Fulbright Arctic fellows visit Finland

Nunavut Arctic College’s Sean Guistini and Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre’s Gwen Healey Akeorok, both of Iqaluit (third row, second and third from the left) stand on the steps of Finland’s presidential palace during the week which they recently spent in Finland with other Fulbright Arctic fellows. “We had high-level meetings with officials working in Arctic affairs, including meeting with the president’s office at the presidential palace in Helsinki, the MP for Lapland at the Finnish parliament, and a reception with many working in the embassies of Arctic countries with representation in Finland,” Healey Akeorok said. They also attended a panel discussion on emerging issues and innovations with Saami representatives, government officials, climate scientists and the senior Arctic official for Finland to the Arctic Council. From Helsinki, they then travelled to the Arctic city of Oulu where, among other activities, they participated in an “Innovation in business and the Arctic” session with entrepreneurs. The Fulbright Arctic program annually brings together a network of scholars, professionals and researchers from the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden for a series of three seminars and a Fulbright exchange. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Healey Akeorok)