Holding ArcticNet conference in Iqaluit, the capital and largest community in Nunavut in Canada, makes it more comfortable for Inuit to participate, says organiser

A national Arctic research conference is taking place in Iqaluit this week. It is the first time in the academic conference's 19-year history that it's being held in the North of Canada.

The ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) brings researchers from across the globe, from a wide variety of disciplines, together with government leaders, territorial organisations, and Indigenous organisations to discuss the changing North. Since 2004, it has been held in different cities across Canada.

Joshua Komangapik, an Inuk master's student at Royal Roads University who's from Iqaluit, said that having the conference in Nunavut makes it more comfortable for Inuit to participate.

It does mean something important because usually … other ArcticNet [conferences] are in a different kind of vibe completely because they're mainly for southern researchers, he said.

However, at this year's conference, there's a strong community presence … which makes it a lot more comfortable, I think for myself and probably for other people that maybe wouldn't have felt the same comfort going to an ArcticNet down south, Komangapik continued.

The conference began on Monday and will last until Thursday. It includes panels, speeches and hands-on activities. According to organisers, about 300 people are expected to attend in-person, while more than 150 will join online.

Some of the topics covered include Inuit self-determination, health and wellness, food security, permafrost, fishing, water quality and wildlife.

Source: CBC/Radio-Canada

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