IUCN/SSC CTSG HWIWG Indigenous co-management-led research, Monica Engel, Torngat WP&F Secretariat

Tuesday the 24th of September 2024
Indigenous co-management-led research, led by Dr Monica Engel
Torngat Wildlife Plants and Fisheries Secretariat
IUCN/SSC CTSG HWIWG
Indigenous-led research is essential in wildlife and fisheries co-management as it integrates traditional ecological knowledge with scientific methods, ensuring that management strategies are both culturally relevant and ecologically effective. Established as a fundamental element of the Nunatsiavut Land Claim Agreement, the Torngat Wildlife Plants and Fisheries Secretariat (Torngat Secretariat) supports the Joint Fisheries and the Wildlife and Plants Co-management Boards. The Secretariat's objective is to promote co-management-led research that enhances community stewardship and ensures the sustainable management of wildlife, plants, and fisheries, which are vital to the cultural, economic, and overall well-being of Inuit communities. This involves rigorous monitoring of animal populations and a thorough engagement with community perspectives to incorporate Inuit knowledge into management practices. Those efforts include monitoring Arctic char, snow crab, Torngat caribou, polar bears, and moose. Through education and outreach, we strive to enhance cultural continuity and knowledge exchange between elders and youth. The integration of Indigenous stewardship with scientific approaches is pivotal for developing management strategies that are both ecologically sound and culturally responsive. By employing this integrative framework, the Torngat Secretariat exemplifies a model of stewardship that advances the long-term health of both Inuit communities and the ecosystems they rely on. This model underscores the critical role of co-management and Indigenous-led research in achieving sustainability and resilience in wildlife and fisheries management.