Picturing the Thelon River

Picturing the Thelon River is an extended case study that engages different knowledges of the Thelon River watershed in Arctic Canada to cultivate enhanced understanding of, and responsible relationships to, a significant place within the context of social-ecological change. It is a community-based and participatory research project emphasizing collaborative relationships between northern Aboriginal communities, river tourists, and university researchers.

The initial phase of study (2008-2011) involved working with canoeists and Inuit residents of Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake, Nunavut) to document knowledge about the Thelon, and to share this knowledge within and between groups.

The second phase (2012) prioritized outreach by sharing outcomes of the initial study with representatives of the Lutsel K’eDene First Nation in the Northwest Territories.

The ongoing third phase involves working with the community of Lutsel K’e to reveal and restore Denesoline relationships with the Thelon.

This research was supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Insight Development Grant, 2013-2016.