Guest Editorial: Share Your Knowledge

Abstract

It is the duty and responsibility of a scientist to make his discoveries widely known as soon as possible. Scientists know that they must publish for the good of their own careers. But there are also many other good reasons to inform the general public. To me, there are at least three very important and concerned audiences - schools, the "public" and northern peoples - with whom as scientists we must share our knowledge. ... Northerners are now developing an awareness of what Western science is all about. They are trying to build a new life, a synthesis of the old and the new, of the North and the South. The northern values and traditions will be supplemented and enhanced by southern knowledge and technology. Randy Pokiak, mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, has stated that he would like to see scientists speaking in the northern schools, that native people want to be involved in science and that they are now encouraging their children to become involved. The native people should be good students and listeners and teachers, for they have studied, observed and understood the wildlife and the environment for centuries. It was a matter of life and death for them. They are concerned that a lot of research that you and I undertake does not address local problems. Northerners, particularly, and southerners too, should and must be involved in northern science. Talk to them, preferably face to face. Share your knowledge!