19 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2023
    1. Sport hunting is classified as consumptive wildlife tourism (Lovelock, Citation2008a) and several authors include it as a form of ecotourism for multiple interconnected reasons. First, it can be less environmentally destructive than other forms of tourism (Baker, Citation1997b); second, it is a form of sustainable development (Dietrich, Citation1992) and third, it can encourage conservation through economic incentives (Freese & Trauger, Citation2000; Lewis & Alpert, Citation1997; Rasker, Martin, & Johnson, Citation1992; Wilkie & Carpenter, Citation1999). Some may question the morality of hunting, and as Franklin Citation(2008) outlines, Western views are complex and change through time; but in terms of learning, respect and empathy Tremblay Citation(2001) did not find any difference between consumptive and non-consumptive wildlife tourism. Franklin Citation(2008) also highlights the important opportunity offered by hunting to engage with one's environment rather than merely viewing it, as in many tourism activities. Such engagement is obviously sought, and has a long history in Western society, not merely as an historic necessity for survival, but as a basis for conservation and a land ethic (Leopold, Citation1949). Sport hunting is not merely the killing of animals; it is a multifaceted activity involving the tourist, local people and the environment, and depending on its organisation, can be considered a form of ecotourism (Lovelock, Citation2008b).

      I annotated this article for those who would like to delve into the nuanced dynamics of polar bear hunting rights held by Indigenous peoples, particularly in Canada's Nunavut territory. The exploration of ecotourism, subsistence hunting, economic impacts, and cultural considerations offers a comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.

    1. This paper discusses the differences between Inuit traditional knowledge and western science views, and presents a perspective designed to bring these two world views together. This is believed to be a highly desirable approach for the successful conduct of research and resource management projects on Inuit lands. Each world view has something to contribute to the other. Distinctions between indigenous (including Inuit) traditional knowledge and western science are identified using examples from wildlife resource management. These examples pinpoint issues that have emerged from previous attempts to integrate indigenous traditional knowledge with western science. These examples also provide insight into the elements necessary to facilitate a constructive working relationship between indigenous people and western scientists. The perspective presented synthesizes these elements to suggest the means to achieve constructive working relationships between Inuit people and practitioners of western science. Résumé Le présent article met en relation les différences entre l'approche des connaissances traditionnelles inuit et celle des connaissances scientifiques de l'Occident et, on y décrit une proposition visant à intégrer ces deux modes de connaissance. Nous croyons qu'il s'agit d'une approche éminemment souhaitable et qui permettra de mener avec succès des projets de recherches et de gestion des ressources naturelles sur les terres inuit. Chacune de ces approches possè de des caractéristiques qui profitera à l'autre. Des différences entre le monde des connaissances traditionnelles indigènes (Inuit entre autres), et celui des connaissances scientifiques occidentales sont illustrées en s'appuyant sur des exemples dans le domaine de la gestion des ressources fauniques. Ces exemples permettent de mettre en lumière certains problèmes qui se sont manifestés lors de tentatives d'intégration antérieures des connaissances traditionnelles avec les connaissances scientifiques occidentales. L'étude de ces exemples permet également de faire ressortir les facteurs à considérer pour l'édification d'une relation constructive viable entre les peuples indigènes et les scientifiques. L'approche proposée donne une vue synoptique des facteurs à considérer en vue de l'établissement d'une relation constructive viable entre le peuple inuit et les scientifiques occidentaux.

      I am annotating this article for those who wants to get a better perspective on integration of Inuit traditional knowledge and western science, emphasizing the desirable approach for successful research and resource management projects on Inuit lands. By identifying distinctions, using wildlife resource management examples, and suggesting means for constructive relationships, the article offers valuable insights.

