Cultural Heritage, Globalization, Cultural Heritage, Globalization, And And

Collaborative Research With Collaborative Research With Aboriginal Peoples Of The Aboriginal Peoples Of The

Circumpolar NorthCircumpolar North

James Andrew McDonald

University of Northern British Columbia

Just to locate the case study …

The Province of British Columbia

the interaction of globalization and the interaction of globalization and local developmentlocal development

the phenomenon of climate change that is starting to deeply affect the north.

natural resources in the north – gas, oil, precious gems like diamonds – that are becoming more and more accessible to industry.

indigenous peoples have had their traditional ways of life uprooted by the changes that are occurring in the north

How to realize this type of How to realize this type of development locally?development locally?

• the importance of effective, collaborative research with aboriginal peoples of the circumpolar world.

• The spirit of Vilhjálmur Stefánsson

HDI plus other HDI plus other aspects of human development aspects of human development

• the ability of people to determine their own destinies,

• cultural continuity in the sense of nurturing traditional values and ways of life, even while embracing some of the obvious benefits of modernization, and

• close relationships with the natural world.

Globalization: the paradoxGlobalization: the paradox

• creates economic conditions attractive to many peoples seeking a better life

• contributes to undermining of local cultures and to the breakdown of local societies

local indigenous peoples want local indigenous peoples want developmentsdevelopments

• that address their needs,

• that are inclusive of their cultural values,

• that respect their collective identities, and

• that provide sustainable development for their communities.

“Development with Identity”.

UNUN Human Development ReportsHuman Development Reports

Human development is first and foremost about allowing people to lead the kind of life they choose—and providing them with the tools and opportunities to make those choices

UNHDR 2006UNHDR 2006

• … human development shares a common vision with human rights. The goal is human freedom. And in pursuing capabilities and realizing rights, this freedom is vital. People must be free to exercise their choices and to participate in decision-making that affects their lives. Human development and human rights are mutually reinforcing, helping to secure the well-being and dignity of all people, building self-respect and the respect of others.

2 assertions2 assertions

1. for development to benefit indigenous people there must exist a true partnership

2. this type of partnership will also strengthen the larger society

Key anthropological conceptsKey anthropological concepts

• holism,

• the cross cultural approach, and

• a historical approach to studying culture

Anthropological methodsAnthropological methods

Policy Research

• Decision Making, policies

• Globalization, knowledge, and power

• Participatory approaches, community based research, community centred research

2004 UNHDR2004 UNHDR

There is a need for dialogue and benefit sharing when the modern world – national or international – meets indigenous culture in order to provide the space for growth and development as chosen by indigenous peoples.

Cross-cultural challenges Cross-cultural challenges

• identifying the factors associated with the organization of knowledge in each case society,

• identifying and contacting the proper authorities in each culture

• developing a cross-cultural understanding of the research, and

• Determining the proper ways to ask the questions and to obtain the answers.

Collaborative researchCollaborative research

• Address problems of cultural heritage under the conditions of globalization

• holistic perspective • cross-cultural approach • cultural change. • policy perspective• careful not to replicate the cultural values of the

dominant society• respect the cultural integrity of the people and • permit culturally supportive development.

UNHDR 2004UNHDR 2004

The potential and the threat of globalization to cultural diversity and choice are noted – the report suggests that the most effective response is to embrace choice, while providing an encouraging and supportive environment for local culture, so that it can flourish, not be swamped

Barriers to effective local Barriers to effective local developmentdevelopment

• assimilation of indigenous people by legislative means,

• resulting disruption of cultural knowledge,

• unilateral appropriation of indigenous resources by legislation

• criminalization of indigenous resource management practices and other laws

• cultural prejudices in Canadian society

Development with IdentityDevelopment with Identityprotects and promotes:protects and promotes:

• identity, • culture, • Territorial relationships & also:• the local governance of the traditional

society and economy, • indigenous control over natural resources, • and social organization.

cultural modelscultural models

co-management models require study of :

• indigenous systems of land tenure

• assumptions of ownership of traditional resources

• cultural complexities and nuances of land tenure system

Tsimshian resource managementTsimshian resource management

Key areas

• property,

• indigenous laws, and

• social structure.

Conclusions:Conclusions:Important principles are

– holism, – cross cultural analysis, – culture change, – cultural integrity, and – curating cultural knowledge, – community-centred methodology

These can assist communities to – articulate and express their needs and interests,– preserve their heritages, – develop sustainable communities

“Research With Identity”

THE END

My thanks to •the organizers of the Social Science Square •the Stefánsson Arctic Institute •the University of Akureyri