Climate Change in the Arctic: Current and Future Vulnerability in Two Inuit

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Climate Change in the Arctic: Current and Future Vulnerability in Two Inuit The Geographical Journal, Vol. 174, No. 1, March 2008, pp. 45–62 Blackwell PublishingClimate Ltd change in the Arctic: current and future vulnerability in two Inuit communities in Canada JAMES D FORD*, BARRY SMIT†, JOHANNA WANDEL†, MISHAK ALLURUT‡, KIK SHAPPA‡, HARRY ITTUSARJUAT§ AND KEVIN QRUNNUT§ *Department of Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2K6 E-mail: [email protected] †Department of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected] ‡Hamlet of Arctic Bay, Nunavut X0A 0HO §Hamlet of Igloolik, Nunavut XA 0LO This paper was accepted for publication in July 2007 Climate change is already occurring in the Arctic and the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment recently concluded that future climate change could be devastating for Inuit. This paper characterises vulnerability to climate change in two Inuit communities in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, focusing on the resource harvesting sector. In both communities, Inuit have demonstrated significant adaptability in the face of current changes in climatic conditions. This adaptability is facilitated by traditional Inuit knowledge, strong social networks, flexibility in resource use, and institutional support. Changing Inuit livelihoods, however, have undermined certain aspects of adaptive capacity and have resulted in emerging vulnerabilities. Global and regional climate projections indicate that climatic conditions which currently pose risks are expected to be negatively affected by future climate change. These projections are not without precedent and analysis of current vulnerability and identification of adaptation constraints by Inuit in the two communities indicate the continued importance of traditional coping mechanisms. The ability to draw on these coping mechanisms in light of future climate change, however, will be unequal and the research indicates that young Inuit and those without access to economic resources, in particular, are vulnerable. KEY WORDS: Nunavut, Canada, Arctic, climate change, vulnerability, Inuit, participatory research, resource management residents have expressed growing concern (Shirley Introduction 2005; Furgal and Sequin 2006). Many of these risks here is strong evidence that climate change are associated with the harvesting of renewable is already occurring in the Canadian Arctic resources, which continues to have importance to T(McBean et al. 2005; Bonsal and Prowse 2006; Inuit (AHDR 2004; Duhaime et al. 2004; Ford et al. Moore 2006). Documented changes include signifi- 2006a). The procurement, sharing and consumption cant warming, increased precipitation, alterations in of traditional food contributes significantly to cultural sea-ice dynamics, and a change in climatic variability identity, tradition and social cohesion, and estimates and the occurrence of extremes (Gough et al. 2004; of the value of Nunavut’s land-based economy are ACIA 2005; Stirling and Parkinson 2006). These between 40 and 60 million Canadian dollars per changes are posing risks and hazards to Inuit com- year (Conference Board of Canada 2001; Thompson munities in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, and 2004; Chan et al. 2006). Geographical Journal Vol. 174 No. 1, pp. 45–62, 2008 0016-7398/07/0002-0001/$00.20/0 © 2007 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2007 The Royal Geographical Society 46 Climate change in the Arctic Global climate models (GCMs) project continued The vulnerability approach increases in temperature and precipitation over the Canadian Arctic; alterations to the frequency, To characterise vulnerability to climate change, magnitude, and geographic distribution of climate this paper utilises the vulnerability approach of related events; reduced areal extent and thickness Ford and Smit (2004) and Ford et al. (2006a), which of the sea ice and permafrost; and shifts in the conceptualises vulnerability to climate change as a distribution, abundance, and migratory behaviour function of exposure and adaptive capacity. Exposure of Arctic wildlife species (Derocher et al. 2004; reflects the susceptibility of people and communities Correll 2006; Serreze and Francis 2006; Serreze to climatic conditions, and adaptive capacity reflects et al. 2007; Teng et al. 2006). These changes are a community’s potential or ability to address, plan likely to have widespread implications for