Exploring Governance: A Relational and Constructed Practice

"Governance is not just about regulatory systems such as data governance or corporate governance," explained Jensen. "It’s a practice we co-produce to organize society in desirable and agreed-upon manners."

Jensen emphasized that governance involves the coordination of actors, institutions, knowledge, technologies, morals, and ethics to create order in society’s relations with its inhabitants and nature. This order governs not individuals directly but their actions and interactions within society.

Personer på en gressplen — Both students and educators participated in the lecture about governance. Photo: Karine Nigar Aarskog / UiT

"Governance is a complex art," he said. "It exists in many forms—community-based governance, top-down governance by state nations, or consensus governance like we see in Nunavut. It’s something that happens continuously, is ever-changing, and a practice that requires foundational arrangements, like democracy, to keep it going."

The Role of Governmentality

Jensen introduced the concept of "governmentality," which he described as the more elusive but crucial aspect of governance. If the development of regulations and laws is the act of governing, governmentality can be considered the art of governing.

"Governmentality is about understanding why people adhere to laws and regulations," he said. "It’s about how we develop and rationalise shared visions or images of how we should live together. To illustrate simply, in this classroom, we all have a shared understanding of how a lecture works. That’s why I can stand here and talk without interruptions—it’s a behavior shaped by years of shared experiences in the school system."

Another example he highlighted was the B2 Gold Corp. event that the students of Arctic Future Pathfinders themselves attended. The event marked the opening of a gold mine near Iqaluktuuttiaq and the prospect of more jobs in a local community where employment opportunities are scarce.

Personer på en scene og mange fotografer som tar bilder — B2B Gold had the event to celebrate that they open a new mine close to Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay). Photo: Karine Nigar Aarskog / UiT

“There was little doubt that the company saw it necessary to build exclusively positive associations with their mining operations. They did so by grilling and distributing free food, organizing games, competitions, and concerts. In the many speeches that were held, frequent references were made to the company’s donations to the local community. The B2 Gold Corp. logo was visible everywhere you looked. Such an occasion, which in itself is a nice gesture, undoubtedly contributes to shaping people’s perception of the company and its operations in a way that leaves a certain aftertaste when one is aware of the challenges associated with mining,” Jensen said.

Governance in Practice: Nunavut as a Case Study

Jensen pointed to Nunavut, Canada, as a fascinating example of consensus governance at the territorial level.

To personer snakker sammen — Navalik Tologanak was one of the guests at the B2B Gold event. Photo: Karine Nigar Aarskog / UiT

"In Nunavut, the territorial government works together with Inuit associations to make decisions about land use, resource management, rights, and policymaking," he explained. "It’s a system that integrates traditional Inuit knowledge with formal governance structures."

He also discussed the upcoming 2027 Devolution Agreement, which will transfer responsibilities for public lands, inland waters, and natural resources from the federal to the territorial level. "This agreement will enable Inuit organizations more autonomy and a greater role in decision-making," Jensen said. "It’s a step toward better self-determination."

Jensen invited input from local knowledge holder and Inuk Elder Navalik Tologanak, who elaborated on the governance structure in Nunavut.

"Each community has its own Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO), and Inuit leaders play a significant role in the legislative assembly," Tologanak explained. "This system works better than the Canadian federal government."

Governance Conflicts and Flexibility

Jensen acknowledged that governance is not without its challenges.

"Conflicts can arise when stakeholders have competing interests," he said. He cited a case where Inuit organizations successfully challenged a federal decision to reissue fishing quotas near Nunavut. "They argued that reissuing quotas would lead to overfishing, and they won the case."

He also explored different approaches to governance, such as strict regulations versus flexible, case-by-case decision-making. "In Norway, for example, halibut fishing is regulated based on size and weight restrictions to prevent heavy metal contamination," Jensen explained. "Conversely, Inuit hunters often use traditional knowledge to decide whether wildlife is safe to consume. Both approaches are valid, depending on the context."

Personer står ved siden av hverandre utendørs. — William Wang is one of the students at the course Arctic Future Pathfinders. Photo: Karine Nigar Aarskog / UiT

When asked which approach is preferable, Jensen remarked, "Both ensure some kind of regulation for safety purposes, the Norwegian approach can be considered more rigid compared to the more flexible case-by-case approach of the Inuit that depends on holding traditional knowledge."

The Future of Governance

Jensen concluded by emphasizing the importance of studying governance to understand how power and rule operate in practice. "Governance is about cooperation and co-production," he said.

"It’s a mutual process between those who govern and those who are governed. By studying governance, we can develop more inclusive, adaptive, and effective arrangements that address the complexities of contemporary life."

In Jensen’s words, "Governance is not just something that takes place in formal arenas—it’s something we all participate in, at various levels and to different extents, in everyday life. It shapes how we interact with each other, with society, and with nature. Understanding it is key to building a better future."

Kortnytt fra Communication Section, Faculty of Law

Aarskog, Karine Nigar karine.n.aarskog@uit.no Seniorrådgiver kommunikasjon