“You Can Never Replace the Caribou”: Inuit Experiences of Ecological Grief from Caribou Declines

Candidate in Public Health and International Development at the University of Guelph, and a research-based videographer and photographer. David's work unites an interest in research for transformative social and environmental change with a passion for visual media. With the intent of utilizing the strengths of both fields, his academic and work experience has been shaped by the desire to push at the frontiers of using audio-visual techniques to explore and understand social and environmental issues around the world. In collaboration with Inuit from Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut, Labrador, David is focused on co-producing knowledge about the relationship between caribou and Inuit well-being through community-based documentary film and photography.

Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Health and an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Her research investigates associations between weather, environment, and Indigenous health in the context of climate change, and she collaborates with Indigenous partners to prioritize climate-related health actions, planning, interventions, and research. Dr. Harper serves as: Lead Author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC); Lead Author on the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6-WG2); member of the Gender Task Group for the IPCC; member of the Editorial Board of Epidemiology and Infection; Chapter Lead for the Health Canada Climate Change and Health National Assessment; and Contributing Author to the Natural Resources Canada National Climate Change Assessment.

Candidate in Public Health at the University of Guelph, and Executive Director of the Torngat Wildlife, Plants, and Fisheries Secretariat, a co-management organization created from the Nunatsiavut land claims agreement. Born and raised in Labrador, Jamie is a member of the NunatuKavut Community Council, and dedicates his research and policy leadership to serving the needs and priorities of Inuit and the North. His PhD research examines the ways in which co-management of fish and wildlife influences Inuit health and wellbeing. Jamie is Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholar, and a recipient of the inaugural Aboriginal Scholarship from the University of Guelph. He is the former Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay (2013-2017) and a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Born and raised in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, Labrador. Proud of her Inuit heritage, Inez has worked in a number of positions in her community that promote connection to and preservation of culture and heritage, including as a member of the Heritage Committee. Inez was previously the lead of the “My Word” Storytelling and Digital Media Lab in Rigolet, where she led community-based participatory processes to conduct research on a variety of research topics including climate change, cultural preservation, youth mentorship and resilience, food and water security, and contaminants. She is a regular presenter at national and international conferences, and is known across the North as an Inuit research leader. In 2016, Inez was the recipient of the prestigious Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami's Inuit Research Recognition Award. She is also a well-known Inuit artist, sharing her love of culture through arts and visual media.

Health Researcher/Evaluator for the Nunatsiavut Government, Department of Health and Social Development based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Michele was born in the beautiful community of North West River and has spent most of her career in Labrador. She strongly believes in the importance of supporting community-based participatory research partnerships and promoting community wellness. Michele has a Master's degree in Information Management from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Acadia University. Her love for her job within the Nunatsiavut Government gives her hope that, as a beneficiary, she is contributing all that she can to make the experience of others and future generations a positive one.

Aaron Dale (Torngat Wildlife, Plants, and Fisheries Secretariat); Charlie Flowers (University of Guelph); Jim Goudie (Nunatsiavut Government); Amy Hudson (NunatuKavut Community Council); Charlene Kippenhuck (NunatuKavut Community Council); Meredith Purcell (Torngat Wildlife, Plants, and Fisheries Secretariat); George Russell (NunatuKavut Community Council); Jamie Snook (Torngat Wildlife, Plants, and Fisheries Secretariat); Joseph Townley (Nunatsiavut Government); Michele Wood (Nunatsiavut Government).