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Whaling and Knowledge: A Question of Sharing
The indigenous cultures of Alaska based on hunting and fishing. The
communal and opportunistic nature of there activities has often led
to clashes with modern governmental systems of wildlife management. From
this conflict has risen a new approach and new institutions: co-management
based on cooperation and dialogue between the local people and
governmental agencies.
Two co-management groups, the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission and the
Alaska Beluga Whale Committee, provide example of the success of drawing
on both traditional and scientific knowledge to make cooperative
decisions. In both cases, indigenous hunters have worked with government
scientists and managers to create a collaborative Institution that
accomplishes far more then either group could by itself. The great value
placed on sharing in indigenous cultures is mirrored in the functioning of
these groups,
Which is what makes them such a success?
Henry P Huntington
hph@alaska.net
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