Policymakers discuss Arctic sovereignty, security at Iqaluit summit
One-day event follows $4.9-billion NORAD improvement funding announced by defence minister in June
Senators, policymakers and analysts from across the country gathered for a summit on security and sovereignty in the Arctic in Iqaluit on Oct. 3. Key themes at the event included partnership with Inuit and Northerners, the need for better infrastructure, and the need for Canadians in the south to pay attention to morthern issues and challenges. (Photo by Meral Jamal)
Arctic sovereignty and how to strengthen it was the focus of a one-day summit of policymakers, analysts and political representatives in Iqaluit Monday.
The Iqaluit event was hosted by Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson and local and regional organizations such as the Inuit Development Corporations Association and Nunasi Corp. (Photo by Meral Jamal)
The event was in response to $4.9 billion in funding, spread over six years, for modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command announced by Anita Anand, Canada’s defence minister, in June.
The defense command is a Canada-U.S. venture that provides aerospace monitoring, sovereignty and protection for both countries.
The money will be used to enhance surveillance in the North.
It’s expected it will help modernize Canada’s defence capabilities in light of autocratic regimes that “threaten the rules-based international order that has protected us for decades, and as our competitors develop new technologies like hypersonic weapons and advanced cruise missiles,” Anand said when it was announced in June.
Speaking to delegates, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok stressed the importance of strengthening sovereignty and security in the Canadian Arctic given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
He emphasized the need to include and partner with Inuit and Northerners when making decisions that affect the region.
“Territorial figures have agreed to be a unified voice about [Russia’s invasion of Ukraine] and how investments in Arctic security and sovereignty should truly support healthy, thriving and resilient communities throughout the North,” Akeeagok said.
“The best way [for Canada] to promote and enhance its security and safety is to invest in its people who live here.”
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok gave the opening address at the Arctic sovereignty and security summit in Iqaluit on Oct. 3, stressing the importance of including Inuit and Northerners in decisions that impact the region. (Photo by Meral Jamal)
In a moderated discussion, panelists discussed ways to reduce the infrastructure gap between the North and southern Canada to better support the aerospace defense command.
They also looked at the importance of implementing an infrastructure strategy, including transportation and telecommunications, and discussed barriers faced in trying to strengthen the North.
“The North suffers because the country as a whole doesn’t understand Northern issues,” said Ken Coates, a history professor at the University of Waterloo.
“Who are we as a Northern nation? What is our identity as an Arctic country,” asked panelist Jessica Shadian, chief executive officer at Arctic360, which on its website describes itself as Canada’s premier Arctic think tank.
“Because the [investment] is so fundamental, Canadians need to be invested and understand why we’re a northern nation.”
Discussions at the event also focused on aerospace defense modernization as part of reconciliation in Canada. It was to conclude Monday night with a keynote address by Inuit Tapariit Kanatami president Natan Obed.
The Iqaluit summit was hosted by Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson in partnership with local and regional organizations including the Inuit Development Corporations Association and Nunasi Corp.
The long reach, some might say spurious connection, between the issues raised here is a wonder of self delusion to me. Example:
“Discussions… also focused on aerospace defense modernization as part of reconciliation in Canada.”
Oh? Umm… what?
PJ raising the specter of ‘Russian invasion’ because Ukraine is, if you have followed their abysmal performance and done even the slightest calculation of relative power in the wake of it, more improbable now than at any point in the last century.
It is hard to ignore the unsubtle manipulation that tell us building ‘healthy communities’ is a form of national defense. Sure, in some abstract way these connections can be made, and no one is arguing against ‘healthy communities’ … but trying to fold it into the defense paradigm is an irksome, insulting reach in my opinion.
Did these policy makers also discuss the need for education in Inuktitut? Did they discuss the need for GN employees, NTI staff and executives to teach school in Inuktitut?
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The only way education in Inuktitut will happen is if everyone who is now fluent in Inuktitut becomes a teacher. Otherwise the numbers just don’t work out.
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Aluki Kotierk should know. She used to be a GN ADM.
Funny comment, too bad the quivering cowards at Nunatsiaq News won’t let us openly discuss Aluki’s contribution to that issue in her opinion piece. What a joke you’ve become, Nunatsiaq.
Yes. A good education in Inuktitut will be possible when Aluki starts teaching school in Inuktitut. I hope my kids will be in her class. You go, grrl!
Inuit were moved to more northern areas as part of the government’s sovereignty strategy, many died because there were insufficient food sources, do your research and learn from Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Inuit what they went through I see it as a small step to reconciliation and most importantly to keep us safe..they are the ones that have seen submarines and will be the first to communicate, they are the last to have good internet and the local Rangers have been a Godsend to the military in military excercises!
That’s true and true, it also gives Inuit time to reconnect with the land and animals while exercising sovereignty and defense strategy
Federal government and nlca promises half and half control over decision making. Businesses coming into Nunavut from other jurisdictions is that sovereignty or something that needs territorial govt. To seek business security?