Northern Communities Research Articles

Climate change introduces threatened killer whale populations and conservation challenges to the Arctic.

The Arctic is the fastest-warming region on the planet, and the lengthening ice-free season is opening Arctic waters to sub-Arctic species such as the killer whale (Orcinus orca). As apex predators, killer whales can cause significant ecosystem-scale changes. Setting conservation priorities for killer whales and their Arctic prey species requires knowledge of their evolutionary history and demographic trajectory. Using whole-genome resequencing of 24 killer whales sampled in the northwest Atlantic, we first explored the population structure and demographic history of Arctic killer whales. To better understand the broader geographic relationship of these Arctic killer whales to other populations, we compared them to a globally sampled dataset. Finally, we assessed threats to Arctic killer whales due to anthropogenic harvest by reviewing the peer-reviewed and gray literature. We found that there are two highly genetically distinct, non-interbreeding populations of killer whales using the eastern Canadian Arctic. These populations appear to be as genetically different from each other as are ecotypes described elsewhere in the killer whale range; however, our data cannot speak to ecological differences between these populations. One population is newly identified as globally genetically distinct, and the second is genetically similar to individuals sampled from Greenland. The effective sizes of both populations recently declined, and both appear vulnerable to inbreeding and reduced adaptive potential. Our survey of human-caused mortalities suggests that harvest poses an ongoing threat to both populations. The dynamic Arctic environment complicates conservation and management efforts, with killer whales adding top-down pressure on Arctic food webs crucial to northern communities' social and economic well-being. While killer whales represent a conservation priority, they also complicate decisions surrounding wildlife conservation and resource management in the Arctic amid the effects of climate change.

Social value of renewable energy in remote northern Indigenous communities

Renewable energy (RE) is at the forefront of Canada’s strategy to achieve a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. The development of RE projects is also promoted as a means to deliver energy services in rural and remote Indigenous communities across the North. Although RE projects have the potential to contribute to sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and economic reconciliation, the social value of RE to Indigenous communities is often overlooked and poorly understood. This article advances themes for understanding and approaching RE developments to better assess their social value. It does so based on the analysis of lessons from RE research in northern Canada and Alaska. We demonstrate that RE projects can create outcomes that are value generating or value eroding and that such outcomes are often couched in the context of supporting or detracting from self-determination. Techno-human variables, from community vision and capacity to policy environments and local RE ownership, serve to enable or inhibit the realization of value-generating outcomes from RE. Finally, we identify several pathways to creation from RE, including relationships and collaborative leadership, knowledge and skills-development, Indigenous-led policies that decrease energy bureaucracy and manage benefits distribution, and regulations and structures that safeguard ecologies.

Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies for Rainfed Barley Production in the Almería Province, Spain

Mediterranean water-stressed areas face significant challenges from higher temperatures and increasingly severe droughts. We assess the effect of climate change on rainfed barley production in the aridity-prone province of Almería, Spain, using the FAO AquaCrop model. We focus on rainfed barley growth by the mid-century (2041–2070) and end-century (2071–2100) time periods, using three Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP)-based scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Using the paired t-test, Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient, Root Mean Squared Error, and relative Root Mean Squared Error, we verified AquaCrop’s ability to capture local multi-year trends (9 or more years) using standard barley crop parameters, without local recalibration. Starting with a reference Initial Soil Water Content (ISWC), different soil water contents within barley rooting depth were modelled to account for decreases in soil water availability. We then evaluated the efficiency of different climate adaptation strategies: irrigation, mulching, and changing sowing dates. We show average yield changes of +14% to −44.8% (mid-century) and +12% to −55.1% (end-century), with ISWC being the main factor determining yields. Irrigation increases yields by 21.1%, utilizing just 3% of Almería’s superficial water resources. Mulches improve irrigated yield performances by 6.9% while reducing irrigation needs by 40%. Changing sowing dates does not consistently improve yields. We demonstrate that regardless of the scenario used, climate adaptation of field barley production in Almería should prioritize limiting soil water loss by combining irrigation with mulching. This would enable farmers in Almería’s northern communities to maintain their livelihoods, reducing the province’s reliance on horticulture while continuing to contribute to food security goals.

