![Sample our Geography journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5937/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Geography.jpg"})
Abstract
Research on the human dimensions of global climate change should consider the way at‐risk populations confront uncertainty through cultural practices. This is a vital point for indigenous peoples around the world, but particularly for those in the Arctic region where the effects of climate change are most dramatic. The Iñupiat of Arctic Alaska are especially susceptible to climatic and associated environmental changes, because they rely on sea ice to hunt the bowhead whale. Employing a humanistic approach, this paper reveals Iñupiaq cultural resilience by exploring how collective uncertainty tied to the effects of climate change is manifested in Iñupiaq lives. These experiences show how the human dimensions of climate change, cultural resilience, and identity politics are integrated in the Arctic. By reinforcing their cultural relationship with the bowhead whale, these Iñupiat better cope with an unpredictable future.
The author extends her gratitude to the financial assistance provided by a United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (Geography and Regional Science Program and Arctic Social Science Program, Award ID # 0526168) and NSF Early‐Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) (Arctic Social Sciences Program, Award ID #0939905), logistical support by the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, and grants from the Center for Ethnomusicology and the Earth Institute, both at Columbia University and Oberlin College. Jessica Jelacic, GIS specialist at the United States Forest Service, has graciously shared her map of the North Slope Borough for this work. I am especially grateful for the support from the following individuals to complete this manuscript: Igor Krupnik, Arctic Studies Center at the Smithsonian Institution, Douglas Nakashima of UNESCO, Robert Rundstrom at the University of Oklahoma, Aaron Fox at Columbia University, and Karl Offen at Oberlin College. I also appreciated the comments and suggestions from the three anonymous reviewers to improve this manuscript as well as the editorial assistance provided by Julia Offen. Last but not least, my deepest gratitude goes to the people of Point Hope and Barrow, Alaska, for their continuous encouragement, friendship, and collaboration throughout my fieldwork and writing phases. Quyanaqpak, taikuu.
The author extends her gratitude to the financial assistance provided by a United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (Geography and Regional Science Program and Arctic Social Science Program, Award ID # 0526168) and NSF Early‐Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) (Arctic Social Sciences Program, Award ID #0939905), logistical support by the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, and grants from the Center for Ethnomusicology and the Earth Institute, both at Columbia University and Oberlin College. Jessica Jelacic, GIS specialist at the United States Forest Service, has graciously shared her map of the North Slope Borough for this work. I am especially grateful for the support from the following individuals to complete this manuscript: Igor Krupnik, Arctic Studies Center at the Smithsonian Institution, Douglas Nakashima of UNESCO, Robert Rundstrom at the University of Oklahoma, Aaron Fox at Columbia University, and Karl Offen at Oberlin College. I also appreciated the comments and suggestions from the three anonymous reviewers to improve this manuscript as well as the editorial assistance provided by Julia Offen. Last but not least, my deepest gratitude goes to the people of Point Hope and Barrow, Alaska, for their continuous encouragement, friendship, and collaboration throughout my fieldwork and writing phases. Quyanaqpak, taikuu.
Notes
The author extends her gratitude to the financial assistance provided by a United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (Geography and Regional Science Program and Arctic Social Science Program, Award ID # 0526168) and NSF Early‐Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) (Arctic Social Sciences Program, Award ID #0939905), logistical support by the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, and grants from the Center for Ethnomusicology and the Earth Institute, both at Columbia University and Oberlin College. Jessica Jelacic, GIS specialist at the United States Forest Service, has graciously shared her map of the North Slope Borough for this work. I am especially grateful for the support from the following individuals to complete this manuscript: Igor Krupnik, Arctic Studies Center at the Smithsonian Institution, Douglas Nakashima of UNESCO, Robert Rundstrom at the University of Oklahoma, Aaron Fox at Columbia University, and Karl Offen at Oberlin College. I also appreciated the comments and suggestions from the three anonymous reviewers to improve this manuscript as well as the editorial assistance provided by Julia Offen. Last but not least, my deepest gratitude goes to the people of Point Hope and Barrow, Alaska, for their continuous encouragement, friendship, and collaboration throughout my fieldwork and writing phases. Quyanaqpak, taikuu.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Chie Sakakibara
Dr. Sakakibara is an assistant professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 44074‐1502; [[email protected]].