Sarah Parsons, University of Northern BCMarch 11th, 2006 - WDCAG AGM, Kamloops, BC

Aboriginal Measures of Success Aboriginal Measures of Success in Sustainable Forest Co-in Sustainable Forest Co-

management:management:A test of participatory methodsA test of participatory methods

Project Background

• Community-University Research Alliance (CURA)• Tl’azt’en Nation-UNBC

• John Prince Research Forest • Co-managed working

forest• Research, Education,

Forest Management

John Prince Research

Forest

What is a Measure?

• Adaptive management tool

• It is a sign or signal to assess progress towards a specified outcome

• Example: Local Employment• The proportion of personnel budget

spent on Tl’azt’enne

• The satisfaction of Tl’azt’en Staff with work-related learning opportunities

Forest Management Measures

• Local-level initiatives• Model Forests• Research• Third Party

Certification• Government

Policy

• Challenges• Qualitative

measures• Social values• Meaningful

stakeholder involvement

• Aboriginal issues

Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Co-

management • Initiated to

improve co-management of the JPRF

• Identified desired JPRF outcomes

• Community benefits • Cultural

Revitalization

JPRFResearch

Environmental

Social

Policy/Governance

Cultural

Economic

“What outcomes do you expect from the John

Prince Research Forest?”

Research Objectives

1. Create and implement a method to develop Aboriginal measures of co-management success

2. Develop guidelines for the method

3. Assess the method, and recommend improvements

Data Transformed to Measures

Personal Transformativ

e Process

Conduct Interview

Analyze Data

Develop Questions

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3

Method Overview

Experience working in the community, relationship

building

Background reading on

Tl'azt'en and Aboriginal peoples

Reading on community-

based research and

Aboriginal Measures

Data Transformed to Measures

Personal Transformativ

e Process

Conduct Interview

Analyze Data

Develop Questions

Gaining Perspective

Data Transformed to Measures

Personal Transformativ

e Process

Analyze Data

Data Collection

Analysis of JPRF

Outcomes Data

Interviews on Measures

Focus Group on Measures

and Guidelines

Conduct Interview

Develop Questions

Tl’azt’en Guidelines

1. Community-based2. Linked to JPRF3. Positive focus4. Technical/layman’s terminology5. Qualitative/quantitative6. Valid7. Reliable8. Realistic

Convert Data to

Measures

Review of Preliminary Results

Community Verification

Data Transformed to Measures

Personal Transformative

Process

Conduct Interview

Analyze Data

Develop Questions

Data Refinement

Measures Summary

• 52 Measures for Cultural Revitalization• Seven Themes:

• Dak’elh language and place names• Respecting traditional governance• Involving Tl’azt’enne• Using research to preserve culture• Using education to preserve culture• Supporting cultural activities• Well-being of traditional culture

Value: Cultural Revitalization

THEME MEASUREUsing Dak'elh language and place names

Number and/or Percentage of maps and signs produced by JPRF that are bilingual or primarily use Dak'elh, by type

Involving Tl'azt'enne

Description of how JPRF has worked with elders

Example Measures

Method Analysis• Necessary to go beyond outcomes

data for measures• Outcomes Data (15%)

• Group discussion essential• New ideas• Verification• Guidelines

Conclusions

• First Nations can be effectively involved in creating measures

• Data synthesis can retain authenticity

• First Nations social and cultural values can be measured

• Implications for: • C&I-based evaluation systems• Co-management

• Research needs

Questions…?