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Reindeer herding in Gálggojávri, Northern Finland
Reindeer herding in Gálggojávri, Northern Finland
© Elna Magga

Co-Production of Knowledge in the Arctic: Bridging Indigenous and Scientific Perspectives

May 12, 2025
Народы АрктикиАрктические данныеСоюз Саамов
The Saami Council shares case studies of successful knowledge co-production

Article by:
Saami Council

In the Arctic, where rapid environmental changes challenge existing governance and adaptation strategies, co-production of knowledge (CPK) has emerged as a crucial method for making use of diverse knowledge systems to inform decision-making processes. This approach fosters collaboration between Indigenous Knowledge Holders and scientists, ensuring that Arctic research and policy are informed by the most comprehensive and contextually relevant insights. The Saami Council is applying co-production methods to ensure effective participation and effectiveness in knowledge production to inform recommendations in areas such as climate change adaptation, biodiversity management, and sustainable land use.

Co-production of knowledge is a collaborative process that involves the integration of different knowledge systems, values and practices to address complex socio-ecological challenges. According to the framework outlined in recent research, co-production of knowledge is more than just an exchange of information; it’s a dynamic, iterative and context-dependent process where Indigenous Knowledge Holders and scientists work together to create new, actionable knowledge. Effective co-production of knowledge requires equitable partnerships, trust-building and sustained engagement, ensuring that diverse perspectives are not only acknowledged but also meaningfully incorporated into decision-making. A key aspect of this approach is recognizing power dynamics and fostering inclusive participation, where Indigenous Knowledge systems are valued alongside scientific methods in shaping research questions, data interpretation and policy recommendations. This also includes ensuring ethical research practices that respect Indigenous data sovereignty, fostering long-term partnerships based on trust, and supporting capacity-building.

Case Study: Climate Impacts on Terrestrial Environments (CITE)

Recognizing the rapid warming of the Arctic and its impact on biodiversity, the Climate Impacts on Terrestrial Environments (CITE) project, initiated by the Saami Council and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), represents an important effort in the co-production of knowledge. Funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, CITE bridges Sámi reindeer herders' knowledge with scientific research to assess the effects of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems in Sápmi.

The project focuses on combining Indigenous Knowledge and scientific research to support climate adaptation and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems. Through the development of a digital platform, CITE Maptionnaire, which is the result of collaboration between reindeer herders and researchers, it facilitates the systematic documentation of reindeer herders' observations. The platform allows herders to map seasonal changes in snow conditions, vegetation and landscape transformations. Competing land use is also documented, providing a comprehensive view of environmental changes affecting reindeer herding. This data is then used to enhance climate models to improve climate and weather data for reindeer herders, and also to foster a broader understanding within society of the challenges they face.

A key feature of the project was its emphasis on Sámi-led research design. Sámi herders played a central role in defining research questions, ensuring that the study addressed their lived experiences. Participatory workshops facilitated collaboration between herders and scientists, fostering trust and mutual learning.

The project also underscored the importance of language in knowledge production. Sámi languages contain precise terminology for snow and ice conditions, which are critical for reindeer herding. To bridge linguistic gaps, the project prioritized multilingual communication, allowing herders to share observations in their native language.

Challenges included the need for flexible timelines to accommodate herders’ seasonal activities and addressing concerns regarding data ownership. The project established clear agreements to ensure that Indigenous Knowledge remained under the control of the Sámi communities, reinforcing ethical knowledge stewardship.

The CITE initiative has provided invaluable insights into the effectiveness of co-production methodologies. By including Indigenous Knowledge in scientific monitoring, the project has enhanced climate adaptation strategies for Sámi herders and informed broader environmental policies within the Arctic Council framework. A storymap is one of the tangible outcomes from the CITE project.

Fishing in Gálggojávri, Northern Finland
© Elna Magga

Case Study: Wetlands Sápmi – Indigenous Peoples’ Stewardship of Arctic Wetlands

Another significant initiative is the Wetlands Sápmi project, which examines the role of wetlands in Sámi reindeer herding and ecosystem resilience. Led by the Saami Council in partnership with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), the project employed participatory mapping and oral histories to document traditional wetland use.

Sámi herders highlighted how wetlands function as critical grazing areas during seasonal transitions. However, encroachments from industrial development and climate-induced changes have disrupted these ecosystems. By incorporating Indigenous Knowledge of Sámi reindeer herders into wetland conservation planning, the project aims to strengthen Indigenous stewardship practices and influence Arctic Council recommendations on wetland management.

