wayfinders circle governance report english - Flipbook - Page 23
Simultaneously, there is a pressing need to address and parry the rapid and
aggressive expansion of extractive activities into Indigenous lands such as
illegal and commercial logging, large-scale over-fishing; and hunting,
mining, and industrial development such as those experienced by the Sungai
Utik community and Udege people. These are all threats to their traditional
sources of livelihood. Effective and firm state-enforced policing and protection can ward off much of the illegal intrusion into Indigenous territories.
The ongoing debate about public and private-led conservation on one
hand, and sustainable land management by Indigenous peoples over their
resources on the other, is an ongoing concern. Indigenous practices, though
varying in different societies, have illustrated the time-tested wisdom of
sustainable resource management by the inhabitants of high biodiversity
remaining frontier and protected areas.
Time is of the essence to undertake the required research and documentation aimed at learning from the knowledge-holders of Indigenous guardianship best practices. The Sámi people, for instance, find the government’s
methods incongruent to their own strategy and expectations, thus continuing
engagements and dialogues are necessary to come to an agreement or
compromise concerning resource management.
With rapid development comes the lure of modernity and urban conveniences that Indigenous youths gravitate towards, causing concern about
internal migration. Intergenerational transmission of knowledge and continued exchange between culture-bearers, elders, and Indigenous youth
demand attention and perseverance. Cultural roots, Indigenous spirituality,
and Indigenous history are at the core of awakening a consciousness in
youth to take pride in their identity, and responsibility for culture-bearing
and future leadership. Thus nurturing and restoring Indigenous cultural and
spiritual practices and values, as well as revitalizing local languages, are
crucial aspects of empowering projects by members of the Wayfinders Circle
for the perpetuity of their survival into future generations.
Undoubtedly, the Covid-19 pandemic introduced significant challenges,
including health impacts and restrictions. The traditional modes of learning,
Udege Governance
The Udege number about 1,600 people and inhabit more than 1.5 million hectares of
pristine boreal forest of the sub-arctic Bikin region of Russia. Their territory makes up
the Bikin National Park, which they co-manage with the Russian government. This
model, unique for Russia, recognizes, respects and protects Indigenous peoples’
rights to their territory and values their traditional knowledge of resource
management.
The Udege agreed to the national park in 2013 to stop massive illegal cutting,
commercial large scale timber production, poaching and overfishing at the Bikin river
basin. The co-management agreement recognizes Udege traditional knowledge and
customary law. The Permanent Council of Indigenous Peoples was established to lead
and consult on all issues related to Indigenous peoples and their rights. Composed of
12 Indigenous members, it includes hunters, elders, women, and youth who hold
weekly meetings to discuss relevant issues related to traditional activities, like
hunting, fishing regulation, and traditional knowledge, and to ecotourism. The Chair
is deputy director of the park in charge of Indigenous issues and oversees the 70% of
the park territory that is reserved for traditional activities like hunting, fishing and
non-timber forest production.
S E E A N N E X F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
To w a r d Ye t S t r o n g e r L e a d e r s h i p a n d C l e a r e r D i r e c t i o n
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