Understanding Traditional Knowledge in Terms of Socio-Economic and Cultural Use in the Arctic Region

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Economics and Statistics, Arctic Region (DFO) requires outside expertise to develop an improved understanding of traditional knowledge in terms of socio-economic and cultural use in Canada’s Arctic Region:

• The project is to review all available sources of traditional knowledge and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, related to marine conservation, natural resource management, and fisheries management, including the various methodologies used to identify, collect, and assess them.
• Additionally, the project will explore traditional knowledge and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as it relates to fish and fisheries resources in the Arctic Region of Canada. A structured approach will be used to undertake preliminary interviews with Inuit communities and knowledge holders to obtain direct and indirect observations on economic, social and cultural use of these resources.

Indigenous Peoples have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years and are stewards of the land, relying on hunting and fishing, as well as the natural environment, to sustain their families, communities, and culture. Although there is unique variation in the social, cultural and economic backgrounds of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic, traditional practices, cultural heritage, social value systems and knowledge sharing are consistently of vital importance for individuals, families, and communities across the Arctic Region. Local traditional knowledge, and its associated Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, reflect the profound relationship Inuit have to the lands and resources which are essential in sustaining healthy and sufficient sources of food, trade and economic opportunity, and social and cultural traditions. The sustainable management of fisheries across the Arctic is significant not only from an economic perspective, where fisheries development is considered a priority for advancing Inuit economic interests, but also in terms of cultural promotion and protection.

It is observed that there are various terms associated with traditional knowledge such as: 'local knowledge', 'people's knowledge', 'traditional wisdom', 'traditional science', ‘indigenous ecological knowledge’, and ‘traditional ecological knowledge’ (www.unesco.org). In the Arctic, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit demonstrates the importance of Indigenous knowledge to the Inuit; the term translates directly as "that which Inuit have always known to be true." Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is recognized as a combined system of beliefs and knowledge.

While there have been a number of initiatives focused on respecting and understanding traditional knowledge related to the management of natural resources, from both fisheries management and science perspective, there has been very limited study of traditional knowledge from a social, cultural, and economic perspective. The Arctic Region hopes to develop a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to understanding, respecting, and incorporating traditional knowledge into decision-making processes. DFO does use scientific evidence and Indigenous Knowledge to make decisions affecting fish stocks and the management of ecosystems; however socio-economic analyses are often overlooked in primary assessments and decision-making. The social, cultural, and economic aspects of traditional knowledge need to be incorporated in decision-making to advance a shared understanding of ecosystems, increase the legitimacy of projects, and build trust in decision-making processes. A coordinated approach is required to ensure consistency in gathering and storing socio-economic and cultural information/data, to minimize information gaps, and to use traditional knowledge to help establish baseline information for local resources.

Duration of contract: The period of the Contract is from date of Contract Award to March 31st, 2024 inclusive.