The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 17 April, 2023
High North Dialogue 2023 Conference Commences
The High North Dialogue 2023 Conference took place this week between April 18 and 21 in Bodø, Norway. The annual conference is a platform for dialogue on the sustainable future of the Arctic, with this year’s topic ‘Business in the Arctic – Spaces of Opportunities’ addressing opportunities to connect politics, business, outer space and ocean space. The main conference, with keynotes, panels, dinner and award ceremonies occurred on April 19 and 20. Side events, social activities and a youth event took place on the April 18 and 21. To recap the progress of the event, details can be found on the High North Dialogue’s website and social media. (High North Dialogue)
Take 1: The Arctic has entered a period of turbulent political change which is exacerbating ongoing climate concerns. Security policy has returned to the foreground of the Arctic’s political agenda as new alliances are formalised and cooperation with Russia continues to deteriorate. The rapidly changing climate conditions are altering the seascape and endangering the integrity of the area’s ecological survival. During a period that necessitates decisive and cohesive multinational action, to effectively address the impact of rising global temperatures, Western and Eastern Arctic state collaboration remains cool. Consequently, conferences such as the High North Dialogue 2023 are of increasing import. Drawing together key stakeholders concerned with Arctic development, the conference facilitates the sharing of information and the discussion of best practices which is currently obstructed in more political environments. Moreover, the conference is a space to disseminate such discussions to a wider audience. The youth event ‘Generation Barents’ on April 21 hosted by the Barents Regional Youth Council (BRYC), the Nordland County Council and the Norwegian Barents Secretariat is an important opportunity to engage with the dialogue of the 18 – 30-year-old age bracket. Given the upcoming program of political events the conference is timely and provides hope that the collaborative spirit of the Arctic is not entirely lost in the latest rendition of Cold War geopolitical theatrics. (High North News, NORD Universitet, Phys.org, Reuters, The Arctic Institute, High North Dialogue)
Inuk leader calls for greater legal recognition of the right to Indigenous language media
As reported by CBC News on April 18, Aluki Kotierk, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the organisation that manages the Nunavut land claim agreement,president of the organization that manages the Nunavut land claim agreement, has called for greater legal recognition of the right to Indigenous language media. The comments were made at a side event of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. While Kotierk credited the work done by Canadian broadcasters for providing programming in Inuktitut, she said having Inuit-specific media organizations is important for both self-determination and resistance. Currently, two Inuit organisations have applied for broadcasting licences. (CBC News)
Take 2: Canada has a rich and diverse history of Indigenous languages. However, the historic assimilation of Indigenous people into Canadian society through institutions which often punished children for speaking a language other than English or French has complicated the transmission of language from one generation to the next. The impact of such an obstruction is significant given Indigenous language is considered a central tenet of cultural identity and self-determination. Unlike translations, where the Indigenous experience is only understood in reference to English and French experiences and knowledge, Indigenous languages store the Indigenous worldview. The issue is further exacerbated when the narratives within Indigenous languages are silenced or misrepresented by media. Consequently, Inuit-specific media organisations are an important means of ensuring that Indigenous Peoples have ownership over the communication of their own expression. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) enshrines rights related to Indigenous language and media in Articles 13 and 16. However, the practicalities of actualising such rights are problematic. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) recently held hearings exploring ways to improve internet and phone services in Northern Canada. Issues related to poor connectivity and prolonged outages were found to disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. As media increasingly moves towards online platforms, there is greater onus on states when carrying out obligations towards Indigenous language and media, to keep pace with the technological practicalities. (CBC News, Global Citizen, Statistics Canada, The Conversation, The Globe and Mail)
$1.36 Million Acquired for Affordable Housing Projects in Nunavut
As reported by the Nunatsiaq News on April 20, organizations in Nunavut and Montreal have established the Nunalingni Piruqpaalirut Fund (NP Fund) to support affordable housing projects in Nunavut. The fund is designed to support eligible projects to completion with grants for capacity building, planning and pre-development, research and innovation. Application intake is expected to begin in July 2023, with the total amount available for distribution until March 31, 2024. (Nunatsiaq News)
