…a compilation of relevant northern research links. Please email the Northern Research Committee Chair for any updates, corrections, or additional suggestions.
Below you will find important links related to northern research and the NSTP (in alphabetical order). Please take some time and explore the many resources available to you.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) supports Aboriginal people (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and Northerners in their efforts to:
- improve social well-being and economic prosperity;
- develop healthier, more sustainable communities; and
- participate more fully in Canada’s political, social and economic development – to the benefit of all Canadians. INAC is one of the federal government departments responsible for meeting the Government of Canada’s obligations and commitments to First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and for fulfilling the federal government’s constitutional responsibilities in the North.
Aboriginal Canada Portal
The Aboriginal Canada Portal (ACP) is your single window to First Nations, Inuit and Métis on-line resources, contacts, information, and government programs and services in Canada. The Aboriginal Canada Portal is a partnership between Government departments and the Aboriginal community that allows better quality service and information delivery.
Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
An international project of the Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), to evaluate and synthesize knowledge on climate variability, climate change, and increased ultraviolet radiation and their consequences. The results of the assessment were released at the ACIA International Scientific Symposium held in Reykjavik, Iceland in November 2004.
Arctic Co-Operatives Limited
Arctic Co-operatives Limited is a service federation that is owned and controlled by 31 community-based Co-operative business enterprises that are located in Nunavut and Northwest Territories.
The Arctic Circle
An informal group, the Circle started around a dinner table. In 1947, a time when interest in Canada’s north was increasing rapidly, Tom and Jackie Manning remarked to their friends and fellow Arctic travellers Graham and Diana Rowley that their dining room table could no longer accommodate the growing number of people who gathered there regularly to talk abut the north. The Arctic Circle came into being not long after and has been flourishing ever since, sustained by its members with no outside assistance.
The Circle meets monthly to hear interesting and informative presentations on everything arctic. Since its first meeting on December 8th 1947, over four hundred fascinating presentations have been given by experts on northern history, natural sciences, society, exploration, arts, transportation, astronomy, archaeology, medicine, and much more.
The Arctic Circle meets on the second Tuesday of every month from October through April at the RCAF Officers mess, 158 Gloucester Street, Ottawa, at 8:00 pm. The bar opens at 7:30 pm.
Arctic Council
The Ottawa Declaration of 1996 formally established the Arctic Council as a high level intergovernmental forum to provide a means for promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, with the involvement of the Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
Member States of the Arctic Council are Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States of America. In addition to the Member States, the Arctic Council has the category of Permanent Participants. This category is open equally to Arctic organizations of Indigenous peoples with a majority of Arctic Indigenous constituency.
Arctic Institute of North America (AINA)
Created by an Act of Parliament in 1945, the Arctic Institute of North America is a non-profit membership organization and a multi-disciplinary research institute of the University of Calgary. The institute’s mandate is to advance the study of the North American and circumpolar Arctic through the natural and social sciences, the arts and humanities and to acquire, preserve and disseminate information on physical, environmental and social conditions in the North.
ArcticNet
ArcticNet is a Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada that brings together scientists and managers in the natural, human health and social sciences with their partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector. The objective of ArcticNet is to study the impacts of climate change and modernization in the coastal Canadian Arctic. Over 145 ArcticNet researchers from 30 Canadian Universities, 8 federal and 11 provincial agencies and departments collaborate with research teams in Denmark, Finland, France, Greenland, Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA.
Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS)
The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), based in Fairbanks, Alaska, was formed in 1988 as a nonprofit member consortium of educational and scientific institutions that have a substantial commitment to arctic research. ARCUS facilitates discussion of important arctic research initiatives, produces science reports with research community recommendations for arctic science priorities, and distributes information resources to the arctic research community.
Arctic Science and Technology Information System (ASTIS)
The Arctic Science and Technology Information System (ASTIS) database contains 71,000 records describing publications and research projects about northern Canada. ASTIS, a project of the Arctic Institute of North America at the University of Calgary, also maintains subset databases about specific regions, subjects and projects.
Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Research (ACUNS)
For over thirty years the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Reseach (ACUNS) has successfully promoted the advancement of northern scholarship through its mandate and programs. Established in 1978, ACUNS is a registered charitable organization operating with an office in Ottawa, and active volunteer representatives at over 40 member institutions across the country. ACUNS’ governing body is a Council of representatives from each member university, who meet annually to oversee the work of the Association. An elected Executive and Board of Directors are responsible for the activities of the Association between general meetings. As part of the Association’s organization and communications strategy, each member institution appoints an individual as its ACUNS Council representative. Council members receive and distribute information from the Association and, in turn, represent their institution or organization at Association meetings.
ACUNS’ largest program is the Canadian Northern Research Trust (CNST) awards program, providing a variety of funding opportunities for northern research. The CNST awards competition is announced in the fall with a deadline of January 31st each year. For more information on ACUNS and its awards program as well as award guidelines and applications please visit www.acuns.ca.
Aurora Research Institute (ARI)
Is responsible for licensing, conducting and coordinating research in accordance with the NWT Scientists Act. They also promote communication between researchers and the people of the land, in which they work. Increasing public awareness of the importance of science, technology and indigenous knowledge is a key goal. Aurora Research Institute is located in Inuvik and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Beverly & Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB)
The BQCMB is an aboriginal-led co-management group working to conserve the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds of northern Canada for the benefit of traditional caribou-using communities, and others.
Canadian Circumpolar Institute (CCI)
The Canadian Circumpolar Institute (CCI) promotes and supports research, education and training related to the boreal and circumpolar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). The core activities of the CCI relate to its role as a service provider to faculties and units across campus by facilitating, developing and supporting interdisciplinary circumpolar research and education programs, as well as community engagement. It aligns its programs to support faculty- and department-based initiatives in northern research and scholarship.
Canadian Polar Commission (CPC)
Established in 1991 as the lead agency in the area of polar research, the Canadian Polar Commission has responsibility for: monitoring, promoting, and disseminating knowledge of the polar regions; contributing to public awareness of the importance of polar science to Canada; enhancing Canada’s international profile as a circumpolar nation; and recommending polar science policy direction to government.
In carrying out its mandate, the Commission hosts conferences and workshops, publishes information on subjects of relevance to polar research, and works closely with other governmental and non-governmental agencies to promote and support Canadian study of the polar regions.
The CPC has also created a ‘polar app‘ for iPhone
Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS)
Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) will provide a world-class hub for science and technology research in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. CHARS will strengthen Canada’s position internationally as a leader in polar science and technology in the Arctic.
Centre d’études nordiques
The Centre d’études nordiques (CEN) is a research centre involving three academic institutions, the Université Laval, the Université du Québec à Rimouski and the Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. CEN researchers are also found at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and at the Université de Sherbrooke. CEN’s mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of northern regions by way of an improved understanding of environmental change. CEN researchers analyze the evolution of northern environments in the context of climate warming and accelerated socio-economic change and train highly qualified personnel in the analysis and management of cold region ecosystems and geosystems. In partnership with government, industry and northern communities, CEN plays a pivotal role in environmental stewardship and development of the circumpolar North.
Churchill Northern Research Centre (CNSC)
Churchill Northern Research Centre is an independent, non-profit research and education facility located 23 km east of the town of Churchill, Manitoba. We provide accommodations, meals, equipment rentals, and logistical support to scientific researchers working on a diverse range of topics of interest to northern science. In addition to research, the Centre facilitates a wide range of educational programming ranging from general interest courses for the visiting public to university credit courses for students.
Healthy Foods North
Several organizations and members of northern communities have been working together to develop a program encouraging healthy diet and lifestyle. Out of this, the Healthy Foods North project was born.
The project aims to:
•encourage the use of traditional foods;
•encourage the use of healthy store-bought foods; and
•increase physical activity.
As of May 2008, it is being implemented in two Northwest Territories communities, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.
International Polar Year (IPY) Government of Canada
International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 marks the largest-ever international program of scientific research focussed on the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Thousands of scientists and researchers from more than 60 nations around the globe are expected to participate in IPY during the 24-month period beginning March 2007.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), formerly Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, is the national voice of 55,000 Inuit living in 53 communities across the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador), land claims regions. Inuit call this vast region Inuit Nunangat. Founded in 1971 ITK represents and promotes the interests of Inuit on a wide variety of environmental, social, cultural, and political, issues and challenges facing Inuit on the national level. ITK does not deliver or fund programs, rather it is a national advocacy organization.
