Government of Nunavut

In 2019 and 2021, we held participatory mapping workshops in Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik, and Rigolet (Nunatsiavut, Canada) to document Labrador Inuit’s knowledge of the sea ice and ocean environment. We provide an overview of the iterative and adaptable methodological approach we used to support collaborative and transcultural marine research, emphasizing participants’ experiences during the process. The participatory mapping method created a space that encouraged participants to recall journeys across different times and places. Sharing these journeys provided essential contextual details connecting social and cultural values to the marine environment, while also conveying information about ice and ocean conditions. This approach resulted in collecting spatial and qualitative narrative data related to the marine environment that reflected local climate patterns and snapshots of unusual events or conditions observed at specific times and locations. We highlight that maps mainly facilitate knowledge-sharing rather than generating knowledge itself. This is evident in how Inuit participants interacted with the maps as objects that evoked memories and prompted movement across land-, sea-, and ice-scapes.

A passive air monitoring network was established in the Canadian Arctic and Great Lakes Basin (GLB) in 2015 as a pilot study to assess the spatial distribution of contaminants. At each site, a XAD-based passive air sampler (PAS) and a polyurethane form-based PAS were deployed. Results from 2015 to 2022 showed that hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), a highly volatile organic chemical (HVOC), is the most abundant and widespread chemical in air. Other frequently detected chemicals were hexachlorobenzene (HCB), di- and tri-bromoanisoles (BAs), and 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro-3,6-dimethoxybenzene (DAME). Air concentrations of HCB, BAs, DAME, pentachlorobenzene, and α-hexachlorocyclohexane in the Arctic and GLB air were similar. These chemicals are highly volatile and thus easily disperse in air. On the contrary, semi-VOCs such as polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordanes, and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene showed higher atmospheric concentrations in the Great Lakes Basin than the Arctic. Urban air showed elevated levels in organophosphate esters and neutral per- and polyfluorinated substances in comparison with Arctic air. These chemicals are mostly related to industrial activities and consumer products. Their atmospheric levels are positively related to urbanization. At all the sites, there were no consistent temporal trends among the chemicals. Our pilot study has established the protocols for sampling and analytical methods for a long-term monitoring network at difficult-to-access remote environments providing spatially resolved contaminant levels and temporal trends.

Abstract Wildlife health and conservation are increasingly recognized as key to improving human, animal, and environmental health (One Health) and detecting and addressing threats such as altered distribution and transmission of zoonotic diseases due to climate change. Wildlife, and therefore wildlife management, are crucial for the livelihood and well‐being of people in the Canadian North, a vast geographic area with low population density and socio‐economic disparities, which can make widespread program implementation challenging. We analyzed and compared 4 case studies on collaborative programs on wildlife health management from 4 distinct jurisdictions in the Canadian North: the Yukon, chronic wasting disease surveillance in ungulates; Northwest Territories, rabies in arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus ); Nunavut, foodborne diseases in harvested wildlife; and Nunavik, Québec, ringed seal ( Pusa hispida ) health and Trichinella in walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus ). The case studies differed in whether they focused on a specific pathogen, transmission route, or health of a specific wildlife population. Despite these differences, 3 main themes were common to all case studies: collaboration, infrastructure limitations, and adaptation. Collaboration promotes greater community buy‐in and investment as community members help shape the program and is key to long‐term success, sustainability, and local relevance. Laboratory infrastructure and human resource capacity are limited in most regions, highlighting the importance of collaboration among Indigenous‐managed boards and organizations, community members, government agencies at multiple levels, academic institutions, and the national wildlife health non‐governmental organization (Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative). Examples of adaptations include capitalizing on wildlife harvest for fur and food to obtain samples for surveillance, developing regulations to train and permit veterinary paraprofessionals and community volunteers to facilitate co‐existence of pets and people with wildlife reservoirs of rabies, jointly developing regulations to prevent introduction of non‐endemic diseases, and adapting hunting locations based on the results of wildlife disease monitoring. Combining Indigenous knowledge and a One Health framework is fundamental to co‐managing zoonotic and food‐borne diseases in wildlife while respecting Indigenous ways of life. The case studies provide meaningful examples of collaboration and solutions to address complex problems at the One Health interface and to use a holistic and community‐based approach to facilitate the creation of regionally acceptable and culturally relevant programs, with better outcomes for wildlife, human, and environmental health.

ABSTRACTTo date, environmental conditions have been enough to act as an effective barrier to prevent non‐indigenous species from arriving and establishing in Arctic Canada. However, rapidly changing climatic conditions are creating more suitable habitats for non‐indigenous species to potentially establish and become invasive. Concurrently, shipping traffic in parts of Arctic Canada has increased by over 250% since 1990, providing an effective vector for transporting non‐indigenous species to the region. Arctic Canada has been historically undersampled, so Arctic biota inventories are incomplete, hampering efforts to establish if a species is new to the region (and potentially invasive) or newly discovered. In this study, we utilize environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and ships of opportunity to assess eukaryotic community composition and potential invasives along one of the busiest shipping routes, the Northwest Passage. One liter seawater samples were collected in triplicate at 27 locations, targeting touristic hotspots frequently visited by passenger vessels. Eukaryotic DNA was amplified from the 18S rRNA V9 and COI regions, resulting in 126 unique Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) detected with COI and 391 ASVs with 18S, providing an important snapshot of current community composition. Copepods, dinoflagellates, and diatoms were the most abundant taxonomic groups, correlating well with previous net sampler surveys, validating the efficacy of eDNA for biodiversity surveillance. We also report the first detections of a prolific invasive species, the bay barnacle (Amphibalanus improvisus), in Arctic Canada. Further work is currently in progress to establish whether these detections represent transient barnacle larvae or sessile adults capable of recruiting and reproducing. Our study demonstrates the utility of eDNA for the detection of non‐indigenous species in a data‐poor area, which, if combined with citizen science initiatives and local communities, could provide a vital monitoring tool for the detection of new invasives in this rapidly changing area.

