Indigenous Engagement: What We Can Learn from the Inuit
By Ramya Ramakrishnan
The Inuit are indigenous to the Arctic in regions of Canada, Alaska and Greenland, which are often referred to as Inuit Nunaat or Inuit Homeland. Inuit communities have a deep connection to the land, sea, and ice. Their culture is characterized by a strong emphasis on oral traditions, storytelling, and the preservation of Indigenous Knowledge passed down through generations. Today, the Inuit continue to play a vital role in shaping their communities, advocating for Indigenous rights, and contributing to discussions on environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
The Inuit have disproportionately experienced the impacts of climate change, forcing them to adapt to its effects much earlier than the rest of the world. Therefore, Inuit Knowledge is crucial to how the world manages the looming threat of climate change. However, to leverage the Inuit’s experience, it is important to engage with the Inuit community on their terms. The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), a leading international NGO that serves as a platform for the Inuit to advocate for their rights and interests, has laid out eight protocols (Circumpolar Inuit Protocols) for engaging with the Inuit in an ethical and equitable manner. The rest of the world could learn from these protocols, outlined below, for how to effectively engage with Indigenous Peoples and combat climate change.
1. ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ – Always Engage with Inuit
The first ICC protocol underscores the importance of respecting Inuit rights and promoting self-determination through adherence to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The directives urge professionals to implement UNDRIP across all phases of work, prioritize Inuit rights and inclusivity, and uphold Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Emphasizing substantive dialogue and equitable consideration, the protocol aims to ensure active Inuit engagement in governance, research, and decision-making for the protection and promotion of collective Inuit rights.
2. Recognize Indigenous Knowledge in its Own Right
The Inuit believe Indigenous knowledge is integral to their sovereignty and demand recognition for their knowledge across all levels of work. Decisions should be made by leveraging Inuit knowledge that are informed and peer-reviewed by Inuit experts. It is vital that precautions are taken to prevent the misuse of their expertise and to ensure the correct application.
3. Practice Good Governance
There is a need for robust approaches that facilitate collaboration between the Inuit, researchers, and policymakers. Several directives under the protocol include respecting Inuit governance structures, accommodating cultural differences, and ensuring activities align with Inuit community needs.
4. Communication with Intent
This protocol underscores the need for active listening that engages with the Inuit through consistent communication. It also encourages cultural translation, led by the Inuit, to bridge linguistic and cultural differences. Inuit leadership should guide meeting formats, language, interpretation, and materials.
5. Exercising Accountability – Building Trust
The fifth protocol emphasizes the responsibility of those working with the Inuit to exercise accountability and address inequalities. Two critical aspects of accountability are highlighted: (i) demonstrate responsibility and meeting obligations and (ii) take responsibility for self-education. Professionals are urged to understand the cultural and historical contexts of working within Inuit Nunaat, including Inuit history, values, culture, and norms.
6. Building Meaningful Partnerships
This protocol calls for a paradigm shift to create an equitable and ethical space for the Inuit. The directives under this protocol prioritize relationship building and develop strong community networks. Supporting Inuit-driven research, monitoring, and the co-production of knowledge are essential actions to foster meaningful partnerships.
7. Information, Data Sharing, Ownership and Permissions
The seventh protocol emphasizes Inuit access, ownership, and control over information related to their knowledge, culture, resources, and homelands. Principles of ownership and permission, aligned with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, should be agreed upon early in the process. The Inuit must have access to all raw information and data collected in Inuit Nunaat, participate in the analysis and interpretation of results, and receive credit for their contributions. Engagement is vital when reviewing all materials and products before public release, so that accuracy and sensitivity is ensured. Additionally, reporting back in appropriate and accessible language fosters ongoing communication beyond the public release of materials.
8. Equitably Fund Inuit Representation and Knowledge
The final protocol advocates for the reform of funding structures for research and policymaking that impacts Inuit land. The directives emphasize the need to evaluate and address inequities in funding structures and ensure compatibility with Inuit engagement processes. Culturally appropriate ethics training is crucial, and funders should support Inuit organizations and governments in determining their funding needs. Inuit leaders should have the ability to allocate funds, which should increase proportionately to support Inuit need. Additionally, compensation should reflect the Inuit’s expertise and prioritize local hiring. Funding should also encompass cultural elements, such as food, gifts, and translations that are identified by Inuit organizations. This will empower Inuit communities and enhance long-term efficiency in future projects.
The ICC’s protocols provide much needed guidance on indigenous engagement that can be translated into various contexts and cultures. Decades of collectivization and advocacy by the Inuit has led to significant strides in the inclusion of Inuit in decision-making in the Arctic. However, this is a distant dream for the rest of the world, where these conversations and movements are still in relatively nascent stages. Therefore, these protocols are a valuable asset for governments and development organizations to consciously engage with Indigenous Peoples around the world.
Ramya Ramakrishnan is a MALD student at The Fletcher School.