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Inuvik Research Laboratory

Aurora Research Institute 191 Mackenzie Road , NT 2 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory www.nwtresearch.com 3 Celebrating 50 years in Inuvik Looking Back... Message from the President The history of Inuvik Research Laboratory The Lab on Jane Aryckuk Jolie Gareis Aurora College President Manager Western Arctic Research Centre, Aurora Research Institute Mackenzie

In recent years, topics such as climate organizations such as the Gwich’in Social The Inuvik Scientific Research Laboratory, until demand for accommodations was science outreach activities for children change, the quest for new oil and gas and Cultural Institute have used research commonly referred to as “the Lab” by too high and the trailers were replaced and youth. We hope that these events Road resources, and changes in biological in Traditional Knowledge to ensure local local residents, first opened its doors with a set of row houses located on a both raise awareness of northern science diversity have made the global community place names reflect Indigenous history; in 1964. The Lab’s first staff members residential Inuvik street, just a few blocks and research taking place in our region, 1964 aware of the extensive scientific research tests on a solid form of natural gas, known came from southern Canada, drawn away from the main facility. and make science more accessible to taking place in the Arctic. What most as hydrates, may lead to a potential new by the challenge of running a fully- members of our local community. people – even within our own territory energy source and future economic equipped research facility in a small, The Lab quickly became a community – do not realize is that the Beaufort Delta opportunities; and how archeological digs isolated Arctic settlement. Similar to hub and an active part of town life. During After 20 years, the Lab became part of the region has been a site of ground breaking are uncovering the rich and sophisticated many contemporary federal facilities in the mid-1960s, when there were no TVs Government of the research in a number of disciplines for history of the peoples who the north, the Lab was a pre-fabricated or theatres in Inuvik, the Lab sponsored and changed its name to the Science decades. have called the Mackenzie Delta home building constructed out of materials that Institute of the Northwest Territories for centuries. were shipped in from the south. The first (SINT). Just a decade later, in 1995, SINT The Western Arctic Research Centre The Government of the Northwest station manager, Richard (Dick) Hill, was merged with Aurora College and became (WARC) is a fundamental component It is impossible to capture 50 years of Territories merged the Inuvik responsible for maintaining all of the the Aurora Research Institute, the of Aurora College, providing invaluable work by thousands of individuals and Research Centre with Aurora Lab’s facilities, including the chemistry research division of the territorial college. learning opportunities for students organizations in just a few pages. We hope College in 1995, creating the labs, deep freeze, darkroom (for on-site We remain part of the college to this day, and faculty. Furthermore, the research this synopsis will shine a light on some of Aurora Research Institute (ARI). Its developing of film and aerial photos), with the mandate to improve the quality 1965 licensed, supported, and conducted through the facility. The intent of the ground-breaking, significant research mandate is to: and research library. By all accounts, the of life for all NWT residents by applying by WARC adds to the store of global this publication is to provide a brief taking place in our communities and our Lab was remarkably well-equipped for scientific, technological and indigenous knowledge and provides new ideas, overview of the types of research that regions. I hope you enjoy this publication Improve the quality of life for the time, with state-of the-art amenities knowledge to solve northern problems methods, techniques and innovation are being undertaken, to highlight a and that it inspires you to learn more about NWT residents by applying that quickly drew researchers from and advance social and economic goals. across a wide range of discipline that few of the people behind the research, the role of the Aurora Research Institute scientific, technological and universities, government departments, are critical to the economic and social and to outline some of the roles of the and about the hundreds of research indigenous knowledge to solve and industry. As the years passed, the Lab began to development of society. Aurora Research Institute. projects that take place in and around the northern problems and advance show not only its age, but the inevitable NWT each year. For more information, social and economic goals. Over the past 50 years, the Inuvik wear and tear that comes from decades Since the Inuvik Research Centre/Western On the following pages, we have visit www.nwtresearch.com. Lab has served as the home base for of hard use. In 2009, staff and local Arctic Research Centre has been a part shared how: findings from research ARI has grown to encompass three innumerable research projects that stakeholders collaborated on a proposal of the Inuvik landscape for 50 years, it’s done in the Western Arctic have locations: Western Arctic Research investigated the physical, biological, We continue to strive to the Government of Canada’s Arctic important that NWT residents know the contributed greatly to international Centre in Inuvik, North Slave and social environments of Inuvik and Research Infrastructure Fund, a stimulus scope of research and work being done understanding of climate change; Research Centre in the surrounding western Arctic. Growth to support research and package that recognized the need to and South Slave Research Centre in research activity was immediate and replace Canada’s aging Arctic research 2008 in Fort Smith. rapid; the Lab supported more than discovery in the western facilities. The proposal was successful, one hundred researchers working on and in 2011, the original Lab was torn Message from the Aurora College’s Board of The key roles of the Aurora Research dozens of projects during its first year Arctic, to help answer down and replaced with the Western Institute across the NWT are: of operation. Less than a decade later, Arctic Research Centre (WARC). The new during the 1971/72 fiscal year, over 250 northern research questions building is roughly the same size as the Governors 1. Licensing and conducting researchers traveled to the Lab to work old Lab, but was specifically designed research in NWT (physical, on more than a hundred projects. In spite and set northern priorities, to meet the needs of both the research Sydney O’Sullivan social, biological sciences and of some temporary declines in research and local communities. This included Board of Governors Chairperson, Aurora College Traditional Knowledge); activity corresponding to declines in and to communicate three specialized labs, expanded staging federal research funding, our numbers and storage areas for field equipment, As the Chair of the Board of Governors Beaufort Delta. This has been crucial to the 2. Promoting communication have stayed high over the past half- research results to northern first-rate communications infrastructure, of Aurora College, I am pleased to be advancement of scientific research in the between researchers and the century, with more than 96 researchers and classroom and lecture space. These celebrating 50 years of research in Inuvik region. The scope and success of much of communities in which they traveling to Inuvik to work out of our enhancements have kept WARC and the residents. 2011 with the Western Arctic Research Centre. this research would not have been possible work; facility in 2013. Aurora Research Institute on the front line From the beginning, the Western Arctic without the support and active involvement movie nights on Friday evenings. Many of Arctic research. Research Centre, formerly known as the of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in peoples of the 3. Promoting public awareness The rapid growth in research activity National Film Board movies and other Inuvik Research Centre, has played a key region. Community members have provided of the importance of science, during the early years of the Lab gave features were shown to community In spite of the many changes the Lab has role in advancing scientific research within critical support to many research programs, technology and indigenous rise to some interesting challenges. For members in the second floor conference experienced over the years, the goals of the Northwest Territories. The Research working alongside southern researchers, knowledge; example, when they weren’t in the field room. The Lab was also the venue for the facility and its staff have remained the Centre has also developed a prominent acting as guards, guides, and teachers. The running their research programs, visiting some of the first Inuvik town hall sessions, same. We continue to strive to support place in Aurora College, since the two were interface between Traditional Knowledge and 4. Fostering a scientific researchers needed a place to sleep and where the development of other town research and discovery in the western merged in 1995. Western science has grown as a result of these community within the NWT live in Inuvik. The Lab found a creative facilities, such as the library and arena, Arctic, to help answer northern research close working relationships. that recognizes and uses solution to this problem; several surplus were proposed and discussed. In keeping questions and set northern priorities, For 50 years, the Centre has attracted the Traditional Knowledge trailers were purchased and parked in the with this, we continue to maintain strong and to communicate research results to academic, industry, government and other In addition, the Research Centre’s historical of northern Aboriginal yard behind the building. They were used ties with Inuvik residents by hosting northern residents. We all look forward to scientists and researchers from across importance to the community of Inuvik cannot peoples; as bunks and living space for many years, public research lectures and facilitating many more years of research in Inuvik. Canada and around the globe to observe, be understated. Its role as movie theatre, 2014 record and study the region. Decades town hall and meeting place throughout the 5. Supporting and conducting of data collection and observation On behalf of the years underscores one of Aurora College’s research and technological th have helped shape an international core beliefs that the primary purpose of our developments that contribute Everyone is invited to celebrate the 50 with us! understanding of the Arctic and have programs, courses and facilities is to meet the Aurora College to the social, cultural and November 17 contributed to knowledge on a number of needs of our communities and the people of economic prosperity of the Open house at the Western Arctic Research Centre topics, ranging from the social and health Board of Governors, the Northwest Territories. The Inuvik Research people of the NWT; and 12 - 5PM & Including talks by Dr. John England and Alestine Andre and sciences to the biological and physical Centre/Western Arctic Research Centre has 7-9PM tours of WARC. sciences. congratulations on 50 assisted and continues to assist us in achieving 6. Making scientific and this goal and to provide an essential service to Indigenous Knowledge Over the years, the Inuvik Research years of research in the Beaufort Delta region. available to the people of the November 19 Community celebration at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex Centre has worked in collaboration with NWT. 6-10PM Dinner will be provided community organizations such as the Inuvik! On behalf of the Aurora College Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Board of Governors, congratulations Check on nwtresearch.com for a complete schedule of events Regional Corporation to connect on 50 years of research in Inuvik! researchers to communities within the

