Magdalena A K Muir, Research Associate, Arctic Institute of North America
Magdalena Muir implements diverse projects for the AINA since 1991.Active projects right now are based on energy markets and regulation, related environmental measures and implementation of the Kyoto Protocol for North America, Europe and developing economies (which also implemented as part of Masters of Law program at University of Calgary Faculty of Law). Another primary area of research is integrated watershed, coastal and oceans management; the inclusion of aboriginal rights and participation, and addressing and adapting to climate change. All these areas of research of summarized below.
The project, Wildlife Utilization and Management, and the Role of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, focuses on wildlife utilization and management and the role of traditional indigenous knowledge in circumpolar arctic countries, and other areas of the world. Circumpolar arctic countries considered include Canada, the United States, Greenland, Iceland, the Scandinavian countries and the former Soviet Union. Other issues being explored include caribou and reindeer management in Canada, United States and Sami Land; northern bush economies and the value of subsistence harvesting; subsistence and commercial interests in developing wildlife strategy; and sustainable wildlife utilization and management in relation to parks and conservation areas in Kenya, Tanzania and southern Africa. Ms Muir collaborates with Lloyd Binder, another researcher at AINA.
The project, Parallels for Indigenous and Migratory Peoples in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania, focuses on research and capacity development for common issues for indigenous peoples and migratory peoples. For the Americas and Oceania, the research focuses on indigenous peoples in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, the research focuses on Sami and Romany peoples. In Africa, the research focuses on indigenous, migratory and pastoral peoples. This project is conducted in cooperation with indigenous and migratory peoples; and academic, government and non-government organizations. Issues addressed include indigenous rights, land claims and land tenure; resource rights and co-management; participation in environmental and socio-economic aspects of developments; the accommodation of migratory lifestyles within urban or agrarian societies; and systematic human rights abuses.
In 2001, the Integrated Management Node - Integrated Management, Complexity and Diversity of Use: Responding and Adapting to Change was accepted for the Ocean Management Research Network under a SSHRC/DFO competition. The node is a network node to create knowledge for the application of critical thinking and best practice to oceans management in Canada. The node works with the other nodes of the Ocean Management National Research Network Initiative, and the National Secretariat, to create linkages, integrate lessons learned, transfer knowledge and help create an expert core of ocean researchers for the implementation of the Oceans Act and the development of an Oceans Management Strategy. The first meeting of the node occurred in October 2001 in Winnipeg, and the next meeting will in Ottawa in October 2002 in conjunction with a meeting of the entire network.
Ms. Muir’s projects through AINA and under the Integrated Management Node include:
1. Impacts and adaptation to climate change for coastal and marine areas of northern Canada
Two proposals have been developed to address climate change for coastal and marine areas in northern Canada: Impact and adaptation to climate change for fish and marine mammals in the Canadian Beaufort Sea; and Climatic change impacts and adaptation for the Hudson Bay watershed. The Beaufort Sea Project for Climate Change is being financially supported by and implemented in cooperation with the Climate Change Adaptation Fund; the Fisheries Joint Management Committee; the Arctic Institute of North America; and the Masters of GIS Program, Department of Geography, University of Calgary.
2. Reconciling Economic Development and Marine Conservation and Protection, Focusing on Offshore Hydrocarbon Activities, Shipping and Navigation
This research theme explores ways to reconcile offshore hydrocarbon activities and marine shipping and navigation, with marine conservation and protection, in the overall context of integrated oceans management. Meetings have been held, and research conducted in relation to the Canada, the UK and Australia. Preliminary observations are contained "Integrated Coastal and Marine Management in Northern Regions: Reconciling Economic Development and Conservation" (ICS 2002, March 2002). A preliminary and comparative analysis of hydrocarbon activity, shipping, navigation, and coastal and marine protection and conservation for North America, northern Europe and Australia will be presented at The Ocean Management Research Network: Research and Policy conference (October 2002). Canadian funding is being sought to explore the interaction between all these issues and climate change.
3. Transboundary air and marine pollution affecting the Canadian Arctic Ocean, including coastal and marine areas, institutions and people
Research focuses on understanding existing and future impacts of transboundary air and marine pollution for the Canadian Arctic Ocean and adjacent land and coastal regions. This includes the examination of international agreements and conventions, regional agreements, domestic laws and policies and considering strategies for government, institutions, the Inuit and First Nations.
4. Environmental and wildlife issues for Hudson Bay
Environmental issues for Hudson Bay include transboundary air and marine pollution, existing and future hydroelectric development, hydrocarbon and mining development, and impacts of climatic change. Wildlife issues include subsistence and commercial uses, and management of fish and marine mammals for coastal and marine areas of Hudson Bay.
5. Watershed, estuary and coastal management within Canada and internationally
Comparative analysis of watershed, estuary, and coastal management for the Hudson Bay and other North American and European watersheds and estuaries; with the intent of promotion of dialogue and best practices for the management of watersheds, estuaries and adjacent coast regions.