Kluane Lake Research Station
Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) is located near the Alaska Highway, 220 km northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon, on the south shore of Kluane Lake. The research station is one of the most valued, celebrated, and well-used highlights of the Arctic Institute.
Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)
The Meteorological Service of Canada is Canada’s source for meteorological information. The Service monitors water quantities, provides information and conducts research on climate, atmospheric science, air quality, ice and other environmental issues, making it an important source of expertise in these areas.
The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP)
Working to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate contaminants in traditionally harvested foods, while providing information that assists informed decision making by individuals and communities in their food use. The Northern Contaminants Program was established in 1991 in response to concerns about human exposure to elevated levels of contaminants in wildlife species that are important to the traditional diets of northern Aboriginal peoples. The NCP allocates funds for research and related activities in four main areas:
•Human Health Research
•Environmental Monitoring and Research
•Education and Communications
•National/Regional coordination and Aboriginal Partnerships
Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP)
The Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) is managed by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) as part of its mandate to foster science and technology in the Canadian North. The Program’s aim is to promote interest in northern research, and provide opportunities for advanced and graduate students to obtain experience and professional training in the North.
Nunavik Bibliography
The Nunavik Bibliography is a cooperative long-term project to build a comprehensive bibliographic database about northern Quebec. The 6200 records currently in the database describe only a fraction of the existing literature about Nunavik.
Nunavut Research Institute (NRI)
Nunavut Research Institute is a gateway to the many exciting research and technology development initiatives underway in the territory. A part of Nunavut Arctic College, it is a leader in developing and promoting traditional knowledge, science and technology as key local resources. As the central body mandated to license research, it serves as a touchstone for broad-scale scientific activity in the territory. NRI also acts on behalf of Nunavut residents, sharing information on research projects, providing advice on research funding programs and assisting in the development of proposals to research funding agencies.
Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP)
Polar Continental Shelf Program coordinates support for, and offers expert advice to Canadian government and university scientists and independent, private sector and non-Canadian researchers working in isolated areas throughout the Canadian Arctic. Support includes:
•transportation
•communications
•accommodation
•field equipment
•and related services
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS)
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation. Donations from the Foundation are directed to specific organizations in the fields of education, land conservation, and science in Canada’s North. One way in which the Foundation is contributing to scientific endeavours and helping to cultivate Canada’s next generation of scientists is through The W. Garfield Weston Awards for Northern Research. By offering research scholarships at the graduate level, post-doctoral fellowships and a lifetime achievement award the Foundation hopes to sustain and advance expertise in northern natural science research, encourage training of the next generation of northern researchers and increase the amount of high-quality research being done in the North. The W. Garfield Weston Awards for Northern Research are administered by the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Research.
University of the Arctic
The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a cooperative network of universities, colleges, and other organizations committed to higher education and research in the North. Our members share resources,facilities, and expertise to build post-secondary education programs that are relevant and accessible to northern students. Our overall goal is to create a strong, sustainable circumpolar region by empowering northerners and northern communities through education and shared knowledge.
The UArctic promotes education that is circumpolar, interdisciplinary, and diverse in nature, and draw on our combined strengths to address the unique challenges of the region. The University of the Arctic recognizes the integral role of indigenous peoples in northern education, and seeks to engage their perspectives in all of its activities.
Yukon College – Northern Research Institute
The Northern Research Institute (NRI) as the division of Yukon College provides research services and support to the College and other organizations.
Programs offered through the NRI include:
Research Fellowship
Contract Research
Logistical support for research
Technology development (YTIC)
Northern climate change research and education, Northern Climate ExChange (NCE)
Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada, SERNNoCA
Yukon Government – Department of Tourism and Culture
Under the provisions of the Scientists and Explorers Act all persons entering the Yukon for the purposes of research must obtain a Scientists and Explorers Licence. Please refer to the Guidebook on Scientific Research in the Yukon for information on the application process and licence requirements.