Almost ten years ago, the Naskapi Nation completed a major study that brought together our elders, hunters, researchers, and youth to understand how climate change was affecting our land, our wildlife, and our community. The project—Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on the Caribou, the Land, and the Naskapi Nation—remains one of the most detailed climate studies ever carried out in our territory.
The work included community workshops, interviews, participatory mapping, and wildlife observations. Elders shared the conditions they grew up with; hunters described the challenges they were seeing on the land; and researchers helped compare these accounts with long term climate data. Together, the study created a clear picture of rapid changes already underway.
Some of the key findings included:
- Shorter, warmer wintersElders noticed far fewer extreme cold days, delayed freeze-up, and earlier thaws. These shifts made travel more unpredictable and increased risks on lakes and rivers.
- Thinner ice and changing snow conditionsHunters reported lakes that no longer froze as they once did; unsafe trails; earlier break-up; and new dangers for skidoo travel and winter hunting.
- Major changes in the George River caribou herdPeople observed smaller groups, altered migration routes, declining health, and reduced fat stores. This directly affected food security and limited access to country food.
- Shifts in other species and plantsResidents noticed more wolves and foxes; fewer ptarmigan and geese; smaller fish; and changes in the health of tamarack, spruce, berries, and medicinal plants.
- Impacts on culture, health, and daily lifeWith changing land conditions, traditional activities—especially teaching youth on the land—became more difficult. Community members expressed concern about the long term effects on culture, knowledge, and health.
The study didn’t stop at documenting impacts. It also identified community-driven adaptation strategies: forming a climate change working group; expanding monitoring programs; improving hunting safety; supporting food security; and building locally developed educational resources for the school.
Although a decade has passed, the findings remain highly relevant. Many of the changes described then are exactly the challenges we continue to face today. This study provides a strong foundation for future planning, land protection, and renewed monitoring efforts.
You can now read the full reports and workshop documents on our Climate section here:
Thank you for taking the time to revisit this important work.