Operationalizing knowledge coevolution: towards a sustainable fishery for Nunavummiut

Abstract

Knowledge coevolution is the process through which information is generated by joining knowledge systems in an inclusive and iterative way to facilitate self-determination of communities and promote cultural resilience. A central and practical component of this framework is the fostering of progress towards improved co-management and community led research. Here, we illustrate a knowledge coevolution framework in the context of a major five-year genomics and food security fishery research project in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. We highlight the process, changes in research objectives, logistical requirements, mutual benefits, and challenges associated with northern collaborative research, and what lessons we have learned from the process. Knowledge coevolution could be linked to more inclusive and effective fishery co-management in Nunavut and possibly elsewhere. Further, the research process appears to have reinforced Indigenous knowledge and Western science without merging these distinct knowledge systems. Here, we strive to provide readers with concrete examples of knowledge coevolution and encourage research groups to incorporate and improve these practices in future projects and in adaptive fishery co-management. We further call on funding agencies to place more value, and thus budgetary priority, on activities related to ongoing consultation, engagement, dissemination, and implementation of project outcomes. Qaujimaningi maruk ajingingituk pivallianirijanginnik pigiarutauplunni tukisikanirutit saqipaliasurmata nunalit nangminiq aulajungnaliquplugit iliqusinginniglu saqipalliatitsiquplugit aulajungnalirlutik nangminiq. Qitianittuq amma ilulirijauplunni piliriangujup pivallianiq turangajuq aqiumakanirnirmut aulatauninganut amma nunalingnut aulataujuq qaujisarniq. Ukua tava takutijutauniaqtut qaujimaningi maruk ajingingituk pivallianirijanginnik pilirianguniaqtunnik ilulinginnik angijut aragunni tallimani qaujisarnirmut amma niqiqatiarnirmut iqalulirinirmi qaujisarniq Uqsuqtummi, Nunavummi. Nalunaiqsipluta pilirianguniaqtunnik, asiangurninginnik qaujisarniup iluanni, aturiaqaqtunik piqutinik, angiqatigingnirmi, amma ilautittinirmik ukiuqtaqtumiunik qaujisarnirmut, iliniataujunik piliriarmit. Qaujimaningi maruk ajingingituk pivallianirijanginnik ilinganajarmat aulatauninganut kajusitiarnirmullu iqaluliriniup mianirijauninganni Nunavummi asinginnilu. Amma suli, qaujisarniq aqiktausimaplunni nunaqaqqaqsimajut tukisianinginnut amma qaplunat tukisianinginnut katitausimangiłutik tapkuak ajingingituk qaujimaniujut. Uvanni piliriaqaqpugut tukisikaniquplugit uqalimaqtut tungaviqatiaqtummik ukturaulaujunik qaujimaningi maruk ajingingituk pivallianirijanginnik amma ikajuqtuipluta timisiujunnik qaujisaqtinik atausingurlutik aqigiarlutiglu piliriangusuqtut sivunirmi amma atuliqtitaulutik iqalungnik aulatauninganut. Tuksiralaurrapta kinaujannik aturniaqtunnik timiujunnit, sivulliutitauplutik qinaujat aturiaqaqtut kajusijummut uqaqatiqarnirmut ilautittinirmut, asinginnullu tusaqtittinirmik atuliqtittinirmullu piliriangujunnik.

Keywords

• knowledge coevolution
• bridging knowledge systems
• indigenous knowledge
• fisheries co-management
• food security
• qaujimaningi maruk ajingingituk pivallianirijanginnik
• ilagiliqtitilunni qaujimaniujunnik
• nunaqaqqaqsimajut qaujimaninginnik
• iqaluit aulatauninganut
• niqiqatiarnirmiglu