Celebrating 50 years in pictures 1964-2014 Photos, unless otherwise stated, are from the Aurora Research Institute's archives 4 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory www.nwtresearch.com 5 The Delta Searching for Inuvialuit history before it’s too late Max Friesen Curious about research University of Toronto projects happening in the north? The Northwestern corner of Canada, centred on the Delta of the Mackenzie River, has been home to Inuvialuit for many centuries. Elders’ oral histories, as well as the accounts of explorers and missionaries, tell us that in the 19th century Inuvialuit were Ever wonder what's been the most populous and complex society in all of arctic Canada. They lived in large driftwood-framed pit houses in the winter, made elaborate and finely crafted tools studied in your region? and clothing, and were organized into several regional groups. Inuvialuit groups hunted, fished, and gathered a wide variety of different foods, including caribou, seals, The Aurora Research Institute maintains bowhead whales, and several fish species. However, the largest and wealthiest groups a publicly available database of research lived on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River, in the area around present-day licensing data since 1974. . They were drawn here each summer by the migration of thousands of beluga whales, which could be hunted in large numbers, providing a bounty of high quality food that could be stored for the winter.

The region’s past is an important part of the history of ; however the early part of that history, particularly before 1900, is poorly known. It is also under direct threat – the warming climate is melting the permafrost and increasing the erosion of coastal sites, causing them to disappear at an alarming rate. Since the 1980s, archaeologists, in collaboration with Inuvialuit communities and cultural organizations, have been hard at work trying to preserve and understand this vital history.

On the Mackenzie’s East Channel is a series of sites which, together, form the richest continuous archaeological record in the entire Canadian Arctic. The most ancient Inuvialuit site is called Cache Point, and dates to about 1300 AD. This site is marked by small rectangular houses, each holding a single family. Even at this early time, Inuvialuit activities clearly revolved around the all-important beluga whale hunt, with thousands of beluga bones recovered from the site.

