ArcticNet is sharing its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to its members. This EDI strategy is actively working to move beyond inefficient checklists and small policy changes that do not lead to measurable results and lasting transformative changes.
After numerous consultations, discussion sessions and a literature review of best practices, ArcticNet presented the results of their work on June 16, 2021. We’re very thankful to ArcticNet for taking such a pro-active and inclusive approach and grateful for the opportunity to have taken part.
This strategy also sets a working, evolving framework for continuous improvement that amplifies the contributions and improves the experiences of diverse members of the network.
Download the ArcticNet EDI Strategy here.
ArcticNet aims to become a leader in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and is putting its commitment into action with the release of new key performance indicators that will allow them to track and measure their EDI commitments. These new guidelines are going to be incredibly helpful for supporting everything from community filmmaking in research projects, to supporting ongoing consultations and engagement across cultures and communities.
For example, we’re really excited to see new performance indictors for the design, delivery AND use of digital return platforms with Indigenous and northern communities. For the last ten years, some of the youth and researchers working with our Northern Inclusion initiative have grown up using Isuma TV and technologies developed through its Digital Indigenous Democracy Project. And that’s just one example!
Repair by tangible actions, not empty words.
KPI-III.J2: Number of projects retaining active web presence over the long term [10+ years];
KPI-III.J3: Number of rights holders or those with lived experience; designing and developing digital return systems appropriate for the Arctic (like as Isuma TV and Uvagut TV!);
KPI-III.J4: Number of projects focusing on the digital return of archaeological and ethnographic collections;
KPI-III.J5: Number of projects funded by academic funding agencies;
KPI-III.J6: Number of projects funded by industry;http://www.isuma.tv/node/166991?isuma5embed
Create specific networking and research work opportunities for Northern youth.
KPI-V.F1: Number of Northern youth involved in the creation of networking and research work opportunities (events, initiatives, programs, projects);
Support Indigenous and Northern peoples’ business wherever possible.
KPI-IV.G1: Number of Indigenous and Northern peoples’ businesses supported;
KPI-IV.G2: Number of Indigenous and Northern peoples’ businesses supported socially through online dissemination (Example: number of content shares/recommendations);
KPI-IV.G3: Number of communications shared regarding Indigenous and Northern peoples’ businesses by ArcticNet network stakeholders (Example: promotions shared, new product or service updates shared)
KPI-III.J7: Number of projects integrating Indigenous-led platforms like Isuma TV, and other southern, non-Indigenous platforms like Vimeo, YouTube, blogs, Twitter or Facebook, flash drives, hard drives, podcasts, video and audio recordings for traditional knowledge relating to celestial or astronomical data, oral histories focusing on personal biographies, community histories, stories, myths, place names, heritage data, including; education; ceremonial and spiritual life; settlement, subsistence and economic patterns; public health and wellness, childcare; research permitting processes; cumulative impacts of pollutants; industrial development; and climate change for disseminationhttp://www.isuma.tv/node/166323?isuma5embed
KPI-III.J8: Number of Indigenous and equity seeking groups included in digital return projects;
Create incentives and awards for research projects that are co-designed with Northern communities, embrace traditional knowledge with respect and answer science questions that are valuable to Northern communities. Develop incentives that increase the merit of research that serves the North.
KPI-V.B1: Number of projects awarded for integrating Indigenous curriculum, knowledges and perspectives that are relevant to all students for transformative learning
Continue to support groups, initiatives and organisations which promote inclusion in northern research (i.e. Inclusion in Northern Research, Polar Impact, Isuma TV).
KPI-V.G1: Number of groups, initiatives and/or organisations advocating for DEI annually supported: financially ($), socially (Number of content shares)
Support and celebrate different pathways in academia and research
KPI-II.F1: Celebrate 8-10 unique researcher(s) several times a year on digital media channels;
This year, we look forward to diving deeper into these new indicators, learning more about the creation process and the how these new, and very different performance indicators were selected. We can’t wait to see these new indicators, and the values inspiring them, could be incorporated and measured in our our current and future community work. For more information on the design and development of digital return platforms for northern and indigenous heritage, take a look at this SSHRC Gap Analysis by Dr. Peter Dawson at the University of Calgary here.
These new Key Performance Indicators are going to be a lot of fun to work with and we can’t wait to see how this process continues to evolve.
Thanks, ArcticNet!
