Ărramăt Project’s Approach to Governance:

Indigenous Governance Framework: Our governance framework is based on“Ethical Space” [1,2]. By doing so, we are agreeing to be inclusive and responsive to cultures and modes of decision-making of the diverse Indigenous Peoples (IPs) engaged in the project (e.g., integrate and respect their governance models). For example, codes of conduct and safety guidelines (particularly in areas affected by COVID-19) will differ from place to place. Throughout the project, we aim to continuously learn from each other and our experience of working together. We are mindful of systemic and embedded constraints surrounding research with IPs and will work to push against those constraints that prevent the realization of self-determination and expressions of IPs. We are convinced that taking an Ethical Space approach will help to transform relationships within the Project, with the understanding that there is a need for formalized mechanisms to achieve the implementation of this approach. 

These formal mechanisms include co-design and implementation of our “Principles for Working Together”, as well as the creation of agreements, plan (e.g., data management plan, training plan, etc.), that reflects our shared commitment to UNDRIP, EDI, and working towards transformation outcomes. We are mindful that any administrative or governance model can create constraints wherein identity, expression, and participation are tightly entangled with artificial categories that may be prescribed/described from a non-Indigenous lens. We do not wish to simply replicate and impose western constructs of project management within our project (e.g., Boards of Directors) and instead propose a decentralized model of decision-making that balances: care for each other and Mother Earth, respect for the self-determination of IGOs, recognition of the need for transparency, and accountability of all team members to each other and to financial administrators. 

Opportunities for understanding how these governance models can intersect in support of the project were created through our Ărramăt Webinar Series during which presentations and discussions were initiated about models and principles of working together. These webinars, as well as over 250 hours of other meetings between the Co-PIs, IGOs, and other team members, were formative in our thinking about this framework, as well as the structures and process of decision-making shared defined the project proposal. To ensure equity of participation, 50 hours of simultaneous translation were provided during webinar discussions about the proposal and written translation of summary documents, including those on our project website, were translated into 12 Indigenous languages as well as French, Spanish, and Russian. The main content of our website is available in 7 languages. Our team also supported Indigenous elders, leaders, and others without salaries to participate (with small salary supports) to create time and opportunity for meaningful engagement. We intend to continue our learning and strengthening our cultural approaches to governance, built on principles of “Ethical Space”.

Evidence of Formal Partnership: the “Principles for Working Together” were established during full proposal development; Team agreement with the principles is evidenced by their signing in March 2021 (www.arramatproject.org). These principles refer to an agreement with project objectives, respect for cultural diversity, EDI, intellectual property rights, and agreement with Tri-Council rules on the administration of research funds. These principles serve as the foundation for a more formal and detailed set of agreements (including financial agreements) for the project.