Renewable energy and well-being in remote Indigenous communities of Canada: A panel analysis

Energy transitions in Indigenous, Northern and remote communities in Canada promise benefits that go beyond reliable, clean and affordable energy services. The Federal and Provincial governments have committed funding to get remote communities off diesel, acknowledging energy transitions' global and local benefits. Besides climate change mitigation, other benefits, including job creation, income generation, community ownership and local economic growth, are fundamental components of the value proposition of renewable energy projects. However, despite the promises, little evidence of the impacts of renewable energy on communities' local conditions exists. This article looks at the relationship between renewable energy projects and community well-being in Canada. We construct a panel of Indigenous communities and well-being levels using Census data and information about renewable energy projects for the period 1981–2016. The findings suggest that renewable energy is associated with higher levels of well-being. Concretely, having access to renewable energy increases overall well-being by 1 to 5 points on the 0–100 well-being scale, depending on the component of the well-being index considered in the analysis.

A Focused Review on Wildfire Evacuation and Infrastructure Resilience in Canada: Trends and Insights (2013–2023)

A Focused Review on Wildfire Evacuation and Infrastructure Resilience in Canada: Trends and Insights (2013–2023)

Community adaptation to climate-related flooding in Saskatchewan

Sustainable Development Goal 13 advances planning and resilience particularly germane for communities at the forefront of exposure to climate impacts. With the increasing intensity and frequency of climate impacts, including flood, assessing the state of preparedness of communities through review of their policies, is increasingly important. This research used a mixed methods approach to develop community resilience indicators (based on planning for extreme flood events) supplemented by two round tables and six focus groups with community leaders in Saskatchewan.Several Saskatchewan communities were identified as exposed to extreme rainfall events as well as inundation from surrounding rivers and water bodies. Focus group and roundtable participants confirmed that flood events were becoming more frequent in recent years. Cities generally scored higher in resilience, however, some northern communities also scored high. Experience of floods wasn't a necessary prerequisite of flood planning as several communities had robust plans without historical flood experience. Communities that had experienced previous flood events scored higher on indicators of flood preparedness resilience. Two communities that had never experienced floods had high indicators, providing evidence that demonstrated coping capacity is not a necessary precondition of resilience.Explanations for failure to plan included inability to address contributing farming practices, the high cost of infrastructure, climate change denial within communities, and downplaying adaptation to climate change because of its high price tag. A generational divide was identified as concerning, and especially counterproductive to the attraction of young people to rural and remote communities. Solutions identified included expanding partnerships, sharing services within a wider regional community, and supporting capacity and leadership for this. While this research suffers from limitations relating to data availability, more research on why some communities have not yet planned for floods (even though they have experienced them) and a greater geography of study would be beneficial.

Proportion of Angle Closure Glaucoma in Tamale, Ghana.

In the largest clinic-based study to date, our review of 588 patients presenting with glaucoma in Northern Ghana revealed 36% of these had primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. In Africa, glaucoma is an established public health problem, and PACG is not commonly discussed. Recognizing it is important because of its negative impact on visual morbidity, and also because its treatment is different from primary open angle glaucoma. In response to the observation of many PACG cases at the Northern Community Eye Hospital in Tamale, Ghana, we investigated the proportion of those attending with a first diagnosis of glaucoma who had PACG. Using the electronic records, we identified 976 patients who attended with a first diagnosis of glaucoma between January 2021 and October 2022. Of these, 588 met the inclusion criterion of a clear glaucoma subtype diagnosis. Of these 316 (53.7%) had primary open angle glaucoma, 210 (35.7%) PACG, and 62 (10.5%) secondary glaucoma. Thus, over a third of presenting glaucomas had PACG. This study highlights that PACG is present in about a third of patients presenting to our clinic in North Ghana. Our study demonstrates the importance of a clear diagnostic pathway including gonioscopy in the assessment of glaucoma patients and the consideration of wider training on angle closure glaucoma diagnosis and management.