After about 1400 AD, silting in the Mackenzie River led to beluga whales moving farther downstream. Cache Point was abandoned and new sites were occupied, two of which are particularly important. First is Kitigaaryuit (formerly called Kittigazuit). Kitigaaryuit was the centre of the Inuvialuit beluga hunt in the late 19th century, and data.nwtresearch.com rich oral histories describe an annual cycle of hunting and fishing, as well social events The Mackenzie Delta across the seasons. such as festivals. Kitigaaryuit is now a National Historic Site due to its importance. An Arctic keystone ecosystem Across the river from Kitigaaryuit is a second, even larger ancient settlement Lance Lesack known as Kuukpak (meaning “big Simon Fraser University river”). This site originally held at least 40 houses, most of which were The Mackenzie River Delta is a vast area of rope.’ Similarly, the man who touched Today we continue to study parts of cover, waves, and weather patterns for enormous cross-shaped houses, called complex aquatic habitat, equal to a third the trunk, the tusk, the ear, or the belly the Delta because we still don’t have hundreds of kilometres offshore. Peak cruciform houses. These houses had a of Switzerland. It extends 200 kilometers each described the elephant differently. a complete understanding of all the annual river levels replenish and sustain deep entrance tunnel in front to trap upstream from the coast and contains A man who could see explained to them, ways that it connects between other waters in the lake-rich delta. Such water cold air. The tunnel led to a main room 45,000 lakes. Located on the eastern edge ‘All of you are right. The elephant has all parts of the Arctic environment. The passage through the delta modifies with three alcoves extending to the rear of the Delta, the Aurora these features, but emerging picture of the Delta, based the nature of the water released to the and each side. Each house would have Research Institute has each of you are on many investigations, including an ocean. Waters released from the delta held at least 15, and in some cases as been headquarters touching only one International Polar Study of 2007-2009 fuel the productivity of the Beaufort shelf, many as 30, people. over the past 50 part of the elephant.“ and other on-going work, is that of a including the unusual semi-freshwater years for numerous In learning about the globally important Arctic ecosystem. body of Lake Mackenzie within the shelf As with so many other sites in the scientists trying to Mackenzie Delta, the waters. With the position of the delta region, Kuukpak is eroding severely, understand the nature system is so vast, we This vast lake-rich delta, along with between the continent and the ocean, and its beaches are littered with artifacts and importance of can study only one several other large deltas, appears to and its multiple functions, it serves as and beluga bones from houses that are this complex system. part at a time. We function as a biological hotspot in the a keystone ecosystem that influences being destroyed by wave action. As a start out “blind” prior circumpolar Arctic. It is more productive surrounding ecosystems. River flows result, the site is the location of a new The parable of “The to accumulating and higher in biodiversity than otherwise and ice breakup in the delta influence archaeology project, jointly organized blind men and the needed data, and we would be expected at such an Arctic a multitude of interacting biological by the University of Toronto and the elephant” is a useful benefit from talking location. The ecosystem itself supports processes and aquatic resources. Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre. way to think about to people who can large communities of fish, water fowl, In 2014, a particularly successful the investigations see the “whole beast”. shore-birds, and fur-bearing animals Recent results have revealed that field season saw the excavation of on the Delta. As the utilized by communities located around temperatures, water levels, and snow the best-preserved cruciform house story goes: “several As Chris Burn the delta. Less understood, however, is depths have changed since 1960, all of ever encountered, allowing a new blind came upon described in another the importance and nature of the delta which affect the behavior of the Delta. understanding of how ancient Inuvialuit an elephant in their article, more than 50 as the connection between the river The future challenge is thus to not only families lived. In the summer of 2015 travels. Not knowing Mackenzie Delta years ago and armed and the . The Mackenzie obtain a more complete understanding our team will return to the region, to what the elephant with only a canoe is the fourth largest of the great Arctic of how the delta functions, but also to continue our quest to understand, and The cruciform house at Kuukpak. Letitia Pokiak, in foreground, is kneeling on the rear bench. Behind her is the main floor area with the two side benches. (Photo Credit: Max Friesen) looked like, they each began to touch and scientific passion, Ross Mackay rivers with its delta being the second understand how this may change with preserve, early Inuvialuit history. its body. After feeling only the leg of the made remarkable initial progress in largest in the circumpolar Arctic. It the strongly changing climate through elephant, one man proclaimed that the piecing together an understanding of delivers nutrients from the continent to this region. One could say we are yet elephant was shaped like a pillar. Another the Mackenzie Delta that many scientists coastal ocean ecosystems, and creates again blind, studying an elephant that is who touched the tail said, ‘No, it is like a who came after have benefitted from. warm freshwater plumes that affect ice changing with each passing year. 6 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory www.nwtresearch.com 7 Inuvik Research Centre International Polar Year In the field Over the threshold: Alana Mero Past NWT Northern IPY Coordinator Aurora Research Institute The early years of the In 1881-1884, researchers from more than climate change and the health and well- All in all, during the IPY more 11 nations turned their focus to the Arctic being of northern people. The key goal than 100 researchers were and Antarctic polar regions and worked in Canada was to involve the people supported through ARI. The Inuvik Research Laboratory in a spirit of collaboration and scientific of the north in all aspects of research, interest in all this research Andrew Stuhl research to better understand the polar maximizing northern involvement. In lead to many articles in Bucknell University world. This first such effort of its kind came 2007, the Aurora Research Institute the NWT in newspapers, to be known as the International Polar became the NWT host institution for magazines and websites Year, or IPY. This year of research was such IPY Northern coordination. Along with seen around the world. In 1964, the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources opened a success that 50 and host institution in the Canada’s first scientific station in the western arctic, the Inuvik Research Laboratory. then 75 years later, , and The IPY program also Located across the street from the residential schools, and with the Delta as its the international The NWT is one of the Nunavik (northern focused on building backyard, the Laboratory was positioned purposefully. Officials in Ottawa hoped research community Québec), research northern research capacity. that scientists could use the building and its equipment to improve northern refocused their few areas in the world was coordinated A total of 447 northerners social life and tease out the secrets of Arctic nature, especially oil and gas deposits. attentions again on across Canada to received training under Like the new town in which it sat, the Laboratory was a southern and colonial these polar regions to have participated better understand 54 IPY training projects. experiment, one that represented a governmental attempt to “modernize” the as part of the second our Arctic home. Participants learned skills North and shuttle its resources elsewhere. What folks in the nation’s capital could and third IPY research in all 4 International Projects ranged ranging from researching not have predicted, though, was the result of this experiment. By the end of the initiatives. The fourth from local projects and conducting interviews decade, local residents and scientists would use the Laboratory to marshal research and largest research Polar Years, and to international to Search and Rescue, Fire in support of northerners' interests, forever changing the ways science, the North, effort took place ventures, with Arms Safety and First Aid. and the federal government interacted with one another. in 2007-2008. This it stands ready to NWT residents It was an opportunity to fourth IPY research participating as advance the logistical Alana Mero at an IPY school presentation. For the past seven years, I’ve researched the history of Arctic science, including the year saw thousands contribute to the next. researchers, research support of researchers in the role and impact of the Laboratory in Canada. The colonialist overtones of Ottawa’s of researchers from assistants, field and NWT. Projects were carried held in the Sir Alexander Mackenzie original intentions with the Lab can be seen on the dusty pages of the historical more than 60 nations wildlife monitors and out to help improve communications and School gym. Participants attended records - many of them stored in the Laboratory today - and in the memories of around the globe focused their attention research subjects. safety equipment necessary to conduct from across the NWT and engaged with folks I’ve spoken to about this chapter of the Arctic’s past. Yet, there is another back on both the northern and southern fieldwork. researchers from the NWT, Canada and important story here. That same little blue box on Mackenzie Road intended to polar regions to study these dynamic and The inclusion of Traditional Knowledge beyond as they shared the findings of IPY perpetuate federal control over arctic people and land quickly became a central important regions. was encouraged in all research projects. By the end of the fourth IPY, over 4,000 and learned how they apply locally and site of anti-colonial activism. Northerners contributed Traditional Northerners took part in presentations, internationally. The NWT has played an important role in Knowledge to studies such as the workshops and conferences. Presentations Daily activities in the Laboratory forged new partnerships between northern polar science since the first International Health Survey, Circumpolar Flaw Lead were made in 23 communities and more The NWT is one of the few areas in the residents and scientists. By 1968, the director of the laboratory, Dick Hill, had teamed Polar Year, when a group of scientists Study, Northwest Territories Ice Patch than 30 schools. IPY conferences with NWT world to have participated in all four IPYs, with Delta residents - including Elijah Menarik and Victor Allen—to turn the building established a research station to observe Study and Arctic Peoples, Culture, involvement took place in Ottawa, Montreal and it stands ready to contribute to the into something like a community college. Forming a group called the Mackenzie the weather near present-day Behchoko. Resilience and Caribou, providing a and Norway. The research year wrapped up next. Institute, they occupied the building when the academics were away, opening its The fourth IPY focused on studying broader perspective than science alone. in the NWT with a results-based conference library, offices, and classrooms to the public. While the Mackenzie Institute was housed in the Laboratory, it had no financial affiliation with government and fully oriented itself “towards local people…for their own benefit.” In 1969, Hill, Allen, Menarik and others scheduled programs on business management, training for northern research opportunities, and even a crash course on government itself. 50 years of listening In doing so, they transformed a space designed to be a hub for government-led northern development into a space for community education, exchange, and Ashley Mercer organizing. Manager North Slave Research Centre, Aurora Research Institute Twelve months later, following the Prudhoe Bay strike in Alaska, oil companies Over the past half century, the Aurora Research Institute has been involved in research descended on the Delta like mosquitoes in July, ramping up surveying and drilling of all types, but the longest standing research partnership has sat quietly for 50 years operations to a frenetic pace. Now, the Laboratory hosted not just summer visits in an odd shaped building next to the Western Arctic Research Centre in Inuvik. Inside from academics, but also long-term stays from hordes of industry scientists. These this circular building sits twenty tons (about 20,000 kg) of lead and electrical equipment, industry representatives shared the Laboratory with Mackenzie Institute members, laid out in three plastic (polyethylene to be precise) boxes. If you did not know better, and often shared conversation and tea, too. During a period of haphazard seismic you would think these boxes were just large storage containers, but in fact they contain testing, where traplines were destroyed and fish habitat disrupted, the Mackenzie sensitive instruments that measure the number of high-energy particles impacting Institute played a critical role as mediator. Mackenzie Institute members collected Earth from space – also known as cosmic rays. local observations of industry activities and sent them to Ottawa. At the same time, they collected new research finds and agendas from industry scientists and Run by the Bartol Institute at the University of Delaware, the Cosmic Ray Detectors have distributed them to northerners. In an Inuvik Drum from the period, Rose Mary been monitoring particles from space since 1964. The Earth is showered by rays from Thrasher wrote that the Mackenzie Institute was working through radio reports, TV the sun and other celestial events like supernova explosions all the time. Much of this broadcasts, group discussions, and individual interviews to stay on top of the oil activity is reflected back into space or sent towards the poles because of the Earth’s industry and the government, so that Delta residents could be “more involved in magnetic field. Inuvik’s high latitude is perfect for measuring space rays that reach the the ‘action.’” The “action” here, like with the original programming of the Mackenzie earth’s surface. The Cosmic Ray Detectors track particles called neutrons, which are Institute, was about keeping industry honest in its dealings with the environment, produced when high-energy rays interact with our atmosphere. holding government accountable for regulating industry, and carving out a space for northerners at the decision-making table. As Northerners, we do not need such monitors to know that cosmic rays are overhead, Original installation schematics for the Cosmic Ray Detectors we can see them every time the northern lights (or aurora borealis) dance. We also When the government of Canada built the Inuvik Research Laboratory in 1964, know that the northern lights can vary in colour and intensity, which depends on the it sought desperately to bring the south to the north. Science would be their amount of cosmic rays hitting the atmosphere. The long-term monitoring of these rays vehicle. Yet after 1964, and especially after 1969, northerners and scientists has allowed researchers to track these changes and better understand how our sun and galaxy behave. The data has also been used to identify laboured together to alter the flow of knowledge and power in Canada. They used times of high cosmic activity to help protect satellites, large computers and electricity transformers, which can be damaged by these particles. science - and the space of the Inuvik Research Laboratory - to ensure that northern lands would be governed intelligently and justly, through a process that ensured Aurora Research Institute staff and summer students doing fieldwork across the NWT. The instruments in Inuvik are now part of an international network of 11 Cosmic Ray Detectors in both the northern and southern consultation of the land’s rightful owners. In other words, northerners and northern- polar regions. Where once a technician would come in every day to record readings and mail them researchers in Delaware, today based researchers brought the north to the south. With the benefits of hindsight, we daily readings are available for the entire network via computer in real-time. So next time you see the northern lights dance, check out can see these events as carrying Canada over a threshold. It is one of Arctic history’s neutronm.bartol.udel.edu/ to see what our Cosmic Ray Detectors are recording. greatest ironies, and triumphs, that a laboratory housed a beginning of the end of colonialism’s northern experiment. 1985 - 1994 1954 - 1958 Northern Oil and Gas Action Plan Inuvik is Established 1979 Archaeology Project 1962 - 1964 Opens From initial surveys in 1954, to the building years Construction and Opening of the Scientific 1964 - Present 1974 The goal of the NOGAP Archaeology Project was to that followed, Inuvik was 'designed not only as a Research Laboratory in Inuvik Bartol Neutron Monitoring Project NWT Scientists Act Much of the Dempster follows an old dog sled trail inventory and assess archaeological sites in areas base for development and administration, but as from to Fort McPherson. It’s named which could eventually be involved in oil and gas a centre to bring education, medical care and new The Department of Northern Affairs and National The very first research project started less than a The NWT Scientists Act was implemented, along after RCMP Inspector John Duncan Dempster, who exploration and transportation: specifically, the opportunity to the people of the Western Arctic,' Resources, Government of Canada, developed the month after the research centre opened, and has with the associated administrative regulations. From frequently patroled the route by dog sled. No other , the Mackenzie Valley, and Lancaster (John Diefenbaker). On July 18, 1958 Inuvik (which research laboratory in Inuvik. It was built over two been continuously gathering data ever since. The this point on, all research taking place in the NWT road in Canada extends as far north as the Dempster; Sound. During the second half of the project (1990- means 'Place of Man' in Inuvialuktun) officially years, and opened in early 1964. The Scientific Bartol Neutron Monitors measure the number of went through a review process before being licensed. it connects Inuvik to southern Canada year-round 1994), the work shifted to the testing and excavation began by proclamation of the 15th session of the Research Laboratory came to be known as the Inuvik high energy particles - cosmic rays - impacting the Several amendments were made to the Act over the except for the break up period each spring and the of particular sites, and the analysis and publication Council of NWT. Research Lab - or just the Lab. earth’s surface. years. freeze up period each fall. of these results.

