PRESS RELEASE: ICC and Kawerak, Inc Publication on Co-Production of Knowledge
March 24, 2022 Anchorage, Alaska – The Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska and Kawerak, Inc. are pleased to share the release of the publication A framework for co-production of knowledge in the context of Arctic research: Negeqlikacaarni kangingnaulriani ayuqenrilnguut piyaraitgun kangingnauryararkat.
Our communities are at the forefront of the many changes occurring across the Arctic. They carry thousands of years of knowledge and proven sustainable practices from teachings passed down by generations. As we address the future, this knowledge needs to be at the forefront to ensure holistic and adaptive approaches throughout our homelands and beyond.
As the world community increasingly turns its focus to the Arctic, the need for a paradigm shift in how research, monitoring, decision-making, and policy development is done is essential. A true co-production of knowledge approach is needed to equitably bring together Indigenous Peoples’ knowledges and science. Complete and accurate research inherently includes the perspectives of ALL involved, and therefore the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives is imperative. The framework offered in this paper puts forward the many components needed to practice co-production of knowledge and move toward this paradigm shift. This paper is centered upon our people’s input, guidance, approaches, and wisdom.
The framework will be helpful to many. Organizations, institutions, and governments can utilize the document to forge a path of success toward Arctic progress. Tribes, communities, Indigenous organizations and co-management groups may find the framework helpful in communicating with potential partners. Decision-makers, federal/state/territorial governments, academics, environmentalists, policymakers, and industry may use the framework to enhance our collective efforts and to bring together Indigenous Peoples’ knowledges and science equitably.
The paper is available here: https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol27/iss1/art34/ and available for download on the Kawerak, Inc website, Knowledge page, Kawerak.org/knowledge.
You can also contact the ICC Alaska and Kawerak, Inc. offices for a copy.
907.274.9058
carolina@iccalaska.orgJulie Raymond-Yakoubian (Kawerak, Inc.)
907.443.4273
juliery@kawerak.org
Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska
Founded in 1977 by the late Eben Hopson of Sr. of Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, the Inuit Circumpolar Council(ICC) has flourished and grown into a major international non-government organization representing approximately 180,000 Inuit of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). ICC works to promote Inuit rights, safeguard the Arctic environment, and protect and promote the Inuit way of life. Kawerak, inc. is a member of ICC Alaska.
Kawerak, Inc.
Kawerak Inc. acts in accordance with its mission to advance the capacity of our people and tribes for the benefit of the region. Kawerak is a nonprofit tribal consortium that provides over 40 different programs to the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik and Yup’ik people who reside in 16 communities of western Alaska and represents the 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Strait Region. Kawerak works collaboratively with research communities (including Tribal communities, which we view as part of the broader research community) to promote the knowledge and research sovereignty of Indigenous People and the Indigenization of knowledge and research activities, with the goal of building positive, meaningful, and effective relationships between Tribes and research processes. You can learn more about Research Sovereignty and the Indigenization of Knowledge at kawerak.org/knowledge.
