mi’kmaq ecological knowledge study...

Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study Protocol

1st Edition


1

ASSEMBLY OF NOVA SCOTIA MI’KMAQ CHIEFS

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs would like to recognize and commend the efforts of the following Mi’kmaq organizations who through their technical representatives, provided much guidance and support throughout the drafting stages of this Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study Protocol

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq


3

Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs


As Ratified on November 22, 2007


4

Foreword 5

Section I Introduction 6

Section II Definitions 7

Section III Interpretation 8

Section IV Mi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeStudy(MEKS)Methodology 8

Phase I PlanningandDesign 8 a)Communications 9 b)ResearchPrinciplesandProtocols–Mi’kmawEthicsWatch 9

Phase II DeliveryandImplementation 9 a)InformedConsentandConfidentiality 9 b)ProjectScoping 10 c)DevelopingaRelationshipandInterviewing 10 d)SufficiencyofMEKData 11 e)HistoricalResearchandGroundTruthing 11

Phase III FinalizingtheMEKSReportandDisclosure 11 a)MEKDataAnalysis 11 b)DisclosureandReportingofMEKData 12

Section V Amendments 12

Section VI Appendices 13 A)AMi’kmaqProtocolonMi’kmaqEcological KnowledgeStudiesinNovaScotia 14 B)ListofNovaScotiaMi’kmaqFirstNationBands andDesignatedContactPersons 15 C)AListofRelevantMi’kmaqOrganizations andDesignatedContactPersons 16 D)ResearchPrinciplesandProtocols-Mi’kmawEthicsWatch 17 Background 17 Principles/ObligationsandProtocols 18 ApplicationstoConductResearch 21

Table of Contents


5

TheenclosedMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeStudyProtocol(MEKSProtocol)representsanimportantmilestonefortheNovaScotiaMi’kmaqtomanagethecollectionanddistributionofMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgethroughoutNovaScotia.TheprotectionofMi’kmaqEco-logicalKnowledge1(MEK)hasbeenhighlightedasakeyissuethroughtheAssemblyofNovaScotiaMi’kmaqChiefs(the“Assembly”).TheAssemblyexistsasaninstitutionofgovernancefortheMi’kmaqofNovaScotiawithrespecttoissuesofcommoninterestandconcern.ItincludesrepresentationfromallthethirteenMi’kmaqBandslocatedthroughouttheprov-inceofNovaScotia.

ThepurposeoftheMEKSProtocolistoidentifytheessentialcomponentsofanMEKSinaccordancewiththeconcernsandaspirationsoftheAssembly.ByenactingthisMEKSProtocol,theAssemblytruststhatitwillcontributetothefollowingobjectives:acknowl-edgmentandrespectofMi’kmaqculturalpractices,valuesandtraditions;preservationofaMi’kmaqculturalidentity;anopen,transparentandaccountableMEKSprocessthatisreceptivetotheuniqueneedsoftheNovaScotiaMi’kmaq.

AlthoughthisMEKSProtocolwillserveastheprimarybasisforanyproposedMEKSinNovaScotia,itshouldnotbereadinisolationfromotherMi’kmaqregionalorprovincialprocessesregardingMEKS.Furthermore,theMEKSProtocoldoesnotoperateastoreplaceotherapplicableMi’kmaqresearchethicspracticesorproceduresthatexistormaybecreatedfromtimetotime.Wheresaidprovincialandregionalprocessesexist,thisMEKProtocolshallbeliberallyinterpretedforconsistencywithsaidregionalandprovincialprocesses.IfintheeventthatthereisaclearconflictbetweenthisMEKSProtocolandotherprovincialandregionalprocesses,thisMEKSProtocolshalltakeprecedenceandprevail.

TheMEKSProtocolisalsoaworkingorrollingdocumentthatthroughthecourseoftimewillundergofurtherdiscussionandchange.Therefore,whenundertakinganMEKSinNovaScotia,pleasecheckforthelatestreviseddocumenttoensurethatanyproposedMEKSpracticesareinkeepingwiththemostrecentpositionsandperspectivesoftheNovaScotiaMi’kmaq.

Foreword

1Throughoutthisdocument,Mi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeisintendedtoreflecttheconceptandmeaningofAboriginalTraditionalKnowledge.However,itshouldalsobenotedthatMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeisalsospecifictotheuniquepractices,culture,valuesandtraditionsthattheMi’kmaqpeoplehavetoallcomponentsofthenaturalenvironment.


