Safe and Sustainable Arctic Shipping Management and Development - Chapter 10: Indigenous knowledge and culture: How important is it for Arctic development?

Authors: 
Mawuli Afenyo, Adolf K.Y. Ng, Naima Saeed

In this chapter, we explain the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and culture in Arctic development. Five factors have been identified as driving forces for integrating their knowledge and culture in the Arctic development: indigenous knowledge of the Arctic environment, ability to manage the natural resources sustainably, cultural heritage, involvement in policymaking and decision-making, and recognition of their rights in international laws. The argument is supported with the help of some actual examples related to indigenous people in different Arctic nations.