    1. Many co-management agreements have painfulbirths, arising out of intense conflict —sometimesfought in courts and government offices, sometimesfought on the land and sea, sometimes fought in themass media and in the hearts and minds of the widerpublic. Whatever the region, the resource, or the re-source-using population, conflict often plays a key rolein prompting the creation of co-management agree-ments. These conflicts include the struggle of indige-nous people to resist state and private resourceappropriation, to defend their locally based livelihoods,and to maintain their cultural identities. Non-aboriginalcommunities have experienced similar situations aswell. Sadly, such conflicts may involve substantial so-cial, economic, and personal costs for the involvedparties, including loss of life. Nonetheless, conflict is amajor factor in getting officials and other stakeholdersto negotiate co-management arrangements

      Annotating this article as its crucial to elucidate how co-management serves as a response to conflict in various contexts. Understanding co-management's role in fostering cooperation, sustainable practices, and equitable decision-making is essential for comprehending its broader impact on resolving conflicts in resource management.

    1. Indigenous groups in Canada's Arctic (Inuit and Inuvialuit) have already experienced difficult socio-cultural, political, economic, and demographic changes in recent decades. Polar regions, including Canada's Arctic, are now also projected to experience significant temperature increases with implications for food security, transportation and human settlements (ACIA, 2005, IPCC, 2007). A seasonally ice-free Arctic is expected to catalyze additional resource development and further social and

      I'm annotating this article for those who would like to know the challenges faced by Indigenous groups, specifically Inuit and Inuvialuit, in Canada's Arctic due to socio-cultural, political, economic, and demographic changes. The mention of projected temperature increases in polar regions and the potential impact on food security, transportation, and settlements adds depth, reflecting the relevance and awareness of critical issues.

    1. Graphical Abstract

      Highlighting this article for a couple of reasons. First, I really enjoyed the inclusion of a graphical abstract and the translation of both the written abstract and visual representation of it into multiple languages. We spoke a lot in MARA5012 about presenting information in varying ways and I really like this method. Second, this paper provides an interesting framework for the inclusion of multiple knowledge systems into monitoring frameworks by utilizing hunter knowledge through biological sampling and interviews.

    1. Bozeman, MT

      Funny that they list the US office first, and during my 20 minutes on the site all of the incoming donations were from the US. Does Canada simply respond differently to initiatives like these? Or is it targeted at Americans? Maybe education and local initiatives are more effective in Canada, as a southerner would rarely consider polar bears.

    1. measures taken here as far back as 1956 to protect the polar bear.

      The need to consider not only national stakeholders but international interest groups is understandable in co-management, but the "firsthand" knowledge they present should, as science, never get in the way of those directly effected by changes in polar bear availability. Interestingly enough, attempts to protect the polar bear to a greater extent than current regulations have outlasted the Soviet Union, but fail to consider that the bears' circumstances may have shifted as well. Modern bears are threatened more by climate change than by hunters, yet Russian and American policy is still directed at preserving the animal and not the habitat.

    1. Improved collection and use of InuitQaujimajatuqangit (IQ) and increased Inuit participation in all aspects of managementare central to the goals of this plan.

      Evidence that a moderate solution of greater inclusion can often times be easier and more effective than overhauling the whole system like we sometimes want to believe.

    1. have not had access to the same services, opportunities, and standards of living as those enjoyed by other Canadians.

      Has anyone asked the question of whether or not this is wanted? What lens are we using to evaluate standards of living?

    1. To summarize, after seven years ofwork the Peel Watershed Planning Commission pro-duced a plan in 2011 that was unacceptable to theYukon government because of the high degree ofprotection recommended within the watershed. Thegovernment’s response was to unilaterally alter theplanning process to produce a plan with much lessprotected land area, starkly failing to reconcile thedifferent perspectives and values expressed withinthe planning process (Staples et al., 2014). That gov-ernmental action became the subject of legal actionby multiple First Nations and environmental organi-zations, and in 2014 the Yukon Supreme Court ruledin their favour. This decision was appealed and in2015 the Yukon Court of Appeal partially reversedthe Yukon Supreme Court’s decision. That seconddecision was in turn appealed to the Supreme Courtof Canada, which is scheduled to hear the case inMarch 2017

      It's unfortunate but the reality of the struggle for co-management is a history of disregard and mismanagement. I don't think we covered enough of this in the course as a necessary foundation.

