Nunatsiaq News – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announced Tuesday the launch of its own Arctic research centre that aims to bridge gaps between science and Inuit traditional knowledge. Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre will help Inuit “access the systems of western science” while helping scientists make use of Inuit knowledge, ITK announced during a news conference in Ottawa. “From the time of first contact, Inuit have been surveyed and studied by western scientists wanting to bring greater insight into Arctic peoples,” said ITK president Mary Simon. “They studied us, and while there was much for us to learn during these interactions, they were almost always one-sided, providing us with little opportunity to contribute to the greater picture of Arctic knowledge.” Inuit Qaujisarvingat will produce guides for “appropriate” research practices in Inuit communities and forge partnerships with foundations, universities governments and non-governmental organizations. The result, Simon hopes, is more Inuit control over scientific research, and a way to ensure that Inuit communities and governments have access to research data.

Visit website: Inuit Qaujisarvingat (Inuit Knowledge Centre)

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More information:

• ITK Media Release: “National Inuit Leader Announces Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre” (Jan. 12, 2010).
• Download Backgrounder: “Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre” (.doc).
• CBC: “Research centre combines Western, Inuit knowledge” (Jan. 12, 2010).
• Northern Research Network: “Inuit Qaujisarvingat: Inuit Knowledge Centre Launched, Ottawa, Canada” (Jan. 10, 2010).
• Canadian Medical Association (CMAJ): “New Inuit centre hopes to influence research agenda” (Jan. 26, 2010).
• Mary Simon’s Blog: “Inuit Qaujisarvingat: The Inuit Knowledge Centre” (Jan. 12, 2010).  Click on link for audio podcast of press conference, or listen below.

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