Recommendations for Action for the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning

Arctic research needs to address and counter colonial structures and to be Indigenised. This policy brief, Towards Arctic Research Upholding Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Recommendations for ICARP IV, the International Conference on Arctic Research Planning, provides the ICARP IV, a once-in-a-decade global gathering on Arctic science and global affairs) with recommendations for action in five different areas that can advance the parity and complementarity of Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge, and academic scientific knowledge to inform the process and lead to better research outcomes for all: (1) Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination as a prerequisite for high-quality Arctic research; (2) Ethics, methods and methodology as key for decolonial research; (3) Indigenous-led research in design and practice; (4) Indigenous Peoples’ co-equal participation in Arctic research funding structures and decision-making for securing decolonial Arctic research in practice; and (5) Funding for Co-Creative and Indigenous-Led Arctic Research. This is not a universally applicable one-size-fits-all approach or a rigid set of guidelines; rather, these recommendations are founded on notions of dialogue, relationship-building, and self-determination, which are key to ensuring ethical and effective research practices that genuinely serve to uplift the status, rights, and roles of Arctic Indigenous Peoples.

With permission from EU-PolarNet 2, this document built upon the Roadmap to Decolonial Arctic Research: Policy Brief for the European Commission, elaborating on its key messages and recommendations for action at an international level and placing a particular emphasis on Indigenous-led research. Over 12 months, these additions were incorporated based on a review of recent literature, feedback in a workshop session, and a three-week international virtual public consultation process.