resource for, or adapt to exposure. Exposure and adaptive harvesting, occurring in the context of challenges capacity are not mutually exclusive. Exposure to posed by ongoing social, cultural and economic repeated climate-related conditions, for instance, can change (Nuttall et al. 2005). develop experience of how to manage the climatic While there is general agreement that future conditions, and enables ‘response with learning’, changes in climate are likely to pose serious thus increasing the adaptive capacity of the system. challenges to Inuit, little is known about the nature Certain adaptive strategies can also change the nature of change that can be accommodated by existing of the community (location, structure, organisation), ways of life, what aspects of Indigenous livelihoods such that the community is more or less exposed, or are at risk, what aspects of climate change are exposed in a different way. In this conceptualisation, important to communities, how societal changes will vulnerability at a local level is viewed as being affect how people experience climate change and conditioned by social, economic, cultural, political their ability to respond, and what can be done to and climatic conditions and processes, operating at increase community adaptability (Duerden 2004; multiple scales over time and space, which affect Nuttall et al. 2005). Policymakers and Inuit are community exposure and adaptive capacity. This is demanding answers to these questions, and assessing broadly consistent with other approaches to vulner- climate change vulnerabilities has been identified ability, including Turner et al. (2003), Eriksen et al. as a major area where further research is required (2005), Belliveau et al. (2006), and Smit and Wandel (GN 2003; ICARP 2005; Shirley 2005; Watt-Cloutier (2006). et al. 2005; Chapin et al. 2006; Gearhead et al. The analytical framework for vulnerability analysis 2006). is highlighted in Figure 1. Analysis starts by examin- This paper characterises vulnerability to climate ing past and present experience and response to change in two Inuit communities in the Canadian climate variability, change and extremes, to charac- territory of Nunavut, focusing on the resource harvest- terise ‘current vulnerability’ (current exposure and ing sector. It begins by reviewing and synthesising previous research by the authors, identifying current climate-related conditions that are important to community livelihoods, documenting how they are managed, and characterising those factors that con- strain or enable management strategies. A synthesis of the dynamics of current levels of vulnerability outlined in previous research is a necessary first step in understanding the potential implications of climate change, providing a baseline from which to analyse future vulnerability. The paper then uses climate change projections to estimate how current climatic risks will be affected by climate change, and examines their potential implications for local livelihoods. Analogues of past response to climate variability and extremes, synthesised from previous research and interpreted in the context of climate projections and local impacts, are then used to evaluate adaptability to future change, completing the vulnerability analysis. The paper begins by describing the approach to assessing vulnerability employed here and how it was applied in the case Figure 1 Analytical framework for vulnerability analysis (after study communities. Ford and Smit 2004) Geographical Journal Vol. 174 No. 1, pp. 45–62, 2008 © 2007 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2007 The Royal Geographical Society Climate change in the Arctic 47 current adaptive capacity). This involves (1) identifi- communities throughout Nunavut (small, largely cation of climatic conditions that represent risks to Inuit, and dependent upon the harvesting of renew- community members; (2) characterisation of how able resources) to provide a lens with which to communities manage and experience these risks; examine the processes shaping current and future and (3) identification of those processes and con- vulnerability across the territory. On the basis of ditions that influence exposure to climatic risks and these criteria, Arctic Bay and Igloolik were selected determine the efficacy, availability, and success of past (Figure 2). and present adaptations. ‘Future vulnerability’ (future Igloolik is a coastal Inuit community of 1538 exposure and future adaptive capacity) is assessed people located on Igloolik Island in northern Foxe by estimating directional changes in community- Basin, approximately 320 km north of the Arctic identified climate-related exposures and assessing Circle. Arctic Bay is also a coastal Inuit community future adaptive capacity on the basis of past behaviour of 690 people, located on north Baffin Island and community identification of future adaptation approximately 700 km north of the Arctic Circle. options, constraints, and opportunities. Both settlements have expanded rapidly since the Place-based case studies are employed in this 1960s, and their economies have shifted from being approach to characterise
