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Dingman
those faced by Arctic indigenous peoples. However, like Arctic indigenous peoples, scientists are
attempting to renegotiate the space in which science circulates.
8
The overarching goal of cross-cultural knowledge exchange should be to improve the global
understanding of Arctic indigenous peoples and the environment to facilitate equitable decision-
making. It can only enhance the many facets of human existence as we tackle the global challenges
of climate change.
Finally, there is no need to ‗convert‘ Arctic indigenous peoples to western philosophies; nor is there
a need to overthrow the ‗foreigners‘ to retain TK. Rather, each is beginning to draw on the other for
a common cause: understanding rapid environmental change in the Arctic which has the potential to
affect us all. These efforts may be small now but they are significant nonetheless. We need to build
on these efforts.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Lily Ling and Sean Costigan for their support and insightful remarks.
Notes
1.
Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation is planning to develop an open pit iron mine in the Mary
River region of Baffin Island, Canada. Together ArcelorMittal and Iron Ore Holdings LP
retain full ownership. For more information see:
http://www.baffinland.com/
.
2.
For another example: As an aspect of ICC Greenland‘s communication strategy, in 2012 the
organization began to upload self-generated ICC ‗public information tours‘ covering various
issues concerning human rights and development. The purpose of the meetings and
associated videos is to promote information sharing, start debate and increase participation
of civil society. See:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ICCGreenland
.
3.
This definition derives from the Traditional Knowledge Working Group, an advisory branch
of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada-based Beaufort Sea Partnership.
4.
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s Inuit were becoming politically active in territorial
politics.
5.
In 1993, the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was signed and adopted by Parliament and
the Inuit self-governed territory of Nunavut came into official existence on 1 April 1999.
6.
Like Huntington‘s definition of TEK, Mauro ascribes importance to the relationship
between humans and their environment.
7.
IKCC has been shown to audiences across Canada and the United States, and to decision-
makers at the UN COP-16 international climate change meeting in Cancun, Mexico, and at
Canada‘s Parliament Hill among others. At many of these venues Web tools allowed viewers
worldwide to participate via twitter in the Q&A following the screening. When the film