Sincetimeimmemorial,theMi’kmaqhaveusedandoccupiedtheirtraditionalterritoryknownasMi’kma’kiwhichincludesNovaScotia,PrinceEdwardIsland,NewBrunswickandpartsofQue-bec,NewfoundlandandthenortheasternpartofMaine.Mi’kmaqPaleo-IndiansitesinNovaScotiaprovidearchaeologicalevidenceofMi’kmaqoccupationforover10,500years.Today,theMi’kmaqcontinuetouseandoccupyMi’kma’kiandshareadeepandprofoundrelationshipwiththeirtradi-tionallands.2

InMi’kmaqculturaltradition,theMi’kmaqutilizeNetukulimk–aMi’kmaweyconceptwhichincludestheuseofthenaturalbountyprovidedbytheCreatorfortheself-supportandwell-beingoftheindividualandthecommunityatlarge.NetukulimkalsoencompassesecologicalbeliefsthroughtheinterplayofcollectiveandindividualresponsibilitiesoftheMi’kmaqtothenaturalworld.Suchrelationshipswiththelandareholisticinnatureandconsidermanyaspectsofthenaturalandspiri-tualworld.Theseinclude,butarenotlimitedto,land/marineresourceuse,management,conserva-tionandMi’kmaqspiritualbeliefs.

Throughouthistoryandtoday,Mi’kmaqsubsistenceandspiritualpracticesencompassthenaturalworldinamannerthatis,attimes,distinctfromunderstandingsinherentinwesternsociety.TheMi’kmaqdonotperceivethenaturalandspiritualworldasseparateanddistinctspheres.Thislong-standingrelationshipthattheMi’kmaqhavemaintainedforcenturieswiththeirnaturalsurround-ingsisthefoundationforMEK.FortheMi’kmaq,MEKisnotjustsimplyanexerciseintheexami-nationofMi’kmaqlandandresourceuse;rather,italsoinvolvesauniqueapproachtothegainingofthisinformationthroughMi’kmaqculturalpracticesandtradition.

Secondly,MEKisnotstatic.ItisconstantlyreanalyzedandtestedthroughtheexperiencesofnewgenerationsofMi’kmaq.Thisexperienceconsidersandincorporatesnewandemergingresourceis-suesthusenablingreliableMEKdatatoemergethroughasharedexperience.Inlightofthisculturaldialogueorpractice,itisimportantthataguidingandinterpretiveframeworkbeadvancedtotakeintoaccounttheseuniquepractices,beliefsandperspectivesthrougharespectforculturaldifference.

Section I – Introduction

2Takenfromconfidentialsourcematerialfrom:TheConfederacyofMainlandMi’kmaq,MembertouCorporateInc.,andtheUnama’kiInstituteofNaturalResources.

6


7

2.1WithinthisMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeStudyProtocol:

“Assembly”meanstheAssemblyofNovaScotiaMi’kmaqChiefswhichoperatesas aninstitutionofgovernancefortheMi’kmaqofNovaScotia.

“Consultant”meansacompany,grouporindividualthathasprimaryresponsibility toundertakeanddeliveraMi’kmaqEcologicalStudywithintheprovinceof NovaScotia.

“Consultation”meansanyCrownandMi’kmaqgovernment3discussion,negotiation ormeetingusedtojustifyCrowninfringementofAboriginalandtreatyrights.

“Government”meansanyfederal,provincialormunicipaldepartment,agentor representative.

“MEK”meansMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeandincludesthecollectionand adaptationofknowledgethatMi’kmaqpeoplehavewithallcomponentsofthe naturalenvironmentandtheinterrelationshipsthatexistbetweenalllifeformsfrom auniquehistorical,culturalandspiritualperspective.

“MEKS Protocol”meanstheMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeStudyProtocoland includesallattachedappendicesandamendmentsthatmaybemadefromtimetotime.

“Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study”meansallcomponentsrelatedtothe planning,collection,analysis,reportinganddistributionofMi’kmaqEcological KnowledgeinNovaScotia.

“MEK Report”meansanydocumentthatconsidersMEKdatapursuanttoany ProjectdefinedinthisMEKSProtocol. “Mi’kmaq Community”meansanyoftheMi’kmaqFirstNationBands,affiliated communitiesorotherMi’kmaqcommunitiesthatexistthroughoutNovaScotia.

“Mi’kmaq Participant”meansanypersonofMi’kmaqdescentwhohasagreedto participateinanMEKS.

Section II – Definitions

3Mi’kmaqGovernmentisintendedtomeananyofthethirteenNovaScotiaMi’kmaqBandsinwholeorinpart.


8

“Netukulimk”meanstheMi’kmaquseoftheCreator’snaturalbountyforself-supportandwell-beingandtheinterplayofcollectiveandindividualresponsibilitiesthattheMi’kmaqhavetothenaturalworld.

“Project”meansanyundertakingthathastriggeredanMEKStooccur.

“Proponent Company”meansacompany,grouporpersonresponsibleforundertakingaProject.

Section III – Interpretation3.1NothinginthisMEKSProtocoloranyrelateddiscussions,communicationsordocumentationshallbeinterpretedastoabrogate,derogate,orinanyway,affect,limitordetractfromtheexistingAboriginalandtreatyrightsthattheMi’kmaqpeopleindividuallyandcollectivelyenjoythroughoutNovaScotia.