Recommended publications
  • Of the Inuit Bowhead Knowledge Study Nunavut, Canada
    english cover 11/14/01 1:13 PM Page 1 FINAL REPORT OF THE INUIT BOWHEAD KNOWLEDGE STUDY NUNAVUT, CANADA By Inuit Study Participants from: Arctic Bay, Arviat, Cape Dorset, Chesterfield Inlet, Clyde River, Coral Harbour, Grise Fiord, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Rankin Inlet, Repulse Bay, and Whale Cove Principal Researchers: Keith Hay (Study Coordinator) and Members of the Inuit Bowhead Knowledge Study Committee: David Aglukark (Chairperson), David Igutsaq, MARCH, 2000 Joannie Ikkidluak, Meeka Mike FINAL REPORT OF THE INUIT BOWHEAD KNOWLEDGE STUDY NUNAVUT, CANADA By Inuit Study Participants from: Arctic Bay, Arviat, Cape Dorset, Chesterfield Inlet, Clyde River, Coral Harbour, Grise Fiord, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board Repulse Bay, and Whale Cove PO Box 1379 Principal Researchers: Iqaluit, Nunavut Keith Hay (Study Coordinator) and X0A 0H0 Members of the Inuit Bowhead Knowledge Study Committee: David Aglukark (Chairperson), David Igutsaq, MARCH, 2000 Joannie Ikkidluak, Meeka Mike Cover photo: Glenn Williams/Ursus Illustration on cover, inside of cover, title page, dedication page, and used as a report motif: “Arvanniaqtut (Whale Hunters)”, sc 1986, Simeonie Kopapik, Cape Dorset Print Collection. ©Nunavut Wildlife Management Board March, 2000 Table of Contents I LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES . .i II DEDICATION . .ii III ABSTRACT . .iii 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND FOR THE STUDY . .1 1.2 TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENCE . .1 2 METHODOLOGY 3 2.1 PLANNING AND DESIGN . .3 2.2 THE STUDY AREA . .4 2.3 INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES AND THE QUESTIONNAIRE . .4 2.4 METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS .
    [Show full text]
  • Mining and Communities in Northern Canada : History, Politics, and Memory
    University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository University of Calgary Press University of Calgary Press Open Access Books 2015-11 Mining and communities in Northern Canada : history, politics, and memory Keeling, Arn; Sandlos, John University of Calgary Press Keeling, A., & Sandlos, J. (Eds.). (2015). Mining and Communities in Northern Canada: History, Politics, and Memory. Canada: University of Calgary Press. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/51021 book http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca MINING AND COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN CANADA: HISTORY, POLITICS, AND MEMORY Edited by Arn Keeling and John Sandlos ISBN 978-1-55238-805-1 THIS BOOK IS AN OPEN ACCESS E-BOOK. It is an electronic version of a book that can be purchased in physical form through any bookseller or on-line retailer, or from our distributors. Please support this open access publication by requesting that your university purchase a print copy of this book, or by purchasing a copy yourself. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] Cover Art: The artwork on the cover of this book is not open access and falls under traditional copyright provisions; it cannot be reproduced in any way without written permission of the artists and their agents. The cover can be displayed as a complete cover image for the purposes of publicizing this work, but the artwork cannot be extracted from the context of the cover of this specific work without breaching the artist’s copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide on Government Contracts in the Nunavut Settlement Area