1959 1970 July 7, 1970 1978 - Present 1984 Sir Alexander Mackenzie School Opens Oil Discovered at Atkinson Point The Royal Visit Illisarvik Becoming part of the GNWT

A much larger school was built and opened in Inuvik. Oil is discovered at Atkinson Point (near Tuktoyaktuk). Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family came to Inuvik Illisarvik is an Inuvialuit word that means ‘place of The research center was transferred from the federal It was first called the Inuvik Federal School, and later Natural Gas is found the following year within the for an official state visit. The occasion was marked by learning’. On 13 August 1978, Dr. J Ross Mackay and government to the Government of the Northwest renamed Sir Alexander Mackenzie School (SAMS). Mackenzie Delta. Several discoveries follow over the a luncheon and a tour. During the tour, the Queen his colleagues drained a lake on Richards Island, and Territories. At this time, the name was changed to Hostel accommodation was built to house students years, both on- and off-shore. visited the research institute and learned about local field studies have been conducted there ever since. the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories from neighboring communities, and adult courses research projects. The researchers study the growth of permafrost (SINT). The Inuvik Research Centre was one of three were offered as well. in the drained lake bed, as well as how ground regional SINT offices; the other two were located in temperature, vegetation cover, and water content Igloolik and Iqaluit. change as permafrost slowly forms. The project has now been running continuously since 1978, making Illisarvik the longest-running field experiment in northern Canada.

