NUNAVUT - Two books to be published in Iqaluit will offer a unique resource that partners traditional knowledge about caribou with conventional science, according to scientist Ryan Brook with the faculty of veterinary medicine of the University of Calgary.

Scientist Ryan Brook dissects a caribou during research for an anatomy atlas dedicated to caribou. The atlas and another book for youth are scheduled to be published in Iqaluit. - photo courtesy of Ryan Brook

"The idea is that scientists need to communicate with communities to share what we find through studying caribou, and communities can tell us what they see on the land," Brook said.

A research team consisting of anatomists from both the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan participated in the project.

Christoph Muelling, a veterinary professor at the University of Calgary, participated in the project and travelled to communities in the Northwest Territories gathering information. He said he learned a lot about caribou during the experience.

"The heart is extremely athletic. It's huge for an animal this size," he said. "The internal elements of the nose are interesting, too. It's basically constructed to warm the inhaled air and bring it up to body temperature. There is a very efficient heating system in the nose to warm up the air before it goes into the lungs."

Muelling said the books will serve to help researchers, but they will also provide a forum to record traditional knowledge.

The first book will be a "youth-oriented Grade 6 level (textbook) in English and Inuktitut with a Nunavut focus," said Brook.

It will be distributed to schools throughout Nunavut. It is scheduled to be released this spring.

"The first one is not so much an anatomical atlas as much as an educational book with traditional knowledge about caribou and science and natural history information," Brook said.

He and his team travelled to Pond Inlet and Kimmirut last fall and spent time with local hunters and youth to gather information on caribou.

The second book will be a more comprehensive atlas that will aid both researchers and hunters.

The team partnered with Nunavut's Department of Environment and the Nunavut Bilingual Education Society, said Sharina Dodsworth, the department of environment's communications manager.

"The idea for the book is kind of unique. It won't give all the answers but it will be a tool to spur and initiate dialogue between students and elders and biologists," Dodsworth said.

Both books will be published by Iqaluit's Inhabit Media.

The company is expecting to publish approximately 5,000 copies of the youth book, according to editor Neil Christopher.