The four UArctic speakers led an innovative discussion on how researchers, educators, and higher education institutions, particularly in the UArctic network, are moving beyond modes of either indigenous partnership or regulated relationships that take indigenous perspectives into account into acting wholly within indigenous knowledge paradigms. This transformative shift was outlined by Jim McDonald, informed by theoretical models being developed by indigenous scholars in Canada, New Zealand, an elsewhere. The other UArctic speakers, Liisa Holmberg, Deanna Nyce, and Jan Henry Keskitalo then deepened the discussion through examples of how indigenous knowledge paradigms are being implemented within their own institutional contexts.

The work developed by this UArctic group will form the basis of discussions within UArctic's Indigenous Issues Committee on how UArctic programs and members can be guided by indigenous perspectives in a comprehensive and considered way.