Inuit Traditional Knowledge is Obsolete

With climate change drawing attention to traditional and indigenous knowledge around the world, the Inuit are finding that some of that attention is less-than-positive. A research trip called Global Warming 101 has been traveling across the Arctic from Iqaluit to Igloolik. Four Inuit are part of the eight-person team.

One conclusion from the trip, according to Iqaluit resident and president of the Baffin Fisheries Coalition Ben Kovic: ‘Inuit traditional knowledge is becoming obsolete.’ His response:

“Come on, we are still functioning. We are still Inuit,” Kovic said. “We’re going to function another 5,000 years. Whether global warming is here or not, we’re going to adapt to the new world, whatever it is going to be.”

Kovic said Thursday that while he doesn’t deny the impact climate change is having on Inuit, he worries that some recent coverage of the event may give southerners the impression that Inuit are not capable of adapting to change.

Full story at CBC.ca.

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