Candice Sudlovenick, the Outreach Programs Manager for SIKU, finds fulfillment in her role, reflecting on her journey from being a youth participant in Ikaarvik over ten years ago. She attributes the program to sparking her interest in research, emphasizing its empowering nature and the validation of her voice being heard.
In a recent publication in Arctic Science co-authored by Danielle Nowosad, a Métis postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary, the Inuit approach to leadership in research is explored. The paper highlights Canada’s efforts towards inclusivity of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge in research endeavors.
Established in 2010 by a group of Inuit youth who completed the Environmental Technology Program at Nunavut Arctic College, Ikaarvik aims to bridge the gap between Inuit knowledge and scientific research. The organization strives to equip Inuit youth with the skills necessary for careers in this emerging field.
Sudlovenick and Nowosad emphasize the importance of meaningful collaboration between Western science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ), traditional Inuit knowledge. They acknowledge the challenges faced in aligning academic timelines and funding structures with the slower pace required for community-based research.
Despite these obstacles, there is growing recognition of the value that community-based research brings, with an acknowledgment that it often leads to more robust outcomes. As climate change impacts the Arctic region, the integration of local knowledge alongside scientific research becomes increasingly vital, offering a promising future for Arctic research.
Sudlovenick advocates for the equal standing of Indigenous knowledge with Western science, envisioning a future where the convergence of technology and traditional wisdom narrows the gap between the two realms, fostering collaboration for the benefit of northern communities and the environment.
