Indigenous communities in the Bering Strait have both a right and a strong desire to be included in discussions about the future of vessel traffic in the region, to have their Traditional Knowledge and expertise about the marine environment considered and utilized, and to have meaningful involvement in decision making about activities taking place in their homeland with the potential to impact their lives. This sentiment is accurately reflected in Kawerak’s recently published chapter in the volume Sustainable Shipping in a Changing Arctic.
This chapter entitled, “Arctic Vessel Traffic and Indigenous Communities in the Bering Strait Region” was the result of years of work by the social science program, the marine program, and the contributions from members of the Bering Strait communities.
The chapter outlines some of the concerns that Tribes and Tribal organizations have regarding current and projected vessel traffic in the region. It also discusses recent research conducted by Kawerak and the Tribes that can contribute to discussions about the future of arctic shipping, including GIS mapping, Traditional Knowledge documentation projects, and regional meetings that have focused on shipping.
The chapter is available free on Kawerak’s website Chapter: Arctic Vessel Traffic and Indigenous Communities in the Bering Strait Region of Alaska. A full copy of the book Sustainable Shipping in a Changing Arctic is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Shipping-Changing-Studies-Maritime/dp/3319784242.
