![[Indigenous People]](culture.gif) Native Land Use And The Annual Harvesting CycleContents:Hunting - Hunting and the relationship to the land are of profound cultural and spiritual importance to the Inuit. The meaning of life for most Inuit is still found in nature and most are at least part-time hunters. Hunting provides a link to the past and a cultural identity. It is valued for its contribution to independence, self-esteem, respect from others, psychological well-being, and healthy lifestyle. "Going out on the land" is a means of spiritual renewal after the long, cold, dark winter and a method of re-establishing the ancient connection to the land that has sustained them for thousands of years. A sense of personal pride and fulfillment is gained from providing food for family and sharing with others in accordance with age-old tradition Changing technology - Hunting techniques and harvesting patterns have undergone drastic changes in the past several decades as a result of the introduction of modern technology and the concentration of the population in permanent communities. Although hunting territories have shrunk overall since people have moved into permanent settlements, the range and efficiency of individual hunters has greatly increased with the acquisition of snowmobiles, power boats, and rifles. The over-exploitation of wildlife in the vicinity of communities has encouraged the expansion of hunting territory using powered vehicles and "outpost camps". Outpost camps are seasonal camps that are used regularly by the hunters of a community as a base for hunting activity. Harvest Maps - These are maps that illustrate the areas where harvesting occurs along the Northwest Passage as well as the travel routes taken by the hunters. These maps are available for the Lancaster Sound and Coronation Gulf regions. MicroMaps - These are close-up maps that indicate harvesting activity and species distribution in specific areas in the Lancaster Sound and Coronation Gulf regions.
|
