Indigenous Knowledge Systemsbianca van bavel, joanna petrasek macdonald and dalee sambo dorough
OverviewThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has begun to acknowledge, albeit slowly, the importance of Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems in contributing to understandings of climate change and effective climate action. Yet Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and IK systems remain largely excluded and marginalised from the IPCC global assessment reports. IPCC scientists and leaders have a unique and specific obligation to IK systems that does not extend to other knowledge systems. IK is the knowledge of rights holders and therefore acknowledging and respecting the self-determination of IPs over their knowledgeincluding how it is used, interpreted and synthesizedis imperative. There are examples of IPs organising themselves in other international spaces that could inform how the IPCC can approach a stronger, more durable engagement with IPs. Perhaps the ultimate challenge for the IPCC is that when bringing IK systems together with other knowledge systems, the framing of evidence must reflect the diversity of these distinct and discrete ways of knowing. Examples from the lived experience of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) in engaging with the IPCC demonstrate diverse channels for engagement, yet significant limitations persist.
This chapter explores Indigenous peoples’ culture and cultural heritage, a global treasure in urgent need for safeguarding and space for flourishing. It arrives at four conclusions. First, Indigenous peoples’ rights are essentially culturally grounded and culturally bounded. They are intended to sustain and intensify the colours of the tapestry of global cultural diversity. Second, Indigenous cultural heritage encompasses a wide variety of tangible and intangible elements. To effectively safeguard them, a holistic definition is needed. Third, the right to self-determination empowers Indigenous peoples to define their identity through their own interpretation, continuation, or modification of their ways of life. Lastly, access to and use of their traditional lands, territories, and resources is essential to the survival and flourishing of Indigenous cultural heritage. Other manifestations of their culture are to be safeguarded as well, cherishing their traditions and values in the quest for an inclusive world order of human dignity.
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