Ethical Space
Climate monitoring projects typically use both Indigenous Knowledge Systems and science and involve both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants and partners. The concept of “ethical space” has been used by Indigenous scholars and Elders such as Willie Ermine, a professor from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, and Dr. Reg Crowshoe, a Piikani Blackfoot Elder, to provide a framework for collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems. Ethical space is complementary to the Two-Eyed Seeing approach which generally refers to using the strengths of both worldviews.
The Indigenous Circle of Experts’ We Rise Together report describes ethical space as, “a model for equitable interaction and reconciliation that respects the fundamental integrity of different worldviews and knowledge systems. It is created when those with diverse worldviews, make a conscious choice to engage with one another and address social and political inequities”1. The graphic below, borrowed from the Voices of Understanding report prepared by the Alberta Energy Regulator in partnership with Dr. Reg Crowshoe, illustrates how the concept of ethical space provides a link between knowledge systems, where two distinct, complementary worldviews are acknowledged equally2.
The Indigenous Climate Monitoring Toolkit was developed in an ethical space. Some of the ways that the Toolkit project has put ethical space into action include:
- Involving individuals with a diversity of knowledge systems, perspectives, and experience as equal partners in the project team. For example, participants included representatives from Indigenous communities and organizations (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis) as well as government and academia.
- The Climate Monitoring Steps foster the co-application of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and science (two-eyed seeing) to create holistic climate monitoring initiatives. To illustrate this, the wheel graphic for the Steps is embedded in a ring representing ethical space.
- The Toolkit features various stories that demonstrate how different worldviews and knowledge systems can be braided together in the context of Indigenous community-based climate monitoring.
Why It’s Important
Undertaking climate monitoring within an ethical space creates opportunities for Indigenous and western knowledge systems to interact with mutual respect, kindness, generosity, and other basic values and principles.
Creating an ethical space helps to ensure a culturally safe space where every member of the project team feels that their contributions are valued. At its essence, ethical space is about relationships and mutual respect and is therefore an important part of reconciliation.
Climate change is very complex. By using various knowledge systems to monitor and understand the impacts of climate change, we have a better chance at addressing or adapting to these changes.
Key Questions and Considerations
The Indigenous Circle of Experts’ We Rise Together report further describes and explains the principles of ethical space:
- “Relationships should be nurtured on multiple levels—not just on a political level—and founded on the principles that define our understanding of ethical space. …Relationships require all parties to contribute and decide which areas they want to advise on, or which issues they believe require cross-validation. Best practices and protocols may be developed as the relationships evolve.”
- While agreeing to formally enter ethical space may be straightforward for most parties, actually being within that space together requires flexibility. Parties may frequently need to adjust to change, surprise, and other factors that cannot be envisioned at the initial stage.”3
- “Ethical space involves building bridges not just between multiple knowledge systems, or different cultural perspectives, but…building bridges amongst ourselves as people…”.4
The Voices of Understanding report explained that, “When we link western and Indigenous cultures, we bring the principles of each culture together to create an ethical space that reflects the values of both”.5
How can you create an ethical space within your project? Consult the videos and reports below to learn more.
Resources
Videos
- What is Ethical Space? – Willie Ermine
- Ethical Space in Action – Willie Ermine
- What is Ethical Space? – Dr. Reg Crowshoe, Danika Littlechild, and Eli Enns
- Ethical Space as Ceremony – Willie Ermine and Dr. Reg Crowshoe
- Two-Eyed Seeing – Elder Albert Marshall
- Reconciling Ways of Knowing Forum Dialogue 2: Enacting Ethical Space in Knowledge Sharing
- Land-based Reconciliation in the Y2Y Geography – Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Reports and Presentations
- We rise together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation – Indigenous Circle of Experts
- Ethical Space in Conservation – Pathway to Canada Target 1 Initiative
- Ethics in Community Based Monitoring and Knowledge Coproduction
- Voices of Understanding – Looking Through the Window: Examining decision-making models and creating ethical spaces where indigenous communities and the Alberta Energy Regulator can work together – Alberta Energy Regulator
- Ethical Space as Ceremony – Dr. Reg Crowshoe
- Initiative for Knowledge Co-creation in Collaboration with Indigenous Communities. Basic approach: Ethics of research – Théberge, D, Picard & al.
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Indigenous Circle of Experts. March 2018. We rise together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. Report and Recommendations. Available at: https://www.conservation2020canada.ca/who-we-are
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Voices of Understanding – Looking Through the Window: Examining decision-making models and creating ethical spaces where indigenous communities and the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) can work together. November 2017. Available at: https://static.aer.ca/prd/documents/about-us/VoiceOfUnderstanding_Report.pdf
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Indigenous Circle of Experts. March 2018. We Rise Together Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. Available at: https://www.conservation2020canada.ca/who-we-are
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Ethics in Community Based Monitoring and Knowledge Coproduction. February 2019. https://poliswaterproject.org/files/2020/01/Ethics-in-CBMKCP-Workshop-Report_26Sept2019.pdf
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Alberta Energy Regulator. 2017. Voices of Understanding – Looking Through the Window: Examining decision-making models and creating ethical spaces where indigenous communities and the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) can work together. Available at: https://static.aer.ca/prd/documents/about-us/VoiceOfUnderstanding_Report.pdf