You are Invited to CIOOS Atlantic’s Three-Part Discussion Series

Exploring Ways to Bring Together Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems for Coastal & Ocean Observing

CIOOS is a national, online data platform that supports coastal and ocean stewardship, economic innovation, and marine safety and navigation by providing access to high quality coastal and ocean information and data. Three Regional Associations located in the Pacific, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Atlantic are working together to increase discovery and access to coastal and ocean data and information.

The Atlantic Regional Association of the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System or CIOOS Atlantic is committed to engaging meaningfully and respectfully with Indigenous Peoples and organizations in the development of this system.

CIOOS Atlantic is hosting a three-part Discussion Series to learn where our goals may align with Indigenous organizations and how we could collaborate to advance our shared ocean observing goals. This Series will bring together individuals who are stewards of Indigenous data and work with coastal and ocean observations to strengthen existing networks, create new connections, and discuss opportunities for collaboratively developing approaches to exchange coastal and ocean data and information.

We will strive to create a space for these discussions where people with different Knowledge Systems feel comfortable sharing and discussing openly with one another. As part of our commitment to educating ourselves, CIOOS Atlantic has produced a Literature Review, summary and presentation that look at case studies where Indigenous knowledge was digitized, what factors enabled successful outcomes, and the inherent risks and limitations involved in the digitization of Indigenous knowledge. These documents can be accessed here: https://cioosatlantic.ca/resources/

Discussion 1. Elders Gathering, Observing Coasts and Oceans

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 / Time: 1:00-3:00 PM (AST)

Join us to hear from Indigenous Elders about ways of observing the coasts and oceans. A group discussion will follow for questions, comments and reflections.

Discussion 2. Digitizing Indigenous Knowledge: Rights and Data Sharing

Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 / Time: 1:00-3:00 PM (AST)

Guest speakers will discuss the legal, ethical and value considerations that surround digitizing and sharing Indigenous knowledge and data. Guest speakers will share their own experiences with initiatives that have digitized Indigenous Knowledge and the approaches used to maintain Indigenous ownership and control.

Guest speakers include:

• Stephanie Russo Carroll, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Public Health and Associate Director for the Native Nations Institute, University of Arizona
• Christine McCrae, Executive Director, Native Land Digital (Native-Land.ca)
• Joel Heath, Executive Director, Arctic Eider Society (arcticeider.com; siku.org)

Discussion 3. Collaborations

Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021 / Time: 1:00-3:00 PM (AST)

Guest presenters will share regional, national and international success stories about coastal and ocean knowledge and data collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and organizations. Take a deep dive into what makes for a successful collaboration and explore with others the potential for working together to advance your shared goals.

Guest Speakers include:

• Pieter Romer, Indigenous Community Liaison, Ocean Networks Canada.
• Dr. Jane Anderson, Associate Professor, Anthropology and Museum Studies, New York University, Co-Director, ENRICH, Equity for Indigenous Research and Innovation – Coordinating Hub and Maui Hudson, Director, Associate Professor, Te Mata Punenga o Te Kotahi (Te Kotahi Research Institute), Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato (The University of Waikato); Co-Director, ENRICH, Equity for Indigenous Research and Innovation – Coordinating Hub.
• Apoqnmatulti’k (Mi’kmaw: “we help each other”), Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, Mi’kmaw Conservation Group, Marine Institute of Natural and Academic Science, Ocean Tracking Network, Acadia University, Dalhousie University, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

This Discussion Series and the Literature Review were made possible with the generous support of the Ocean Frontier Institute and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Seed Fund

cioos.ca / cioosatlantic.ca

Please check this site in the New Year – we will post information about new speakers as they are confirmed