Traditional Knowledge Panels

Use of Traditional Knowledge at Diavik

The use of Traditional Knowledge/Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in environmental management and monitoring at Diavik is an ongoing point of discussion between EMAB and Diavik. The meaningful involvement of Aboriginal people in environmental monitoring program design, as well as the inclusion of TK/IQ has always been an EMAB priority. EMAB has tried various ways to encourage Diavik to take action on this Environmental Agreement (EA) committment.

Establishing the TK Panel

The Environmental Agreement states that EMAB can create special panels when an issue calls for the knowledge of Aboriginal elders. EMAB has previously gathered ad hoc TK/IQ Panels focused on specific topics. In 2011, EMAB became more actively involved in bringing TK/IQ holders together to address issues such as caribou and closure planning. EMAB held three TK Panel sessions from 2012 to 2013 focused on mine closure. In 2013, Diavik took a greater role in facilitating the TK Panel, with EMAB assessing the results of the work and Diavik's responses. EMAB is pleased to see that Diavik has made efforts to include TK/IQ in closure planning, and continues to make sure Diavik addresses the TK Panel's recommendations in a meaningful way.

The TK Panel to 2022

Diavik led the organization of TK Panel meetings from 2013 to 2022. The Panel met once or twice a year and focused on a specific topic at the mine. The process involved a combination of presentations, semi-structured discussions, and formal talking circles. This allowed for a balance of learning, self-direction and consensus-building among Panel members. Detailed transcripts of each meeting were kept to make sure everything said was accurate and complete. At the end of each session, the Panel drafted recommendations and presented them to Diavik. Diavik took all recommendations into account, and told the Panel why certain recommendations could not be implemented. The TK Panel recommendations and Diavik's responses were provided to the WLWB as part of Diavik's closure reports. EMAB's public library has the full list of the TK Panel's recommendations and Diavik's responses.