    Guide on Government Contracts in the Nunavut Settlement Area WITHOUT PREJUDICE Dec 20, 2019 Guide on Government Contracts in the Nunavut Settlement Area. P4-91/2019E-PDF 978-0-660-33374-8 To all readers: Please note that this Guide is still subject to ongoing consultations between Canada and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), the Designated Inuit Organization (DIO) for the Inuit of Nunavut, and is currently only being provided in draft form. As of the effective date (December 20, 2019), the Directive is fully in effect, but the guidance is not yet finalized. However, officials may use the Guide with the understanding that it may evolve as consultations continue. Because of its draft nature, it is recommended that anyone using this Guide refrain, as much as possible, from generating offline/printed copies and instead rely upon the latest version posted online, available at: https://buyandsell.gc.ca/for-government/buying-for- the-government-of-canada/plan-the-procurement-strategy#nunavut-directive Thank you. CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 Chapter 1: Introduction 3 1.1 Purpose of this Guide 3 1.2 Applicability 3 1.3 Objective and Expected Results 4 1.4 Modern Treaties in Canada 5 1.5 The Nunavut Agreement and the Directive 5 1.6 ATRIS 6 1.7 Trade Agreements 6 1.8 Inuit Firm Registry (“the IFR”) 7 1.9 Nunavut Inuit Enrolment List 8 1.10 File Documentation 8 1.11 Roles and Responsibilities 9 Chapter 2: Procurement Planning 11 2.1 Check the IFR 11 2.2 Additional Market Research and Engagement Activities 12 2.3 Structuring 13 2.4 Unbundling
    [Show full text]
  • Property Tax Arrears List Department of Finance, Government of Nunavut ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᑖᒃᓰᔭᖅᑕᐅᓂᖅ ᐊᑭᓕᒃᓴᑐᖃᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ 2Nd Floor Parnaivik Building, 924 Mivvik Street P.O
    Taxation and Insurance Property Tax Arrears List Department of Finance, Government of Nunavut ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᑖᒃᓰᔭᖅᑕᐅᓂᖅ ᐊᑭᓕᒃᓴᑐᖃᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ 2nd floor Parnaivik Building, 924 Mivvik Street P.O. Box 2260, Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Liste des arriérés d’impôt foncier 1 (800) 316-3324 Piqutini Taaksiinni Atugaqaqnikkut Titiraqhimayut [email protected] June 30, 2015 / ᔫᓂ 30, 2015-ᒥᑦ / 30 juin, 2015 Nunallaaq Roll Nanminiqaqtuq Atukkat Akiliqtauyukhat Titiqqiqivia ᓄᓇᓕᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᑯᑖᖅ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑎ ᐊᑭᓕᒃᓴᑐᖃᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕐᑯᕕᐊ ᑐᕌᕈᑕ Collectivité Rôle Propriétaire Arriérés dus Adresse postale Community Roll Owner Arrears Owing Mailing Address Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703017900 121702 Canada Inc. $87.17 P.O. Box 670, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703009700 Akpalialuk, Josia & Hughes, Connie $1,944.60 P.O. Box 11, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703008900 Aola, Daniel & Hannah $396.12 P.O. Box 91, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703003900 Aqsuksivik Society $1,026.47 P.O. Box 118, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703023700 Arqvartuuq Services Limited $1,622.45 P.O. Box 130, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703000800 Arqvartuuq Services Limited $345.40 P.O. Box 130, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703028800 Arqvartuuq Services Limited $216.56 P.O. Box 130, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703040800 Arvartuuq Services Ltd. $2,146.41 P.O. Box 130, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703009900 Barnabas, Levi & Susanna $2,408.44 P.O. Box 22, Arctic Bay, NU X0A 0A0 Arctic Bay / ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃᒥ 4703009300 Barnabas, Olayuk & Lydia $2,395.66 P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • EXPERIENCES 2021 Table of Contents
    NUNAVUT EXPERIENCES 2021 Table of Contents Arts & Culture Alianait Arts Festival Qaggiavuut! Toonik Tyme Festival Uasau Soap Nunavut Development Corporation Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum Malikkaat Carvings Nunavut Aqsarniit Hotel And Conference Centre Adventure Arctic Bay Adventures Adventure Canada Arctic Kingdom Bathurst Inlet Lodge Black Feather Eagle-Eye Tours The Great Canadian Travel Group Igloo Tourism & Outfitting Hakongak Outfitting Inukpak Outfitting North Winds Expeditions Parks Canada Arctic Wilderness Guiding and Outfitting Tikippugut Kool Runnings Quark Expeditions Nunavut Brewing Company Kivalliq Wildlife Adventures Inc. Illu B&B Eyos Expeditions Baffin Safari About Nunavut Airlines Canadian North Calm Air Travel Agents Far Horizons Anderson Vacations Top of the World Travel p uit O erat In ed Iᓇᓄᕗᑦ *denotes an n u q u ju Inuit operated nn tau ut Aula company About Nunavut Nunavut “Our Land” 2021 marks the 22nd anniversary of Nunavut becoming Canada’s newest territory. The word “Nunavut” means “Our Land” in Inuktut, the language of the Inuit, who represent 85 per cent of Nunavut’s resident’s. The creation of Nunavut as Canada’s third territory had its origins in a desire by Inuit got more say in their future. The first formal presentation of the idea – The Nunavut Proposal – was made to Ottawa in 1976. More than two decades later, in February 1999, Nunavut’s first 19 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were elected to a five year term. Shortly after, those MLAs chose one of their own, lawyer Paul Okalik, to be the first Premier. The resulting government is a public one; all may vote - Inuit and non-Inuit, but the outcomes reflect Inuit values.