Twenty-three young Inuit professionals gathered together in Iqaluit recently to take part in the Inuit Caucus for Post-Secondary Students and Young Professionals. The Caucus, co-hosted by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and the Gordon Foundation, was a space to share and develop new ideas around shipping activities that affect Inuit Nunaat.  

Emphasizing the value of their firsthand experience in Inuit communities, the participants explored key topics including marine tourism, climate change, and Inuit rights and harvesting.  

While discussing public policy can seem intimidating and inaccessible, the Caucus taught participants that anyone can provide their views to influence public policy, and they do not need to be an expert to have an impact.

Inuit Caucus participants discussing policy ideas.

After splitting into groups, the participants worked with expert advisors to answer questions such as:  

  • How can we ensure Inuit leadership and priorities are central in shaping marine tourism decisions that affect Inuit Nunaat?  
  • How do community-led monitoring tools and patrols promote stewardship, safety and security in marine areas?  
  • What impacts and risks of climate change do Inuit experience?  

Inuit Caucus participant preparing a summary of their policy ideas.

At the end of the Caucus, the groups came back together to discuss their ideas and present their perspectives. Once the Inuit Caucus finished, participants attended the Ingiulik Nunavut Shipping Symposium, which was, co-hosted by NTI and the Canadian Coast Guard directly afterwards. The Shipping Symposium discussed collaborative, rights-based approaches to increasing traffic in Inuit waterways. 

The Caucus participants were prepared with the foundational knowledge they needed to take part in the policy discussions at the Shipping Symposium. Many of the themes discussed in the Inuit Caucus were highlighted throughout the Shipping Symposium, especially rights-based approaches to increasing traffic in Inuit waterways.  

Inuit Caucus participant guidebook.

During a Shipping, Sovereignty, and Security panel discussion, officials from Nunavut and Greenland shared their thoughts about managing Inuit waterways.  

“Imagine if shipping routes in Newfoundland were to be decided by people living in Saskatchewan. Nobody in Newfoundland would accept that,” said Jørgen Wæver Johansen, a former Greenlandic cabinet minister. “So why should we accept that the rules and shipping routes and regulations in Nunavut waters are decided by people living elsewhere?” 

The Inuit Caucus set up its participants to successfully discus policy at the Shipping Symposium, using their own knowledge and insights to help improve the effectiveness of government decisions and actions.  

The Caucus model is a great opportunity to support community-led learning, leadership, and policy engagement. We welcome conversations with communities interested in co-hosting a Caucus tailored to their local priorities. 

 

Advisors provided the participants with foundational knowledge on the topic: 

  • Suzanne Lalonde (Professor of Public international law and international law of the sea, Université de Montréal)  
  • Mary Tobin-Oates (Consultant and Former Senior Policy Advisor, Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada). 

Inuit Caucus participants also worked with a team of youth advisors: 

  • Gwen Natsiq (National Inuit Youth Council President, who opened the event with encouraging words for the participants. Iqaluit, Nunavut)
  • Maatalii Okalik (Former National Inuit Youth Council President. Qaanaaq, Greenland)
  • David Ottosen (Inuit Youth Engagement Program Participant & ICC Youth Delegate, Inuit Circumpolar Council. Greenland)
  • Michael Milton (Community Coordinator, Ikaarvik. Pond Inlet, Nunavut)
  • Mariah Erkloo (Engagement Manager, Oxen Expedition Engagement Network. Pond Inlet, Nunavut)
  • Inuuteq Kriegel (Engagement Manager, Oxen Expedition Engagement Network. Sermersooq, Greenland)
  • Malayah Maloney (Multidisciplinary artist. Pond Inlet, Nunavut)
  • Jennifer Kilabuk (Senior Climate Change Adviser, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and actress on North of North. Iqaluit, Nunavut)
  • Nuka Olsen-Hakongak (Lawyer, Nunavut Legal Aid. Iqaluit, Nunavut)
  • Aviaaja Isaksen (Project and Human Rights Coordinator, Inuit Circumpolar Council. Greenland).

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