Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program 2015 – A Return to Behchokǫ̀

This year’s fish camp held near Behchokǫ̀ from September 14-18 marked an important phase in the Tłı̨chǫ Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP).  The program had its start here in 2010. A fish camp was set up at a traditional fish harvesting site on an island in Marian Lake that August, focused primarily on sampling fish.  In 2011, in addition to fish, water and sediment were also sampled at a camp on Russell Lake, and the program grew into today’s TAEMP, a community-based program to monitor fish and their habitat near each of the Tłı̨chǫ communities.

TAEMP 2015 fish camp on Marian Lake (Photo:  Paul Vecsei, Golder Associates)

Since then, fish, water and sediments near the remaining Tłı̨chǫ communities have been sampled and tested, as part of the first phase of the TAEMP:  collecting “baseline” information on fish and their habitats at areas important to community members.  Baseline data gives a snapshot of conditions that existed at the time of sampling.  That information can then be compared with data collected in the future and allow us to see if there are any changes to fish, water or sediment occurring over time. 

TAEMP  is in this second phase of the program now, which involves returning to lakes sampled four years earlier and repeating sampling to see if there have been any changes in that time.   This year’s fish camp began this next phase --comparative sampling-- beginning with the area around Behchokǫ̀.  Youth, elders, community members, and scientists set up camp on Russell Lake, and in this setting, learned from each other and shared information on the local aquatic environment. 

Youth learning about setting fish nets for sampling  (Photo:  Roberta Judas, Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board)

The six youth participants helped collect samples of fish, water and sediment, using standard scientific methods and equipment. The TAEMP team successfully sampled 20 Łih (Lake Whitefish), 17 Įhdaa (Northern Pike), and 11 Ehts'ę̀ę / Ehch'ę̀ę (Walleye [Pickerel]) that were needed for sampling, and will allow for comparison with the baseline information collected in 2011. There were on-shore demonstrations of fish processing and water and sediment sampling, as well as demonstrations of traditional fish preparation, including how to make dryfish.  Traditional storytelling, paying respect with a feeding the fire ceremony, visits to gravesites in the area, and learning about various plants were some of the cultural activities that also took place at camp. 

Elders demonstated traditional skills such as methods to prepare fish  (Photo:  Boyan Tracz, WRRB)

Sincere thanks to all who participated and assisted with making the TAEMP 2015 near Behchokǫ̀ a success. The TAEMP team acknowledges those who participated in 2011 and again in 2015, remembers those who participated and have since passed on, and also recognizes the contribution of new participants - both young and old.

What Happens Next?

Test results from fish, water and sediment samples collected at the fish camp will be reported back to the community of Behchokǫ̀ at a follow-up meeting in early 2016.  The workshop will also provide another opportunity to meet with participants at this year’s fish camp and with others to discuss the health of the aquatic ecosystem near their community. 

Fact Box

• TAEMP activities focus on sampling fish, water and sediments near Tłı̨chǫ communities, and using both traditional and scientific knowledge to address the question:  “Are the fish and water safe to consume?”
• In the TAEMP program, each year a fish monitoring camp is set up near a different Tłı̨chǫ community.  In the first phase of the program, fish monitoring camps were held on Marian Lake (2010), Russell Lake (2011), Snare Lake (2012), Rae Lakes (2013), and Lac la Martre (2014).  The second rotation through each community began with this year’s fish monitoring camp on Russell Lake (2015).  Next year’s camp will be held near Wekweètì. 

Fish biologist Paul Vecsei demonstrating how fish is processed for sampling and testing. (Photo:  Boyan Tracz, WRRB)

The TAEMP team thanks the project funders for this year’s fish camp:

• Department of Fisheries and Oceans
• Northern Contaminants Program

• Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) – formerly Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS)

• Tides Canada
• World Wildlife Fund / Loblaw Water Fund

In-kind support was provided by:

• Government of the Northwest Territories
• Tłı̨chǫ Government
• Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board
• Wek’èezhìı Renewable Resources Board

Some of the participants at this year's fish camp on the land near Behchokǫ̀.  Thanks to the elders, community members, youth, and resource people who taught and learned from each other and made the camp a success.   (Photo:  Meghan Schnurr, Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board)

Take a look through our Photo Gallery at the end of the article for more pictures!