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Narwhal in the Nunavut Settlement Area
    Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Narwhal in the Nunavut Settlement Area Hunter & Trapper Organizations Consultations March 2012 Discussion Topics • Why changes are needed to narwhal co-management • Overview of the draft Narwhal Management Plan • Marine Mammal Tag Transfer Policy Development • HTO & hunter roles and responsibilities under the revised management system Why do we need changes to the Narwhal Management System? Increased national and international interest in how the narwhal fishery in Nunavut is managed. Strengthen narwhal co-management consistent with; • NLCA wildlife harvesting and management provisions such as • Establishing Total Allowable Harvest (TAH), Basic Needs Level (BNL) • Increased roles for Regional Wildlife Organizations (RWOs) and Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) • Available scientific and Inuit knowledge • Sustainable harvesting • International trade requirements Why do we need changes to the Narwhal Management System? International Exports • Must conform to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) • Canadian CITES Export Permits require a Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) • In 2010 and 2011, exports of narwhal products from some areas were not allowed • CITES Parties will meet in spring 2013, and may request a review of narwhal trade • If trade is deemed harmful to the survival of the species, trade restrictions or bans could be imposed. • Important that the Narwhal Management Plan is approved and implemented by January 2013 Importance of Improving the Narwhal Management System • Improvements to the narwhal management system will assist • Co-management organizations to clearly demonstrate that narwhal harvesting is sustainable • Continued sustainable harvest for future generations of Inuit • Continued trade/export of narwhal tusks and products from Canada • A formal Management Plan will outline the management objectives for narwhal and the measures to achieve sustainable harvesting.
    [Show full text]
  • Arctic Bay 2013
    Arctic Bay 2013 Arctic Bay, known to the Inuit as Ikpiarjuk, “the pocket”, is surrounded on three sides by high hills. Located on northern Baffin Island, it is a great place to experience the sights of narwhals, walruses, seals & other sea mammals. During the summer months, tourists also arrive on cruise ships to experience the sights and sounds of traditional Arctic Bay. Marble carvings, ivory sculptures, clothes and other arts and crafts are viewed and purchased from talented local artists and seamstresses. Getting There: Flights are only operated by First Air. Flights are operated from Iqaluit to Arctic Bay. Please check with the airline for schedule changes. Community Services and Information Population 853 Region Qikiqtaaluk Time Zone Eastern Postal Code X0A 0A0 Population based on 2012 Nunavut Bureau of Statistics (Area Code is 867 unless as indicated) RCMP General Inquiries 439-0123 Local Communications (FM 107.1) Emergency Only 439-1111 Atta Suvaguuq Radio Society (on air) 439-9922 Fire Emergency 439-4422 Second line 439-8709 Health Centre 439-8816 Post Office 439- 8060 Community Aerodome Radio station 439-8171 Hunters and Trappers Organization 439-8483 Schools/College Inuujaq (K-12) 439-8843 Banks Arctic College 439-9913 Light banking services available at the Northern and Co-op stores; Interact services available at most retail outlets Early Childhood: Aboriginal Head Start 439-8511 Hamlet Office 439-9917/9918/9919 Churches All Saints Anglican Church 439-8717 Full Gospel Church 439-8523 Community Wellness/Recreation Arena: 439- 8303 Qaggivik Hall 439-8207 West Side Community Hall 439-8563 Community Justice Outreach Worker 439-8183 For more information about regional Qikiqtani government departments, Inuit organizations and development corporations, see Qikiqtani Regional page.
