Gaps in marine baseline data and the role of Inuit knowledge in the Nunavut impact assessment process
department or school: Arts and Sciences, Irving K. Barber School of (Okanagan)
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCO
creator: Peletz-Bohbot, Nicole
issued: 2019-04-18T17:04:30Z
issued: 2019
related degree: Master of Arts - MA
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: This research helps support the impact assessment (IA) process in Nunavut through an improved understanding of marine baseline information needs and the important role of Inuit Knowledge in project review. The Canadian Arctic is experiencing unprecedented environmental and social-economic change. IA, as a process and tool, is in a key position to assess and mitigate potential impacts of resource development and other activities and aid planning in a rapidly changing Arctic. However, the effectiveness of IA in Arctic jurisdictions has been questioned, and many challenges have been identified including broad gaps in baseline data, notably related to marine environments. Agencies responsible for IA, such as the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), may employ adaptive approaches where local and Inuit Knowledge is used to address information needs, and broadly support and shape the assessment process. This research was developed and undertaken in collaboration with the NIRB. Through a document analysis of completed NIRB IA reviews, and focus groups with NIRB staff and board members, this research sought to, 1) identify and acknowledge gaps in marine baseline data and associated challenges, 2) understand the role of Inuit Knowledge alongside and in absence of western science in marine baseline data collection and understanding, and 3) assess long-term options and outline opportunities to address information needs. The results highlight that better marine information is needed across Nunavut, and associated challenges are complex and interconnected. However, through the unique composition and functions of the NIRB, and the integration of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit / Qaujimaningit (IQ) and local knowledge, IA in Nunavut is in a valuable position to address baseline information needs and further challenges, as well as act as a potential model towards Indigenous-led IA in other settings. The recommendations outline the need to address barriers and promote enablers to addressing i…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/69792
note: GAPS IN MARINE BASELINE DATA AND THE ROLE OF INUIT KNOWLEDGE IN THE NUNAVUT IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS by Nicole Peletz-Bohbot BEng., McGill University, 2017 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Interdisciplinary Studies) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) April 2019 © Nicole Peletz-Bohbot, 2019 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis/dissertation entitled: Gaps in Marine Baseline Data and the Role of Inuit Knowledge in the Nunavut Impact Assessment Process submitted by Nicole Peletz-Bohbot in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts Dr. Kevin Hanna, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Science Supervisor Dr. Bram Noble, University of Saskatchewan Co-supervisor Dr. Jon Corbett, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Science Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Kasun Hewage, Faculty of Applied Science University Examiner Click or tap here to enter text. Click or tap here to enter text. Click or tap here to enter text. iii Abstract This research helps support the impact assessment (IA) process in Nunavut through an improved understanding of marine baseline information needs and the important role of Inuit Knowledge in project review. The Canadian Arctic is experiencing unprecedented environmental and social-economic change. IA, as a process and tool, is in a key position to assess and mitigate potential impacts of resource development and other activities and aid planning in a rapidly changing Arctic. However, the effectiveness of IA in Arctic jurisdictions has been questioned, and many challenges have been identified including broad gaps in baseline data, notably related to marine environments. Agencies responsible for IA, such as the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), may employ adaptive approaches where local and Inuit Knowledge is used to address i…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2019-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0378334
language: eng
degree discipline: Interdisciplinary Studies
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/69792