Arctic Council Working Group 
Meaningful Engagement of Indigenous Peoples
Meaningful Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Marine Activities (MEMA) is a cross-cutting oil & gas and shipping project which compiles and analyzes existing documents and summarize stheir main aspects, principles, and processes for engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities.
The project covers all Arctic marine and coastal activities, including shipping, offshore oil and gas activities, coastal infrastructure development, and research and management activities. The information compiled comes from Arctic Council documents and reports, national legal regimes and guidance of Arctic states, guidelines and declarations from communities and indigenous organizations, international instruments, and guidance from industry, NGO’s and other stakeholders.
MEMA Report Part I: A Review (2017)
The Permanent Participants, who represent Arctic Indigenous Peoples, are a unique feature of the Arctic Council and are recognized for making valuable contributions to Arctic Council activities. In accordance with the founding Declaration of the Arctic Council, the category of Permanent Participation was created to provide for active participation and full consultation in connection with the Council’s negotiations and decisions and this principle applies to all meetings and activities of the Arctic Council.
Engagement of Indigenous Peoples in Arctic activities is of paramount importance and concern to the Arctic Council. Mechanisms and processes for this engagement, for the Council and its Member States, have been developed over the last two decades and are embodied in Ministerial Declarations and published guidance and recommendations of the Council.
A review of many Arctic Council documents, focusing only on recommendations, guidance, and policy statements, has revealed 272 individual recommendations and statements from 18 Arctic Council reports and 11 declarations. This Part I Report and supporting compilation of recommendations and Ministerial Declarations of the Arctic Council on engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is the first time all of these disparate recommendations and statements have been brought together in one place.
These compiled recommendations are presented to the Arctic Council as a reflection of its commitment to involve and partner with the Permanent Participants and Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic in its work and products. The report is offered as a summary for Arctic Council members to reference as a reminder of their stated guidance and advice for how to engage and involve the Permanent Participants, and Arctic indigenous peoples they represent, in the business conducted by its Working Groups, Task Forces, and Expert Groups.
MEMA REPORT: PART II
For the Part II report, the project team’s analysis focused on hundreds of documents related to the engagement of Indigenous peoples and local communities. These came from the Arctic Council, Indigenous peoples and local communities, industry and government. Several nonendorsed analytical background documents and a workshop report supported the development of this Part II report, too.
This report also features the wisdom of five guest authors who have much experience in meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples and local communities. Their views and project proponent perspectives drive home the essence of building trust with community members and conducting meaningful engagement.
The audience for this Part II report includes the Arctic Council, governments, Indigenous peoples and local communities, industry, non-governmental organizations and researchers.
MEMA REFERENCE GUIDE
The MEMA Reference Guide is meant to familiarize proponents of actions or activities in the Arctic and Indigenous Peoples and local communities with good practices for meaningful engagement. It is based on the Meaningful Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Marine Activities (MEMA) Part II Report.
The Reference Guide connects to the findings of the MEMA Part II Report and to the MEMA Database containing over 700 documents related to engagement practices around the Arctic which can be used to further inform proponents and Indigenous Peoples and local communities of good practices and key lessons for meaningful engagement.
DOWNLOAD MEMA REFERENCE GUIDE
MEMA Database
The MEMA Information Database is a compilation of over 750 documents that relate to engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and formed the basis for the MEMA Reports I & II. The documents may be legislation and regulations, or it may be guidance and recommendations by governments, Arctic Council, academia, NGOs, industry and Indigenous People.
Access MEMA database.
Lead Working Groups
PAMELead Arctic States & Permanent Participants
Aleut International AssociationCanada
Inuit Circumpolar Council
Saami Council
The United States