Photo: Cambridge Bay college students work on science, traditional knowledge

Environmental Technology students at Nunavut Arctic College in Cambridge Bay stand Oct. 3 in front of a board showing the results of a community meeting organized by Ikaarvik. Ikaarvik, Inuktitut for “the bridge,” is a project aimed at connecting southern researchers with the needs of northern communities, leading to more community-based research. In Cambridge Bay, participants discussed community issues and how Inuit traditional knowledge and science can work together. They also suggested various research topics such as the impacts of mining, changes in the taste of land animals and sea life, the arrival of new species, permafrost heaving and its affect on migration, as well as other areas that could use more research such as garbage on the land, shipping, water quality, caribou and muskox. A similar workshop took place in Gjoa Haven. From left to right: Aili Pedersen, Jennifer Ullulaq, Jasmine Tiktalik, Cathy Anablak, Francis Emingak, Jeremy Bergen, Cassian Immingark, Shawn Marriott and Jamie Ihakkaq. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)