knowledge passed down from generation to generation.
It is estimated that the Inuit have lived in Northern Canada for thousands of years. In this time they have developed a rich culture and many traditions. They have also gained a lot of knowledge about the local land and environment of the North.
Grandparents and Elders within each community play a vital role in sharing and passing knowledge. Inuit have relied on the spoken word and story telling to pass and share knowledge between generations. This is known as traditional knowledge.
People & the land
Interview an elder, such as your grandparent or another older person in your neighbourhood, to learn some traditional knowledge about your own community. Ask them what they remember about what the environment was like when they were younger.
Traditional knowledge among Aboriginal people is often linked to the relationship between people and the land. Knowledge about weather, and good places to hunt, fish and gather food was necessary for survival. Traditional knowledge about the North is important today for understanding the changes that are taking place due to climate change and other environmental problems.
