Meaningful Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Marine Activities: A Reference Guide.

Abstract

This Reference Guide is meant to familiarize proponents of actions or activities in the Arctic and Indigenous Peoples and local communities with good practices for meaningful engagement. It is based on the Meaningful Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Marine Activities (MEMA) Part II Report by the Protection of Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group. The Reference Guide connects to the findings of the MEMA Part II Report and to the MEMA Database containing over 700 documents related to engagement practices around the Arctic which can be used to further inform proponents and Indigenous Peoples and local communities of good practices and key lessons for meaningful engagement. The term “meaningful engagement” has no single definition. Nor does it have a one-size-fits all approach for all activities. Meaningful engagement is understood to include a range of practices by government, industry and other proponents making decisions or seeking to operate in the Arctic. Keeping in mind the adage of “written for everyone is written for no one,” there are, however, some good practices and key lessons that are applicable to all who enter into any Indigenous lands or local communities and whose entry could affect Indigenous Peoples.