cultural sensitivity training

We know that it is a rare opportunity and great responsibility to work and research in culturally important areas. After years of work experience and successfully fostering relationships in communities across Alaska, Fairweather Science has collaborated with Jenny Evans of Rural Alaska First to develop a comprehensive Cultural Sensitivity Training (FWS CST) program to assist organizations conducting work in the Arctic.

Working in the Arctic requires an understanding of the many cultures and traditional values of indigenous peoples — our program is designed to provide your organization with this understanding and equip your team with the necessary knowledge and communication tools. The FWS CST best-practice program will provide your team with the following knowledge:

  • An understanding of cultural issues and land-access rights
  • Respect for indigenous peoples
  • An understanding of cultural differences
  • Traditional values important to indigenous peoples

Fairweather Science values Traditional Knowledge, and we believe it's important to incorporate local ecological wisdom into our work and research. Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with marine-mammal observers from Alaska North Slope communities on projects such as the Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program (CSESP), Arctic Nearshore Impact Monitoring in the Development Area (ANIMIDA), and a variety of oil and gas and construction projects. We enjoy learning about the variety of cultures on the North Slope and marine-mammal identification and monitoring techniques that have been passed down for generations.

Quyanaq, we look forward to working with you!