3.2ForgreatercertaintytoSection3.1,nothinginthisdocumentshallbeinterpretedasConsulta-tionforpurposesofjustifyinganinfringementonMi’kmaqAboriginalorTreatyrightsthatexistormaybefoundtoexistinthefuture.

3.3ThisMEKSProtocolshallbereadtocomplimentanyMi’kmaqregionalorprovincialprocessesthatpertaintoMEKdatacollectionand,intheeventofaconflictbetweensaidprocess(s)andthisProtocol,thisProtocolshalltakeprecedenceandprevail.

Section IV – MEKS Methodology4.1MEKSmethodologyprovidesguidelinesandstandards4onsuggestedpracticesandproceduresrelevanttotheplanning/design,development,implementationandreportingstagesofanMEKS.

Phase I - Planning and Design

ThisPhaseincludesallpreliminaryworkspecifictothedevelopmentofanMEKS.AlthoughConsul-tantsmaydifferontheapproachorsubstanceofthecomponentscontainedwithinthisPhase,itisarequirementthatanMEKSbothconsiderandaddresseachofthefollowingelements:

4ThisMEKSProtocolprovidesbothstandardsandrecommendedguidelinesforallstagesofanMEKS.Forgreatercertainty,guidelinesshouldbeinterpretedasgeneral“rulesofthumb”or“bestpractices.”StandardsexistasrequirementsorobligationsthataretobefollowedatvariousstagesofanMEKS.


9

A)Communications:

CommunicationisakeyactivitytothePhaseIcomponentoftheMEKS.AtthefrontendoftheMEKSprocess,theConsultantshalldraftaletteroutliningitsintentiontotheproposedMEKSprocess.Ataminimum,thislettershouldincludethefollowing:

informationontheProponentCompanyoutlinethenatureoftheProjectincludebackgroundinformationontheConsultantoutlinethepurposeoftheMEKSspecifytheproposedMEKSprocessandrelatedactivitiescommentontheintendeduseoftheMEKSproviderelevantcontactinformationprovideanopportunityforfeedback/input

ThelettershouldbesenttotheAssembly,UnionofNovaScotiaIndians,TheConfederacyofMain-landMi’kmaq,Kwilmu’kwMaw-klusuaqnandthepoliticalleadershipofeachMi’kmaqFirstNationBandthattheConsultantintendstocollectMEKSdatawithin.ForalistofrelevantcontactpersonsandMi’kmaqBandsseeAppendixB.

B)ResearchPrinciplesandProtocols–Mi’kmawEthicsWatch:

TheResearchPrinciplesandProtocolsprovidesaprescribedapprovalprocesstothecollection,analy-sisandreportingofresearchdatageneratedfromMi’kmaqFirstNationcommunitiesthroughouttheprovinceofNovaScotia.TheConsultantshouldconsidertheResearchPrinciplesandProtocolsasanadditionalresearchprocessrequirementintheearlyplanningstagesofanMEKS.ForacopyoftheMi’kmaqResearchEthicsProtocol,seeAppendixD.

Phase II - Delivery and Implementation:

ThisPhaseincludesallworkspecifictothedeliveryandimplementationofaMEKSinNovaScotia.Aspreviouslystated,althoughConsultantsmaydifferontheapproachorsubstancecontainedwithinthisPhase,itishighlyrecommendedthataMEKSbothconsiderandaddress,ataminimum,eachofthefollowingelements:

A)InformedConsentandConfidentiality:

BeforedatacollectionofMEKdatatakesplace,itishighlyrecommendedthattheConsultantfirstsecureinformedconsentwiththeMi’kmaqParticipant.Twokeyelementstoinformedconsentinvolveeducationandagreement.TheConsultantshouldensurethattheintervieweeisprovided

••••••••


10

informationanddemonstrateaclearunderstandingofthefollowing:

1)Education:

proposedprojectspecificspurposeofanMEKSuseofMEKSdataintheapprovalprocess(s)theMEKSisnotintendedtobeConsultationforthepurposeofjustifying

aninfringementonAboriginalandTreatyrights

2)Agreement:

thatparticipationisvoluntarywrittenConsentandReleaseformisexplainedandcompleted

B)ProjectScoping:

ThecollectionofMEKdataisbasedontheconceptofNetukulimk.Whendeterminingthestudyarea,theConsultantshouldtakeintoaccountthenatureofMEKdatawhichdemandstheinclusionofthefollowing:

MEKdataisprojectandtimespecificandassuchwillrequirerecentand updatedMEKdata

collectionofMEKSdatawithinabufferareamaybeconsideredtobemore extensivethantheproposedProjectfootprint

thecollectionofMi’kmaquseandoccupationsitesandtheirimportanceto Netukulimk

thesignificanceoftheinclusionandrecognitionofMi’kmaqhistorical, spiritualandculturalinformation

C)DevelopingaRelationshipandInterviewing:

