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Ethnobiological
Research: On Whose Terms? Abstract:
The cultural knowledge and local expertise of Indigenous communities
are vital to understanding the interrelationships between humans and
the natural world, and promoting human and ecosystem health. As such,
there is growing awareness in ethnobiology that research with Indigenous
communities must move away from subject-centered models of ‘studying
Indigenous cultures’ toward more collaborative and respectful
practices wherein community members are essential partners in defining
and conducting research. Building research relationships and mutual
understanding based on shared principles are prerequisite to working
collaboratively, and essential to ethical research practices. However,
practical realities such as adequate time and funds to build relationships,
develop informed consent, and establish appropriate research goals and
processes are often overlooked by academic research granting agencies
and university administrations. Conducting collaborative research, therefore,
may lead to significant tensions for researchers–as a result of
entrenched norms in academic reward structures, research and ethics
policies, and publication practices. This paper explores ethical, legal
and practical challenges faced by ethnobiologists in Canadian university-sponsored
research, and presents some emerging community-based strategies for
addressing these issues. This
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