Supreme Court ruling shouldn’t mean the death of Indigenous consultation
We live in an era where cultural accommodation is a cornerstone of our multicultural society. This is a necessary and natural result of multiculturalism and, in theory, is a concept that should be extended to all cultures that call Canada home. Yet, a very public struggle exists surrounding the original culture to call Canada home—that […]
We must go from Inuit exclusion to self-determination in research
Inuit are one of the most researched peoples in the world. We are also one of the fastest-growing populations, yet the number of peer-reviewed publications and dissertations that focus on Inuit and Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland, has outpaced the rate of our population growth by a wide margin. In 1996 there was one publication […]
A turkey in the North shouldn’t cost $200
Many Canadians are hitting the gym this week to make up for their overindulgence on Thanksgiving turkey over the weekend. They may have splurged a bit on some expensive cheese or a prime cut of meat for dinner, but for people in the fly-in communities of Nunavut and other parts of the North, everyday food […]
Greater need for Canada, Denmark to lead on world stage, new envoy says
Even before arriving in Canada last month, Denmark’s new envoy had plenty of connections to work with: colleagues from Ottawa’s international legal community, a few trips under his belt, and the familiar responsibility of covering a vast, cold country given his recent stint in Russia—never mind Thomas Winkler’s expertise drafting one of the key documents […]
A whale of a problem developing in Canada’s Arctic
VICTORIA, B.C.—The horrors of right whales drowning in tangles of fishing ropes and the alarming prospect of endangered orcas crossing paths with oil-laden tankers has created more than a few headaches for the federal government. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, the feds have been forced to respond to public—and legal—demands that more be done […]
‘Use or lose it’: Canada’s best way to claim Arctic sovereignty
Despite department assurances that Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic isn’t under threat, some MPs say more needs to be done to ensure Canada’s claim isn’t weakened. In the face of “increased pressure” on the Arctic from climate change, commercial interest, Russian militarization, China’s claim it’s a “Near-Arctic State,” and continued international disagreement over territorial borders, […]
Northern food security key to Canada’s future
True or False: The Arctic is thawing, uncovering land that can grow food and eventually feed the world. Answer: both. Another answer: We don’t know—because so much is changing. And it has serious implications for food security in the north. What we do know is that permafrost—ground that remains at or below zero degrees for […]
Two candidates look to unseat Natan Obed in ITK election this month
Two candidates, including a former Member of Parliament, are vying to unseat Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami incumbent president Natan Obed in the national Inuit group’s Aug. 16 election. Peter Williamson is a rookie candidate, but he’s worked on Inuit issues for more than 20 years, including five years with ITK and 15 years at Indigenous and […]
Circumpolar Inuit gather for historic assembly in Alaska
UTQIAGVIK, ALASKA—Inuit from four circumpolar nations are gathered on the shores of the Beaufort Sea this week for the quadrennial general assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). They include Canada, Alaska (United States), Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). The meeting is taking place in the birthplace of the international Inuit organization, founded 41 years ago […]
Clock is ticking on government’s relationship with Indigenous communities
Kayla Bernard grew up with no doctors in her community. Her school lacked qualified teachers. Drinking water was a luxury. The 22-year-old First Nations woman from Halifax told senators earlier this month what reconciliation means to her. “Reconciliation is a word that is thrown around a lot in Canada, especially by Canadian leaders,” she said. […]