Celebrating 50 years of Research

1998 1994 Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical The Aurora Research Institute Becomes Part of Conduct for Research Involving Humans 2006 - 2008 Aurora College Mallik The three councils governing Canadian research 2002 - Present 2010 The western office of the Science Institute of the in health, natural sciences and engineering, and NWT Wind Energy Studies The Mallik project was conducted to evaluate the Inuvialuit Ethnobotany Book Published Northwest Territories (SINT), located in Inuvik, social sciences and humanities, together developed natural properties of gas hydrates, and to measure merged with Aurora College and changed its name to the Tri-Council Policy Statement for Ethical Conduct In partnership with Environment and Natural and monitor their long-term production for the The Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre worked with the Aurora Research Institute (ARI). This marked the for Research Involving Humans. As a result, ARI Resources, the Aurora Research Institute conducted first time. The objective of the Mallik project was to support from the Aurora Research Institute and beginning of a significant shift in the research centre’s requires research involving humans to be reviewed a series of wind energy feasibility studies for various determine whether gas hydrate extraction was an Parks Canada to develop a collection of Traditional focus and operations, toward more community- by a research ethics board before an NWT Research NWT communities. The technical reports and plain- economically and environmentally feasible form of Knowledge on the use of plants from the Inuvialuit driven research programs and partnerships. Licence is issued. language summaries can be found on ARI’s website. energy for development. Elders of the region.

