Arctic biodiversity is essential for the physical and spiritual well-being of Indigenous peoples, whose connection to the environment is through direct relationships to its fauna and flora. Arctic Ocean resources and activities impact ecologies and human communities far inland and across borders. Arctic river systems, whose waters flow both to and from the Arctic Ocean have historically provided not only the food security of Indigenous peoples, and are also a source of their identities: many tribes are “Salmon Peoples” of the Arctic. A term that recognizes the inextricable bond between human and wildlife.

The Arctic Council has acknowledged that the use of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is essential to a sustainable future in the Arctic. Therefore, this project involves both IK holders and scientists in  designing an assessment of freshwater river systems based on IK. The design of this holistic assessment is focusing on “Salmon peoples” as a measure of ecosystem health, and outline data needs that could contribute to the resilience and adaptation of these peoples and the salmon populations upon which they depend.