Fish-WIKS News

Academic Conference
Knowledge as Relationship: Indigenous Knowledge and Transformative Environmental Governance in Canada. Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, Brock University. May 28, 2014.

Abstract:
Interdisciplinary studies of common pool resources and adaptive resource management often characterize Indigenous or traditional knowledge (TK) as complementary to western science. From such an ecological perspective, TK has been rediscovered as a form of adaptive management that is capable of addressing existing knowledge gaps. In contrast, a power/knowledge orientation understands the relationship between western and Indigenous knowledges as mediated by uneven relations of discursive and material power that marginalize and render TK, and embedded governance regimes, wholly unintelligible. But where does this leave us? How might scholars, technicians, and resource users navigate the spaces between distinct systems of environmental governance? In this paper, I will explore Indigenous scholarship on knowledge systems and TK as a collaborative concept. Guided by insights that include Deborah McGregor’s full circle, Charles Menzies’ operational optimism, and Willie Ermine’s ethical space of engagement, I will argue for an approach to TK that attends to the diverse processes and relationships of knowledge acquisition, valuation, control, use, and sharing that are thoroughly rooted in place, power relations, historical context, and socio-cultural meaning. Uncoupling ‘TK’ from colonial constructs and centering Indigenous peoples and worldviews creates the space needed for renegotiating relationships and authority over environmental decision-making in Canada.

Guest Presentation
Knowledge as Relationship: Indigenous Knowledge and Transformative Environmental Governance in Canada. Guest Presentation. GGR 321 Aboriginal People and Environmental Issues in Canada. University of Toronto. June 12, 2014.

In this presentation I employed the Fish-WIKS research questions as a means of introducing students to the diverse literature on traditional knowledge (TK). I explained that before developing my research question and methodology, I had to read and digest the various perspectives on TK. What took shape was a typology of ways in which TK is conceptualized within the literature. Four distinct (but not mutually exclusive) orientations within the field of TK emerged. As a heuristic tool, I applied the Fish-WIKS research questions to each orientation, attending to the impetus, assumptions, and consequences, both discursive and material (academic and policy-related), of each school of thought. Essentially, I used my Fish-WIKS involvement to speak back to the literature and highlight the insights of Indigenous scholarship to the field of TK and environmental governance.

Knowledge Mobilization
Managing Relationships: Valuing Indigenous Knowledge in Fisheries Governance. Lake Nipissing Summit. West Nipissing, Ontario. June 24, 2014.

PhD Student, Nicole Latulippe, presents at Lake Nipissing Summit, June 2014

The Lake Nipissing Summit is a conference-style event designed to create an awareness and consensus on the need for shared ownership towards the future of Lake Nipissing. Bringing together all members of the communities surrounding the lake, this event provides knowledge and background information on the lake and its current status and provides a voice for all participants on the major issues of Lake Nipissing. See their facebook page 

This year (third annual Summit), I presented my perspective that the Lake Nipissing fishery is about more than fish – it is about evolving relationships. The work to build relationships between municipalities, resource users and stakeholders, and First Nations to address complex issues is progressive in the context of tense and even violent relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Ontario. I talked about how these efforts and the leadership of Nipissing First Nation has been recognized by Fish-WIKS, a research project that is national in scope. I went on to discuss the project; my own research interests; preliminary observations and literature review (including why the history and politics of the treaty relationship matters in any discussion of fisheries governance, as well as examples of and tools for effective partnerships in resource management); how the themes and eventual findings may be relevant to the work of attendees; and included a call for research participants.