Shari Gearheard's Photo Gallery

This map shows Nunavut and the location of Clyde River where Dr. Shari Gearheard lives and bases most of her research.  Also shown are the communities of Igloolik, Baker Lake, and Iqaluit where she has also worked.  The photos below are from two of Dr. Gearheard's current projects - the Siku-Inuit-Hila Project and the Igliniit Project.

As part of the Siku-Inuit-Hila project, community members in Clyde River Nunavut, Qaanaaq Greenland, and Barrow Alaska install and monitor sea ice measurement stations. The stations collect data about sea ice and snow thickness and temperature, and other parameters. This information is combined with Inuit knowledge to understand local sea ice characteristics and processes.  The Siku-Inuit-Hila project brings Inuit and scientists together to examine sea ice, sea ice use, and sea ice change in different regions of the Arctic.

(All photos copyright Shari Gearheard.)

Icebergs are a key feature of the sea ice environment around Clyde River. Here a group of people from the community enjoy exploring the icescape.

Joelie Sanguya of Clyde River and Joe Leavitt of Barrow work with Gearheard in the Siku-Inuit-Hila project. Here, hunters  Sanguya and Leavitt discuss and compare sea ice terminology from their own communities.  Documenting sea ice terminology is a key part of the project.

One of the best ways for Inuit and scientists to work together is to share common experiences and work directly with what they are studying. In the Siku-Inuit-Hila project, scientists and Inuit travel the sea ice together. The sea ice acts as the common denominator; everyone is able to share their own knowledge and experience as they work together directly with the ice.

Team members take time off the sea ice for discussion in the Siku-Inuit-Hila project. From left: Joelie Sanguya (Clyde River), Andy Mahoney (University of Colorado), Igah Sanguya (Clyde River), Ilkoo Angutikjuak (Clyde River), Nancy Leavitt (Barrow), Joe Leavitt (Barrow), Warren Matumeak (Barrow).

The Igliniit project brings Inuit hunters and GPS engineers together to design a new, integrated system that logs GPS tracks, weather data, and hunters' observations through a touch-screen interface. The new technology has application for traditional knowledge and environmental change research, land use planning, harvest studies, wildlife studies, and search and rescue. Jacopie Panipak is one of the hunters helping to develop and test the system in Clyde River.

Elders and hunters in Clyde River map current and traditional travel routes as part of the Igliniit project.