Equity in the relationship between Indigenous Knowledge and science

Abstract:

The Arctic is a place where Indigenous Peoples and the environment have been adapting together over thousands of years. Indigenous Peoples, myself included, recognize that we are not separate from, but a part of the interconnected natural, physical and spiritual systems. Not only are we a part of these systems, but we have responsibilities in maintaining our relationships to people and the environment. The value of Indigenous Knowledge, particularly towards its application in understanding changing systems, is becoming better understood by the scientific community due to rapid climate change. But this knowledge is not separate from the people, place or history. The impacts of colonization across the Arctic extend to governance, education, resource management and religious systems – all often siloed. Today, research and research practices still reflect many siloed systems imposed on Indigenous Peoples (along with the entrenched biases). Similar to Indigenous Peoples responsibilities, the Arctic scientific community has a duty to ensure equitable relationships between Indigenous Peoples and systems in science (including research and policy). In this presentation, in carrying out my responsibility to place, people and environment), I will share some of my experiences and lessons learned in bringing Indigenous Knowledge in a more equitable space with science.