Exploring healthcare provider retention in a rural and frontier community in Northern Idaho

BackgroundA shortage of healthcare providers, particularly in primary care and mental health, exists in the predominately rural state of Idaho. There are also barriers to retaining healthcare providers to work in rural and remote communities. Limited research using U.S. samples has explored factors that may affect the retention of healthcare providers in rural areas. Additionally, due to differences between communities, it is important to conduct community-level investigations to better understand how these factors may affect retention in rural areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore factors affecting healthcare provider retention in a rural community in Northern Idaho.MethodsA modified version of the Nursing Community Apgar Questionnaire (NCAQ) was completed by 30 healthcare providers in a rural and frontier community in Northern Idaho to assess factors influencing healthcare provider retention. Factors were classified into classes including geographic, economic, scope of practice, medical support, and facility and community support classes. Retention factors were assessed on their perceived importance to retention as well as whether they were perceived as an advantage or challenge to retention based on Likert scales. A “Community Apgar” score was also created by combining the importance and advantage/challenge factors.ResultsOverall, items in the medical support group had the highest importance of any other class and included factors such as nursing workforce. Additionally, the facility and community support class, which included factors such as televideo support, was rated the highest advantage class and had the highest Apgar score, indicating it contained the factor that healthcare providers identified as the most important advantage (i.e., medical reference resources).ConclusionOur study identified multiple factors that healthcare providers deemed as important advantages or disadvantages to retaining healthcare providers in rural areas. Overall, facility and community support factors were found to have the highest advantage in the retention of rural providers. Rural healthcare organizations looking to increase healthcare provider retention should target retention efforts towards these factors. Additional research should also be conducted on other rural samples across the U.S. to make comparisons of findings.

Geographic Comparison of Dietary Intake and Quality in Manitoba Adolescents.

Purpose: The Food and Nutrition for Manitoba Youth (FANS) study examined dietary intakes, food behaviours, food security status, health indicators, and body mass index of a cohort of grade 9 students. This paper describes regional differences and similarities in dietary intake (food and nutrients) and quality of youth participants in the FANS study.Methods: Grade 9 students completed a web-based survey on dietary intakes (24-hour recall), food behaviours, self-reported health indicators, and sociodemographic variables. Nutrient intakes were compared with national guidelines and diet quality was assessed using a modified Healthy Eating Index.Results: A total of 1587 students participated from northern, rural, and urban regions in Manitoba. Northern and rural students had higher intakes of sugar, sodium, and saturated fat compared with urban. Northern students consumed fewer grain products compared to urban, and more servings of "other" foods compared with rural and urban. While most participants were classified into the "needs improvement" or "poor" Healthy Eating Index categories, significantly more northern participants were in the "poor" category.Conclusions: Most adolescents in the study are at nutritional risk; however, there are additional vulnerabilities for those in rural and northern communities. Dietitians can use results to advocate for and plan interventions to improve adolescent nutrition.

Indoor comfort management and energy consumption in Arctic buildings: Occupant perceptions in an indigenous community of Canada

Arctic and subarctic communities currently face major and unique energy and housing challenges. However, the perceptions, needs, and adaptive strategies of occupants related to energy consumption and comfort in their dwellings are not well known. In this study, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted in the Inuit community of Quaqtaq (Nunavik, Quebec, Canada) to investigate occupants’ experiences, observations, and perceptions on these topics. The topics covered comfort, window opening, use of curtains, and usage of thermostats, water, and lighting. Furthermore, awareness of energy consumption and renewable technologies was investigated, and occupants shared their vision of the ideal home. It was found that windows and thermostats are often used simultaneously to regulate temperature and that non-uniform temperature distribution and cold floors were often noted by occupants. Due to the limited amount of water available, coordination with neighbors was needed for activities requiring water. Awareness and interest in energy savings and renewable energy varied significantly among participants. Participants mentioned that their ideal home would have better insulation, larger water tanks, and more storage space. These results help to understand occupant behavior, energy consumption patterns, and well-being in houses of northern communities and can guide the development of future housing units.