ThisMEKSProtocoldoesnotrestrictordefinewhodoesaMEKS.However,itdoesrecognizethateveryMi’kmaqcommunityhastherighttodecidewhethertheyshouldparticipatewithaConsul-tantonaMEKS.WhenengagingaMi’kmaqParticipantthroughanMEKSinterviewprocessanumberofareasshouldbeconsideredintermsofdevelopinganapproachtothecollectionofMEKdata.Ataminimum,theseareasshouldincludethefollowing:

interviewsareconductedintheInterviewee’slanguageofpreferenceinterviewsshouldbeconductedattheplaceofpreferencetotheinterviewee

••••

••

•

•

•

•

••


11

theinterviewershouldhaveappropriatematerialsincludingmapsand recordingdevices

tokensofAppreciationandGratitudetheinterviewershouldbeknowledgeableandrespectfulofMi’kmaqculturalnormstheinterviewershouldtakeintoaccount“responseburden”firstandsecondhandaccountsshouldbeconsideredinthecollectionofMEKSdata

D)SufficiencyofMEKdata:

ItisimportantthattheConsultantensurethatanadequateamountofMEKSdataiscollectedwith-intheproposedstudyarea.ThecollectionofMEKdataisdependentonanumberoffactors.WhenconductingaMEKS,theConsultantshallmakeeveryefforttouncoverMEKdatafromatargetgroupofMi’kmaqParticipants.Thetargetgroup,ataminimum,mustincludeMi’kmaqParticipantswhohavespecificMEKknowledgeorhaveconductedlanduseactivitiesintheproposedstudyarea.ItisrecommendedthattheConsultantensurethatappropriatetime,fundingandresourcesareavail-abletoaccountforthecollectionofsufficientMEKdata.IntheeventthattheConsultantisnotabletocollectasufficientamountofMEKdata,thereasonsorpotentialcausesforthiscircumstancemustbeoutlinedintheMEKReport.

E)HistoricalResearchandGroundTruthing:

TheMEKSmustincludeahistoricalreviewofMi’kmaqactivitybothwithinandsurroundingtheproposedstudyareaandan“ontheground”sitevisit.Ataminimum,theseactivitiesshouldincludethefollowing:

historicalresearchfromprimaryandsecondaryresourcematerialsandoralaccountssitevisitsidentifyingandconfirmingMEKdatadueregardtosafetyissues

Phase III - Finalizing the MEKS Report and Disclosure:

ThisPhaseincludesallworkspecifictotheanalysisofMEKdata,reportinganddisclosureofMEKinformation.ItisrecommendedthataMEKSbothconsiderandaddress,ataminimum,thefollow-ingtwokeyelements:

A)MEKDataAnalysis:

whenreportingMEKdata,theConsultantsshalluseaGISsoftwareprogramwhendeterminingthesignificanceofMEKDatatheConsultantshallhavedue

regardtobothscientificandMi’kmaqculturalpracticeandtradition

•

••••

•••

••


12

theConsultantutilizethefollowingfactorswhendeterminingthe significanceofMEKdata: -theuniquenessandnatureofthelandorresourceuse/occupation -theculturaluseorspiritualmeaningofthelandorresourceuse/occupation -theavailabilityandtheimportanceofthelandorresourceuse/occupation

B)DisclosureandReportingofMEKData:

MEKSReportfindingsshouldcontainMEKbaselineinformationsuchasthe typeofuseandspeciesincludingnumberspresent

onlyMEKofsignificancebeoutlinedinthereportthroughtheuseofaGISconsiderationanddueregardshouldgrantedtoconfidentialityofaMi’kmaq

Participant’sMEKdatatheMEKSshouldprovidesuggestionsonmitigationorremediationofpotential

impactsinamannerthatreflectssoundenvironmentalpracticefromascientific andMi’kmaqculturalperspective

theMEKSReportshouldbedistributedinatimelymannertotheMi’kmaqpolitical organizationsasoutlinedinAppendixC

theMEKSReportmustaccountfortheexplicitreservationandprotectionof IntellectualPropertyRightsthattheMi’kmaqindividuallyandcollectivelyenjoy inNovaScotia

theConsultantshallmakeexplicitreferenceintheMEKSReportthatitisnot intendednorisittobeinterpretedasconstitutingConsultationforthepurpose ofjustifyinganinfringementontheexistingAboriginalandTreatyrightsof theMi’kmaqinNovaScotia

•

•

••

•

•

•

•

Section V – Amendments6.1ThisMEKSProtocolcanbeamendedatanytimebyresolutionthroughmajorityvoteatadulyconvenedAssemblymeeting.

6.2IntheeventthatanamendmentismadetothisMEKSProtocol,thesaidamendmentshallberecordedintheAssemblyminutesandacopyofthemotionshallbeattachedtotheMEKSProtocolasanAppendix.