The Wetlands in Sápmi project used an innovative approach called Participatory Topological Mapping (PTM) to document reindeer herders’ knowledge and experiences. This method combines oral histories with hand-drawn maps, fostering collaboration between herders and researchers in the co-production of knowledge. By centering Indigenous Knowledge of the forest Sámi, PTM creates a resource that is both meaningful and practical for local communities. Unlike conventional GIS mapping, which often presents landscapes as static and disconnected from local realities, PTM captures the fluid and dynamic relationships between people and nature. It offers a way to represent the ever-changing Arctic environment while respecting the deep cultural and ecological connections that define Sámi land use.

The project’s success relied on in-person fieldwork, allowing researchers and herders to engage directly with the landscape. This approach facilitated deeper discussions and ensured that knowledge was not abstracted from its environmental context. It also underscored the need for flexible timelines, as herding activities fluctuate with the seasons. Scheduling research activities around these cycles respected Indigenous Peoples’ livelihoods and enhanced participation.

Participatory Topological Mapping at a wetlands workshop
© Saami Council

Definition of Indigenous Knowledge

The Inuit Circumpolar Council utilizes the following definition of Indigenous Knowledge: Indigenous Knowledge is a systematic way of thinking applied to phenomena across biological, physical, cultural and spiritual systems. It includes insights based on evidence and acquired through direct and long-term experiences and extensive and multigenerational observation, lessons, and skills. It has developed over millennia and is still developing in a living process, including knowledge acquired today and in the future, and it is passed on from generation to generation. (Inuit Circumpolar Council. 2022. Circumpolar Inuit Protocols for Equitable and Ethical Engagement.)

Key Lessons from Co-production of Knowledge Initiatives

The experiences of the Saami Council in co-production of knowledge highlight several conditions for success. Equitable partnerships require Indigenous Knowledge Holders to be involved in all stages of research, from agenda-setting to data interpretation. Their knowledge should not be treated as supplementary but as a foundational element of the research. Ethical knowledge stewardship ensures that Indigenous Peoples retain control over how their knowledge is used. Agreements on data ownership should be established at the outset to ensure that Indigenous Knowledge is not misappropriated. Cultural and linguistic considerations are crucial, and research should be conducted in Indigenous Peoples’ languages whenever possible. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ worldviews and ways of communication strengthens knowledge co-production. Long-term engagement is necessary to build trust, as short-term projects often fail to establish meaningful relationships. Multi-year partnerships enable deeper knowledge exchange. Flexible methodologies allow research timelines to align with Indigenous Peoples’ seasonal activities. Creative approaches, such as participatory mapping and multimedia documentation, can facilitate knowledge sharing.

Indigenous Knowledge Roundtable at the 10th Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, 2017
© Linnea Nordström / Arctic Council Secretariat

As climate change accelerates, the Arctic faces unprecedented challenges that demand innovative solutions. Co-production of knowledge offers a pathway to more effective and inclusive decision-making by bridging Indigenous Knowledge and scientific expertise. The Saami Council’s work in climate adaptation and ecosystem stewardship demonstrates that when Indigenous Peoples are central to decision-making and knowledge plurality is embraced, the resulting policies and strategies are more inclusive, effective, and grounded in diverse perspectives that better reflect real-world challenges.

Moving forward, Arctic research institutions and policymakers must recognize co-production of knowledge as a standard approach rather than an exception. By fostering equitable collaborations, supporting Indigenous Peoples’ leadership in research, and ensuring that Indigenous Knowledge remains in hands of Indigenous Peoples, the Arctic community can build resilient futures based on the best available knowledge—both Indigenous and scientific.

SODA – Sámi Ownership and Data Access

The CARE Principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) were developed to guide the management of Indigenous data, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ rights and authority to control their data. The Saami Council has built upon these principles to create the SODA (Sámi Ownership and Data Access) principles, which include a crucial addition: they explicitly recognize the principle of ownership. While the CARE principles imply control over data, the SODA principles make it clear that ownership is a fundamental right of the Sámi people, respecting and protecting their rights, dignity and cultural values.

The SODA principles are:

  1. Collective Benefit: Data should support Sámi rights, interests, and cultural values, contributing to the well-being of Sámi communities.

  1. Sámi Authority to Control: Respecting the authority of the Sámi people to govern and control their data, requiring free, prior, and informed consent for data collection and use.

  1. Sámi Ownership: Recognizing the rights of the Sámi people to own and control their data, developing guidelines on data ownership, and specifying procedures for transferring or sharing ownership.

  1. Responsibility: Ensuring data is managed in a manner that upholds Sámi rights, dignity, and cultural values, adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.

  1. Ethics: Ensuring all aspects of data handling are guided by ethical principles, respecting Sámi knowledge systems and considering potential impacts on Sámi communities.

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