Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T03:39:34.041Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Towards a sustainable future for Nunavik

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 March 2013

Thierry Rodon  and
Stephan Schott
Thierry Rodon
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, Université Laval, Pavillon Charles-De Koninck, Local 4433, 1030 avenue des Sciences humaines, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada (thierry.rodon@pol.ulaval.ca)
Stephan Schott
Affiliation:
School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S5B6, Canada (stephan_schott@carleton.ca)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The predominantly Inuit Arctic region of Nunavik in the Province of Québec, Canada, currently needs to address major challenges and opportunities. The region needs to develop more employment and wealth creation opportunities without sacrificing the vital land-based subsistence sector that provides food security, sustains cultural identity and provides social and economic stability. A decision about a new direction needs to be taken soon as major mining projects are developing at a rapid pace. In this paper we first assess existing socioeconomic and living conditions data to evaluate the state of social well-being in the region. In addition we report and analyse information from an economic forum in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik in April 2010. The purpose of the forum was to provide an opportunity for regional and local stakeholders to obtain information on specific economic opportunities for Nunavik and to discuss their merit for the communities. Based on our data evaluation and the outcomes at the forum we identify a possible sustainable development feedback envisioning process and discuss possible sustainable development directions for Nunavik.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , June 2014 , pp. 260 - 276
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