    1. we identify the following four factors as key impediments to the broader adoption of co-management approaches across Canada: (1) antiquated and incomplete legislative arrangements; (2) a co-management policy vacuum that has not grappled with emerging expectations for co-governance; (3) absence of the knowledge co-production systems needed to create the precursors for successful co-management initiatives; and (4) financial and human resource capacity limitations.

      These four factors are incredibly influential barriers to the establishment of co-management systems. Through conversations in MARA5012 and reading the work of Dr. Jamie Snook, I would argue that two key pieces that influence both the establishment of co-management systems and the ability for those systems to be successful are: honouring existing legislation, treaties and land claim agreements, and Ministerial discretion. For the former, you can read "A Half Century in the Making: Governing Commercial Fisheries Through Indigenous Marine Co-management and the Torngat Joint Fisheries Board" by Snook, Cunsolo, and Morris (2018), on honouring the "spirit and intent" of these agreements, over solely legislative interpretation. For the latter, Ministerial discretion is a structurally entrenched concept where the Minister can vary or alter decisions in the name of the Crown. The use of discretion can be used to override the work of co-management boards based on what the Minister, or their staff, see as the best option. For Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, the Minister would have to trust co-management decisions and data, and give up some of their power to these groups in order to empower them and improve equity in resource management. It would seem that this would occur based on who the Minister is, but the question remains: how can co-management boards establish their rights, as laid out in their land claim agreement or other form of agreement? Both Haida Nation and the Makivik Group have seen success in the court systems with this, but how can change occur such that the court system isn't the only path?

  2. Nov 2023
    1. The Waka-Taurua framework provides a means for developing marine management systems which recognise Indigenous worldviews, values, tools, actions and approaches, equitably with EBM, rather than attempting to integrate Indigenous worlds into EBM approaches.

      I am highlighting this article as it is a really interesting example of international implementation of co-management with integrating Indigenous worldviews into management plan creation. I find this sentence particularly interesting in that we should be attempting to create ecosystem-based systems with Indigenous knowledge, rather than attempting to bring Indigenous knowledge into current management systems. I think in Canada, the government is currently attempting to do the latter rather than putting investment into the former. That being said, Canada does have some some examples of through a similar concept in Mi'kma'ki called Etuaptmumk or "Two-Eyed Seeing". In this we develop co-management systems using the strengths of both Indigenous knowledge systems and Western scientific approaches.

    1. On the two recent occasions at which proposals have been put forward - in 2010 and 2013 - a rich and very intense debate amongst Parties and all stakeholders ensued but it did not result in a consensus being reached and was followed by a vote of CITES Parties.   On each occasion the CITES CoP decided that the criteria for inclusion of the polar bear in Appendix I under CITES were not met at the present time.

      In both of these examples, the Government of Canada advocated for the ability of its Indigenous communities to export polar bear, or Nanuk. While hide sales have been on a decline, they still have an economic impact on Inuit communities. With Canada containing the majority of the world's polar bears, and being the only country with legal export it requires me to question: Why can the world's countries tell Canada how to manage their natural resources when the majority of them have little to no polar bear experience? Does CITES as an organization create opportunities for more powerful countries to mandate the management efforts of countries lacking the necessary alliances/resources? How can this be mitigated so that the populations/communities/practices that would be most affected by CITES ruling are protected?

    1. support cross-cultural collaboration across three Inuit regions, elevate Inuit leadership, knowledge, and decision-making, and advance knowledge co-production, shared understandings, and strong co-management.

