Effects of mining on reindeer/caribou populations and indigenous livelihoods : community-based monitoring by Sami reindeer herders in Sweden and First Nations in Canada

This paper explores the effects of human disturbances associated with mine development in the Arctic on habitat and populations of reindeer/caribou (both Rangifer tarandus), and implications for reindeer husbandry and caribou hunting of indigenous Sami people in Sweden and First Nations in Canada. Through three case studies, we illustrate how Cree and Naskapi communities develop commu- nity-based geospatial information tools to collect field data on caribou migration and habitat changes, and how Sami reindeer herders use GIS to gather informa- tion about reindeer husbandry to better communicate impacts of mining on rein- deer grazing areas. Findings indicate impacts on the use of disturbed habitat by reindeer/caribou, on migration routes, and northern livelihoods. The three cases present novel methods for community-based environmental monitoring, with applications in hazards mapping and denote the active engagement of indigenous communities in polar environmental assessments, generating community-oriented data for land use management decisions. They also illustrate how technology can lead to better communication and its role for empowerment

The Recognition of Sacred Natural Sites of Arctic Indigenous Peoples as a Part of Their Right to Cultural Integrity

Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) are an important means for the expressions and transmission of culture, and a manifestation of spiritual values of nature, which have contributed to the conservation of species and habitats. However, many SNS are increasingly under threat, and their contribution to conservation is still not sufficiently recognized by states and conservation agencies, laws and policies. With a growing recognition of the mutual dependency between biodiversity and sociocultural systems in the Arctic, indigenous communities, conservationists, law-and policy-makers are endeavoring to re-establish bio-cultural diversity as a constructive pathway for conservation law, policy and practice. The integration of indigenous rights into conservation, through rights-based approaches is an emerging and challenging area. This new rights-based approach to conservation acknowledges that conservation and human rights must be pursued in mutually supportive ways that contribute to the common goal of environmental sustainability and human well-being. Much remains to be done to better understand the benefits, practical implications and limitations of such rightsbased approaches. This paper discusses the role of international law as well as sui generis processes from the sub-Arctic and Arctic regions that recognize and uphold indigenous peoples’ rights in conservation, and where action for the conservation of sacred natural sites is being taken by indigenous communities themselves using international law and policy instruments, or developing their own community instruments. These cases provide ways forward for duty-bearers and custodians to engage in constructive dialogue to seek together synergies to mutual responsibilities and benefits, and to build new spaces in law, policy and practice in the Arctic.Keywords: Sacred Natural Sites; Indigenous Peoples; Arctic; cultural integrity; international human rights law, international environmental lawCitation: Arctic Review on Law and Politics, vol. 4, 2/2013 pp. 207–233. ISSN 1891-625

Improving the relationships between Indigenous rights holders and researchers in the Arctic: an invitation for change in funding and collaboration

Truly transdisciplinary approaches are needed to tackle the complex problems that the Arctic is facing at the moment. Collaboration between Indigenous rights holders and researchers through co-creative research approaches can result in high-quality research outcomes, but crucially also address colonial legacies and power imbalances, enhance mutual trust, and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, to be successful, collaborative research projects have specific requirements regarding research designs, timeframes, and dissemination of results, which often do not fit into the frameworks of academic calendars and funding guidelines. Funding agencies in particular play an important role in enabling (or disabling) meaningful collaboration between Indigenous rights holders and researchers. There is an urgent need to re-think existing funding-structures. This article will propose a new paradigm for the financing of Arctic research, which centres around the inclusion of Indigenous partners, researchers, and institutions from the initial planning stages of funding programmes to the final stages of research projects. These findings and recommendations have been contextualized based on critical reflections of the co-authors, a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, who have practiced their own collaborative work process, the challenges encountered, and lessons learned

Knowledge, values, use and management of the Araucaria araucana forest by indigenous Mapuche Pewenche communities of the IX region in the Chilean Andes

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Children's Perception of Wolverine in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada

The public’s level of knowledge and opinions towards certain species can greatly impact their willingness to support present or future conservation or management programs. When public opinion is mixed, as is often the case with wild carnivores, an accurate assessment of perceptions and knowledge can identify areas of concern and help guide public outreach efforts. When such outreach programs focus on children they can be particularly effective for two reasons: 1) the opinions of children towards wild animals are often more flexible than the ingrained beliefs of adults, and 2) it is the younger generation that will be called upon to support long-term conservation efforts in the future. To assess the degree of knowledge and the current state of opinion among children towards a little known and often negatively perceived Arctic species, the wolverine (Gulo gulo), we conducted surveys with school children between the ages of 8 – 12 years old in seven schools within the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories. Results from 151 completed surveys confirm that the majority of children lack general knowledge about this species, though the overall level of knowledge was higher in small, rural communities than the larger capital city of Yellowknife. Negative values were among the most commonly expressed values we observed, but so too was an appreciation for the ecological role that wolverines play in nature. The results of this study can be used to implement new educational programs aimed at increasing the overall level of acceptance of the wolverine and similar carnivores, and to encourage the public’s willingness to support conservation efforts for this often negatively perceived species.Le niveau de connaissances et d’opinions des populations au sujet d’une espèce donnée peut avoir une grande incidence sur les programmes de gestion ou de conservation actuels ou futurs de l’espèce en question. Lorsque l’opinion publique est mixte, comme c’est souvent le cas avec les carnivores sauvages, l’évaluation précise des perceptions et des connaissances peut permettre de déterminer les sujets de préoccupation et de guider les efforts de sensibilisation du public. Quand de tels programmes de sensibilisation visent les enfants, ils peuvent être particulièrement efficaces pour deux raisons :1) les opinions des enfants envers les animaux sauvages sont souvent plus flexibles que celles détenues par les adultes, et 2) c’est la jeune génération qui sera appelée à soutenir les efforts de conservation à long terme. Pour évaluer le degré de connaissances et les opinions actuelles des enfants envers une espèce arctique peu connue et souvent négativement perçue, le carcajou (Gulo gulo), nous avons mené des enquêtes auprès d’élèves de huit à douze ans dans sept écoles de la région North Slave des T.N.-O. Les résultats des 151 questionnaires remplis confirment que la majorité des enfants possèdent peu de connaissances générales sur cette espèce, bien que le niveau global de connaissances était plus élevé dans les petites collectivités rurales que dans la capitale de Yellowknife. Les valeurs négatives figuraient parmi les valeurs les plus courantes exprimées dans le cadre des enquêtes, bien que la valeur écologique du rôle du carcajou dans la nature ait également été mise en évidence. Les résultats de cette étude peuvent être utilisés pour mettre en œuvre de nouveaux programmes éducatifs visant à accroître le niveau général d’acceptation du carcajou ou d’autres carnivores de ce genre, ainsi que pour encourager le public à soutenir les efforts de conservation de cette espèce souvent mal comprise. &nbsp