Coordinating Polar Ocean Research Collaborations and Educational Outreach with Indigenous Inuit "Scientific Bridge" Organizations in Nunavut, Canada

Abstract:

Canada has recently (2018) developed a National Inuit Strategy for Research, which divides the Canadian polar north into three subregions, each in charge of research permits within their territories: Inuvialut in the west, Nunavut in the center of Canada, and Nunavik in the east. Polar Knowledge Canada is the lead agency for coordination of research in these three areas, but other federal agencies may be involved depending on topics (e.g. for human disease studies, etc.). Additional permits are required for wildlife or archaeological research or studies in National Parks or Marine Protected Areas. So these requirements provide a general background for investigators. However, within Nunavut, in 2010 a project called Ikaarvik was founded to build a ‘bridge’ (the meaning of Ikaarvik) between scientists and local communities. This is particularly important because 60% of the population in these communities is under 30 years of age. The goal of Ikaarvik is to include traditional values, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) into research requests for permits, and to ensure coordination with local hunter and trapper organization, and to ensure all research materials are made available in both Inuit and Canadian Syllabic scripts. The program was started in Pond Inlet, and managed with assistance by the Vancouver Aquarium, but in 2013 won an Arctic Inspiration Prize enabling it to expand to the five major communities in Nunavut, with each able to coordinate with researchers in their local area. At annual meetings delegates review first their own research priorities and projects, as well as work with outside researchers. This collaboration, which is required of researchers, guarantees that indigenous concerns and coordination are foremost in polar research in their home environment. We review the success of this project, and the spectacular failure of a project that did not coordinate in this manner.