SeeAttached

Section VI – Appendices

13


APPENDIX A

ASSEMBLY OF NOVA SCOTIA MI’KMAQ CHIEFS

Resolution Respecting: A Mi’kmaq Protocol on Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Studies in Nova Scotia

WhereastheAssemblyofNovaScotiaMi’kmaqChiefs(hereinafterthe“Assembly”)existsasanin-stitutionofgovernancefortheMi’kmaqofNovaScotiainrespectofissuesofcommoninterestsandconcerns;

And WhereastheAssemblyis,inpart,responsibletocommunicatetoCanadaandNovaScotiathecommonpositionoftheMi’kmaqofNovaScotiaonmattersofconcerntoalltheMi’kmaqpeopleinNovaScotia;And WhereastheAssembly,bymotionatadulyconvenedmeetingonJanuary25th2007,haveidentifiedtheneedtoundertakeaMi’kmaqProtocolspecifictothedesign,developmentandimple-mentationofMi’kmaqEcologicalKnowledgeStudies(MEKS)withintheprovinceofNovaScotia;

And WhereastheoverallobjectiveoftheProtocolistosetupstandardsandunderstandingsonitemsthattheAssemblyconsiderstobeproperMEKSinNovaScotia;

And Whereasforsaidpurpose,theAssemblyhasmandatedthecompositionofacommitteeoftech-nicalrepresentativesfromthevariousMi’kmaqorganizationsthroughoutNovaScotia;

And WhereasthetechnicalcommitteehasjointlydevelopedtheattachedMEKSProtocolforcon-siderationandapprovalbytheAssembly;

Now Therefore The Assembly Resolves That:

TheattachedMEKSProtocolisformallyadoptedbytheAssemblyofNovaScotiaMi’kmaqChiefs.PassedatOldOrchardInn,Wolfville,NovaScotia,this22nd,dayofNovember,2007.

MovedBy:ChiefWilbertMarshall,ChapelIsland(Potloteck)FirstNation

SecondedBy:CouncilorIanKnockwood,Proxy,Shubenacadie(IndianBrook)FirstNation

Decision:CarriedbyConsensus.

14


15

Acadia First Nation Band RR#4Box5914-CYarmouth,NS,B5A4A8Telephone(902)742-0257Fax(902)742-8854ContactPerson:ChiefDeborahRobinson

Annapolis Valley First Nation Band P.O.Box89,CambridgeStationKingsCo.,NS,B0P1G0Telephone(902)538-7149Fax(902)538-7734ContactPerson:ChiefBrianToney

Bear River First Nation Band P.O.Box210,BearRiver,NS,B0S1B0Telephone(902)467-3802ContactPerson:ChiefTheresaMeuse

Eskasoni First Nation Band Eskasoni,NS,B0A1J0Telephone(902)379-2800Fax(902)379-2801ContactPerson:ChiefCharlieDennis

Glooscap First Nation Band P.O.Box449Hantsport,NS,B0P1P0Telephone(902)684-9788Fax(902)684-9890ContactPerson:ChiefShirleyClarke

Shubenacadie (Indian Brook) First Nation Band MicMacPostOffice,IndianBrook,NS,B0N1W0Telephone(902)758-2049Fax(902)758-2017ContactPerson:ChiefJerryF.Sack

Membertou First Nation Band111MembertouStreet,Membertou,NS,B1S2M9Telephone(902)564-6466Fax(902)539-6645ContactPerson:ChiefTerranceJ.Paul

Millbrook First Nation Band P.O.Box634Truro,NS,B2I5E5Telephone(902)897-9199Fax(902)893-4785ContactPerson:ChiefLawrencePaul

Paq’tnkek First Nation Band RR#1Afton,AntigonishCounty,NS,B0H1A0Telephone(902)386-2897Fax(902)386-2043ContactPerson:ChiefM.GerardJulian

Pictou Landing First Nation Band Box55,Site#6PictouLandingNS,B0K1X0Telephone(902)752-4912Fax(902)755-4715ContactPerson:ChiefAnnFrancis-Muise

Chapel Island (Potlotek) First Nation Band Box538ChapelIsland,NS,B0E3B0Telephone(902)535-3317Fax(902)535-3004ContactPerson:ChiefWilbertMarshall

Waycobah First Nation Band P.O.Box149,Whycocomagh,NS,B0E3M0Telephone(902)756-2337Fax(902)295-3398ContactPerson:ChiefMorleyGoogoo

Wagmatcook First Nation Band P.O.Box30001,Wagmatcook,NS.B0E3N0Telephone(902)295-2598Fax(902)295-3398ContactPerson:ChiefLesterPeck

APPENDIX B

List of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq First Nation Bands and Designated Contact Persons


16

Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs72ChurchRd.Truro,NS.B2N6N4ContactPerson:JaniceMaloney

Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Centre of Nova ScotiaBox341Shubenacadie,NS.B0N2H0Telephone(902)758-1953Fax(902)758-1759ContactPerson:JamesMichael

Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources 4123ShoreRd.P.O.Box8096Eskasoni,NS.B1W1C2Telephone(902)379-2163Fax(902)379-2250ContactPerson:LisaYoung