Take 3: In October 2022 the government-operated Nunavut Housing Corp. and Inuit-owned NCC Development Limited (NCCD) announced the Igluliuqatigiingniq Nunavut 3000 (Nunavut 3000 Strategy) which promises to deliver 3000 units across the housing continuum in Nunavut by 2030. Two thirds of the units will be delivered by the NCCD, and the Nunavut Government has committed to developing the remaining one third. Of the 3,000 units to be built, 300 are planned to be transitional or temporary housing, 1,400 will be public housing, 900 are affordable housing and 400 are market-value. The 2022 announcement did not comment on how the housing projects would be funded. Consequently, the recent partnership agreement between the Nunavut Housing Corp. and the Community Housing Transformation Centre in Montreal, which establishes the NP Fund, is a key development. However, the cost to build 3,000 units was initially estimated at $2.6 billion, with $900 million covered by the private sector and the balance by public sector and Inuit organisations. Whilst the recent funds acquired are indicative of a promising beginning for the Nunavut 3000 Strategy, stakeholders will need to continue to creatively address funding demand to ensure targets are complete on schedule. Significantly, the housing shortage created by the deterioration of existing properties and an increasing population has been exacerbated by delays caused by rising construction costs. The human impact of such shortages cannot be understated with poor housing conditions linked to the spread of disease, chronic illness, mental health issues and family violence. Thus, target completion deadlines and the need to secure even greater funding to achieve them remain urgent. (CBC News, Igluliuqatigiingniq, Nunavut Housing Corp, Nunatsiaq News)
Saimaa Ringed Seals Protected by Seasonal Ban on Net Fishing in Eastern Finland
As reported by Yle on April 15, a seasonal ban on net fishing took effect last week in Eastern Finland’s lakeland areas to protect endangered Saimaa ringed seals. The ban covers most of the extensive Saimaa lake district between the Russian border and the Finnish towns of Lappeenranta, Mikkeli and Joensuu. Restrictions will remain in force until the end of June. (Yle)
Take 4: Listed as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN Red List, Saimaa ringed seals are one of the rarest seal subspecies and the only animal endemic to Finland. Bounty hunting until the late 1940s and the introduction of nylon fishing nets during the 1960s pushed the declining Saimaa seal population close to collapse. Conservation efforts from the mid-1980s to the present recovered the population to approximately 440 individuals. National and multinational legislation prescribe express protection to the Saimaa seal, its winter lairs and basking sites; whilst indirect regulation on land-use planning and year-round prohibitions on dangerous fishing gear also address potential threats. Additionally, the EU funded LIFE Saimaa Seal project led by the Finnish state forest agency Metsähallitus developed man-made snowdrifts and artificial lairs to minimise the impact of climate change on breeding success. Nevertheless, conservationists and researchers argue legislation could go further to bolster Saimaa seal populations. Drowning in fishing gear is the single largest cause of early mortality among Saimaa seals, with 2021 statistics finding half of all Saimaa seal deaths in the previous five years occurring in fish traps and nets during the month of July. Saimaa seal pups are particularly vulnerable to drowning during July as they are newly weaned and living independently for the first time. A recent citizens’ initiative to ban net fishing year-round in Lake Saimaa was rejected by the Finnish Parliament. However, following the 2023 parliamentary elections the issue may find greater support with the next government. (Climate Adapt, Global Times, Kalastusrajoitus, Metsähallitus, UNESCO, WWF)
Russia Considers Collaboration with Non-Arctic States on the Development of an Arctic Science Station
As reported by the High North News on April 14, Russia’s Minister of the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov, announced the intention to develop an international Arctic science station in cooperation with non-Arctic States. The new science station will be based in the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, Svalbard. The development is part of Russia’s wider program to upgrade the infrastructure of its Svalbard settlements announced in 2022. (High North News)
Take 5: Plans for a future science station in Barentsburg outlined the involvement of Trust Arktikugol, the Russian state-owned company on Svalbard, and BRICS partners. BRICS is a cooperation forum for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Of the five BRICS states Brazil is the only member not to have signed the Svalbard Treaty, but this may soon change as the country continues to develop its Arctic interests. The strengthening of cooperation in the Arctic between Russia and non-Arctic states occurs as Russia’s relationship with western Arctic states deteriorates. During a revision of Russia’s governing document for Arctic policy last month all mention of regional cooperation formats with western Arctic countries were removed. The Russian refocus on the strength of its Svalbard infrastructure and partnership with BRICS countries further supports the narrative of an overarching battle for influence within the Arctic arena. Svalbard is governed by a 20th century treaty that provides Norway with territorial sovereignty whilst ensuring certain rights for all other signatory countries. In the past, Russia’s presence and interest in Svalbard and the surrounding sea areas has challenged Norway’s assertion of sovereignty, particularly over fisheries management and security policy. Given we are mere weeks away from the transition of the Arctic Council Chairmanship from Russia to Norway, these recent announcements suggest the dialogue between the two states will be tested and reaffirms that the influence of geopolitics has returned to Arctic relations. (High North News, TASS, The Arctic Institute, Polar Journal)