Profile 4: Vicki Sahanatien - Nunavut Wildlife

Vicki Sahanatien has lived and worked in the Arctic since the mid-1990s when she moved to Inuvik, Northwest Territories to work in Ivvavik National Park and be the first female Chief Park Warden in Canada. Since that time, she worked in the environmental and wildlife research fields from the Alaska border to Baffin Island and north to Ellesmere Island.

Her most recentresearch effort was completing her Ph.D. (2015, University of Alberta) on the Polar Bears of Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Canada, where she studied polar bear sea ice habitat, space use and movements. As part of her doctoral research, she also interviewed Inuit elders and hunters about polar bear behaviour, distribution and habitat use. Throughout her career, Vicki has worked with indigenous people incorporating their traditional knowledge in land management, monitoring and research programs.

Vicki is the Director of Wildlife Management of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB). The NWMB is an independent tribunal established by the Nunavut Agreement and is the main instrument of wildlife management and regulator of access to wildlife in the Nunavut Settlement Area. It makes decisions on total allowable harvest, quotas, non-quota limitations, basic needs levels, and habitat protection for terrestrial and marine wildlife species. The NWMB also provides advice on marine management the offshore areas adjacent the Nunavut Settlement Area. The NWMB vision is “conserving wildlife through application of Inuit Qauimajatuqangit and scientific knowledge.”

Vicki is a member of the Range States Human-Polar Bear Conflict Working Group, Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS-Canada), and City of Iqaluit Recreation Committee. Vicki has been based in Iqaluit since 2000. She loves the arctic wilderness and particularly enjoys the 7 month ski season on Baffin Island where she lives.

• 1. What are the primary responsibilities and tasks in your current job?

  I oversee the work of the wildlife management division (5 wildlife management biologists) that supports the work of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. My group conducts research and analyses to establish or modify total allowable harvests and non-quota limitations for fish and wildlife populations in Nunavut Territory, Canada. In addition, my division is responsible for three research funds, conservation education, public consultation (hearings) on wildlife decisions, and community based monitoring projects

• 2. How did you get this position?

  Submitted an application, was notified that I was selected for an interview, completed a pre-interview written assignment, studied hard, and completed a 3.5 hour interview that included 2 presentations. My work experience in wildlife conservation and research, my Ph.D., and my life experience in the Canadian Arctic all played roles in me being selected for this job.

• 3. Had you always intended to pursue a non-academic career? If not, what led you to it?

  Yes, as I have always enjoyed applying science in conservation work. The work to bring scientific evidence to bear in land use and wildlife conservation decisions can be challenging but is always interesting.

• 4. What would you have done differently to be better prepared for your current position? Which choices in the past were successful?

  Perhaps completed my Ph.D. earlier in my career. But it is never too late! In the past taking on new work, challenges have almost always been beneficial. For much of my work career I was the first or only woman in a division, while sometimes this situation was uncomfortable it definitely made me develop self confidence and learn how to stand up for myself!

• 5. Are there opportunities in your working place for candidates having a PhD degree?

  There are opportunities with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. The section I supervise is comprised of 5 science professionals (terrestrial and marine disciplines). In addition, there are special projects that would be appropriate as post-doctoral projects in wildlife conservation and co-management with indigenous people.

• 6. Do you have any advice for working towards this career?

  There are many fantastic opportunities in the Canada Arctic for post-doctoral students and early career scientists. Many you can create by making contact with the right person in an organization that is within your discipline. Don’t be afraid to move to a small Arctic community, it will be very rewarding.