      This fall through a community-based co-management course, I've enjoyed getting to learn more about Inuit leadership and the strength, collaboration and creativity of Inuit communities living in the Arctic. The three Inuit land claim agreements with Canada have collaborating co-management boards that help guide the Canadian government on setting quotas for instance on how many of a certain species should be allowed to be harvested. The Nanuk Knowledge and Dialogue Project is important in having Inuit voices heard about nanuk (polar bear) health, and so many more topics of importance with co-management.

    1. Chief (Sakom) Hugh Akagi always has thought-provoking things to say, and the topic of reconciliation is no exception. The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King brought up many concerning truths of Canadian history and present reality, echoed in Akagi's reflections. 'How can you restore something that's no longer there?' We cannot have reconciliation, we cannot move forward to co-manage Turtle Island/Canada without knowing and discussing and accepting the truth. Those who were harmed must be part of the process and those who caused harm must be willing to admit the wrongs that were caused.

    1. A similar 2013 statement of cooperation included the Wabanaki Tribes of Maine, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. The May 26 signing will amend that original statement of cooperation to include the Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik (New Brunswick), the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Natural Resources Conservation Service.

      I love seeing this great co-management news stories like this. Revitalization of polluted rivers like the beautiful Skutik along the Maine/ New Brunswick border is critical to healing ecosystems and relationships between Indigenous people and white settlers of this land. Great to see the Statement of Cooperation signed and Canada playing a more active role in reconciliation along the Skutik.

    1. As a result of caribou declines due to increased predation, the Nations, under the advisory of Elders, voluntarily stopped hunting caribou in the early 1970s (Muir & Booth, 2012). This cessation of caribou hunting followed traditional laws that instructed hunters not to harvest animals when populations were struggling (Muir & Booth, 2012). However, the Province of British Columbia allowed non-Indigenous Peoples to hunt these caribou until 2003, almost 30 years after the Nations ceased harvest (Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection, 2002). Such asymmetry in the detection of population concerns for these caribou highlights one difference between stewardship by Indigenous Peoples frequently observing the landscape and western science approaches, which relied on population surveys and collaring that did not occur consistently until 2002 (McNay et al., 2022).

      This article talks about the decline in caribou population faced by the Indigenous nations, which collaborated on a co-management initiative to restore the Klinse-Za subpopulation. Through short-term recovery actions and a landmark conservation agreement, the population more than doubled from 38 in 2013 to 101 in 2021, showcasing the success of Indigenous-led conservation in preserving cultural connections and enhancing endangered species recovery.

      I am annotating this as an example of how Indigenous Nations, guided by traditional laws and elders, voluntarily stopped hunting caribou in the 1970s due to population declines, while the Province of British Columbia permitted non-Indigenous hunting until 2003. This reveals a contrast in stewardship approaches, with Indigenous practices based on continuous landscape observation and Western science relying on periodic population surveys.

    1. Strategies for assertion of conservation and local management rights: A Haida Gwaii herring story

      While it is extremely important that we implement co-management boards in the fight for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in Canada, it is imperative that we recognize that at the present co-management work can still be threatened and undermined by the Canadian government through Ministerial discretion. In instances when the Canadian government does not favour decisions of co-management boards, there are other avenues that these boards may pursue in recognizing their rights, as discussed in this article.

    1. About this journalThe International Journal of the Commons is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed open-access journal, dedicated to furthering the understanding of institutions for use and management of resources that are (or could be) enjoyed collectively.These resources may be part of the natural world (e.g. forests, climate systems, or the oceans) or they may be created (e.g. infrastructures such as irrigation systems, the internet or (scientific) knowledge, for example of the sort that is published in open-access journals).The IJC is an initiative of the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC).Our aim is to promote inclusion, diversity and equity on this platform. To that purpose (and to the extent that we can), we offer support to majority-country scholars, for example through offering waivers, mentorships, and extra review rounds to authors from low and middle income countries affiliated with institutes from low and middle income countries. Contact us to see what we may be able to do for you.

      I am annotating this journal for people who are interested in learning more about co-management or more generally here theory about common pool resources that people share. If they are interested in the latest research, this is a good internal resource.