By the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative
From March 11–15, 2025, community members from across the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut gathered in Calgary for a hands-on workshop focused on wildlife health, community-based monitoring, and safe sample collection, put on by the Kutz Research Group, in collaboration with the University of Calgary’ Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU), and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC). In particular, the workshop was organized and led by Dr. Fabien Mavrot of the Kutz Research Group. Dr. Mavrot’s leadership and tireless work behind the scenes—from program development to logistics, community liaison, and coordination of partners—made the event possible. In addition, a huge thank you to Patrick Fuller and the rest of the DSU for their hard work and support.
Voices from Across the North
Participants came from Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk, Ulukhaktok, Behchokö, Sachs Harbour, and Cambridge Bay and Baker Lake (virtually), as well as locally from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. They brought a wealth of knowledge and experience as harvesters, Guardians, Hunters and Trappers Committee members, biologists, and wildlife officers.
The small group setting allowed for meaningful connections between participants and researchers, creating space for open dialogue, shared learning, and trust-building. As discussed throughout the workshop, these relationships are the foundation of a responsive and community-driven wildlife health system where questions about unusual findings in harvested animals can be addressed quickly and collaboratively.
Wildlife Health and Food Sovereignty
For northern communities, country food is central to health, culture, and survival. With the rising cost of store-bought food and ongoing climate and ecological change, safe access to harvested wildlife is more important than ever.
Community members often encounter abnormalities in harvested animals—such as lesions, thinness, or unusual behaviour—and ask the critical question: Is this safe to eat? These concerns are especially relevant in light of recent reports of avian influenza in birds and marine mammals in Nunavut.
This workshop provided the tools and confidence to help answer that question. Recognizing signs of disease, understanding what’s unusual, and knowing how to safely collect and submit samples empowers communities to make informed decisions about food safety and public health.
While the workshop addressed the health of a wide range of Arctic wildlife, including caribou, muskoxen, and insects, special sessions focused on marine mammal health and sampling techniques. This component of the training was made possible with support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and we are especially grateful to the Marine Animal Response Society for donating two seal carcasses, which gave participants a unique opportunity for hands-on training.
Workshop Highlights
A central goal of the workshop was to bring together participants from communities already engaged in a community-based wildlife health surveillance program, coordinated through the Kutz Research Group and CWHC Alberta. This existing network made it possible to convene a wide group of experienced harvesters, Guardians, and local experts, and provided a strong foundation for peer-to-peer learning and mutual support.
Over four days, the workshop combined presentations, field demonstrations, lab tours, and open discussion. Participants learned about:
- Identifying signs of disease in both marine and terrestrial wildlife
- Safe sample collection techniques, including PPE use, proper tools, and handling of carcasses
- What to do with sick animals and who should be responsible for sampling
- How samples are processed in diagnostic labs, including histology and bacteriology
- Diseases of concern in Arctic wildlife, including zoonoses and foodborne pathogens
- Using tools like the CWHC reporting app and the SIKU platform to document and share findings
- Hands-on necropsies and insect collection demonstrations to increase confidence and skills in the field
Participants appreciated seeing the “life of a sample”, from collection to lab analysis, and learning the rationale behind collecting specific tissues such as spleen or feces.
Bringing Together Knowledge Systems
A central feature of the workshop was bringing together Indigenous Knowledge and Western science to better understand wildlife health and design community-based surveillance programs. Throughout the sessions, participants and instructors shared observations, questions, and lived experiences, contributing to a richer, more place-based understanding of what wildlife health means in the North.
The workshop team emphasized that sampling isn’t just technical; it’s also relational. Participants stressed the importance of follow-up after sample analysis, which not only helps explain results but strengthens relationships between harvesters and researchers.
What We Heard: Reflections and Recommendations
Enooyaq Sudlovenick was part of the team putting together the workshop, and she highlighted several important themes in her report on the workshop:
- Trust and relationships matter: Strong partnerships between communities and researchers create accountability and long-term collaboration.
- Workshop timing is critical: Offering these trainings before sampling seasons begin helps participants understand what to collect and why.
- There’s interest in expanding sampling efforts, including on caribou fat and trace element studies, especially near development zones.
- Logistics remain a challenge, with limited freezer space and inconsistent sample compensation across regions.
- Younger generations should be more involved—many participants suggested future workshops include youth.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Network
The overarching goal of the workshop was to strengthen the community-based wildlife health surveillance network and to empower community members to confidently assess, report, and respond to wildlife health issues—especially those affecting animals critical to northern diets and lifeways.
This workshop is part of a broader effort by the Kutz Research Group, the CWHC, and northern governments and co-management agencies to build community-based surveillance systems that connect harvesters, co-management bodies, and researchers through trust, shared data, and responsive feedback.
With Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to the participants, facilitators, and communities who made this gathering a success.
We also thank our workshop sponsors, including Polar Knowledge Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Marine Animal Response Society, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Diagnostic Services Unit, the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (NWT CIMP), and Canada North Outfitting.