ARCUS Student Award | 3rd Annual Award
3rd Annual ARCUS Award for Arctic Research Excellence
| Submitted by: | Kerrie Ann Shannon |
| Author: | Kerrie Ann Shannon |
| Title: | An examination of traditional knowledge: the case of the Inuit sled dog |
| Affiliation: | Department of Sociology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK |
Abstract
This paper suggests why traditional knowledge is relevant for examining the social and cultural importance of sled dogs within Inuit culture, as well as examines traditional knowledge surrounding the care and maintenance of dog teams. Data were gathered during a research project in a Northwest Hudson Bay Inuit community in the winter of 1995/`996. Respondents were interviewed with respect to traditional knowledge concerning dogs and dog teams. This paper focuses on aspects of this traditional knowledge. It was observed that considerable inconsistencies were reflected in the responses and this paper explores some of the possible reasons for these inconsistencies. This paper situates the topic within the contexts of other research and will: 1) define traditional knowledge as used in this paper, 2) explain why traditional knowledge is a relevant aspect of culture to consider, 3) briefly describe research methods used, 4) give an overview of some interview results, 5) examine sources for inconsistencies in some aspects of traditional knowledge.