Project leader for the Árbediehtu project, Dr. Jelena Porsanger is today an invited speaker at the science section of the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromsø.

Jelena’s presentation is about traditional knowledge and sustainable resource management.  The presentation is based on experiences from the Árbediehtu project on documentation, preservation and protection of Sami traditional knowledge. Presentation opens the plenary section on traditional knowledge, within the main topic “Sustainable communities in the High North”.

¬− It is a privilege to talk for a wide international academic and political audience about indigenous theorizing and practical application of indigenous knowledge, says Jelena Porsanger, and continues −  Indigenous theorizing is seldom present at such big international arenas as Arctic Frontiers.

For more informatin: http://www.arctic-frontiers.com/

Traditional knowledge for sustainable
resource management:
An abstract

Background
This presentation is based on experiences from a pilot project on documentation, preservation and protection of Sami traditional knowledge (led by the Sami University College, Kautokeino, Norway). The use of Sami concepts has allowed to see traditional knowledge both as information and a process, acknowledge many different ways to obtain knowledge, recognize a dissoluble connection between the past, the present and the future. Traditional knowledge shall not be understood as something belonging to the past, rather as the foundation to sustain life and well-being of local Sami societies.
Theoretical value of the traditional knowledge
Traditional knowledge has a great potential to enrich both academic thinking and resource management systems, because − on the same line with academic knowledge − it has a theoretical value, but it operates on a different epistemological ground. It is a challenge to reveal logic and theories of traditional knowledge, and to see practical applicability of this knowledge.
Legitimacy of traditional knowledge
However, a greater challenge is to legitimate traditional knowledge on different levels, such as authorities, research institutions, schools, courts, legislation and resource management institutions.
Need for dialog with local communities
Traditional knowledge can not be separated from communities and natural environment where it has been developed, transmitted and applied to changing conditions through generations. A partnership model of the pilot project has allowed to develop mechanisms for community dialog, which is a prerequisite for planning of any activities that involve local natural resources and will influence local societies. There is an urgent need for focus on well-being of local communities, which desire to be involved in shaping of their future, on the basis of their traditional knowledge, modern technologies and with the available natural resources.