This study analyzed Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) from remnant nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) specimens in Nunavut, Canada (2020-2023) to assess strain distribution, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and co-infection rates. Among 2,221 GC-positive specimens, no cephalosporin resistance was detected, but intermediate-to-decreased susceptibility increased in 2023. Predicted ciprofloxacin resistance was 45%, and azithromycin resistance remained stable at 9.6%. Of 778 tested specimens, 31.4% were co-infected with Mgen, with 49.2% associated with azithromycin resistance, but none with moxifloxacin resistance. These findings highlight emerging AMR trends and support reassessment of current treatment guidelines. Remnant urine specimens submitted for nucleic acid amplification testing identified differences in the prevalence and AMR patterns in GC and Mgen in a large Canadian Arctic territory.IMPORTANCENunavut has the highest gonorrhea rates in Canada, yet antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is limited to culture-based testing. This study bridges that gap by using molecular assays to predict AMR directly from remnant nucleic acid amplification test specimens, providing data for remote regions that lack the resources to culture and transport Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures. Findings highlight relevant AMR trends for gonorrhea treatment. Mgen, despite increasing clinical prevalence and high co-infection rates with other sexually transmitted infections, is not included in national surveillance programs, furthering the need for extended monitoring.

ABSTRACTThe applications of epigenetic clocks – statistical models that predict an individual's age based on DNA methylation patterns – are expanding in wildlife conservation and management. This growing interest highlights the need for field‐specific design best practices. Here, we provide recommendations for two main applications of wildlife epigenetic clocks: estimating the unknown ages of individuals and assessing their biological ageing rates. Epigenetic clocks were originally developed to measure biological ageing rates of human tissues, which presents challenges for their adoption in wildlife research. Most notably, the estimated chronological ages of sampled wildlife can be unreliable, and sampling restrictions limit the number and variety of tissues with which epigenetic clocks can be constructed, reducing their accuracy. To address these challenges, we present a detailed workflow for designing, validating applying accurate wildlife epigenetic clocks. Using simulations and analyses applied to an extensive polar bear dataset from across the Canadian Arctic, we demonstrate that accurate epigenetic clocks for wildlife can be constructed and validated using a limited number of samples, accommodating projects with small budgets and sampling constraints. The concerns we address are critical for clock design, whether researchers or third‐party service providers perform the bioinformatics. With our workflow and examples, we hope to support the accessible and widespread use of epigenetic clocks in wildlife conservation and management.

Abstract Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) are an iconic Arctic species with a critical ecological role as a top predator. Bowheads can reach up to 80 tonnes and 20 m, yet feed on zooplankton four orders of magnitude smaller. Arctic zooplankton community composition and distribution are changing, which may have direct impacts on bowhead foraging. Data on the threshold prey density for successful bowhead feeding are needed to predict these impacts. However, zooplankton densities are patchy temporally and spatially, influenced by oceanographic conditions that alter the location of energetically profitable patches. We assessed spatio-temporal patterns in zooplankton abundance and distribution using a multi-frequency echosounder following a systematic and opportunistic survey near feeding whales in Iqalujjuaq Fjord, Cumberland Sound, Nunavut (65.66°N, 65.20°W) during August 2023. Zooplankton net samples were used to validate the acoustic data. There was a strong link between copepod distribution and environmental variables (e.g. water depth and tidal cycle) (generalized additive models, P < .001). Copepods were present in 49.8% of the fjord, with a median density of 3240 copepods m−3 and 0.26 g C m−3. Based on published prey density requirements, this site provides feeding opportunities for juveniles but is insufficient for the needs of adults (>0.44 g C m−3).

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of nursing education standards across cultures, focusing on baccalaureate transitions in developing nations. A systematic literature review methodology was employed, analyzing 49 studies from databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate. The analysis revealed common challenges across developing nations, including outdated curricula, inadequate clinical education, limited technology integration, and workforce retention issues. However, it also identified innovative approaches such as problem-based learning, simulation-based training, and global health integration. Findings highlight the need for context-specific educational strategies that align with global standards while addressing local healthcare needs. The study concludes that improving nursing education in developing nations requires multi-faceted approaches, including curriculum modernization, enhanced clinical training, technology integration, and stronger quality assurance mechanisms. Recommendations include investing in faculty development, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and fostering international collaborations. This analysis is significant in providing a comprehensive overview of nursing education challenges and potential solutions in developing nations, informing policy and educational reform efforts.