TORONTO — A new partnership will be helping to foster a process of decision-making that respects the need to includes Indigenous voices and Indigenous knowledge systems in the decision-making process, especially as these decisions may affect the environment, the land-Mother Earth.
Jessica Perritt, the director of Indigenous innovation with Turtle Island Institute and senior environmental scientist from NWMO, and Melissa Mayhew, were recently invited to contribute to a global science policy study known as the IPBES Values Assessment, released on July 12, 2022. Bringing the views of both NWMO senior environmental scientist and that of the director of Indigenous Innovations with Turtle Island was the key component behind this dialogue.
IPBES acknowledges that the present way in which nature is valued in political and economic decision-making has contributed to what is described as a “global biodiversity crisis." Salima Virani, regional communications manager-Indigenous, NWMO, facilitated the opportunity to dialogue with Perritt and Mayhew, and provided background information.
The critical need of recognizing the importance of integrating and respecting the indigenous knowledge systems on Indigenous people at a global level and the diversity in how people live, relate to and value nature, into policy and decision-making, was a key underlying theme in a candid discussion with both Perritt and Mayhew. Both shared their views regarding their individual contributions to the IPBES and what they identify as important factors to consider regarding decisions that ultimately affect nature.
When asked about how important having Indigenous voices in the decision-making policies that impact on the way nature is valued and how lack of this, has been a driving factor in the global biodiversity crisis, Perritt, who is on leave as, NWMO’s Indigenous relations and manger of Indigenous knowledge and reconciliation, responded by saying, "Collectively we need to understand the importance for an Indigenous voice. This is important in order to have space for multiple ways of knowing, in order to co-create more effective solutions to protect Mother Earth."
Perritt spoke about the need for a shift by western scientists to ensure that outcomes from decision-making not only protects Mother Earth but is also based on a relationship of reciprocity. "Western scientists must make shifts to ensure that outcomes are grounded in relationship, respect and reciprocity between human and non-human species."
There is a commitment by NWMO that the decision-making process be based on western science and technical components but equally important is to protect the people and the environment. Mayhew spoke about the fact that local knowledge helps to enhance their knowledge about the importance of the connection to the environment and protecting it. "There are different styles of decision-making and local knowledge can enrich our understanding and connection to the environment."
When speaking about this topic, Mayhew added a personal note describing how when someone is connected deeply to something, that you tend to strive to ensure that it has a voice. "I have come to understand through my work with Indigenous knowledge Holders that when you love something and feel connected, you want to see it have a voice that is really speaking to the agency of Mother Earth.
In terms of the decision-making process that will be considered as to where the repository for waste management of used nuclear fuel will be, Mayhew said, " It is a community driven process, so the decision will lie with communities making the decision. It is a partnership model."
Mayhew was passionate about this subject and the processes followed by both her and Perritt highlighting that it was a partnership and that there is a true commitment by NWMO regarding the need to integrate Indigenous knowledge into the decision-making process. "There is a commitment to aligning Indigenous knowledge that requires the capacity of the western scientists."
In addition, Mayhew sees a change needed in the traditional thought that the focus was to teach Indigenous people about western science. "The traditional thought used to be to teach Indigenous people about western science," said Mayhew. Rather, the view today is the opposite, that in fact western science needs to look at what Indigenous people can teach them. Ultimately, the view is that capacity needs to be built by western scientists so that Indigenous knowledge is represented equally.
According to Perritt, it is also important that Indigenous knowledge systems are ingrained in the decision-making, and that relationships with the land are also respected.
"We need to develop a relationship of reciprocity and the relationship with the land. Communities will decide what knowledge they want to share. NWMO needs to do its own learning about the relationship to land. We need to foster sustainability and integrate Indigenous knowledge and values. The relationship one has to land affects how decisions are made."
Another important component shared was the fact that there was an effort made to reach out to Elders and Knowledge Holders in order to gain their insight and to allow them to be a part of what both described as a reciprocity of knowledge and learning. An instrumental group has been the inclusion of the Council of Elders and Youth.
This was clearly an important element in their contributions to the IPBES, especially since, as Perritt described, historically Canada’s history has been one of 'perpetual extraction'. "We need to ensure that because these systems did not historically serve Indigenous people as well in this country that we do not perpetuate extraction."
Both shared what they believe need to be included in the next steps in this process. Mayhew identified a next step as making sure they continue to work with Indigenous Elders and knowledge holders, to keep working at the community level and acknowledge them who are shaping the NWMO.
Mayhew concluded by sharing how when in the communities, Elders graciously went out onto the land and held ceremonies. She sees a key responsibility is to, "Implement advice that comes from participating in these ceremonies. I am excited to have true knowledge exchange. NWMO is brave enough to get into a partnership with this kind of work and live up to the values of the Indigenous people. We look to experts for knowledge, but this is about the value of relationships not just the value of their expertise."
Perritt closed by expressing how happy she was to get key partners to think more globally and in terms of next steps, she sees the importance of making sure decisions and outcomes are in terms of protecting Mother Earth. "Indigenous knowledge is rooted in land and place. This knowledge is sophisticated. There is a tremendous opportunity globally that Indigenous voice and Indigenous knowledge systems are at the table regarding decisions that affect Mother Earth."
On a global scale, it is agreed that more work needs to be done to hold Indigenous knowledge systems at the same level as western scientific knowledge. In the short term it becomes important to reflecting on how people value nature and what Mayhew described as how, “The hierarchy placed on the economic market forces is a major driver of the biodiversity crisis we are facing. How we value nature will give us the opportunity to get through this crisis.”