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq840WillowSt.Box1590Truro,NS.B2N5V3Telephone(902)895-6385Fax(902)893-1520ContactPerson:MichaelCox

Union of Nova Scotia IndiansBox961Sydney,NS.B1P6J4Telephone(902)539-4107Fax(902)564-2137ContactPerson:KimberlyPaul

Eskasoni Fish And Wildlife Commission4123ShoreRoadEskasoni,NS.B1W1A6Telephone(902)379-2024Fax(902)379-2159ContactPerson:TomJohnson

Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn (Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative)72ChurchRd.Truro,NS.B2N6N4Telephone(902)843-3880Fax(902)843-3882ContactPerson:JaniceMaloney

APPENDIX C

A List of Relevant Mi’kmaq Organizations and Designated Contact Persons


17

APPENDIX D

Research Principles and Protocols - Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch

Background

Wla wjit Mi’kmaq kisutmi’tij Sante’ Mawio’mi 1999 ek. Wla nekmokw Sante’ Mawio’mi ika’lapni maw ni’kmnew koqoey.

DonJulian,ExecutiveDirector,ConfederacyofMainlandMi’kmaqEleanorBernard,ExecutiveDirector,Mi’kmawKina’matneweyDr.MarieBattiste,AcademicDirector,AboriginalEducationResearchCentre,Professor,DepartmentofEducationFoundations,UniversityofSaskatchewanStephenJ.Augustine,CuratorofEthnologyEasternMaritime,CanadianMuseumofCivilizationLindsayMarshall,AssociateDean,Mi’kmaqCollegeInstitute,CapeBretonUniversityErikZscheile,LegalAdvisor,ConfederacyofMainlandMi’kmaq

Nike’wlaNipniku’s11,2000naelkitmi’tijEskinuapimkta’nkisutaqSante’Mawio’miwjitMi’kmaq.Wlanike’ninenewikasultiekkisi-te’tmektlwisin“Ethics”Eskinuapimkweja’tekemknatlwi’tisnen“Ethics”Eskinuapimk.

AMi’kmaqEthicsCommitteehasbeenappointedbytheSante’Mawio’mi(GrandCouncil)toestablishasetofprinciplesandprotocolsthatwillprotecttheintegrityandculturalknowledgeoftheMi’kmawpeople.TheseprinciplesandprotocolsareintendedtoguideresearchandstudiesinamannerthatwillguaranteethattherightofownershiprestswiththevariousMi’kmawcommunities.Theseprinciplesandprotocolswillguaranteeonlythehigheststandardsofresearch.Interpretationandconclusionsdrawnfromtheresearchwillbesubjecttoapprovaltoensureaccuracyandculturalsensitivity.

AtChapelIslandonJuly25,1999,theSante’Mawio’miestablishedacommitteetostudyanddevelopprinciplesandguidelinestoprotectMi’kmaqpeopleandtheirknowledge.ThecommitteestudiedtheissuesinvolvedinresearchamongIndigenouspeoples,anddevelopedasetofstandardssothatMi’kmaqpeoplemightbeinformedofresearch-itsbenefitsandcosts,betreatedfairlyandethicallyintheirparticipationinanyresearch,andhaveanopportunitytobenefitandgainfromanyresearchconductedamongthem.TheseprinciplesandguidelinesarenowbeingdisseminatedbroadlytoeachoftheMi’kmawcommunitiesfortheirreview,discussion,andratification.

[Note:TheauthorofthisdocumentistheMi’kmawEthicsWatch.]


18

Principles

Mi’kmaqpeoplearetheguardiansandinterpretersoftheircultureandknowledgesystem-past,present,andfuture.Mi’kmawknowledge,culture,andarts,areinextricablyconnectedwiththeirtraditionallands,dis-tricts,andterritories.Mi’kmaqpeoplehavetherightandobligationtoexercisecontroltoprotecttheirculturalandintel-lectualpropertiesandknowledge.Mi’kmawknowledgeiscollectivelyowned,discovered,used,andtaughtandsoalsomustbecollec-tivelyguardedbyappropriatedelegatedorappointedcollective(s)whowilloverseetheseguidelinesandprocessresearchproposals.Eachcommunityshallhaveknowledgeandcontrolovertheirowncommunityknowledgeandshallnegotiatelocallyrespectinglevelsofauthority.

Mi’kmawknowledgemayhavetraditionalownersinvolvingindividuals,families,clans,associations,andsocietieswhichmustbedeterminedinaccordancewiththesepeoples’owncustoms,laws,andprocedures.

Anyresearch,study,orinquiryintocollectiveMi’kmawknowledge,culture,arts,orspiritualitywhichinvolvespartnershipsinresearchshallbereviewedbytheMi’kmawEthicsWatch.(Partner-shipsshallincludeanyofthefollowing:researchers,membersofaresearchteam,researchsubjects,sourcesofinformation,usersofcompletedresearch,clients,funders,orlicenseholders.)

