Tamufor N. Emmanuel (University of Guelph) , Roth Robin (University of Guelph) , MacDonald David (University of Guelph)
In this article, we analyze the Pathway to Canada Target 1 biodiversity conservation policy process to determine its inclusivity towards Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge systems. The policy focuses on Target 1 of Canada’s efforts to meet Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity by 2020. The study highlights the importance of Indigenous involvement in the policy process. Merely including Indigenous actors does not guarantee that their knowledge contributions were considered. Understanding why, when, and how Indigenous Peoples were engaged in the policy process helps us see the role their contributions played in co-producing policy knowledge for the Pathway to Canada Target 1 policy process. This is fundamental for reconciliation and improving conservation policies. After reviewing the Pathway’s history and structure, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with Indigenous Peoples early in the policy process, we use the policy cycle model to analyze the process’ five stages. Although the policy cycle model is a Western framework that inadequately reflects Indigenous worldviews, its use reveals the degree of Indigenous engagement in each stage. This engagement is potentially reflective of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action. We conclude with recommendations for more collaborative governance in policymaking, advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge systems at all stages of the policy cycle.