Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Center for Learning and Indigenous Knowledge Systems  (CLIKS)

Outline
We propose to establish an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural Center for Learning and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, to be housed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and operated in collaboration with an international consortium of indigenous-serving institutions and affiliated programs. The proposed Center integrates the tools and approaches of the natural and social sciences in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary framework for analysis to better understand the emerging dynamic between indigenous knowledge systems, western epistemologies and learning. We intend to emphasize the study and application of these academic fields as they are reflected in indigenous contexts on an international scale, with opportunities for collaboration throughout the circumpolar north and beyond. We propose an interdisciplinary research and graduate study program that will prepare a new generation of Ph.D.’s by providing support for graduate students and scholars from participating institutions who can integrate indigenous perspectives in developing a deeper understanding of indigenous knowledge systems as they relate to principles of learning, and the application of that understanding to contemporary issues. It will also draw and build upon current initiatives that seek to integrate indigenous knowledge and western science disciplines in a framework associated with the study of complex adaptive systems. The initiatives to be incorporated in this proposal will advance our understanding of learning as it occurs in diverse cultural contexts by exploring the interface between indigenous and western knowledge systems, drawing on the experiences of indigenous peoples from around the circumpolar world. The organizations and personnel to be associated with this proposal have been active scholars in their respective jurisdictions in developing the emerging theoretical and evidentiary underpinnings on which the proposed initiatives will be based. The expansion of the knowledge base associated with learning and indigenous knowledge systems will contribute to an emerging international body of scholarly work regarding the critical role that strategic utilization of the local cultural context can play in fostering academic success in learning, particularly among indigenous populations. The international orientation of the proposed Center will provide multiple synergistic benefits derived from the economies of scale associated with linking numerous small-scale populations, as well as increased generalizabiltiy of outcomes associated with the extensive opportunities for cross-cultural comparison.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposed Center for Learning and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CLIKS) will incorporate three inter-related research themes: documentation and articulation of indigenous knowledge systems; delineating learning/cognitive processes associated with indigenous ways of knowing; and developing/assessing educational strategies integrating indigenous and western knowledge and ways of knowing. These issues encompass some of the most long-standing educational, social and political challenges in indigenous societies throughout the circumpolar world and beyond. Public debate on these issues has revolved around apparent conflicts between educational, political and cultural values, all of which are highly interrelated, so it is the intent of the Center to address the issues in an integrated, cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary manner. Given the geographic context and cultural makeup of the circumpolar region, the comparative research collaborations outlined for the proposed Center will focus on IPY-related issues and provide an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our understanding of the human dimensions of life in the Arctic, particularly from the vantage point of Indigenous peoples.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The following Indigenous-serving institutions from throughout the circumpolar region will make up the primary network of institutions and scholars who will be involved as partners in the CLIKS initiative: University of British Columbia (Canada) Inerisaavik (University of Greenland) Saami Allaskuvla (Saami College, Scandanavia) University of Norway (Institute of Pedagogical Research) Moscow State Pedagogical University (Russia) University of Saskatchewan (Canada) First Nations University of Canada (Canada) Hokkaido University of Education (Japan) Alaska Native Science Commission (Alaska) Indigenous-serving institutions from beyond the circumpolar region will be invited to participate in CLIKS activities as well.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The proposed activities will focus on communities and institutions in those circumpolar regions in which Indigenous peoples reside, including Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Samiland, Japan and Russia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2006 to 12/2010            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No additional facilities will be required beyond those available through existing institutions in the circumpolar north.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
An extensive network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars will be established to assume leadership and professional positions in communities, institutions, programs and agencies in which Indigenous knowledge systems play a sigificant role

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No formal national endorsements have been made, though the Arctic Social Sciences Program of the U.S. National Science Foundation has funded an Indigenous Knowledge Systems Research Colloquium in Jan., 2005 to prepare a research agenda around the theme of learning and Indigenous knowledge systems. In addition, potential partner higher education institutions from each Indigenous region have submitted a letter of support for the CLIKS initiative.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Expansion

The IPY activities associated with the Center for Learning and Indigenous Knowledge Systems will be imbedded in a five-year international, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary initiative that is under preparation for seeking funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation Science of Learning Centers program, with the circumpolar region serving as one of four geographic regions with significant Indigenous populations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Given the potential scope of the research agenda and support activities associated with the Center for Learning and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, UAF and its Partner Institutions will form an Indigenous Knowledge Research Consortium (IKRC), which will be the vehicle by which the various regional networks and research strands will be linked together and coordinated. Each Partner Institution will bring a unique approach to the research initiatives that will serve to inform and expand the capacity of each of the other institutions. The management and staffing structure associated with the IKRC and CLIKS and the programmatic functions and research responsibilities for each of the proposed core Partner Institutions will be established in the preparation of a formal proposal for funding support through the NSF Science of Learning Center program. Other institutions or researchers beyond those directly associated with the IKRC will be able to participate in and cont! ribute to CLIKS programs as Affiliated Institutions and/or Research Associates. q3_3_EOCplan : The participaning Indigenous-serving institutions from throughout the circumpolar region will make up the primary network of institutions and scholars who will be involved as partners in the CLIKS initiative and have primary responsibility for education, outreach and communication, including the formation of a cross-institutioanl Indigenous Graduate Studies Network and a series of fellowships and internships associated with documenting Indigenous knowledge systems.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The participaning Indigenous-serving institutions from throughout the circumpolar region will make up the primary network of institutions and scholars who will be involved as partners in the CLIKS initiative.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The institutions identified in 3.3 will be linked together through a web-based data management system patterned after that of the Alaska Native Knowledge Network of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which will serve as the lead institution for the management of the CLIKS initiatives.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A proposal is under preparation for seeking funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation Science of Learning Centers program through the 2005 solicitation cycle. The funding request is anticipated to be approximately $5M per year for an initial five-year period.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The IPY circumpolar component of the propsed Center for Learning and Indigenous Knowledge Systems will strengthen and be strengthened by the linkage to an international network of institutions and indigenous populations addressing common issues in a cross-cultural and comparative framework for analysis. It will also serve to engage Indigenous peoples in the IPY process in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Ray Barnhardt
Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks
P.O. Box 756480
University of Alaska Fairbanks
99775
USA

Tel: 907-474-1902
Mobile: no
Fax: 907-474-1957
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation