Why and Impact

One of my best clients, one for which I enjoy working very much. I also really like what they do and stand for. Tallurutiup Imanga is very much so in the media and a big announcement is about to happen. Huge in the environmental protection world. Very important for Inuit in Nunavut.

I had the pleasure of traveling to 5 communities (Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, and Clyde River) that are directly affected by the creation the largest Canadian protected conservation area; Tallurutiup Imanga, for the consultations that QIA had organized at the beginning of the year in 2018. The QIA team of which I was part of, met with the five communities on the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) that will lead to the creation of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area.

QIA’s Chief Negotiator on the Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, Sandra Inutqi, hosted community meetings in the above 5 communities. The goals of those meetings was for QIA to get feedback on the Tallurutiup Imanga Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement as well as find out from communities what should be included in this agreement.

QIA was not only business on this trip, they also brought entertainment along with performance led by Qaggiavuut’s Natashia Allakariallak and Jerry Laisa. The Qaggiavuut artists also led children’s workshops in each community.

It was so great to be part of this process and interview so many people; elders, hunters, youth and a great variety of people from those communities. Wanna know what is looks like at -40 in Grise Fiord, Canada’s most northern community, population of about 130, in January when it is pitch dark ? Have a look at the below video:

Or wanted to see what the first light looks in Pond Inlet after months of darkness? Have a look at those surreal colours while there is a bit of light:

You can have a look at the 5 communities here:

https://www.qia.ca/qia-met-with-five-communities-in-the-high-arctic-impacted-by-the-tallurutiup-imanga-iiba/

Summer of 2018

Community based monitoring: QIA has hired environmental/wildlife monitors who will be working on a rotating seasonal schedule. The monitors will gather information on harvested animals through surveys. They will compile data on physical and behavioural observations as well as GPS information to track the distribution and population of wildlife that people depend on for food. The project is funded in partnership with the Nunavut General Monitoring Plan (NGMP) and Oceans North. All the data received will feed into a GIS system to produce monthly map updates and various reports for the benefit of community members. The information can help inform Inuit decision making on policy, advocacy, and management on issues that affect Inuit rights.

Pond Inlet is one of the communities in Nunavut that is spectacular, in July of 2018, I went to document the work of 3 young hunters that are part of the above community based monitoring program put in place by QIA and their partners. I went seal hunting with Jonas, Don and Thiffany. no luck that day , but it was still very nice to be on the water and to visit Pond Inlet.