1995 2001 2005 - Present 2007 - 2009 2011 Another Merger for SINT Gwich’in Ethnobotany Book Published NWT Native Seed Development Program International Polar Year The Grand Opening of the Western Arctic Research Centre The eastern offices of the Science Institute of the The Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, in The NWT Native Seed Development Program was The International Polar Year (IPY) officially took place Northwest Territories (SINT), located in Igloolik and partnership with the Aurora Research Institute, started by ARI in order to address the lack of native from 2007 to 2009. Thousands of researchers from The Western Arctic Research Centre opened it doors Iqaluit, merged with Arctic College (now Aurora worked with Gwich’in Elders on an ethnobotany seed commercially available in the territories for more than 60 nations took part in this program, in May 2011 to provide support for the summer College in the NWT and Arctic College in Nunavut). project to record the use of Traditional Knowledge revegetation work. From 2005-2010, seeds were which focused on both the Arctic and Antarctic research season. WARC, did not however celebrate about plants important to the Gwich’in people. collected from across the NWT. Since then, ARI has regions, and ARI saw more research conducted in the its grand opening celebrations until several months partnered with several organizations in order to Inuvik region (and the NWT as a whole) as a result. later. This multi-purpose research centre contains conduct germination trials. One of Canada’s four northern coordination offices facilities and equipment to support scientific was located in the ARI headquarters in Inuvik. research in a wide variety of disciplines. 10 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory www.nwtresearch.com 11 Inuvik Research Centre, continued Mallik gas hydrate research Forty years of research licensing Jonathon Michel and development studies Manager Scientific Services, Aurora Research Institute Andrew Applejohn, Past Aurora Research Institute Director Across the NWT there is an active scientific communities remain informed about research activities across the Northwest Scott Dallimore, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada community that sees researchers from research that affects their region. Territories and Nunavut (prior to its all over the world come and research creation in 1999). within our borders. Before any All research that If you are ever interested Our database During the winter of 2008, the eyes The Mallik programs were not just study begins, researchers happens within contains over 4000 of energy scientists from around the about drilling an oil and gas exploration typically start working with staff the NWT must be in a research project, go to licences spanning world were focussed on a small bay well, they were also about discovery. In at the Aurora Research Institute licensed; most 40 years of service. on the west side of Richards Island 1998 few people in the world had ever and community organizations obtain a Scientific data.nwtresearch.com In past years, an NWT known as Mallik. The hydrates seen a natural gas hydrate to discuss their proposed Research Licence average of about production tests carried out that winter sample, let alone studied research activities as part of through ARI. To to explore our database! 100 licences were represented the culmination of over ten the unique properties of the NWT licensing process. get a Scientific issued across the years of scientific effort to unlock the gas hydrates and how Since passing into law in 1974, Research Licence, Territories, but in energy potential of that form of natural they occur in nature. The the NWT Scientists Act has been a researcher more recent years, gas. The Inuvik Research Center was research team for the Mallik administered out of the Inuvik will provide an we have seen up the logistics headquarters for the 2008 science programs was a Office. This process supports the application that RESEARCH to 203 licences in Mallik Gas Hydrates research program, collaboration between communication of research activities describes their a year. Over half as it had been for major field-based Natural Resources Canada’s and results to communities across research activities. of these projects research in 1998, 2002 and 2007. During Geologic Survey of Canada the NWT. Its central intent is to help This application have been in and these complex field endeavours, more and the Japanese Oil, Gas is sent on to community organizations around the Beaufort Delta region, which than 300 researchers from around the and Metals Corporation. Distribution of research types over the past 10 years within the region of the proposed has historically been the busiest region world worked out of ARI facilities and The early programs research for review and feedback. Once for research in the Territories. In the past, travelled to the Mallik research site, involved an expanded licences are issued, they are each valid the majority of projects have focused which is located 200 kilometres north participant list, with the Total licences issued each year from 1974 to 2013 for a given calendar year. At the finish on physical and biological sciences, of Inuvik by ice road. Mallik became 2002 program including of each year, the research team submits including studies look at permafrost and a well-recognized place in the field eight organizations from summaries of that year’s work which are climate change. Over time, there has been of unconventional energy research, five countries (Canada, made available to everybody in the NWT an increase of researchers interested synonymous with cutting edge, world- Japan, USA, Germany and in the Compendium of Research. in studying Traditional Knowledge and class science, delivering proof that gas India). ARI was a constant social themes. hydrates could someday be a clean throughout each program, As the administrator of the Scientist Act, hydrocarbon fuel for an energy hungry providing the logistics the Aurora Research Institute has built world. base and support to mount a large collection of information about the field work, enabling Gas hydrates are truly amazing the scientists to undertake geologic occurrences. They are ice- state-of-the-art laboratory like in character, being composed of work, and assisting with Meet Dick Hill water and natural gas molecules that northern engagement Research activities at the Mallik site. The successful flaring of methyl are contained in a crystal lattice. They and education. For the hydrate was a significant achievement for the program. Dick Hill was the first Manager of the Inuvik Research laboratory from 1963 - 1975. We sat down with Dick and asked him about his 2007/08 programs ARI Q&A memories of working at the Lab and the early days of Inuvik. Here are a few of his answers. are a solid form of natural gas. They are thought to be one of the most stepped up as an instrumental player, Q: How did you originally get your job at the 20 tons of lead by hand and assembled the monitor. This heavy work was not in my abundant hydrocarbon sources on the acting as the designated operator the Lab in Inuvik? nonexistent job description but was the normal multitasking required for successful planet, but are not stable at the earth’s responsible for all field operations and A: In early 1963 we were living in Toronto lab operation. Maybe the monitor building is still standing today is because nobody surface. They occur in nature only in financial management. This was the first with a new family. As I was not happy took responsibility for moving the 20 tons of lead. cold geologic environments where there time a northern science agency had ever spending half of my time behind a wheel, is relatively high pressure. One of these undertaken responsibility for a research we decided to move to the ‘good life’ in a Q: What was some of the research that happened while you were the Manager? environments is in deep water around program of such magnitude. small rural community. At that time I saw A :The National Research Council’s Division of Building Research in Ottawa were active the world and the other is under a thick an advertisement in the Toronto Globe in the Inuvik construction and set up a program to monitor the effect of the community layer of permafrost. The scientists came The legacy of the Mallik research and Mail for an Inuvik Research Station on the underlying permafrost. There were 60 thermocouple strings inserted throughout to Mallik because some of the thickest programs is perhaps best illustrated manager at the magnificent annual the town site, near buildings, roads and in open areas. The Lab made weekly temperature permafrost occurrences in the world, by the many scientific outputs that salary of $7,950 to $9,150. I jokingly said recordings and sent the data on to Ottawa. with some of the most concentrated have been generated in the past to me wife “How would you like to live deposits of gas hydrates, are found in the decade, including 150 peer-reviewed in the Arctic?” Much to my surprise she With the extensive Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort Sea resource developments there Mackenzie Delta. Indeed, the Mallik site publications. Many of these have said “yes” and twisted my arm to fill out were many research projects carried out by industry scientists using Lab facilities, such is perhaps the most famous gas hydrate been new contributions to science, all the government application papers. as the pipeline research facility on Navy Road and seismic lines on permafrost in the site in the world! including documentation of the physical The rest is history. Delta. Although there was no requirement to make their research results public, the properties, microbiology and geophysics data was readily available, as compared to most government and university researchers From the start, the Mallik research of a permafrost gas hydrates. Others Q: What were the early days like working who tended to guard their information and keep it in the South. programs were based on advancing the consider the environmental context of at the Inuvik Research Laboratory (IRL)? scientific understanding of gas hydrates, gas hydrates, such as the sensitivity of A: The original Lab building was Q. Any reflection on your Inuvik experience? both at a fundamental level and also Arctic gas hydrates to climate change. constructed in 1963 for $292,000 by A. I learned much from working with local residents and visiting researchers since I arrived from an applied perspective. The studies Perhaps the most lasting contribution, Poole Construction of Edmonton. It had as a big city technical type with training in chemistry and physics and became a more evaluated their energy potential as however, has been in the field of oil a pre-war Ottawa design when it was sensitive citizen with understanding of social differences and community development a vast global resource of natural gas. and gas technology. As recognised in Dick Hill at WARC’s opening ceremony thought that Arctic research was done opportunities. My experience broadened to all sciences from anthropology to zoology These programs were amazing examples expert reports by the Canadian Council only by chemists. In reality most northern and led to my becoming a community activist and being elected as Inuvik’s first Mayor. of collaboration, team work, problem Academies and the United Nations research, then and now, is field orientated and a research centre’s role is that of solving and ultimately, accomplishment. Environmental Program, the Mallik support for parties working away from Inuvik. The new lab nicely accommodates Q: Did you ever have a questions surprise you while working at the Lab? Each field program lasted about three programs were the first in the world this realty. I’m retroactively jealous of the design and quality of these new facilities. A: Local people often brought ‘gold’-showing rocks in for my comment. I would take months and involved the construction to tackle and overcome the technical out my pocket knife and show that the ‘gold’ was hard iron pyrite. Once around 1965 I and maintenance of an ice road, as well challenges of safely producing gas When I first arrived at Lab there was an elegant sign on the building reading Scientific offered a prospector from west of Good Hope a ride into town from the Inuvik airport. as operating an exploration drilling rig, hydrates. Indeed the 2007/08 program Research Laboratory. This bothered me as all three words meant the same thing and When we arrived at the Lab he proudly showed a fist sized rock with considerable yellow which was used to penetrate through established proof of concept that gas didn’t convey much. I asked Ottawa for permission to change the name but was bluntly showings. I did my usual scrapping with a pocket knife and much to my surprise it was 600 metres of permafrost to access the hydrates can be produced using a simple refused, but I just started calling it the Inuvik Research Lab and found the name stuck. real gold that was soft and peeled. gas hydrate deposits that were at about production method using conventional 1000 metres below the surface. oil and gas recovery techniques to lower When I arrived at the Lab in December 1963, there was a large pile of boxes and the pressure of the deposits at depth. pallets stacked with lead bars sitting by the front door. With very basic Ikea-like instruction sheets for assembling the neutron monitor, Ernie Moore and I moved 12 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory www.nwtresearch.com 13 Researchers’ Stories Crossing the Arctic islands one camp at a time The early John England University of Alberta days in the field Next May marks 50 years since I stood I knew I would return year after year to that has floated in the Arctic Ocean for Island that can only be described as a Gerry Kisoun at the side of the runway in Ottawa, what one book called “The Unbelievable the last 5000 years. This amazing sheet joyful sharing. waiting to board a DC-3 for Baffin Island. Land.” of ice is the oldest sea ice in the Northern I believe in my 17th year, I was once again employed Long before Nunavut was born, I was Hemisphere. When I was there in 1987, it My scientific discoveries made during a as a student, working for the Research Lab. This setting off into the undivided Northwest time I was assisting a university student, by the Territories, thousands of kilometres name of Cliff Beattie, I think he may have been away. Compared to a modern jet, we studying at the University of Saskatchewan, and may as well have had oars sticking out of studying the weather. We were at YaYa Lake, on every window of that noble DC-3, rowing the east side of the lake just in from the intake through the clouds to help propel us from the Delta to the south, and a couple of along! kilometres in, inside a sheltered bay. We stayed in an orange trailer there, up on the hill. Our job The purpose of my years of work across was to set up a weather station, complete with the Arctic has been to find out how it rain water gauge, wind speed gauge, and so on. has come to be the way we see it today. At the end of the season, my friend became quite It is like putting together a big jigsaw ill, we had him transported back to Inuvik by