AANDC (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada). 2012. Science and technology: Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS). URL: http://www.aadnc–aandc.gc.ca/eng/1314731268547 (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
AHDR (Arctic Human Development Report). 2004. Arctic human development report. Akureyri: Stefansson Arctic Institute.Google Scholar
Bernard, N. 2005. Socio–economic profile of elders in Nunavik. Québec: Université Laval, Canada research chair in comparative aboriginal condition.Google Scholar
Bonesteel, S. 2006. Canada's relationship with Inuit. Ottawa: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.Google Scholar
Chabot, M. 2003. Economic changes, household strategies, and social relations of contemporary Nunavik Inuit. Polar Record 39 (01):19–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chance, N.A. and Andreeva, E.N.. 1995. Sustainability, equity, and natural resource development in northwest Siberia and Arctic. Alaska Human Ecology 23 (2): 217–240.Google Scholar
Collados, C. and Duane, T.P.. 1999. Natural capital and quality of life: a model for evaluating the sustainability of alternative regional development paths. Ecological Economics 30 (3): 441–460.Google Scholar
Crate, S.A. 2006. Investigating local definitions of sustainability in the Arctic: insights from post–Soviet Sakha villages. Arctic 59 (3): 294–310.Google Scholar
Dale, A. and Newman, L.. 2006. Sustainable community development, networks and resilience. Environments 34 (2): 17–27.Google Scholar
DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). 2012. Harvest advice for Nunavik beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). Ottawa: DFO Canadian Science Advisory Section (Science advisory report 2011/080).Google Scholar
Duhaime, G. 2003. La sédentarisation au Nouveau–Québec Inuit. Études Inuit Studies 7 (2): 25–52.Google Scholar
Duhaime, G. 2008. Socio–economic profile of Nunavik, 2008 edition. Québec: Université Laval, Canada research chair in comparative aboriginal condition.Google Scholar
Duhaime, G. and Robichaud, V.. 2007. Economic portrait of Nunavik 2003. Québec: Université Laval, Canada research chair in comparative aboriginal condition.Google Scholar
Felt, L. and Natcher, D. C.. 2012. The more things change: patterns of wildfood harvesting among the Nunatsiavummiut of Labrador's north coast. In: Natcher, D. C., Felt, L. and Procter, A. (editors). Settlement, subsistence and change among the Labrador Inuit. Winnipeg, Manitoba: University of Manitoba Press: 139–170.Google Scholar
Fisher, K. 2008. Reclaiming Querencia: the quest for culturally appropriate, environmentally sustainable economic development in northern New Mexico. Natural Resources Journal 48 (Spring): 479–531.Google Scholar
Gibson, R. 2006. Sustainability assessment: basic components of a practical approach. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 24 (3): 1–13.Google Scholar
Gunn, A., Russell, D. and Eamer, J.. 2011. Northern caribou population trends in Canada. Canadian biodiversity: ecosystem status and trends 2010. Ottawa: Canadian Council of Resource Ministers (Technical thematic report 10). URL:http://www.biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=137E1147–1 (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Helliwell, K. 2006. Well–being, social capital and public policy: what's new? The Economic Journal 116 (March): C34–C45.Google Scholar
Hilding–Rydevik, T., Clement, K., Bradley, K. and Hansen, M.. 2004. Tools for sustainable regional development experiences and prospects. Nordregio Report 2004:4.Google Scholar
Humphreys, D. 2002. From economic to sustainable development: establishing a new framework for mineral extraction. Minerals and Energy – Raw Materials Report 17 (4): 3–9.Google Scholar
Institut de la statistique du Québec. 2008. Population estimate for regional county municipalities and equivalent territories by age group and sex. URL:http://www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/donstat/societe/demographie/dons_regnl/regional/index_an.htm (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Institut national de santé publique du Québec and Nunavik regional board of health and social services. 2007. Nunavik Inuit health survey 2004. Qanuippitaa? How are we? URL:http://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/nunavik.asp?E=p (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Institut national de santé publique du Québec in collaboration with the Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux du Québec and the Institut de la statistique du Québec. 2006. Portrait de santé du Québec et de ses régions 2006: les statistiques –Deuxième rapport national sur l'état de santé de la population du Québec. Québec: Gouvernement du Québec. URL: http://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/portrait_de_sante.asp. (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Jorgensen, M. 2007. Rebuilding native nations. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.Google Scholar
Kativik Regional Government. 2005. 2005 Annual Report. URL: http://www.krg.ca/images/stories/annualreports/KRG_AnnualReport_2005.pdf (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Kativik Regional Government. 2006. Jobs in Nunavik in 2005. URL:http://www.krg.ca/images/stories/docs/Employment_and_Training/English/Les%20Emplois%20au%20Nunavik%202011%20eng%2003_22.pdf (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Kativik Regional Government. 2008. 2008 Annual Report. URL: http://www.krg.ca/images/stories/annualreports/KRG_AnnualReport_2008.pdf (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Kativik Regional Government and Makivik Corporation, 2012. Plan Nunavik. Avataq Cultural Institute. URL:http://www.makivik.org/wp–content/uploads/2012/06/Plan–Nunavik–06_20.pdf (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Larsen, J. N., Schweitzer, P. and Fondahl, G. (editors). 2010. Arctic social indicators: follow–up to the Arctic human development report. Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.Google Scholar
Marles, R.J. 1999. Non–timber forest products and aboriginal traditional knowledge. In: Forest communities in the third millennium: linking research, business, and policy toward a sustainable non–timber forest. St. Paul Minnesota: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. Product Sector General Technical Report NC–217.Google Scholar
Martin, T. 2003. De la banquise au congélateur: mondialisation et culture au Nunavik. Québec: Les Presses de l'Université Laval.Google Scholar
Natcher, D. C. 2009. Subsistence and the social economy of Canada's Aboriginal north. Northern Review 30(Spring 2009): 83–98.Google Scholar
Ozkan, U. and Schott, S. (in press). Sustainable development and capabilities for the polar region. Social Indicators Research. DOI 10.1007/s11205–012–0201–y.Google Scholar
Papillon, M. 2008. Aboriginal quality of life under a modern treaty: lessons from the experience of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee and the Inuit of Nunavik. IRPP Choices 14(9).Google Scholar
Pretty, J. 2003. Social capital and the collective management of resources. Science 302 (5652): 1912–1914.Google Scholar
Robichaud, V. 2007. L'économie du Nunavik 2003. Québec: Université Laval, Canada research chair in comparative aboriginal condition.Google Scholar
Sable, T., Howell, G., Wilson, D. and Penashue, P.. 2007. The Ashkui project: linking western science and Innu environmental knowledge in creating a sustainable environment. In: Sillitoe, P. (editor). Local science vs. global science: approaches to indigenous knowledge in international development. New York and Oxford: Berghahn Books.Google Scholar
Statistics Canada. 2008. Aboriginal peoples in Canada in 2006: Inuit, Métis, and first nations, 2006 Census. Ottawa: Minister of Industry (Catalogue 97–558–XIE).Google Scholar
Statistics Canada. 2007. 2006 Community profiles. 2006 Census. Ottawa: Minister of Industry.Google Scholar
Transports Québec. 2012. Permafrost thaw. Québec: Minister of Transport. URL:http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/ministere_en/ministere/environnement/changements_climatiques/adapter_transports_impacts_changements_climatiques/degel_pergelisol (accessed 20 November 2012).Google Scholar
Tulugak, A., and Murdoch, P.. 2007. Partager autrement: la petite histoire du mouvement coopératif au Nunavik. Baie d'Urfé: Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau–Québec.Google Scholar
Ulluwishewa, R., Roskruge, N., Harmsworth, G. and Antaran, B.. 2008. Indigenous knowledge for natural resource management: a comparative study of Maori in New Zealand and Dusun in Brunei Darussalam. Geographical Journal 73: 271–284.Google Scholar
Wargacki, A.J., Leonard, E., Win, M. N., Regitsky, D. D., Santos, C. N. S., Kim, P. B., Cooper, S. R., Raisner, R. M., Herman, A., Sivitz, A. B., Lakshmanaswamy, A., Kashiyama, Y., Baker, D. and Yoshikuni, Y.. 2012. An engineered microbial platform for direct biofuel production from brown macroalgae. Science 335 (6066): 308–313.Google Scholar