Transcript:

Narrator:
“Caribou country”.  For centuries arctic peoples have relied on migrating animals.  Now the herds are in decline…

Don Russell:
We suspect this is a natural phenomenon.  It has global implications, and probably the reason has something to do with global weather patterns. 

Narrator:
Changing animal populations are affecting communities across the North…

John Joseph Kaye:
Caribou - sometimes they don’t come through here.

Cindy Dickson:
If we don’t have our caribou, then we have to hunt other species (animals) or buy more food from the store.

Narrator:
Scientists can learn how to help the situation by listening to northern Elders…

Mary Jane Moses:
Traditional knowledge is passed on through story-telling.  And we in turn carry that message to the next generation.

Narrator:
Local people (are) working with scientists…

Don Russell:
We have a number of community partners that are “sitting at the same table” as biologists and climate-change experts, to learn a lot more about the vulnerability of these herds.

Narrator:
As part of Canada’s commitment to International Polar Year scientists are studying this important issue.