Prevalence, correlates and trends of intimate partner violence among Indigenous and northern youths in the Northwest Territories, Canada

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is rising in Canada and disproportionately affects Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories largely due to the harmful, ongoing effects of settler colonialisation. Youth are known to be at high risk for IPV, but scant evidence exists about the scale of IPV and strategies for its prevention among youth in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Methods We conducted a serial cross-sectional study that measured the prevalence, correlates and four-year violence trends among youths participating in a land- and arts-based programme in the Northwest Territories. Researchers recruited 240 youths aged 12 to 19 to participate in an Indigenous-led land- and arts-based retreat designed to promote resilience, empowerment, and relational well-being among youth. The study period was from 2018 to 2021, and each annual retreat contained a mix of new and returning participants. At each retreat, participants were asked to report, in a self-administered survey, if they had experienced or perpetrated IPV in the past 12 months. Results Youths reported a high prevalence of experiencing (62%) and perpetrating (55%) IPV. For every one-unit increase in depression severity score, participants were 30% more likely to experience IPV) and 24% more likely to perpetrate IPV. Although the prevalence of experiencing and perpetrating IPV decreased by 6% and 14%, between 2018 and 2021, this trend was not statistically significant. Conclusions The high prevalence of IPV, linked to depression among youths in our study, calls for integrated mental health and violence prevention programming with youth in the Northwest Territories. Future programmes should use a strengths-based and decolonised approach to address the underlying effects of settler colonialism on the social dynamics that sustain IPV in Northern and Indigenous communities.

Perceptions of family medicine among long-term patients of a family medicine clinic in Japan: a mixed-methods study

ObjectivesTo examine the perceptions of family medicine among patients attending a family medicine clinic for over 10 years in Japan and explore the unique characteristics of a family medicine which...

Nunavik Sentinels: documenting northern insect biodiversity and supporting Indigenous youth leadership through participatory research and education

Abstract There is strong evidence that a biodiversity crisis is underway, fuelled by pollution, climate change, and invasive species. These impacts are especially important in northern Canadian regions. However, insect and other arthropod monitoring in Northern Canada urgently needed for land preservation is lacking. This paper presents the Nunavik Sentinels, a community-based participatory research programme (see definition, Table 1), that is aiming to fill those knowledge gaps while promoting collaboration among all stakeholders (organisations and members of northern communities, and scientists). Nunavik Sentinels is a unique insect-monitoring programme facilitated by the Montréal Insectarium – Espace pour la vie (Montréal, Québec, Canada), making entomology accessible to Indigenous youth by providing them with tools to lead expeditions in unexplored habitats and involving them in data collection. We present how this programme came to existence and its four-pillar framework (i.e., training land camp, summer employment, educational kit, and research). We touch upon how the programme is continually evolving. Finally, we demonstrate the benefits of the programme and how it will help better define the actions to be taken to prepare for future changes in northern biodiversity.

Антропология холода: культура питания коренных народов Республики Саха (Якутия)

Reference to the food culture of the indigenous peoples of the North within the framework of anthropology of cold, where the peculiarity of the cultural landscape of the North is the life strategy conditioned by cold and permafrost, is caused by the increased interest of scientific community to the unique experience of life support of the northern ethnic groups. Anthropological understanding of the Cold is a request of the world science in terms of solving a wide range of socio-humanitarian problems related to comprehension, adaptation, cultural experience of life in the "permafrost". The authors of the article consider the food culture of the indigenous peoples of the North as one of the important aspects in the ethnic system of culture and values. The article interprets not only the physiological, but also the cultural foundations of the traditional food of the natives of the North. For the first time on the basis of interdisciplinary methodology the multidimensional phenomenon of nutrition among the indigenous peoples of Yakutia was considered as a conceptualization of the northern cuisine in an innovative direction - cryosophy. The study uses methodological innovations of environmental sociology and cultural anthropology, historical-cognitive and hermeneutic analysis. Based on the retrospective analysis of historical and ethnographic sources and modern sociological and expeditionary materials, the method of mapping analyzes food preferences, traditional technologies and recipes, as well as the symbolic meanings and meanings of food in the context of calendar time. Food occupied an important place and was endowed by the participants with a special semantic meaning. The process of daily and festive meals for the indigenous peoples of the North is a special ritual in which there is a spiritual connection with nature, with the higher deities. The notion of life and its symbolic representation was incorporated into food. At the same time fatty food had a special semantic meaning, which embodied not only the idea of "well-being", but also contributed to the body's resistance to extreme temperatures. Adaptive life-support strategy in the North formed a special dietary regime and food behavior actively using cryogenic resources of cold in the preparation and preservation of food. There is an important conclusion about the circular pattern of nutrition of northern communities in the projections of natural and social space. The authors conclude that the ecologically balanced diet of northern herders, reindeer herders, hunters and fishermen of Yakutia reflects the centuries-old experience of adaptation to extreme low temperatures and also acts as a cultural symbol manifesting the spiritual foundations of life and human destiny in the North.

EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTING AGETECH TO SUPPORT DEMENTIA CARE IN A RURAL AND NORTHERN SETTING

Abstract Older adults wishing to age in northern and rural communities deserve equitable access to technologies that support optimal health, well-being, and quality of life. A new dementia care home opened in a rural and northern community in 2022 with consciously embedded multiple AgeTech solutions to enhance residents quality of life and care. The AgeTech solutions including hydroponic gardening, circadian lighting, and virtual exercise programming, were implementated into the 10-bed facility through a partnership between the Center for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN), health systems leaders, and community partners. The purposeful implementation of AgeTech within the facility through this partnership aimed to enhance the life-skills and living model of care to maximize independence, function, and resident well-being. We conducted a process evaluation assessing data from interviews with facility staff, health systems leaders, and secondary analysis of existing documentation to objectively measure the implementation process and inform a framework for ongoing assessment of AgeTech. Results highlight areas for ongoing technology innovation and inform policy decisions for future initiatives. Informants described the benefits in use of non-invasive circadian lighting technology to support resident well-being by enhancing sleep, rest/activity, reducing behaviours associated with dementia. Technology enhanced environmental well-being and expanded opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful activities. Participants also described the physical and social benefits for residents using individual and social multiplayer modes of exercise technologies. Providing equitable access to services across dispersed and sparse populations is challenging, yet with implementation of AgeTech quality of care can be enhanced.

Genomic characterization of a unique Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineage increasingly impacting on Australian indigenous communities.

In 2010 a single isolate of a trimethoprim-resistant multilocus sequence type 5, Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-positive ST5 CA-MRSA), colloquially named WA121, was identified in northern Western Australia (WA). WA121 now accounts for ~14 % of all WA MRSA infections. To gain an understanding of the genetic composition and phylogenomic structure of WA121 isolates we sequenced the genomes of 155 WA121 isolates collected 2010-2021 and present a detailed genomic description. WA121 was revealed to be a single clonally expanding lineage clearly distinct from sequenced ST5 strains reported outside Australia. WA121 strains were typified by the presence of the distinct PVL phage φSa2wa-st5, the recently described methicillin resistance element SCCmecIVo carrying the trimethoprim resistance (dfrG) transposon Tn4791, the novel β-lactamase transposon Tn7702 and the epidermal cell differentiation inhibitor (EDIN-A) plasmid p2010-15611-2. We present evidence that SCCmecIVo together with Tn4791 has horizontally transferred to Staphylococcus argenteus and evidence of intragenomic movement of both Tn4791 and Tn7702. We experimentally demonstrate that p2010-15611-2 is capable of horizontal transfer by conjugative mobilization from one of several WA121 isolates also harbouring a pWBG749-like conjugative plasmid. In summary, WA121 is a distinct and clonally expanding Australian PVL-positive CA-MRSA lineage that is increasingly responsible for infections in indigenous communities in northern and western Australia. WA121 harbours a unique complement of mobile genetic elements and is capable of transferring antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants to other staphylococci.

Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in killer whales (Orcinus orca) of the Canadian Arctic: Implications for subsistence consumption and conservation strategies

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) historically restricted to certain Arctic regions due to extensive sea ice have recently been documented farther north and for longer durations in the Canadian Arctic. These apex predators accumulate high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and profiles of POPs in killer whales of the Canadian Arctic, thus determining potential risks for Inuit communities if consumed. Biopsies were collected from 33 killer whales across areas of the Canadian Arctic between 2009 and 2021. Significant variability in POP concentrations was observed among whales. The cumulative POP concentrations ranged from 12 to >2270 mg/kg lw, representing ∼200-fold increase from the least to the most contaminated individual. The rank order of concentrations of the top five contaminant classes was ∑DDT, ∑PCB, ∑CHL, ∑Toxaphene, and Dieldrin. Several emerging Arctic contaminants were detected, including chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, pentachloroanisole, and polychlorinated naphthalenes, although at relatively lower concentrations than legacy POPs. Considering the elevated blubber POP levels in killer whales, recommended daily consumption thresholds, established based on human tolerable daily intake (TDI) values, were notably restricted for ∑PCB (<0.14 g), ∑DDT (<6.9 g), ∑CHL (<13 g), dieldrin (<8 g) and heptachlor epoxide (<5 g). Killer whales in the Canadian Arctic exhibited higher POP concentrations than other commonly hunted species such as polar bears, ringed seals, and Arctic char. We acknowledge that a more holistic risk assessment of diet is required to assess the cumulative impacts of contaminant mixtures as well as nutritional quality of tissues commonly consumed by northern communities.

