Northern Research Leadership and Equity

Summary

The North is home to many peoples—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—yet Arctic and Northern research has long been centred on Southern voices, needs, priorities, and institutions. As a result of longstanding Southern influences, numerous systemic challenges have gone unaddressed and continue to negatively impact Arctic and Northern research in Canada. Through the explicit elevation of Northern perspectives—in particular, Arctic and Northern Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives—the Expert Panel on the Future of Arctic and Northern Research in Canada sought to provide guidance on how to address these complex challenges and create a path forward for transformational change.

Northern Research Leadership and Equity sets out the elements required to create an inclusive, collaborative, effective, and world-class Arctic and Northern research system, as well the avenues through which those elements can be implemented.

The sponsor:

A consortium of Arctic and northern research and science organizations from across Canada, led by ArcticNet (see full list below*).

The question:

Based on assessment of current knowledge and evidence, what are the key foundational elements to create an inclusive, collaborative, effective, and world-class Arctic and northern science system in Canada?

* ArcticNet Inc., Amundsen Science, Arctic Institute of North America / University of Calgary, Arctic Research Foundation, Canadian Museum of Nature, Carleton University, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Dalhousie University, Global Affairs Canada, Government of Yukon, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada, McGill University, MEOPAR, Natural Resources Canada / Polar Continental Shelf Program, NSERC, Ocean Frontier Institute, Oceans North, Parks Canada, PermafrostNet, Polar Knowledge Canada, Société du Plan Nord, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Université Laval, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, University of Ottawa, University of Saskatchewan, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo, Yukon University, Aurora College/Aurora Research Institute, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Northwest Territories, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Kativik Regional Government, Makivik Corporation, Memorial University, National Research Council (NRC) Canada, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunatsiavut Government, Nunavut Arctic College / Nunavut Research Institute

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Greater inclusivity and collaboration in Arctic and Northern research will only be achieved through positive and ethical transformation. The Panel identified four key elements necessary for ensuring that Arctic and Northern research in Canada is inclusive, collaborative, and, most importantly, ethical, across all dimensions of the research system, including funding, infrastructure, data, and education.

It is essential that Arctic and Northern research in Canada is just and furthers Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination.
Ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness in research requires a system that provides cultural security.
An effective, inclusive, and collaborative Arctic and Northern research system upholds accessibility for all aspects, including processes and outputs.
Effective, inclusive, and collaborative Arctic and Northern research is rooted in responsibility and reciprocity, and in a sense of accountability to Northern Indigenous Peoples.

The Panel notes that transformational change entails implementing and supporting the above elements. Avenues for transformational change represent the ways in which justice, cultural security, accessibility, and accountability can be actualized. The Panel identified two main avenues that can light the fire of sustained change in an ethical and equitable research system.

Transformational change in research means shifting decision-making influence from the South to the North.
Equitably transforming the Arctic and Northern research system includes increasing human, financial, and infrastructural capacity.