Episode 3: Reflections on a polar bears, Inuit knowledge, and a journey with Dr. Dominique Henri

In this Co-management Commons podcast, I am talking with guest Dr. Dominique Henri. Dominique is an expert in the fields of environmental conservation and the social sciences and has extensive experience working with various stakeholders to develop sustainable management strategies. She is known for her innovative approaches and collaborative mindset, making her a valuable guest for this co-management conversation.  Dominique's dissertation, titled "Managing Nature, Producing Cultures: Inuit Participation, Science, and Policy in Wildlife Governance in the Nunavut Territory, Canada," focused on how Inuit knowledge and experiences are used in environmental governance, especially in Polar Bear co-management, and how it compares to knowledge produced by biologists and natural scientists. Dominique's journey has shifted from being an academic to working within the federal government's Wildlife Research division, where she aims to produce the best available knowledge in partnership with Inuit communities. She believes that incorporating Inuit knowledge and experiences is crucial for effective wildlife governance, as it provides a unique and timeless perspective of the local ecosystem. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships between different sources of knowledge and fostering mutual respect and trust to make progress in wildlife co-management. The podcast also discusses the significance of including female perspectives and youth involvement in research and co-management efforts and the evolving role of social sciences in promoting inclusive decision-making processes.  Timecodes  00:44 Discussion about PhD perspectives 03:50 Career transition to the Federal Government 06:30 Developing expertise in creating spaces 08:04 The line between researching and advocating 10:45 Picking a network  13:10 Transformative polar bear hunt 20:35 Discussion about recent Inuit knowledge study about Nanuk 27:48 Dialogue about female contributions to the Inuit knowledge report 32:22 Topics of transmitting Inuit knowledge and public safety 35:00 Engagement with youth 38:00 UN biodiversity conference in Montreal 40:44 Upcoming Range States Meeting 41:33 What are you excited about in the year ahead? Environment and Climate Change Canada Website. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html Polar Bears in Canada https://www.polarbearscanada.ca For some academic and open-access content that Henri has led or collaborated on enjoy these publications.  Tomaselli, M., Henri, D., Pangnirtung HTO, Mayukalik HTO, Akavak, N., Kanayuk, D., Kanayuk, R., Pitsiulak, P., Wong, P., Richardson, E., & Dyck, M. (2022). Nunavut Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit on the health of the Davis Strait polar bear population. [Final project report]. URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/4821299/co-management_commons/ Dominique A. Henri, Natalie A. Carter,  Aupaa Irkok,  Shelton Nipisar,  Lenny Emiktaut, Bobbie Saviakjuk, Salliq Project Management Committee, Arviat Project Management Committee, Gita J. Ljubicic, Paul A.Smith, and Vicky Johnston. 2020. Qanuq ukua kanguit sunialiqpitigu? (What should we do with all of these geese?) Collaborative research to support wildlife co-management and Inuit self-determination. Arctic Science. 6(3): 173-207.  URL: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/as-2019-0015 Henri, D. (2012). Managing nature, producing cultures: Inuit participation, science and policy in wildlife governance in the Nunavut Territory, Canada [PhD thesis]. Oxford University, UK. Managing nature, producing cultures: Inuit participation, science and policy in wildlife governance in the Nunavut Territory, Canada - ORA - Oxford University Research Archive. URL: https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:2cde7bcb-4818-4f61-9562-179b4ee74fee