New Publication: "Bridging knowledge systems to guide natural resource decision-making"
A new publication by Indigenous and local experts, scientists and resource managers from six Arctic States argue that while international agreements call for inclusion of Indigenous and local knowledge in resource management, the practical approaches remain underdeveloped. Many policy documents emphasize the bridging of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Local Knowledge Systems (LKS) with scientific knowledge for natural resource management. Connecting knowledge systems broadens perspectives. However, there is limited practical guidance on combining these knowledge systems, which often leads to inadequate involvement from Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This exclusion perpetuates marginalization and often undermines the management interventions. Proponents of IKS argue that their validation processes do not require scientific endorsement, while concerns exist regarding impartiality in decision-making based solely on IKS and LKS.
The article advocates for knowledge co-assessment in support of decision-making as a solution to bridge these systems without diminishing their uniqueness when time and money limitations hinder the co-production of knowledge. Co-assessment involves collaborative decision-making informed by the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, local resource users, and scientists. It emphasizes evaluating and validating knowledge jointly rather than favoring one system over another. Examples, such as Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Alaska Beluga Whale Committee, demonstrate how co-assessment bodies of Indigenous representatives, local users, and scientists can validate and assess information, thereby fostering trust and legitimacy. The authors argue that the two processes, knowledge co-production and knowledge co-assessment, are complementary and vital for informing shared policy outcomes but they have their own tradeoffs and which one to use will vary with circumstances.
The article is based on a workshop in Nuuk, Greenland, carried out under the auspices of the UArctic Thematic Network on Collaborative Resource Management in the Arctic. The workshop was funded by the Danish Government (DAHES); Danida (Maarifa); the EU Commission through the projects FRAMEwork, European Citizen Science, BESTLIFE2030 and more4nature; the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and National Science Foundation.
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The original news: Bridging knowledge systems to guide natural resource decision-making – Nordeco