Indigenous people in focus at the close of International Polar Year:
Bridging the gap between science and indigenous knowledge
“The traditional knowledge of the indigenous peoples should be incorporated into science,” said Norwegian Professor Ole Henrik Magga at the International Polar Year Oslo Science Conference (IPY-OSC) at the beginning of June.
Professor Magga is former president of the Sámediggi (Sami parliament) and current chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. “Traditional knowledge is a partner to science,” he stated at the opening session of the third day of the IPY-OSC, which had indigenous peoples as its topic.
Professor Ole Henrik Magga
Potential in building bridges
Professor Magga called for improved communication and cooperation between scientists and indigenous peoples, commenting that local people in the Arctic have first-hand knowledge of such factors as fish, animals, birds, the land and the snow conditions.
“A positive development in the Arctic presupposes a mutual understanding and respect between the peoples - indigenous and non-indigenous," he added.
A people at risk
Sergey Kharyuchi, President of the interest organisation Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and Far East (RAIPON) emphasised the vulnerable position of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic area.
"The traditional activities of the indigenous peoples of the North are directly connected to the Arctic environment and its wildlife. As such they have always been at risk," he said and continued, "Today, indigenous peoples are facing the problem of climate change, which is disrupting the ecosystems of their territories. Our indigenous ancestors have been adapting to climate conditions for thousands of years. We must learn from them."
Climate predictions to reach all corners of the globe
Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and former UN diplomat Jan Egeland presented a UN climate initiative to map and predict short-term and long-term climate change, and to communicate the results to indigenous peoples all over the world.
It is one of the world's injustices that information is unevenly distributed, according to Jan Egeland, Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Mr Egeland, who is co-chair of the High-level Taskforce for the Global Framework for Climate Services, asked for suggestions on the kind of information the taskforce should make a priority.
"Indigenous peoples know what kind of information they need to make the right decisions, but it is difficult for them to access the information. Scientists, on the other hand, have a lot of information, but do not know what the indigenous peoples need," he stated.
"It is one of the world's injustices that information is unevenly distributed. The more vulnerable you are, the less informed you are likely to be," concluded Mr Egeland.
Interdisciplinary research needed
To predict climate change in a world that has seen dramatic changes in patterns of rainfall, rising sea levels that threaten to drown island communities, global warming, and more natural disasters than the earth has experienced in a hundred years, an interdisciplinary approach is needed.
The traditional knowledge of the indigenous peoples should be incorporated into science, says Professor Ole Henrik Magga
In addition, the indigenous peoples themselves must be involved, both in terms of drawing attention to the kind of information they need, but also as part of the observation system.
IPY has included an unprecedented focus on social sciences, particularly involving the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. These groups have not only been the focus of research, but have also taken part in the research process, assisting, for example, in the observation and documentation of climate change.
The IPY Oslo Science Conference was held 8–12 June, and was hosted by the Research Council of Norway.
- Published:
- 18.06.2010
- Last updated:
- 18.06.2010
