Inuit Ethnobotany in the North American Subarctic and Arctic: Celebrating a Rich History and Expanding Research into New Areas Using Biocultural Diversity

Historically, plant usage by the Inuit was considered minimal. Our recent understanding of Inuit plant usage has been informed by concepts such as biocultural diversity and keystone species, and these new ideas began to dispel myths about a lack of importance of plants in Inuit culture. Chapter 1 is a review and synthesis of literature concerning Inuit plant usage from across the four Inuit regions including Alaska, Canadian Western Arctic, Canadian Eastern Arctic and Subarctic, and Greenland. In total, there were 311 taxa reported across the four regions, corresponding to 73 families. There were similar levels of plant diversity in all four regions. Only 16 Families and 25 taxa were common to all regions, but 50%-70% of taxa and 75%-90% of Families were reported in at least two of the four regions, and neighbouring regions generally had higher overlap than regions farther apart. Similarly, all four regions showed edible, medicine, fire, and design as their top usage categories, as well as common, clear differentiation concerning what taxa are used for what purpose. Regarding medicinal uses, Ericaceae was the top medicinal Family in all regions, and dermal ailments were the most common treated illness in all regions. There also appeared to be pan-Inuit applications for Ericaceae for gastrointestinal and viral illnesses, and Salicaceae and Pinaceae for dermal treatments. Results of the review suggest that common patterns of plant knowledge and plant use exist across the entirety of the Inuit territory. Chapter 2 uses biocultural diversity to describe plant usage in Nunatsiavut (Labrador), a self-governing Inuit region within Canada, part of the Eastern Canadian Inuit region. Biocultural diversity is a concept that links biological and cultural diversities. The current body of work around biocultural diversity is extremely biased towards low latitudes, with much less information available at higher ones. To expand this framework into a Subarctic context, this paper seeks to understand how plant diversity supports intra-cultural diversity within the Nunatsiavut region, including communities of Postville, Hopedale, and Rigolet, via interviews with community members. In total, 66 taxa were identified among the three communities. Approximately 75% of taxa were common to at least two communities, corresponding to 95% of all responses. Edible plants were the most common reported usage, with particular emphasis on berry producing taxa. Plants and culture were highly linked via (i) supporting cultural activities; (ii) marking for historical events; (iii) highlighting intergenerational exchange and valuing of plant knowledge; (iv) expressing the deep awareness that people have for their local environment; and (v) a medium for the expression of traditional values. The similarities in the plant responses among the communities suggest a common body of plant knowledge among Postville, Hopedale, and Rigolet. It is clear that plants support a rich diversity of cultural activities, local memory and history, and traditional values. This study supports the inclusion of a biocultural perspective in a northern context and brings attention to the cultural importance of plants in northern communities. We hope that readers will finish reading this thesis with a profound appreciation for the value of plants in Inuit culture. From northern Alaska to eastern Greenland, both historically and presently, plants are undeniable pillars of Inuit culture.

Keyphrases: Inuit, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, ethnobiology, Arctic, Subarctic, North America, plant usage, edible plants, medicinal plants, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, biocultural diversity