On Friday, February 15, 2019, "Greenlandic and Ainu hunting cultures: From a perspective of environmental conservation and cultural succession" was held at the Hokkaido University Museum. In this event, Toku Oshima, a full-time hunter and our research collaborator from Qaanaaq, Greenland, and young Ainu culture bearers gave talks. The event also provided an opportunity to exchange views on hunting, fishing and efforts for cultural revitalization in a round-table talk.
First, Shin Sugiyama (Hokkaido University) talked about the nature of Greenland and life in Qaanaaq, followed by Toku Oshima talking about hunting, fishing and cultural revitalization activities in Qaanaaq. Next, Mokkotunas Kitahara and Shiaki Kondo from Hokkaido University presented recent activities regarding revitalization of Ainu and Alaska Native cultures, respectively. After the talks, the speakers and young Ainu culture bearers exchanged views on traditional hunting and fishing cultures as well as how to hand down traditional knowledge and practice to the next generation. Methods of hunting and fishing were compared between the Greenlandic and Ainu cultures. Traditional tools and clothing of each culture were displayed in the room, so that participants were able to touch and observe the details.
On the day before the event, Toku Oshima visited the Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum and Shigeru Kayano Nibutani Ainu Museum with ArCS researchers, and exchanged views on hunting and cultural revitalization with local people.
Daiki Sakakibara (Hokkaido University / A member of Theme 2)
A talk by Toku Oshima
The round-table talk
Exhibition of traditional tools and clothing of each culture
Visit of Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum
Visit of Shigeru Kayano Nibutani Ainu Museum
