Understanding the Role and Value of Participatory Mapping in an Inuit Knowledge Research Context

• Main Author: Depaiva, Alex
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Arctic; inuit
• Online Access: https://curve.carleton.ca/f969640a-4308-4f19-9556-dbfde5d229cd; http://catalogue.library.carleton.ca/record=b4463911; https://doi.org/10.22215/etd/2018-12620

Participatory mapping has had a long history in the Arctic, particularly since the Inuit Land Use and Occupancy Project (ILUOP) undertaken from 1973 - 75. Despite its widespread use, there has been little critical assessment of the role and value of participatory mapping in an Inuit cultural context. In particular, this study investigates the role and value of participatory mapping for learning, documenting, and representing Inuit cultural and geographical knowledge through both a comprehensive literature review and key informant interviews. Findings indicate that methods employed have largely remained consistent from the ILUOP – present. Participatory mapping is seen as valuable for both how it can record Inuit knowledge, as well as for the process of engagement that it supports. The role and value of participatory mapping is also discussed in relation to meeting diverse project objectives and the ability to facilitate knowledge exchange.