    [Show full text]
  • NANISIVIK MINE Closure Design and Performance Monitoring
    NANISIVIK MINE Closure Design and Performance Monitoring Jim Cassie, M.Sc., P.Eng. Principal Geotechnical Engineer BGC Engineering Inc. 2015 RPIC FEDERAL CONTAMINATED SITES REGIONAL WORKSHOP OUTLINE • SITE / PROJECT OVERVIEW • CLIMATE / CONSTRAINTS • CLOSURE MEASURES • Tailings cover • Channels • Mine openings • Borrow areas • MONITORING • Methods • Results 2 RPIC, JUNE 2015, EDMONTON SITE / LOCATION • 73oN Latitude • 700 km north of Arctic Circle • Remote • Underground lead / zinc mine • Opened in October 1976 • Nyrstar purchased in 2011 3 RPIC, JUNE 2015, EDMONTON 4 RPIC, JUNE 2015, EDMONTON MINE HISTORY • Mine closed in 2002 • Produced ~ 10,000,000 m3 of tailings • Mine Closure Plan Finalized in 2002 and 2003 and approved in 2004. • Reclamation Construction 2004 through 2008. • Performance Monitoring 2005 through 2014 (through 2019) 5 RPIC, JUNE 2015, EDMONTON COLD CLIMATE Mean Annual Air Temperature: -15.2°C (2000) or -14.3oC (2012). Average Precipitation: 240 mm/yr. Average Evaporation: 200 mm/yr. Permafrost > 450 m depth 10.0 Mean Monthly Air Temperatures 5.0 0.0 C) ° -5.0 -10.0 -15.0 -20.0 Air Temperature ( Temperature Air -25.0 Mean Temperatures Values (1977 to 2013) -30.0 2013 Temperature Values**Arctic Bay -35.0 6 Jul Oct Apr Jan Jun Mar Feb Dec Aug Sep Nov May SITE CONSTRAINTS • Very remote site – by sealift from QC in the summer. • Summer / winter jet service • No surface mining / civil equipment at site • Very limited “summer” construction season. • Limited selection of natural materials • Revegetation not necessary 7 RPIC, JUNE 2015, EDMONTON CLOSURE ELEMENTS • Embankments, containment structures and diversion channels – 4 dykes, two tank farms, one spillway and two outlet channels • Thermal covers – tailings, waste rock, landfill, ponds (11 elements in total) • Mine openings, crown pillars and raises (11 elements) • Borrow areas (6 for shale and 4 for armour rock) 8 RPIC, JUNE 2015, EDMONTON TAILINGS COVERS • 45 ha tailings disposal area.
    [Show full text]
  • Changing Hazard Exposure in Two Nunavut Communities
    Climate, Society, and Natural Hazards: Changing Hazard Exposure in Two Nunavut Communities James D. Ford Abstract: This article analyzes changing exposure of Inuit to environmental hazards in two Nunavut communities. One hundred and twelve interviews were conducted in Arctic Bay and Igloolik to identify the environmental hazards to which people are susceptible, to provide insights into how hazard exposure has changed over time, and to identify those factors that influence exposure to environmental risks. Analysis of secondary sources was used to add historical depth. The research indicates a complex pattern of changing hazard exposure over the past fifty years. New hazards have emerged, old ones have disappeared, and there have been changes to the magnitude and frequency of hazards that have always affected Inuit. Long- term trends affecting hazard exposure in the two communities include changes in the timing, location, and equipment used in harvesting, which must be situated in the context of changing community socio-cultural dynamics in the second half of the twentieth century. Changing exposure in recent years reflects the interaction of climate change with social, economic, political, and technological changes that have affected Inuit environment interactions. 1. Introduction In many Inuit communities in Canada hunting continues to be a valued activity with social, cultural, and economic signifi cance (Furgal and Seguin, 2006). Risks associated with hunting are well-known and are an accepted part of Arctic life. As highlighted in table 1, frostbite, avalanches, blizzards, ice breakup, thin ice, and bad weather claim lives and extract signifi cant fi nancial cost in terms of lost equipment and search and rescue operations.
