One-Size Does Not Fit All—A Networked Approach to Community-Based Monitoring in Large River Basins

Brenda Parlee, Henry Huntington, Fikret Berkes, Trevor Lantz, Leon Andrew, Joseph Tsannie, Cleo Reece, Corinne Porter, Vera Nicholson, Sharon Peter, Deb Simmons, Herman Michell, Melody Lepine, Bruce Maclean, Kevin Ahkimnachie, Lauren J. King, Art Napoleon, Joella Hogan, Jen Lam, Kristin Hynes, J.D. Storr, Sarah Lord, Mike Low, Jeanette Lockhart, Diane Giroux, Mike Tollis, Lana Lowe, Elaine Maloney and Tracy Howlett
Additional contact information
Brenda Parlee: Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada
Henry Huntington: Huntington Consulting, Eagle River, AK 99577, USA
Fikret Berkes: Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Trevor Lantz: School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, David Turpin Building, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
Leon Andrew: Sahtú Renewable Resources Board, Tulít’a, NT X0E 0K0, Canada
Joseph Tsannie: Prince Alberta Grant Council, Prince Albert, SK S6V 6Z1, Canada
Cleo Reece: Fort McMurray First Nation, Wood Buffalo, AB T9H 4W1, Canada
Corinne Porter: Dena Kayeh Institute, Lower Post, BC V0C 1W0, Canada
Vera Nicholson: Fort Nelson First Nation, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0, Canada
Sharon Peter: Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation, Mayo, YT Y0B 1M0, Canada
Deb Simmons: Sahtú Renewable Resources Board, Tulít’a, NT X0E 0K0, Canada
Herman Michell: Science Department, First Nations University, Regina, SK S4S 7K2, Canada
Melody Lepine: Mikisew Cree First Nation Government and Industry Relations, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 0A2, Canada
Bruce Maclean: Maclean Environmental Consulting, Winnipeg, MB R3L 1P9, Canada
Kevin Ahkimnachie: Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T5S 1S7, Canada
Lauren J. King: School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, (SERS), Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Art Napoleon: Saulteau First Nations, Treaty 8 Territories, Moberly Lake, BC V0C 1X0, Canada
Joella Hogan: Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation, Mayo, YT Y0B 1M0, Canada
Jen Lam: Inuvialuit Joint Secretariat, Inuvik, NT X0E 1A0, Canada
Kristin Hynes: Environmental Monitoring and Observations Branch, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 5K1, Canada
J.D. Storr: Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee, Aklavik, NT X0E 0A0, Canada
Sarah Lord: Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0, Canada
Mike Low: Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management Program, Deh Cho First Nations, Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0, Canada
Jeanette Lockhart: Łutsël K’e K’e Dene First Nation, Lutsel K’e, NT X0E IA0, Canada
Diane Giroux: Akaitcho Territory Government, Great Slave Lake Office, Fort Resolution, NT X0E 0M0, Canada
Mike Tollis: Akaitcho Territory Government, Great Slave Lake Office, Fort Resolution, NT X0E 0M0, Canada
Lana Lowe: Fort Nelson First Nation, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0, Canada
Elaine Maloney: Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada
Tracy Howlett: Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-30

Abstract: Monitoring methods based on Indigenous knowledge have the potential to contribute to our understanding of large watersheds. Research in large, complex, and dynamic ecosystems suggests a participatory approach to monitoring—that builds on the diverse knowledges, practices, and beliefs of local people—can yield more meaningful outcomes than a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Here we share the results of 12 community-based, participatory monitoring projects led by Indigenous governments and organizations in the Mackenzie River Basin (2015–2018). Specifically, we present and compare the indicators and monitoring methods developed by each of these community-based cases to demonstrate the specificity of place, culture, and context. A scalar analysis of these results suggests that the combination of core (common) indicators used across the basin, coupled with others that are meaningful at local level, create a methodological bricolage—a mix of tools, methods, and rules-in-use that are fit together. Our findings, along with those of sister projects in two other major watersheds (Amazon, Mekong), confront assumptions that Indigenous-led community-based monitoring efforts are too local to offer insights about large-scale systems. In summary, a networked approach to community-based monitoring that can simultaneously engage with local- and watershed-level questions of social and ecological change can address gaps in knowledge. Such an approach can create both practices and outcomes that are useful to local peoples as well as to those engaged in basin-wide governance.

Keywords: environmental change; indicators; Indigenous knowledge; community-based monitoring; watersheds; Mackenzie River Basin; Canada (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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