puzzle of the past or, better still, making A slump airplane and I basically took the camp down on Polygons formations formations Polygons ENTRP students on Kendall Island ENTRP students on Kendall a movie of the Arctic covering the past my own, and returned it to Inuvik. I remember, many thousands of years right up to My first five years in the Arctic were spent extended ten kilometres from land and long career crossing the Arctic islands that summer, because, not only did I have a most the present. What did the last great ice largely in the eastern region, spending covered several thousands of square have gone far beyond what I could ever enjoyable time, I was busy getting ready for our sheets look like, when did they form and long summers on Baffin Island surveying kilometres. Now, almost 30 years later, it have imagined when I first stood by the summer of Northern Games and I used Cliff as my disappear? Understanding what has the Barnes Ice Cap (the final leftover of the has mostly broken up and floated away, airfield in Ottawa. But, as rewarding as training partner, especially in the strength games. happened in the past allows us to better ancient Laurentide Ice Sheet) and later leaving a few tiny fragments clinging to all this science may be, the greatest joy He was of great assistance to me, for sure. At this understand the changes we are seeing traveling through the island’s inspiring the coast and about to disappear. By the comes from sharing what I have learned camp, I also recall Dr. Ross Mackay and his team, today in nature, including glaciers, sea fiords with cliffs of granite a thousand late 1990s, I moved from Ellesmere Island with others whose friendships tower returning from Garry Island, stopping in, on their ice, sea level and permafrost. Studying metres high. Come 1972, I headed much and continued southwest, crossing Axel above everything else. Through these way, I believe to Inuvik. They stopped in for tea. the causes of these changes is part of a farther north, working southward from Heiberg, Ellef Rignes and Melville islands. friendships - amidst countless storms, Dr. Mackay was studying the pingos of the area. world-wide effort, especially important in the tip of Ellesmere Island, only 600 I finally reached in 2005, adventures and aircraft tribulations - the Ross Mackay standing by the Geological Survey of Canada’s research vessel the M.V. J. Ross Mackay, which was designed for geophysical surveys in the Mackenzie delta. For many years it was operated out of Inuvik, but is Albert Oliver was Dr. Mackay's traveling assistant. the Canadian north where the impact of kilometres away from the North Pole. For working there ever since and planning north has taught me a zillion life lessons now in Ontario. (Photo Credit: Chris Burn) This may have been one of the first times I also met global warming is well recognized. the next 35 years, my graduate students to return in 2015. that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in Dr. Don Gill, who was working, I thought, with Dr. and I crossed a landmass the size of Great the world. The greatest gift is my respect Mackay. When I first started fieldwork in 1965, all Britain without a single road. I walked a When I left the isolation of the high arctic and thankfulness for the sacredness we had were 12 horse-powered skidoos, lot of it, through remarkable mountains, to work on Banks Island, my connection of friends and community, and the Ross Mackay’s legacy in the western Arctic single Beaver and Otter aircraft and plateaus and fiords, watching muskoxen, with northern communities blossomed sacredness of the land. Knowledge will piston-driven Bell G-2A helicopters that Peary caribou and even wolves so curious beyond all my expectations. As I prepared change and pass away, that won’t. Chris Burn hardly had enough room for three people. they would walk up to you. I found notes to start this work, I came to Inuvik and Carleton University Those little helicopters would move our from several explorers still sitting in cairns quickly joined up with Joel McAllister, entire camp with all the gear piled up on left a century earlier. One was from Sir senior instructor in the Environmental and Very little scientific a life-long friendship with the family and drained a small lake on Richards Island. For top of the floats, tied on with ropes! In George Nares (1876) and several were Natural Resource Technology Program material is read with the people of . 35 years this research site, called Illisarvik our small, remote camps of two or three, from the Americans led by Adolphus (ENRTP) at Aurora College. Sharing my and reread 50 (a place of learning), has been carefully we ate bland dehydrated food, and due Greely during the very first International research experiences with its students years after it was Before Inuvik was built, Ross’s journey observed, to study both conditions in to our remoteness, never had any visitors. Polar Year (1881-1883). During my time continues to be a highlight of my career. written. In Canadian from the University of British Columbia the drained lake and on the surrounding We worked long hours and surveyed on Ellesmere Island, I visited the Ellesmere My visits to Inuvik have given me the Arctic science, Ross to the delta involved a train ride to undisturbed tundra. At Illisarvik, we have by foot across vast, scenic landscapes. Island Ice Shelf, a vast apron of thick sea chance to work with some remarkable Mackay’s book on Edmonton, a flight by DC-3 to Norman learned about the freezing of large bodies Captivated by the silence and emptiness, ice attached to the island’s north coast students, especially “in the field” on Banks the Mackenzie Delta Wells, and then transfer to a Norseman of ground and the frost heaving that then area, published in to reach . Once in the delta, travel occurs. We have learned about ice-wedge 1963, remains a was by freighter canoe or schooner. cracking from its very beginning and the benchmark and is still Everywhere he and his assistant travelled, growth of ice in newly formed permafrost. widely quoted. Ross they camped. The kickers were small in We have studied the impact of climate studied permafrost in those days, so a journey to town from the change on permafrost, and how the the Western Arctic for outer delta might take two days. In the ground is warming up. Most recently we ARI Research Grant over 60 years (1951 1960s Ross came several times by canoe have seen how climate change is now The Research Fellowship Program provides funding towards the to 2011). His findings from , where he used melting ice wedges on hill slopes. It is expenses associated with research projects based in the NWT. about permafrost to meet up for the summer with Albert Ross’s legacy to create a place where were some of the Oliver of Aklavik. Like everyone else, they we can conduct research and answer Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project will most important had to carry everything they needed. They questions permafrost poses to us. involve the meaningful participation of NWT residents and, in turn, discoveries in the usually went out for over six weeks at a develop a northern-based research capacity. field. As we celebrate time. Research is now unlike those early Ross received many awards for his the 50th Anniversary days, with helicopters, larger outboard research, including Canada’s first The Research Assistant Program provides funding towards The Aurora Research Institute’s library is a valuable source of of the Inuvik Research motors, and satellite phones common in Northern Science Award. He gave the rare and interesting northern resources and is recognized for Laboratory, we all fieldwork. People often only go out for medal to the Aurora Research Institute. the wages of any NWT resident hired as a research assistant. also celebrate the a few days at a time. I sometimes wonder The award was for the many discoveries its focus on northern research and history. The collection has (Top) The late Joe Thrasher of Paulatuk, J. Keith Fraser, and pack dogs, taken during their journey from Paulatuk Applications must demonstrate that the assistant(s) will be long tradition of towards the in 1951. (Photo Credit: Chris Burn) how many scientists could do what he Ross made, such as the identification over 21,000 items and includes a variety of materials, such as rare employed in meaningful work that will develop northern-based permafrost research (Bottom) Illisarvik research station. and his team did in those early years. of offshore permafrost beneath the research capacity. historical books, research reports, maps and films. As part of the NWT Public Library in the region started Beaufort Sea, the origin of pingos, the Services, the collection can be searched online, and books can be borrowed using by Ross and his From 1954 to 2011, Ross did not miss a development of hummocks, and the for more information visit: interlibrary loans. colleagues in the 1950s. had no radios or maps to guide them, summer in the Western Arctic, returning nature of ice-wedge cracking. But to some just newly taken aerial photographs each year to study the permafrost. His of us, it was a recognition that key ideas nwtresearch.com Ross’s first summer in the Arctic was in and Joe’s knowledge of the land. Ross’s field sites spanned the coast from Darnley often come from examining years and The library and its collection is open to the public, so come take 1951. He, Joe Thrasher and Keith Fraser observations of the landscape they Bay to Herschel Island, and inland along years of carefully collected observations. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2015 a browse! travelled with pack dogs from Paulatuk, walked through became the focus of his the Mackenzie River from Fort Providence In memory of Ross Mackay who passed south to the Horton River and east to first book, which was about the Darnley to the delta. His most long-running away in Kelowna on October 28, 2014. the Brock and Hornaday rivers. They Bay area. His time with Joe Thrasher led to project began in August 1978, when he 14 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory www.nwtresearch.com 15 Traditional Knowledge research in a changing North Brenda Parlee University of Alberta Twenty years ago, the Government of last two decades. But there are also many claims are at greater advantage than those Detailed oral history work in many internet as well as digital communication by many Aboriginal women. Academics the Northwest Territories developed exciting stories of success. in areas where land claim agreements and communities is helping to educate technologies are also creating new ways for have much to learn from Elders, community a Traditional Knowledge Policy that treaty entitlement negotiations have yet people locally and globally about youth to be involved in rethinking the way organizations and co-management boards challenged policy makers to “incorporate Definitions ofTraditional Knowledge vary to be completed. the importance of Aboriginal history that Traditional Knowledge matters in our that are immersed in creating, documenting Traditional Knowledge into government significantly among , Inuit and culture. Place name work by the increasingly global society. or learning from Traditional Knowledge on decisions where appropriate.” The and Métis communities. Many people Despite challenges, there is important Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, for a day-to-day basis. development of this policy was followed in universities have spent a great deal of Traditional Knowledge research ongoing example, honours the many hundreds Research is constantly bringing new ideas by the passing of the Mackenzie Valley time dealing with the basic question of across the Canadian north. The work of years of ecological knowledge held and methods forward. Oral history research Researchers often like to run around and Resource Management Act in 1998 by ‘What is Traditional Knowledge?’ There being done in the Northwest Territories about cultural landscapes, how they are has been important to understanding the write things down in notebooks and federal parliament. This Act mandated have also been a lot of questions raised stands out as some of the most exciting changing and why they matter. Many history of changing climate in the north; computers; many elders strongly emphasize that co-management boards consider about how much influence Traditional and valuable nationally as well as projects, such as youth-elder camps held new methods such as photo-voice (taking that learning from Traditional Knowledge Traditional Knowledge in many kinds Knowledge actually has in processes internationally. Decades of community with Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, offer photos and telling stories about photos) have is far more involved. It is about trust, of decisions about communities and such as land use planning, wildlife and co-management work as well as opportunities for Traditional Knowledge also been useful in tracking changes on the relationships and respect for where the ecosystems. Both the Policy and the Act management, environmental assessment community-university collaborations to be passed on to younger generations. land such as slumping of permafrost and sea knowledge came from and why it is still are precedent setting in Canada because and cumulative effects monitoring. In the have resulted in valuable insights about They also provide unique opportunities ice melt. Traditional Knowledge research, important. It is a lifelong way of living and of the legal control they give Aboriginal Northwest Territories, there are significant such key issues as can be found on to understand how traditional knowledge particularly about wildlife and fish, has being which is important now and in the peoples in the territories to influence differences in the capacity of Aboriginal many themes such as wildlife health, and scientific methods can be useful in been important in many parts of the north. future. resource management decision-making. governments to ensure their knowledge the social-cultural significance of water, answering key questions of concern to Equally important is ethnobotany research, Realization of these opportunities, is meaningfully considered. Some people cultural site protection, climate change communities (e.g. is mining affecting which has helped uncover knowledge Long term relationships between people and the land are fundamental to Traditional Knowledge. Brenda Parlee and Ernest Boucher at Great Slave Lake in 2012. (Photo Credit: Brenda Parlee) however, has been complicated over the would say that those with settled land and resource development impacts. the migration route of caribou?). The about medicine and healing practices held Kids OnlY

