Science in the Yukon: Advancing a Vision for Evidence-Based Decision Making by Aynslie E

ARCTIC VOL. 69, NO. 2 (JUNE 2016) InfoNorth Science in the Yukon: Advancing a Vision for Evidence-based Decision Making by Aynslie E. Ogden, Michael Schmidt, Bob Van Dijken and Lacia Kinnear N ORDER FOR SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE to inform SCIENCE TO BENEFIT YUKON RESIDENTS decision making (science for policy), policy that sup- ports and cultivates scientific activity (policy for Understanding how the activities, interests, and needs Iscience) is required. Recent public policy announce- of the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, Yukon ments—including the appointment of Canada’s first Fed- College, the federal government, and universities have eral Minister of Science (November 2015), the release of evolved over the years offers insight into the work still the Government of Yukon Science Strategy (January 2016), needed to advance science that benefits Yukoners. the release of the Pan-Northern Approach to Science (April 2016), and the pending appointment of a National Chief Government of Yukon Science Officer—indicate that both federal and territorial governments recognize the value of timely and robust The first Government of Yukon science policy, released knowledge in informing decision making. in 1986, arose from the government’s recognition that sci- The issues facing the North, such as climate change, ence, research, and technology are “prime movers of eco- resource development, and social transformations, are nomic revival and socio-economic growth” (GY, 1986). complex and interconnected (CCA, 2008). Territories This policy was considered a first step toward develop- are emphasizing the importance of advancing scientific ing local scientific and technological capabilities. It was research that benefits and meets the solution-oriented infor- intended to be a clear signal to federal science organiza- mation needs of Northerners (GY, GNWT and GN, 2016). tions, granting agencies, and universities that the Govern- Solution-oriented science considers from the start, while ment of Yukon was preparing to take a more active role framing the research questions, how results can be imple- in determining the nature and scope of science within its mented in policy, practice, and programs, and it selects jurisdiction. research projects that will address pressing issues. It can While Yukon researchers and agencies have historically include basic science (e.g., baseline monitoring across the relied on federal funding for northern science activities, North), better application of existing knowledge (improving science funding was not specifically negotiated in the final knowledge transfer and mobilization), applied research, or a Yukon devolution transfer agreement. This fact did not pre- combination (Pope, 2015). vent the Government of Yukon from developing scientific Northern Canada is at the forefront of efforts to advance partnerships and advancing scientific endeavours, but it may a participatory paradigm for the conduct of research, one have limited them. The Government of Yukon has devel- that involves meaningful involvement and engagement of oped in-house scientific capacity, particularly in the fields local peoples. Resetting the relationship with Indigenous of geoscience, archaeology, paleontology, and environmen- peoples, as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Com- tal and natural resource management. Many Government of mission, can be advanced by the science we choose to do Yukon science practitioners have made significant contribu- and how we do it. It is essential to ensure that scientific tions to their field, to decision making within the territory, and traditional knowledge are equally reflected in northern and to meaningful local partnerships, as well as to national research and to respect the right of Indigenous governments and international scientific efforts. The Government of and peoples to set guidelines for ownership of, access to, Yukon has also enabled scientific activity outside its organ- and use of their traditional knowledge (GY, GNWT and ization by supporting scientific institutional development at GN, 2016). Yukon College, maintaining a network of research facilities The vision of the 2016 Government of Yukon Science (GY, 2016b), and publishing online databases and datasets Strategy is to support the active pursuit, gathering, and (GY, 2016c). storage of scientific knowledge so it can be easily retrieved, Today, government support for science is more critical transferred, shared, and used to support evidence-based than ever, given the rapidity and extent of change facing the decision making (GY, 2016a). This article discusses the North in the 21st century. Science underpins the sustainable context of this solution-driven vision and how it can be management of lands, waters, and natural resources and the advanced in Yukon. delivery of evidence-based health and social services, and 210 INFONORTH • 211 it assists in responding to emerging issues. However, it is understanding more than one way of knowing on its own neither pragmatic nor efficient for governments to rely on (e.g., Schuster et al., 2011; Wesche et al., 2011; Wolfe et al., outside agencies to provide all of the scientific information 2011; Russel et al., 2013). required to support decision making; they must be able to Yukon First Nations have adopted policies that govern address some of their scientific information gathering and the conduct of scientific research within their traditional research needs in-house. A symbiotic relationship between territories. In 2007, the Council of Yukon First Nations government and non-government science is essential. passed a resolution to adopt the First Nations Principles of Government(s) in Yukon have an important role to play in Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession of Traditional fostering, promoting, and supporting scientific activity and Knowledge (LDR Resolution NO782/06; NAHO, 2005). developing and sustaining scientific capacity. A number of Yukon First Nations, including the Vuntut It is within this context that the Government of Yukon Gwich’in and Trondek Hwech’in First Nations, have estab- released its 2016 Science Strategy. A long-term approach lished licensing processes for research on their settlement to developing science capacity in Yukon, this new strategy lands. Such policies emphasize: demonstrates that the Government of Yukon values the role of science in informing decision making and the contribu- • The authority of First Nations to control data collection tion of science and innovation to the economy. The strat- in their communities; egy recognizes the important contributions of traditional • The strong desire for research partnerships that meet and local knowledge and encourages their incorporation in local information needs; research projects and decision making. In the near term, the • Meaningful involvement of local people and agencies in strategy seeks to enhance the Government of Yukon’s abil- research design, delivery, analysis, and communication ity to access, apply, and develop scientific knowledge and to of results; support new research and development activities by advanc- • The need for local benefits from research, ranging from ing work on six goals (Table 1). The Government of Yukon learning about the results of studies conducted within has committed to accelerating and stimulating science their traditional territories to employment and training and research capacity and application and announced its opportunities. intention to develop a companion document to the science strategy that will outline initiatives to foster and increase Co-management and co-governance, as envisioned in research and development (R&D) investment in Yukon. Yukon land claims, require engagement and understanding. In pursuing a Yukon science vision, building on the Yukon First Nations unique elements of these agreements that empower local people is critical to successful partnerships in knowledge The need for targeted research, the importance of local co-production. leadership and involvement in research, and the importance of disseminating research results locally was articu- Yukon College lated in Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow, the first statement of grievances and principles for negotiating The Yukon Vocational and Technical Training Cen- a land claim made by Yukon’s First Nations (Council for tre (1963) evolved into Yukon College (1983). The college Yukon Indians, 1973). These conditions included having a has grown and adapted its academic programs to serve say in what research is conducted and by whom; ensuring the changing territory, seeking to balance the often com- involvement in, ownership of, and access to the research; peting needs to provide a vision for post-secondary edu- and developing the necessary skills to conduct research cation, address the immediate training needs of industry themselves. Together Today also noted specific research and government, and respond to the needs of its students needs, which included finding solutions for problems and (Barnes and Graham, 2015). Part of the college’s strategy considering all aspects of northern development as it affects for supporting territorial development was building its Yukon First Nations. own research capacity, “encouraging the indigenization The Umbrella Final Agreement and subsequent 11 indi- of northern scholarship and facilitating northern research vidual Yukon First Nation land claim and self-government that is done in the North, by the North, and for the North” agreements contain provisions to

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