Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area
Tags: caribou, co-management, traditional knowledge, resource management, stewardship
| Principal Investigator: | Simmons, Deborah L (22) |
| Licence Number: | 14395 |
| Organization: | Native Studies, University of Manitoba |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2008
|
| Issued: | Jul 21, 2008 |
| Project Team: | Dr. Micheline Manseau (Collaborator, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitob), Ruthann Gal (Collaborator, Aurora Research Institute) |
Objective(s): 1) Strengthen understanding about the role of traditional knowledge in understanding caribou and making resource management decisions; 2) Identify traditional Dene and Metis best practices for respectful relationships with caribou; 3) Support knowledge exchange among the RRCs, elders and youth in order to strengthen their role in caribou management.
Project Description: The research aims to address two broad objectives in applying TEK within co-management processes: 1) Develop tools for enhanced participation by Renewable Resource Councils and community members in research, policy development and management decision-making initiatives of the SRRB, drawing upon TEK within the community; 2) Strengthen the understanding among scientists and policy-makers of the nature, legitimacy and significance of TEK as a basis for policy development and decision-making in a co-management context. It follows that the overall goal of this research is to investigate the ways in which Dene and Métis people use traditional knowledge to understand and respond to changes in the environment, and act as ongoing stewards of the land. The more specific goals of this study are to: 1) Strengthen understanding about the role of traditional knowledge in understanding caribou and making resource management decisions; 2) Identify traditional Dene and Metis best practices for respectful relationships with caribou; 3) Support knowledge exchange among the RRCs, elders and youth in order to strengthen their role in caribou management. It is expected that about five elder men, five elder women, and five harvesters will be recruited to participate in the study through a combination of interviews, focus groups and on-the-land experiences. A Dene or Metis researcher will assist in coordinating the study. Fieldwork will be conducted from June 23 to March 31, 2008 in Tulita.
