Arctic science has profound importance for Arctic residents as well as people around the world. However, the Arctic research community itself is highly demographically homogeneous. To make Arctic research more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive, the Arctic research community needs to continue to learn and update our approaches and systems.
Therefore, the Collaborations Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is hosting a quarterly reading group initiative, designed to encourage reading and open conversations on topics related to diversity and inclusion in Arctic Science. Our next event will focus Indigenous food sovereignty and self-governance, featuring a discussion with Carolina Behe of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska.
This will be an open, informal event focused on conversation, curiosity, and learning. We hope that this supportive learning environment will lead towards action and change. All are welcome!
Before the event, we strongly encourage you to read the -Alaska summary and recommendations report, Food Sovereignty and Self-Governance: Inuit Role in Managing Arctic Marine Resources.
We look forward to seeing you (and the colleagues you invite!).
About the speaker
Carolina Behe is the Indigenous Knowledge/Science Advisor for the Inuit Circumpolar Council () Alaska. As part of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska team, her work ranges from topics within food security and sovereignty to biodiversity, climate change, management, and policy. Within the past couple of years, Carolina has been part of a team with focus on Inuit food sovereignty. Internationally, Carolina acts as the Head of Delegation on the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group and brings forward ’s positions within the Convention on Biological Diversity. Much of ’s work within these international fora is focused on ensuring that Inuit perspective and interest are at the table. Additionally, a high amount of focus is placed on the involvement of Indigenous Knowledge and promoting the use of a co-production of knowledge approach to bring together Indigenous Knowledge and science. Carolina's work allows for her to work within two knowledge systems, Indigenous Knowledge and science. Indigenous Knowledge takes a holistic view and sees how many pieces fit together. Working with this understanding and way of knowing, combined with science, will aid in make adaptive ecosystem based decisions.