Weaving together Inuit knowledge and western science: a mixed-methods case study of qilalugaq (beluga whale) in Quaqtaq, Nunavik

被引:7
作者
Little, Matthew [1 ,2 ]
Winters, Nicole [2 ]
Achouba, Adel [3 ,4 ]
Magesky, Adriano [3 ,4 ]
Ayotte, Pierre [3 ,4 ,5 ]
Palliser, Tommy [6 ]
Naylor, Angus [1 ]
Jararuse, Willie [7 ]
Lemire, Melanie [4 ,5 ,8 ]
机构
[1] Univ Victoria, Sch Publ Hlth & Social Policy, Victoria, BC, Canada
[2] Univ Guelph, Dept Populat Med, Guelph, ON, Canada
[3] Inst Natl Sante Publ Quebec INSPQ, Ctr Toxicol Quebec, Quebec City, PQ, Canada
[4] Ctr Rech CHU Quebec, Axe Sante Populat & Prat Optimales Sante, Quebec City, PQ, Canada
[5] Univ Laval, Dept Med Sociale & Prevent, Quebec City, PQ, Canada
[6] Nunavik Marine Reg Wildlife Board, Inukjuaq, PQ, Canada
[7] Northern Village Quaqtaq, Quaqtaq, PQ, Canada
[8] Univ Laval, Inst Biol & Syst IBIS, Quebec City, PQ, Canada
基金
加拿大健康研究院;
关键词
beluga whale; Nunavik; Inuit; traditional knowledge; selenoneine; food security; SELENIUM-CONTAINING COMPOUND; TRADITIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS; DELPHINAPTERUS-LEUCAS; MERCURY EXPOSURE; FOODBORNE BOTULISM; COUNTRY FOODS; HEALTH; CONTAMINANTS; WILDLIFE; METHYLMERCURY;
D O I
10.1139/as-2022-0039
中图分类号
Q14 [生态学(生物生态学)];
学科分类号
071012 ; 0713 ;
摘要
The harvest and consumption of country food is a cornerstone of Inuit culture, sovereignty, food security, and nutrition. Qilalugaq (beluga whales) (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) are hunted across the Canadian Arctic and are an especially important food source for Inuit communities in Nunavik, northern Quebec, Canada. The presence of environmental contaminants and nutrients in beluga has been the subject of recent research interest, including the role of selenoneine and its interactions with methylmercury. Using interviews conducted in Quaqtaq and analyses of beluga tissue samples harvested by hunters, this study aimed to bridge Inuit knowledge and scientific knowledge to understand how beluga hunting, preparation, and consumption practices may explain the different levels of selenoneine found in Nunavimmiut (Inuit from Nunavik). It also sought to characterize the health, social, and cultural importance of beluga and factors influencing its consumption. Research findings confirmed the important role of beluga in Nunavimmiut culture, food security, and nutrition. Findings documented gender based consumption practices, including consumption of the selenoneine-rich beluga tail exclusively by women, which may explain previously documented gender differences in blood selenoneine levels. This study demonstrates the utility of weaving Inuit knowledge and scientific knowledge to inform future environmental health research, public health communications, and wildlife comanagement.
引用
收藏
页码:616 / 634
页数:19
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