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Quotes from the Elder's Conference on Climate Change 2001 (Cambridge Bay, Nunavut)

"All of our accumulated knowledge of the weather patterns are unwritten and has been passed down for generations orally. I do not speak or write any English, so I can not say I know what they talk about in regards to climate change. But the changes are in our climate. The weather has changed." (Aqpik, pg. 25)

"We first started seeing changes in the eighties. The weather was less predictable and divergence between the years became norm." (Angutingurniq, pg.20)

"Just this summer we got an advisory to wear sunglasses, hats and suntan lotion. This is worrisome for those of us who have never had to wear this before" (Attungala, pg. 62)

"The ten warmest summers on record for Nunavut have been posted in the last ten years." (Aknavigak, pg.59)

"...Inuit of the Kivalliq region have been told in no uncertain terms, not to eat such and such a part (of animals) due to heavy concentrations of heavy metals or pollutants. Usually, these are the best part of the animal." (Attungala, pg.62)

"..We have to keep in mind that (the traditional knowledge of our ancestors is) the benchmark for the change to our environment that is occurring in Nunavut. They were collected over a millennia and should be used by governments in looking at the changes to the climate." (Qaroik, pg.59)

"Acceptance is the main issues, pollution from the entire northern hemisphere gathers at the northern regions and the polluters have to accept responsibility...Have the scientists presented their findings to the right people? Are they going to wait until Inuit are dying before they state that this is getting dangerous? ... Due to (our) small population base and large geographical distribution, we do not often get the attention of big countries." (Kusugak, pg.68)

"Inuit may have to sway public opinion, before government leaders are convinced of the problem. Documenting the elders' observations and passing them on to scientists and government are part of a plan to do that" (Kusugak)

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