TheSante’Mawio’miistheauthorizedbodyoftheMi’kmaqpeopleandthushastodelegateauthor-ityastohowtheWatchiscomposed.

Allresearch,study,orinquiryintoMi’kmawknowledge,culture,andtraditionsinvolvinganyre-searchpartnersbelongstothecommunityandmustbereturnedtothatcommunity.

TheMi’kmaqEthicsWatch(Committee,etc.)shallconductafairandtimelyreviewofallresearchconductedamongMi’kmaqpeopleandshallmaintaincontroloverallresearchprocesses.

Obligations and Protocols

Forresearchers/students/agencies/organizations/corporationsconductingresearchinvolvingMi’kmaqpeopleandwhoseresearch/inquiryentersthepublicdomain(theses,dissertations,publishedjour-nals,books,technicalreports):

AllresearchontheMi’kmaqistobeapproachedasanegotiatedpartnership,takingintoaccountall


19

theinterestsofthosewholiveinthecommunity(ies).Participantsshallberecognizedandtreatedasequalsintheresearchprocessinsteadofas“informants”or“subjects”.

Allresearchpartnersmustshowrespectforlanguage,traditions,standardsofthecommunities,andforthehigheststandardsofscholarlyresearch.

Allresearchscholarsshallassumeresponsibilitytolearntheprotocolsandtraditionsofthelocalpeoplewithwhomtheydoresearchandtobeknowledgeableandsensitivetoculturalpracticesandissuesthatensurerespectandaccommodationtolocalnorms.

Allresearchpartnersshallprovidedescriptionsofresearchprocessesintheparticipant’sownlanguage(writtenandoral)whichshallincludedetailedexplanationsoftheusefulnessofthestudy,potentialbenefitsandpossibleharmfuleffectsonindividuals,groupsandtheenvironment.Researchersmustclearlyidentifysponsors,purposesoftheresearch,sourcesoffinancialsupportandinvestigatorsfortheresearch(scholarlyandcorporate),taskstobeperformed,informationrequestedfromMi’kmaqpeople,participatoryresearchprocesses,thepublicationplansfortheresults,andanticipatedroyal-tiesfortheresearch.AllconsentdisclosuresshallbewritteninbothMi’kmaqandEnglish,depend-ingonthecommunitynorms.Nocoercion,constraint,orundueinducementsshallbeusedtoobtainconsent.Allindividualsandcommunitieshavetherighttodeclineorwithdrawfrompartici-patingatanytimewithoutpenalties.

Allresearchinvolvingchildren(undertheageof14)orinformationobtainedaboutpersonalhisto-riesofchildrenwillinvolveinformedconsentofparentsorguardians.

Allresearchpartnersshallinformparticipantsintheirownlanguageabouttheuseofdatagatheringdevices-tape,videorecordings,photos,physiologicalmeasurements,andhowthisdatawillbeused.Theyshallalsoprovideinformationontheanonymityorconfidentialityoftheirparticipation,andifnotpossible,toinformtheparticipantthatanonymityisnotpossible.Participantsshallbeinformedofpossibleconsequencesoftheirchoicetoremainintheresearchandtheirrighttowithdrawcon-sentorparticipationintheresearchatanytime.

Allresearchpartnersshallprovideeachpersonorpartnerinvolvedintheresearchwithinformationregardingtheanticipatedrisksinvolvedintheirparticipation,andanyanticipatedbenefits.

Allresearchpartnersmustbedulyinformedofeachresearchstepalongthewayandbeprovidedwithinformationabouttheresearchprocessandthedistributionofresultsandinformation.

Allresearchpartnersshouldattempttoimpartnewskillsintothecommunity,e.g.datacollection,wheneverpossible,advisableordesirablebythecommunity.


20

AllresearchscholarsshallinviteMi’kmawparticipationintheinterpretationand/orreviewofanyconclusionsdrawnfromtheresearchtoensureaccuracyandsensitivityofinterpretation.

Allresearchscholarsshouldconsideravarietyofresearchprocesses,includingqualitativeandpartici-patoryresearchmethodsandmovebeyondthedominantquantitativemethodstoempowerindig-enousvoicesandskills.

Mi’kmawey L’nui Skmaqn (Obligations for Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch)

TheseprincipleshavebeeninitiatedbytheSante’Mawio’mi:

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshallcomefromlocalcommunityrepresentativesauthorizedtoreviewethicprinciples,standards,protocols,practicesofresearchconducted,knowledge,andheritage.

Eachcommunityshalldecidelevelsofauthoritylocally,andwhoshallspeakforthecommunity.

MembersoftheWatchshallworkcollaborativelytoavoidmisuseofinformationsuppliedbyindi-vidualswithoutpermissionofthecommunity.

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshalloperateonthebasisofself-determinationofeachcommunityandconsidertherisksandbenefitsofresearchandtherightsofindividualsandcollectivestoberecog-nizedandprotected.

