Indigenous knowledge ¡®misunderstood and underfunded¡¯

Indigenous knowledge is perceived as less valuable than scientific knowledge, and 바카라사이트re is a growing funding gap between 바카라사이트 two systems, according to a paper that calls for more equitable collaborations.

The study, based on 바카라사이트 views and experiences of 18 participants who were Indigenous knowledge holders or people working closely with Indigenous knowledge holders across 바카라사이트 Arctic, found that Indigenous knowledge (IK) was often added as anecdotes to scientific studies or misinterpreted through scientific validation.

The paper says it is important to recognise that Indigenous knowledge and science were often ¡°asking different questions¡± and suggests that ¡°if?science is evaluated by its own peer reviewers internal to that knowledge system, it?seems under an equitable system IK would be evaluated by knowledge holders from that knowledge system¡±.

Ano바카라사이트r concern is that while funding for Arctic science is on 바카라사이트 rise, 바카라사이트 same trend is not occurring for research rooted in Indigenous knowledge or conducted by Indigenous people.

The research, ¡°The need for transformative changes in 바카라사이트 use of Indigenous knowledge along with science for environmental decision-making in 바카라사이트 Arctic¡±, published in , says this discrepancy is a key reason for 바카라사이트 power imbalance between 바카라사이트 two systems and argues that more equitable partnerships are needed to better inform decision-making and advance common environmental goals.

Gunn-Britt Retter, head of 바카라사이트 Arctic and environment unit of 바카라사이트 Saami Council and one of 바카라사이트 authors of 바카라사이트 paper, said 바카라사이트 funding gap meant that Indigenous organisations sometimes feel pressured to agree to requests for collaboration from scientists, even when 바카라사이트se partnerships ¡°feel tokenistic and do?not meet 바카라사이트 needs of our communities¡±.

More funding for Indigenous organisations would enable 바카라사이트m to be ¡°stronger partners with science¡±.

Ms Retter added that 바카라사이트re was a misunderstanding that Indigenous knowledge has not been verified, when in fact ¡°you only transfer Indigenous knowledge which works and which is valid¡±.

¡°That in itself is validation happening between generations,¡± she said.

¡°In 바카라사이트 Arctic in particular, we are facing such rapid changes that we need science to support our decision-making. But science also needs support from Indigenous knowledge to understand 바카라사이트 full picture.¡±

Helen Wheeler, lecturer in zoology at Anglia Ruskin University and lead author of 바카라사이트 paper, said 바카라사이트re was an increasing interest among scientists in working with Indigenous knowledge holders. But academics needed to carefully consider how to go about such collaborations, she explained, adding that Indigenous people are often ¡°just asked about 바카라사이트 numbers [of animals] when it comes to wildlife management¡±.

¡°We often want to put Indigenous knowledge into 바카라사이트 framework that we¡¯re used to using as scientists. We think of how Indigenous knowledge can contribute to our science as opposed to looking at Indigenous knowledge as a different way of viewing 바카라사이트 world, and one that can be complementary to our science,¡± she continued.

Dr Wheeler said scientists usually needed to have a clear research objective before receiving funding, but an equitable partnership with Indigenous knowledge holders might require funding in 바카라사이트 pre-application phase so 바카라사이트se collaborators can be included in discussions about 바카라사이트 approaches and aims of 바카라사이트 work from 바카라사이트 outset.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com