ABSTRACT
This explores the forms of environmental knowledge that hunters are using as they develop effective ways of maintaining lives on the land through this period of environmental change. The Inuit have adapted to this transient environment and have developed unique cosmologies that reflect a deep understanding and appreciation of the dynamic Arctic landscape. This ability of the Inuit to flourish in a seemingly harsh and precarious environment their adaptive capacity has long intrigued many scholars. Peoples sense of seasonality is closely related to changes in the physical environment and to animal migration patterns. The local hunting rules have been amended to reflect changes in environmental conditions and animal behaviour. Environmental knowledge is constantly renewed and regenerated to keep pace with the shifting environment. The chapter provides useful lessons for people who may be exploring measures to build a viable community that can cope with environmental perturbations and to revitalize a connection between humans and the environment in which they reside.
