Point of Beginning (Pre-)workshops
This is one of three case studies conducted as part of my research that seeks to explore how ethical knowledge conciliation may come to matter within community-based polar bear research. This particular case study cuts across the preparation and the activities that were part of the final BearWatch workshops in both Gjoa Haven and Coral Harbour.
Design Consultation Pre-workshop & Workshop GH
When I had visited Gjoa Haven in the spring of 2022 to screen the videos I had edited with film-material shot in 2021, I also took the opportunity to interview some of the community's main collaborators of the project. I was seeking to gain some insights on how they would prefer the BearWatch final workshops to be designed and organized.
One of the most helpful interviews I conducted that Spring was with Elder Jimmy Qirqut, who made it clear that such decisions would need to be derived by consensus. He advised me, if I wanted to incorporate the input of multiple voices and input from the community - also outside of the Gjoa Haven HTA board, to organize a (multiple day) meeting with several elders and youth of different genders. He instructed me to see if I could rent the elder-youth cabin from the hamlet office, and organize transport to bring people up to the cabin. He also advised me to advertise this meeting over the radio, to see if people would be interested. Finally, I should make sure the cabin would be warm enough and comfortable for everyone to spend time in.
2 day Preworkshop GH
When I returned to Gjoa Haven in the late Fall of 2022 to start preparing for the final workshops,Based on Jimmy Qirqut's instructions, and
Terms of Engagement
Preparation Gjoa Haven Workshop
Invitation: Workshop preparations
3 day Workshop Gjoa Haven
Detour to Workshop Coral Harbour