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Bridging the Gap: Indigenous, Social and Natural Science Perspectives on Research Relationships in Nordic Countries
Every story has at least two sides. The story of climate change research in Nordic communities has three. This webinar is intended to highlight the main communication challenges faced by natural scientists, as well as social scientists, in their community-based research efforts. As well, it seeks to highlight Indigenous perspectives on how to open a successful dialogue and begin to overcome challenges.
In this webinar, you will be introduced to the fundamental issues that can hinder cross-communication between social scientists, natural scientists and members of indigenous communities in Nordic regions. When communication is compromised, relevant knowledge and evidence from indigenous sources can be left out of scientific considerations, and the validity of findings can be compromised in turn. Climate change is a problem that impacts us all, so it is essential to start working together to find solutions we can share.
Presenters:
1. Gail Fondahl, IASSA President, University of Northern British Columbia
2. Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist, Stockholm University, Sweden and Tarfala Research Station
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Getting in touch with Nordic communities: Reaching out gently
Approaching an unfamiliar community can be a challenge for a researcher, considering it takes time for a community to come to know and trust a new face. The process of building a trusting relationship between a community and a research group is delicate, and we must all tread lightly towards co-operative cohabitation during research efforts. This webinar is intended to highlight some difficulties faced by researchers and community members, even of a shared background, in introducing the prospect of collaborating in a shared space.
Presenters:
1. Svetlana Usenyuk, Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture, Helsinki, Finland
2. Heidi McCann, Colleen Strawhacker and Peter Pulsifer, Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic at the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, USA
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Reflections on Sami research: being a researcher and being researched
What does it mean to be a researcher, but also to be researched at the same time? In this webinar we will share Sami perspectives and thoughts on this very cutting-edge of community-based research.
Presenter:
Else Grete Broderstad, Center for Sami Studies at the University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
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Youth indigenous peoples in education and outreach
Engaging Indigenous youth in research that guides the development of their home communities is not a matter of simply giving them tools to think scientifically. Part of the purpose of education and outreach is to create a platform for different kinds of knowledge to merge, and to cultivate innovative solutions for a shared future. This webinar seeks to promote the indigenous youth voice and provide guidance for outreach planners in polar communities.
Presenter:
Dmitriy Berezhkov, University of Tromso
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Indigenous Knowledge management through Information and Communication Technologies
Community-based research by, with, and for Arctic Indigenous peoples has become recognized as a valuable source of data and often involves knowledge and observations of residents and local experts. These data frequently take the form of recordings or books, but recent development of Information Technologies of various kinds such as GIS, interactive mapping, and websites documenting oral histories allow for Indigenous Arctic research to be made available to communities, researchers, and other interested groups. In this webinar, we will present a review of various systems being developed through the Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge in the Arctic (ELOKA) as well as discuss the opportunities to collect, manage and represent Indigenous knowledge through Information and Communication Technology. Throughout the presentation, we will discuss issues that must be considered and addressed throughout the project including practical challenges, appropriate representation, and ethical and legal issues.
Presenters:
Heidi McCann
Colleen Strawhacker
Peter Pulsifer
Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA) at the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, USA
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Essential keys to successful research summarized: Building collegial relationships with Indiginous community members
The sixth and final webinar in this series summarizes the key points made by the speakers featured in the previous five, and illuminates some practical takeaways that will be useful to researchers and indigenous community members alike. The insights shared in this series range from tips about initial contact to nurture lasting relationships after data collection needs have been met. The main relevant theme is cultural inclusion, in a day to day sense, in gathering and disseminating knowledge through formal and informal avenues, and in recording and databasing a complete set of observations that can be interpreted and critiqued from many perspectives. This summary offers an overview of essential considerations that will enhance the field research experience for everyone involved and optimize the value of scientific conclusions by generally guiding the most well-informed analyses of data.
Co-chaired by Jocelyn Torma and Yulia Zaika