Project Overview
Researchers often develop projects around Aboriginal issues or issues dealing with Aboriginal lands, whether or not those projects are produce tangible results for Aboriginal peoples.
Aboriginal peoples and communities have issues and concerns they would appreciate exploring in more detail, but may not have sufficient resources to research these projects.
What would happen, if the two groups started to work together - to collaborate on research projects?
Such is the rationale behind this project. Its goal is to bring together Aboriginal-Indigenous tourism operators, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers, and other stakeholders involved in the eco- and cultural-tourism projects in "reindeer" communities around the world to deal with common concerns and develop common strategies. The original invitees to participate in this project included Cree, Inuit, Saami, and Nenetz communities. The list was expanded to include the Orochen ethnic minority from northeastern China.
The goal of this project is to "give birth to" a community of practice in Aboriginal tourism across Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Important components are developing common methodologies and strategies based on such criteria as ethics, environmental management, and culturally-adapted governance. An integral requirement is to ensure local control of projects as much as possible.