Effect of ramial chipped wood and poultry manure amendments on soil chemical properties and fungal communities in Benin

This study investigated effects of soil amendments with ramial chipped wood (RCW) derived from Gmelina arborea and Sarcocephalus latifolius, together with poultry manure, on soil chemical properties and fungal communities in northern and southern Benin. The trial was a split-plot experiment, where treatments included volume of irrigation water (V1 and V2 = 0.5 *V1) as the whole-plot factor, with organic amendment (45 t/ha RCW; 15 t/ha poultry manure, PM; 45 t/ha RCW + 15 t/ha of PM, RCW_PM; and control) as the sub-plot factor. Topsoil was sampled before and after 24 months of in situ organic amendment application. Humic acid (HA) was extracted from soil and purified prior to FTIR spectroscopy, NMR, and Py-GC-MS analyses. RCW treatments (RCW and RCW_PM) contributed substantially to organic carbon storage and soil nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) increases (the latter by up to 1.5 times) compared to the control. Accordingly, soils that were amended with the RCW produced significant amounts of HA. High concentrations of lignin-related compounds were determined in pyrolysis products from humic acids in the RCW-amended soils. Using ITS2 region sequencing on the Illumina Miseq platform, RCW amendments markedly altered fungal compositions, with increased relative abundance of Ascomycota (up to 92% of total fungal community), Mucoromycota (2.7%), Basidiomycota (2.5%) and Rozellomycota (0.3%). These fungal phyla contain species that participate in organic matter decomposition and compound transformations but did not selectively degrade lignin in RCW. Our results suggest that RCW amendments significantly increased fungal activity and improved soil nutrient availability. Thus, this agrotechnology is recommended for regenerative agriculture.

Exploring Arctic housing and village planning based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs

ABSTRACT This article examines northern communities undergoing environmental and cultural change that might affect communal identity, well-being and cultural viability. Many Arctic communities are vulnerable to climate change impacts. In some areas, the changes are fast, and some villages have even faced the need to relocate or change their village structure. Village planning has focused on practical issues such as energy efficiency, infrastructure, construction methods and material choices, and funding challenges. This article uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory to examine how local communities’ social and cultural needs have been taken into account in the implemented village relocation in the 1950s, an existing village, and a recent planning project. The aim is to highlight needs that do not necessarily rise to the centre of design and planning and to justify the need for place-based planning.

Selection of summer feeding sites and food resources by female migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus) determined using camera collars.

Migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is a socioeconomically and culturally key species for northern communities in the Arctic, and most of its populations are experiencing a sharp decline. Female migratory caribou depend on the availability of summer habitat resources to meet the needs associated with lactation and the accumulation of fat reserves to survive when resources are less abundant. Because of the large scales at which habitat and resource data are usually available, information on how female migratory caribou select habitat and resources at fine scales in the wild is lacking. To document selection of summer feeding sites, we equipped 60 female caribou with camera collars from 2016 to 2018. We collected a total of 65,150 10-sec videos between June 1st and September 1st for three years with contrasted spring phenology. We determined the selection at the feeding site scale (3rd scale of Johnson) and food item scale (4th scale of Johnson) using resource selection probability functions. Wetlands were highly selected as feeding sites in June and July while they were avoided in August. Shrublands were mostly selected in July and August. At the resources scale, lichen, birch, willow, and mushrooms were the most strongly selected resources. Our results provide precise and novel information on habitat selection at feeding sites and food resources selected by female caribou in the wild. This information will help understand foraging patterns and habitat selection behavior of female migratory caribou and will contribute to the management and conservation of its declining populations.