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshallconsiderthecredentialsandintentionsofeachresearchproject,itssensitivitytoMi’kmawcultureandheritage,andconsiderhowtheresearchcanbenefitthecommu-nity.

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshallconsiderproblemssurroundingthepurchaseorpublicationofprivatematerialsandremovalofartifacts.Privatepapers,photographs,orartisticproductionsareprotectedundercopyright.Onecannotlegallycite,reproduce,publish,referto,ordistribute,docu-mentswithoutpermission,fromtheauthors,heirs,orinstitutionsthatholdcopyright.

Anyresearchinvolvingthecollectionofhumangenes,Mi’kmawgeneticmaterial,orinvolvingtheHumanGenomeDiversityProjectshallberejectedorconsideredonlyastoitsbenefitstotheMi’kmaqpeople.

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshallincreaseeffortstoeducateeachcommunityanditsindividualstotheissues,concerns,benefits,andrisksofresearchinvolvingMi’kmaqpeople,heritage,environment,andpromoteethicalconductandconformityconcerningprotocolsandguidelinesfordoingresearchinandaboutIndigenouspeopleswithsomekindofdisciplinaryactionagainstthosewhodonot


21

comply.

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshallconsiderthecontextoftheresearchbeingrequestedandtheissuesofpowerandcontrolthatinfluenceresearchtopics,questions,andresults.

TheMi’kmawEthicsWatchshallencourageresearcherstoconsultwithandinterprettheresearchfromthetribalperspectiveandtomakeresearchandresultsavailabletoMi’kmaqpeopleintheirownlanguage(s)and/ororthographies.

Applications to Conduct Research

Shall include:

1.Nameofresearcher(s)and/orsupervisor(s)andrelateddepartment(s).Nameofcontactperson(s)andcontactaddress(indicatesummeraddressesifpertinent).

2.Anticipatedstartdateoftheresearchstudyandexpectedcompletiondate.Includeanticipatedfieldresearchdates.

3.Titleofstudy.

4.Abstract(100-250words),givingabriefstatementofthehypotheses(orbriefstatementofre-searchquestionsandsignificantproposedresearch)tobeexamined.

5.Fundingsource:indicatethesourceofresearchorstudyfunds,andwhethergrantfundshavealreadybeenprovided.

6.Participants:describetheproceduresforrecruiting,selecting,andassigningparticipants.

7.Consent:describetheprocessbywhichparticipantsconsenttoparticipateintheresearchproject;thatis,howwillparticipantsbeinformedoftheirrightsasparticipants,andbywhatmeanstheywillsignifytheirunderstandingofthoserightsandconsenttoparticipate.Anyresearchinvolvingchil-drenshallrequireparentalinformedconsent.

8.Language:describehowlanguageandculturaldifferencesofMi’kmaqpeoplewillbeaccommo-datedincommunicatingorderivingconsent.Describeprocessfordeterminingandusingappropri-ateprotocolsandtraditionsforenteringintoMi’kmawterritoriesandhomes.

9.Methods/Procedures:indicateifanyaspectsofthestudyinvolverisktotheparticipantsortotheMi’kmaqpeoplecollectively.Describeanyrisktotheperson/personsasaresultofthefindingsbeing


22

reportedorpublished.

10.Riskordeception:indicateifanyaspectsofthestudyinvolverisktotheparticipantsortotheMi’kmaqpeoplecollectively.Describeanyrisktotheperson/personsasaresultofthefindingsbeingreportedorpublished.

11.UsefulnessandBenefits:describeanybenefit(s)fortheindividualMi’kmaqpersonortotheMi’kmawNationasawholeasaresultofthisstudyoritspublishedreportorfindings.

12.InterpretationofResults:explainhowthedatawillbeanalyzedandwhetheranyMi’kmaqpeoplewillbeinvolvedin,consultedwith,orinformedabout,theinterpretationprocessofanalyzingthedataorthepresentationofitsfindingsandconclusions.

13.Storageofdata:detailhowthedatawillbestoredtoensuresafetyandconfidentialityofthepar-ticipantsinthestudy.Howlongwillthedatabekept?Willthedatabeusedagaininanotheraspectofthestudy?Willtheparticipantshavetherighttoconsenttothisnextphaseofthestudy?

14.Confidentiality:describewhatmeasureswillbetakentoprotectMi’kmaqparticipantsandthirdpartyprivacy(confidentialityandanonymity).

15.Publicationandroyalties:describeanticipatedpublicationsorplansforpublicationfromthisresearchandhowanyroyaltiesfrombooksaleswillbesharedwiththeparticipantsofthestudy.

Send application to:

Associate Dean Lindsay MarshallMi’kmaqCollegeInstituteCapeBretonUniversity,Box5300Sydney,NovaScotiaB1P6L2Telephone:(902)563-1827Fax:(902)563-1693

mi’kmaq ecological knowledge study...

Documents