Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #110: Traditional Medicine of the Peoples of Siberia, Central and Inner Asia  (Traditional Polar People's Medicine)

Outline
The Center for the Cross-Cultural Study of Health and Healing, a joint Health Centre of the Dept of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Arts, the University of Alberta, is preparing for publication a collection of papers, dedicated to various aspects of traditional medicine in Polar regions of Asia. Tentatively called Traditional Medicine of the Peoples of Siberia, Central and Inner Asia, the project addresses a wide range of healing practices among many traditional peoples in these areas. The topics of the papers cut across a wide range of therapies: the use of healing springs (arzhans) in Siberia, traditional diagnostic methods (e.g. pulse diagnostics, divination), traditional disease etiologies, healing specialists (e.g., lamas, bone-setters, shamans, mullahs), healing methods, and health-seeking behavior (the logic of choosing one or another specialist), etc. Both papers that are thematically “wide” (e.g., the general description of diversity of healing approaches in a given culture) or “narrow” (e.g.,the description of a single specialist or procedure) are being considered. The papers that have been sent by contributors so far are predominantly from Turkic and Mongolian groups. However, we anticipate papers dedicated to the peoples of Northern Siberia, Finno-Ugrian groups and others. Since the collection is deliberately oriented towards the description of cultural phenomena from the “insider’s” perspective and with insider’s expertise, the contributors who themselves belong to the cultures they study and describe are going to be given preference. We anticipate that at least one volume will be published in August of 2005, with the additional volume by January , 2006. Currently we have sufficient commitments from researchers for two volumes, at a printing cost of $12,000.00; editing and assembling costs are anticipated at $3,000.00. Advertising, storage, distribution and shipping will be handled through the office of the Centre, and will constitute an in-kind donation to the project of approximately $5,000.00. The Centre has a small collection of published works, and could add these volumes to its production or it may co-publish with another organization or University Press. The project director is Dr. Earle Waugh (Director, CCCSHH) and Prof. Andrei Vinogradov,.(University of Saskatchewan, Canada) is editor and translator.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The Human Dimension is obviously of singular importance to this project, because it identifies an area of traditional knowledge that is fast disappearing or being transformed. This project will provide us with valuable cultural data; it will also reflect the kinds of pressures that are being placed upon peoples of these regions in the health-care area. There is no one publication project like this, given its unique focus, and we anticipate it will have ramifications for practitioners and scholars as well bring to awareness a complex social and cultural phenomenon previously little studied. It will also provide policy makers with up-to-date information for the development of integrative medical services Finally it will demonstrate the distinctive nature of these societies within the Polar environment.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Papers are being submitted from researchers in Scotland, Germany, United States, Canada, Siberia, Mongolia, Russia and China.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Most field work will be carried out in four regions: Siberia, Inner Asia, Mongolia, Russia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/04 – 02/05            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No logistic requirements

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Traditional Knowledge and Practices

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

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?
yes

The Centre has never initiated a project of this size or of this complexity before. We anticipate at least 25 different writers, submitting papers in English, Russian, German, and perhaps Chinese. All papers will be translated into English, by either the editor Vinogradov or director, Waugh

How will the project be organised and managed?
About five papers and ten abstracts have already been received. Since some of the best material will come from those who are unfamiliar with academic protocols, it is anticipated that several editing sessions will be necessary. Once the papers have been completed, each volume will be thematically and structurally organized by a committee of specialists. Then the entire volume will be sent to two readers for vetting.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Copies will be placed in Canadian, American, Russian, Mongolian and Chinese archives. Copies will also be sent to local libraries and regional institutions in related countries represented, as well as made available at reduced cost for local bookstores.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All original documents related to the project will remain with researchers and writers. If there are resources that arise out of the project, such as books, articles, etc. they will be housed either in the Centre's library, and data bank, or in the University's library system.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Selection, editing, preparation of camera-ready copy: $3,000.00; Publishing: $12,000.00 for two volumes; Equipment, Storage, Advertising, Distribution, Shipping, handled through in-kind donation of $5,000.00 by the Centred Office.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We believe this project highlights an important dimension of the IPY: the cultural life of the Polar People. Given the nature of the study, we anticipate widespread interest in the project, both here and abroad.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Earle Waugh
Centre for the Cross-Cultural Study of Health and Healing
2-28 Tory Bldg. , University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
T6G 2H4
Canada

Tel: 780-492-0403
Mobile: no
Fax: 780-492-9125
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation