeting of Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC)-Prairie and Northern Region which brings together various government departments, industry and indigenous groups to discuss shipping management issues. Vernon Amos, Chair of the Inuvialuit Game Council, provided a presentation on the shipping management initiatives and management activities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Shipping issues have become an important topic for the IGC due to changes in ice seasons and other climate change factors that have led to an increase in marine vessel traffic. The presentation included a review of the current initiatives that the IGC are involved in, management and research gaps and shipping issues of interest.

Last Friday, IGC & FJMC held a Beluga Tourism Workshop as a platform to present the Beluga Tourism Guidelines to all stakeholders involved in marine tourism within the ISR and to discuss each organization's respective role in applying the guidelines. This workshop was an opportunity to further explain the tourism guidelines, which were developed with the goal of minimizing the potential for marine tourism activities to interfere with the traditional subsistence beluga harvest in the ISR. The day-long workshop also provided us with valuable feedback from local tour operators. Next steps include the development of a workshop report that highlights the outcomes of the workshop discussions.

Last week, the Environmental Impact Review Board - EIRB & the Environmental Impact Screening Committee (EISC) returned from IAIA19, the 39th annual conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment in Brisbane, Australia! IAIA19 presented processes and best practices from around the world in an effort to encourage environmental assessment bodies to improve on their current practices. EISC & EIRB took part in many sessions and we're glad to have Crystal Lennie,... Michel Adina Lindsay & Lenora McLeod back & armed with new environmental impact assessment knowledge. Of note at the conference was Canada's exemplary environmental assessment practice compared to other countries - especially in terms of incorporating indigenous knowledge and rights into the decision-making process. At the JS, we know that our land thrives best when centuries of traditional & local knowledge play their part in managing our flora & fauna, and we're glad that our commitment to our lands is being highlighted on an international scale.

The Porcupine Caribou Management Board will be holding an open house this Monday in Aklavik.

This week Hans Lennie (Inuvik Director and Secretary-Treasurer for the Inuvialuit Game Council) and Gerald Inglangasuk (Inuvialuit member for the Environmental Impact Screening Committee) along with Jen Lam (Committee Program Manager) participated in the Bilateral Workshop on Grey Water Discharges from Vessels hosted by WWF and Ocean Conservancy. This workshops looked to provide a forum to share community concerns and lessons learn; identify technologies for pragmatic solut...ions; discuss gaps and challenges in management and research and inform ongoing work to address grey water issues. Hans Lennie also provided an presentation on the ISR perspective regarding grey water discharge in Arctic waters, an issue that has been identified as a high priority by the Game Council. The workshop provided an opportunity to begin a dialogue with industry, regulators, NGOs and Inuit groups across the Arctic.

The Environmental Impact Screening Committee & Review Board are looking for a summer student from May to August - This is a great opportunity to learn about and provide administrative support to the EISC & EIRB. If you know a student who would be interested, please send them this post! Closing date is April 15th. For more information, please view the attached photo.

Today is officially Albert Ruben Sr's last day on the Environmental Impact Screening Committee as GNWT member after 15 years of service. Thank you Albert for all your years of service - the EISC would have been a very different place without you!

The GNWT is looking to hear from residents about challenges, needs, opportunities and priorities related to country foods, traditional economies, land-based learning and traditional knowledge. Check the post below to see when ENR will be hosting an open house in your community.

Last week at the OHTC/IGC/WMAC(NWT) community gathering in Ulukhaktok regarding Dolphin and Union caribou, elders and harvesters shared some of their knowledge about the caribou, in terms of the history of the herd’s population, distribution, and behaviour, as well as recent observations from the last few years. We were very grateful to hear stories from youth, elders, and everyone in between- and thank you to Billy Goose for the photos! Thank you all for coming out!

As shared in the earlier post, Inuit from across Alaska and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of Canada came together for the Youth, Elder, Active Hunter, and Ga...therer - Food Sovereignty and Self-Governance Workshop. As part of the workshop, we were able to commission two Inuit Artists - thanks to funding provided through The CIRI Foundation. The artists created work reflective of the discussions and Inuit values they heard. This art piece is titled "Winds of Change", by Inupiaq artists Britt'Nee Brower. Here is what Britt'Nee shared about the art piece - "There is a story of a moon mask with a crescent moon shown alongside the dark side of the moon or the unknown. In the unknown, there are 4 feather spokes that represent the direction of the winds, and each feather represents a wish you would like to see happen. Surrounding the moon is a qupak design representing a drum, the heartbeat of the Inuit culture. The sun shines around the moon to represent the climate change affecting our subsistence calendars. I would like to make 4 wishes to help us adapt to all of the changes and unknowns occurring in the migration routes, hunting & gathering seasons, and weather. Each feather is a wish for helping us predict the weather, adapt to migration and route changes of the animals in the sky, the waters, and the land." Quyanaqpak Britt'Nee for this thought-provoking and beautiful piece! Joint Secretariat - Inuvialuit Settlement Region Association of Village Council Presidents Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Eskimo Walrus Commission Fisheries Joint Management Committee -FJMC

The Environmental Impact Review Board & Screening Committee will be touring Inuvik, Aklavik, and Tuktoyaktuk, in their first tour in a decade! Come by to get to learn more about the EIS processes, how to learn more about ongoing projects in your area, and more. There will be door prizes!

Ulukhaktok! IGC, WMAC (NWT), and your HTC (Olokhaktomiut Hunters & Trappers Comm) is hosting a community gathering March 13th in the Helen Kalvak Elihakvik school gym. Come share your knowledge and stories about caribou, while enjoying stew and bannock.

FJMC had the opportunity yesterday and today to attend the Youth, Elder, Active Hunter & Gatherer Workshop for Food Sovereignty and Self Governance in Bethel, Alaska. Inuit from Alaska and the ISR gathered at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel to have important and meaningful conversations about food collection and processing methods, as well as values surrounding their relationship to the environment. The day also included story telling, collaborative art making and meal sharing.

Fisheries Joint Management Committee -FJMC & Fisheries and Oceans Canada were in Ulukhaktok and Paulatuk on Wednesday and Thursday for the annual Char Working Group meetings. Discussed were ongoing monitoring programs, voluntary harvesting levels for 2019, and fish & marine mammal harvest surveys. The two communities are also in the process of updating their char management plans. At the meetings, community members had the chance to ask questions and voice concerns about Arctic Char in the region. A DFO Conservation & Protection officer from Yellowknife also flew in to answer questions.