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This guidebook outlines practical steps for communities to discuss, organize and plan ways to protect their indigenous knowledge. This study was done in consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal organizations and Industry Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs, Environment, Heritage, International Development Agency, International Development Research Centre, and Fisheries and Oceans.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Indigenous Knowledge? Why does it need preservation and projection?
• How can Indigenous Knowledge be preserved and protected: a community development model
• Stage 1: Community organizing and planning
• Stage 2: Gathering and assessing information
• Stage 3: Developing and implementing a community-based action plan
• Into the future - Maintaining an informed community
• Annex 1: Legal terms glossary
• Annex 2: General legal and other mechanisms to protect Indigenous Knowledge
• Annex 3: The use of Intellectual Property Rights: strengths and weaknesses
• Annex 4: Inuit research guidelines

A Community Guide to Protecting Indigenous Knowledge (PDF 356 Kb) in PDF format.

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