Side Event

Gathering and Use of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge for Polar Bear Management and Decision Making in Canada

Organizer
Environment Canada

Date and Time
8 October 2013 13:15 - 14:45

Meeting
Eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity

The proposed side-event will be co-hosted by Environment Canada and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (Canada's National Inuit organization). Broadly, the event will provide an overview of how Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) is used in management of polar bear in Canada, and ways in which ATK can be effectively integrated with western science in decision-making as it pertains to wildlife management. Specifically, the event will provide an overview of how the management authorities and Aboriginal organizations are working cooperatively to create national level processes for (a) better linking ATK and western science, (b) better utilizing ATK, and (c) strengthening the conduct of ATK research and studies to aid polar bear management decision making. EC and ITK have been working on a joint initiative exploring these themes since 2011.