    [Show full text]
  • NWT/NU Spills Working Agreement
    NORTHWEST TERRITORIES–NUNAVUT SPILLS WORKING AGREEMENT Updated October 2014 This page intentionally left blank. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Content Page Cover Front Cover 1 Cover Inside Front Cover 2 Introductory Table of Contents 3 Introductory Record of Amendments 3 1. Introduction/Purpose/Goals 4 2. Parties to the Agreement 5 3. Letter of Agreement 6 - Background 6 - Lead Agency Designation and Contact 6 - Lead Agency Responsibilities 6 - General 7 4. Signatures of Parties to the Agreement 8 5. Glossary of Terms 9 Table 1A Lead Agency Designation for Spills in the NT and NU 10 Table 1B Lead Agency Designation for NT Airport Spills 14 Table 1C Lead Agency Designation for NU Airport Spills 14 Table 1D Territorial Roads and Highways in the NT 15 Table 1E Territorial Roads in NU 15 Table 2 General Guidelines for Assessing Spill Significance and Spill File Closure 16 Table 3 Spill Line Contract and Operation 17 Appendix A Schedule 1 - Reportable Quantities for NT-NU Spills 18 Appendix B Spill Line Report Form 20 Appendix C Instructions for Completing the NT/NU Spill Report Form 21 Appendix D Environmental Emergencies Science Table (Science Table) 22 RECORD OF AMENDMENTS * No. Amendment Description Entered By / Date Approved By / Date 1 GNWT spills response structure changed on April 1. 2014 to reflect the changes of devolution. Departments of Industry Tourism and Investment and Lands were added to the NT/NU SWA 2 Environment Canada nationally restructured their spill response structure in 2012. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 * Starting in 2015, the NT/NU SWA will be reviewed and updated annually during the Fall NT/NU Spills Working Group meeting.
    [Show full text]
  • Procurement Activity Report
    GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT Procurement Activity Report Prepared by kNo1i ZKm4fi9l Wp5yC6tf5 Nunalingni Kavamatkunnilu Pivikhaqautikkut Department of Community and Government Services Ministere des Services Communautaires et Gouvernementaux Fiscal Year 2005/06 GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT Procurement Activity Report Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Purpose 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Objective 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • Nanisivik – Canada’S First High Arctic Mine
    INUIT ENCOUNTERS WITH COLONIAL CAPITAL: NANISIVIK – CANADA’S FIRST HIGH ARCTIC MINE by Tee Wern Lim B.Com. (Hons)., The University of Otago, 2006 B.A., The University of Otago, 2008 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Resource Management and Environmental Studies) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) January 2013 © Tee Wern Lim, 2013 Abstract Mineral development has a long history of occurring in the territory of Indigenous communities. In Canada’s North, mineral exploration and mine development has become the most significant economic development strategy for Nunavut, with unprecedented levels of investment taking place today. However, broader and long-term implications of mineral development, and relevant historical experiences, are not well understood or documented. This thesis investigates a historically significant case: Canada’s first high Arctic mine, the Nanisivik lead-zinc mine, which operated near the Inuit community of Arctic Bay from 1976- 2002. Across two papers, this thesis focuses on the mine’s development in the early 1970s, and closure in the 2000s. Through a Marxian analysis utilizing the constructs of primitive accumulation and modes of production, chapter 2 outlines non-renewable resource-based industrial capitalism (exemplified by Nanisivik) as a distinct and severe structure of dispossession. This is contrasted with prior periods of similarly colonial but merchant capitalist resource extraction, namely whaling and the fur trade. I explain how the State and capital combined to impose capitalist relations of production on a predominantly noncapitalist Inuit social formation. Aspects of structural resistance to this imposition are also discussed.
    [Show full text]