Arctic corridors and northern voices project: methods for community-based participatory mapping for low impact shipping corridors in Arctic Canada.

Abstract

Documenting Inuit and local knowledge is critical to its consideration within policy discussions around Arctic shipping; especially considering the rapid increase in ship traffic due to reductions in sea ice and climate change. We present our unique community-based research approach which incorporated youth training, participatory mapping, qualitative focus group discussions, and verification exercises to document Inuit communities’ perspectives in Arctic Canada about Low Impact Shipping Corridors. These qualitative activities provided appropriate context and understanding around community-created maps, community-identified opportunities, concerns, and recommendations, and the policy relevance and feasibility of recommendations posed. Three activity phases were employed; 1) before engaging in in-community research, 2) during in-community research, and 3) after completing in-community research. Spatial and non-spatial data were analyzed using ArcGIS® and NVivo software, respectively. These methods and observations can inform future research initiatives, particularly transdisciplinary teams, including those involving southern-based (early career) researchers, working in Inuit Nunangat. Methods presented here ensured that scientific processes and outputs were robust and rigorous and research was conducted in a respectful, reciprocal manner. Only through the collaborative efforts of a transdisciplinary team could scientific rigour be attained and respect be afforded. The approach can be easily applied to document community members’ perspectives on local priorities.