PRESS RELEASE: ArcticNet receives funding to support a healthy & vibrant Arctic
IQALUIT, December 6, 2023
The Government of Canada announced today that ArcticNet will be funded for the next five years through the Strategic Science Fund (SSF), jointly administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada and Health Canada. The successful proposal was co-developed by ArcticNet, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Polar Knowledge Canada with support from over 70 organizations across the country and internationally in an effort to carry forward the internationally recognized and respected ArcticNet.
Through the SSF, the new ArcticNet will receive network funding to continue the collective work of studying the impacts of rapid climate, environmental and socio-economic change in Inuit Nunangat and the broader Canadian North. With this funding, ArcticNet will deploy its broad domestic and international network and partnerships to develop and disseminate knowledge needed to formulate adaptation strategies and national policies to help Canadians face the impacts and opportunities of climate and socio-economic change, and threats to Arctic sovereignty.
“This investment demonstrates an understanding of the urgent need to address challenges in the rapidly changing Arctic and is an acknowledgement that the Arctic is a sentinel of change that will have cascading effects around the globe. ArcticNet’s current and future research will provide much needed answers to resolve on-going issues in Canada’s North for the benefit of all Canadians,” explains Dr. Jackie Dawson, Scientific Director, ArcticNet, “As international interest rises in the Arctic, it is more important than ever for Canada to invest in our North to address climate change challenges and reinforce our sovereignty. We are thrilled by theGovernment of Canada’s recognition of the strength of ArcticNet with this funding and their renewed focus in the Arctic.”
Representing a new era in scientific collaboration, ArcticNet, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Polar Knowledge Canada together co-created a new vision that is focused on bridging and leveraging diverse knowledge to better understand and prepare for a changing Arctic.The new ArcticNet will also have a transformed governance framework to better reflect Inuit governance and priorities as outlined in the National Inuit Strategy on Research.
“Through our partnership with ArcticNet, we are helping to centre Inuit concerns and research priorities that impactInuit Nunangat. Programs like Inuit Qaujisarnirmut Pilirijjutit(IQP)allowInuit to help set research priorities in our homeland,” said ITK President Natan Obed. “With this funding, we will continue to support Inuit self-determination in research by including Inuit leaders in all levels of program decision-making, We hope this display of mutual respect and collaboration will serve as an example of how research can and must be done in Inuit Nunangat.”
Through this SSF investment, ArcticNet will continue to leverage discovery and diversity, convening and connecting, unleashing capacity, and mobilizing knowledge, through existing and new projects addressing national, Inuit and Indigenous priorities. ArcticNet will be able to maintain partnered science projects for both academic-led and Indigenous-led programs, including the Northern Research Leaders Program and IQP, the world’s first Inuit-led, directed, and governed research program. ArcticNet will continue collaborating with its vast network of partners dedicated to the same causes, including 60Indigenous organizations, 8+ federal agencies, 4 provincial agencies, 25+ collaborating countries, 48 communities across Canada, and 40+ universities, colleges, and post-secondary institutions.
“Polar Knowledge Canada is delighted to continue working closely with ArcticNet, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and other partners to support research focused on advancing knowledge of the Arctic and strengthening Indigenous and community leadership in projects and programs relevant to the North. This support for ArcticNet from the Strategic Science Fund will expand opportunities for this critical work to ensure a resilient future for all Northerners, Canadians and global citizens.” Jennifer C. Hubbard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Polar Knowledge Canada
ArcticNet’s SSF proposal was endorsed and supported by diverse partners with a vested interest in Arctic research, including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), Polar Knowledge Canada, and Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada, along with regional associations located in Inuit Nunangat, and research and Indigenous organizations across all of Canada.
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For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Erica Baird
ArcticNet Communications and Events Officer
ebaird@uottawa.ca
Lisa Gregoire
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
media@itk.ca
About ArcticNet
ArcticNet is a Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada (2004-2024) that will transition into a new NGO with this funding, to bring together scientists, engineers, and other professionals in the human health, natural and social sciences with partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies, and the private sector to study the impacts and opportunities of change in the Canadian North. Twitter: @ArcticNet Website: https://arcticnet.ca/