ABSTRACT In impact assessment (IA) the value of different forms of knowledge is increasingly acknowledged, but implementation and practice challenges continue. In Nunavut, a territory in the Canadian Arctic, Indigenous knowledge plays a key role in understanding and defining environmental baselines and guiding the assessment process; however, even here there are needs and opportunities for improved treatment and use of Indigenous knowledge in assessment and decision-making. This paper outlines the central role of Inuit Qaujimaningit/Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) (Inuit knowledge) in shaping and defining Nunavut’s impact assessment process. The work highlights the potential of the Nunavut process to provide a model for the use of Indigenous knowledge in IA, and of co-management or Indigenous-led impact assessment. Focus groups were held with board members and staff of the Nunavut Impact Review Board – the co-management board responsible for impact assessment in the territory. The results highlight the unique qualities of the impact assessment process in Nunavut and demonstrate how IQ is a crucial component of project review, notably its role in decision-making and for ensuring that the process is meaningful to communities. The results and recommendations have value to a range of other jurisdictions that are also working towards using Indigenous knowledge in environmental decision-making or even seeking to advance Indigenous-led impact assessment.

中文翻译：

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因纽特人Qaujimaningit在努纳武特的影响评估过程中的核心作用

摘要在影响评估（IA）中，人们越来越认识到各种形式的知识的价值，但是实施和实践方面的挑战仍在继续。在加拿大北极地区努纳武特，土著知识在理解和定义环境基准以及指导评估过程中起着关键作用；但是，即使在这里，也存在在评估和决策中改进和使用土著知识的需求和机会。本文概述了因纽特人Qaujimaningit / Qaujimajatuqangit（IQ）（因纽特人知识）在塑造和定义Nunavut的影响评估过程中的核心作用。这项工作强调了努纳武特进程的潜力，该进程可为在IA中使用土著知识以及共同管理或土著主导的影响评估提供一个模型。与Nunavut影响评估委员会的董事会成员和工作人员举行了焦点小组会议。Nunavut影响评估委员会是负责在该地区进行影响评估的共同管理委员会。结果突出了努纳武特地区影响评估过程的独特品质，并展示了智商如何成为项目审查的重要组成部分，尤其是它在决策中的作用以及对于确保该过程对社区有意义的作用。结果和建议对于其他一些辖区也具有价值，这些辖区也在努力将土著知识用于环境决策，甚至试图推进土著领导的影响评估。结果突出了努纳武特地区影响评估过程的独特品质，并展示了智商如何成为项目审查的重要组成部分，尤其是它在决策中的作用以及对于确保该过程对社区有意义的作用。结果和建议对于其他一些辖区也具有价值，这些辖区也在努力将土著知识用于环境决策，甚至试图推进土著领导的影响评估。结果突出了努纳武特地区影响评估过程的独特品质，并展示了智商如何成为项目审查的重要组成部分，尤其是它在决策中的作用以及对于确保该过程对社区有意义的作用。结果和建议对于其他一些辖区也具有价值，这些辖区也在努力将土著知识用于环境决策，甚至试图推进土著领导的影响评估。