The Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) recognizes the deep connection Indigenous Peoples have with their culture, language, lands, waters and communities. We therefore commit to listening first, while investing in meaningful, collaborative relationships built on an understanding of respective traditions and beliefs — on the terms set by the communities with which we work.ARF recognizes Section 35 (1) of Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982:“The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.”The ARF Indigenous Policy provides an internal guide to ensure best practices and recommended processes in successfully engaging with Indigenous people. Our reconciliation journey is to understand and educate ourselves on our country’s past, its impacts on Indigenous people, and to find the best ways to work together in moving forward.
Listen first
ARF endeavours to listen first when communicating with Indigenous communities, individuals, governments, and organizations. ARF acknowledges the respective traditional territories of various Indigenous peoples and respects their traditional knowledge and ways of life.ARF is committed to maintaining open dialogues and developing consultations into meaningful, community-led collaborations. We recognize the invaluable knowledge and experience Indigenous communities hold and work with these communities to help them maintain an active role in shaping the research and policies that impact their homelands.We aim to integrate Traditional Knowledge — in an additive, non-extractive way — alongside scientific expertise to ensure research respects Indigenous rights and values while addressing the environmental and socio-economic challenges faced by Northern communities. We are dedicated to making processes collaborative to ensure the inclusivity, equity, and sustainability crucial to informed decision-making.
Respect
Indigenous peoples have a unique constitutional relationship with the Crown. ARF recognizes they also have a special relationship with their respective lands, waters, and seas.ARF will continue to invest in developing that same respect while building meaningful relationships.ARF acknowledges the broad diversity in Indigenous peoples and tailors the scope and operations of projects to the communities where we work, ensuring a collaborative, respectful approach that meets mutual needs. In the spirit of ongoing reconciliation, we commit to amplifying Indigenous voices and providing education and awareness of Indigenous people’s history to ARF board members, staff and partners.
Gathering
ARF understands the cultural significance of the gathering of resources from the land, waters, and sea for subsistence and identity. With the gathering of knowledge through research, ARF will respect communities and the rights of Knowledge Holders. We will ensure an attitude of respectful partnership in the sharing of and use of local knowledge in shaping solutions for science, research, and culture. Our work must always be additive, never extractive. We commit to respect and adhere to all community, regional, and territorial regulations, procedures, processes and policies. We recognize that Indigenous Knowledge remains the intellectual and cultural property of the Knowledge Holders and their communities, and its use will always be guided by community direction, informed consent, and mutually agreed-upon protocols.
Indigenous Data Governance and Consent
ARF recognizes that Traditional Knowledge, cultural knowledge, oral histories, research findings, and community data are valuable community assets. We acknowledge the rights of Indigenous Peoples to govern how information originating from their communities is collected, accessed, used, stored, shared, and retained. We are committed to respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and will work in accordance with the governance principles, protocols, and expectations established by each Indigenous government, organization, or community.We are committed to seeking free, prior, and informed consent before collecting, using, or sharing Indigenous knowledge or community information. We will work collaboratively with communities to establish appropriate data governance and sharing agreements, respect community decisions regarding confidentiality and culturally sensitive information, and return research findings in accessible and meaningful ways. We recognize that consent is an ongoing process and that Indigenous knowledge will never be used beyond agreed-upon purposes without the explicit permission of the Knowledge Holders and their communities.
Use of Language
We recognize the importance of protecting and preserving endangered languages, which are not just a means of communication but a gateway to cultural heritage and history.We commit to working with communities in their preferred languages. We commit to ensuring live translators are available when consulting with communities and in contexts where language barriers may exist. We commit to translating documents where appropriate to ensure all community members have meaningful access to information. We commit to facilitating, where appropriate, ongoing intergenerational knowledge exchange — engaging youth and elders to further language, wisdom, and knowledge sharing to younger generations. We are dedicated to promoting and protecting endangered languages as an essential part of our commitment to cultural preservation and diversity.
Commitment to Reconciliation
ARF acknowledges and recognizes UNDRIP and the 94 recommendations outlined in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.We recognize the need to promote education and awareness to other Canadians regarding history We work to ensure all staff and Board members understand Indigenous peoples, rights, customs, and traditions, within Treaties and Land Claim Agreement environments.Furthermore, we believe in and mirror the calls to action in Towards reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to natural scientists working in Canada. This was developed by Members of Parks Canada, Kluane First Nation, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, and the University of Waterloo (Carmen Wong, Kate Ballegooyen, Lawrence Ignace, Mary Jane (Gudia) Johnson, Heidi Swanson). The following is our interpretation of the call to action applied to ARF’s context:Call 1: We strive to understand and adapt to the socio-political landscape around research sites.Call 2: We strive to recognize that generating knowledge about the land is a goal shared with Indigenous peoples and seek meaningful relationships and collaboration for better outcomes for all involved.Call 3: We strive to enable knowledge sharing and knowledge co-production.Call 4: We strive to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous community members, particularly youth, to experience and participate in science.Call 5: We strive to recognize and incorporate Indigenous place names in our work.Call 6: We strive to educate ourselves on Indigenous history and rights.Call 7: We advocate for changing approaches to funding to better suit the realities of the North.Call 8: We strive to uphold Indigenous data sovereignty by respecting community authority over Indigenous knowledge, research information, and data governance, ensuring that consent, stewardship, and shared decision-making guide all stages of our work.
Closing Commitment
This policy reflects ARF’s commitment to building respectful, reciprocal, and enduring relationships with Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing journey requiring listening, learning, humility, and accountability. As our relationships grow and best practices evolve, we will continue to review and strengthen this policy in collaboration with Indigenous partners to ensure our work remains community-informed, culturally respectful, and guided by the principles of trust, free, prior, and informed consent, and shared decision-making. By working together, honouring Indigenous rights and knowledge systems, and supporting community priorities, we strive to ensure our research contributes to lasting benefits for Indigenous communities and future generations.Our commitment remains simple: to listen first, act respectfully, and work together in partnership with Indigenous communities.