Can you colour the Aurora Research Institute Logo? Can you spot the 7 differences between the photos of the Can you help researcher If you live in Inuvik, bring your drawing to our community celebration on November 19th to win a prize! Western Arctic Research Centre? Ashley unscramble her list and All the answers are on the last page remember what to bring to study the Delta in the winter? A 1. eerthmrmteo 2. kbetonoo 3. itelhpocre 4. gruae 5. gairmsnue ptea 6. dlse 7. aeethrw tstaoin

1. ______

2. ______

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5. ______

6. ______

7. ______

Collects information about the weather the about information Collects 7.

Winter transportation Winter 6.

Used to look at distance at look to Used 5.

Drills through ice through Drills 4.

Used to fly into hard to reach places reach to hard into fly to Used 3.

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It measures temperature measures It 1. HINTS HINTS 16 special edition : 50 years of the Inuvik Research Laboratory Looking forward to the next 50 years Pippa Seccombe-Hett Western Arctic Research Director, Aurora Research Institute Centre 191 Mackenzie Road PO Box 1450 We live in a dynamic region of global importance. The Northwest Territories is not just in Inuvik, but territory-wide from additional offices in Fort Smith Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 is an essential place to study a range of environmental, economic, social, and Yellowknife. At Aurora College, we have recently become eligible to Telephone: (867) 777-3298 health and cultural questions. For over 50 years, local, national and manage federal research funding from the national research councils that Fax: (867) 777-4264 international researchers have been coming to the Western Arctic to build focus on both natural and engineering sciences and social sciences and a collective understanding of our region, country and world. Significant humanities. This new funding opportunity increases our ability to pursue South Slave Research advances have been made in many fields of study questions relevant to northerners. Within the Delta, we Centre because of the research which takes place in the have seen the expansion of the Inuvik Satellite Station 50 Conibear Crescent Fifty years of continuous Inuvik region. It has been out intent, through this Facility to include national and international dishes. PO Box 45 Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0 publication, to highlight some of those exciting research service in Inuvik This new facility allows, among other things, for the moments from our past, which have improved the growth of remote sensing and imagery for studying North Slave Research understanding of our home. We also seek to celebrate shows just how important the NWT. With such a large land mass, this type of data Centre the people and the places in the region that have been can provide essential information about the changes 5004- 54th Street central to these discoveries over the years. the Beaufort Delta region happening in remote corners of our territory. Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R3 In celebrating our past, we must also look to our future. is to studying the big Fifty years of continuous research service in Inuvik Moving forward, the outlook for research at the Inuvik shows just how important the Beaufort Delta region Research Centre and in the Northwest Territories, as questions that impact is to studying the big questions that impact everyone. a whole, is promising. Every year we have seen more Our Territory is ever changing, and will continue to and more researchers come to the region to examine everyone. be an important place to study many environmental, an ever increasing amount of research questions. social and cultural issues. We are committed to serving Within Inuvik, the Aurora Research Institute is now housed in a brand this region and the NWT by supporting the research needs of Northerners. new research facility that is being used by local groups and national and Doing research can be a long and winding journey, that often brings people international researchers alike. We have built a strong staff, dedicated to to places and results that are surprising. We celebrate in this journey, and look supporting, facilitating and undertaking northern-based research that forward to all the new discoveries to come.

50th Anniversary BBQ at WARC with many of Aurora Research Institute's staff.

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6. Electrical pole above the the above pole Electrical 6. - build the on windows the Under 4. Spot the differences in picture B picture in differences the Spot station weather 7. 3. helicopter 3. Answers