Minimizing the Impacts and Maximizing the Benefits of Marine Shipping Activities for Arctic Communities Through the Use of Traditional Knowledge

Interest in Arctic shipping is growing as sea ice is melting and as other industries are developing. An increase in shipping presents risks to both the natural environment (from the movement of ships and the products that they carry) and to the local communities that rely on those healthy environments for food and other products. However, the local Inuit people in Nunavut also hold a certain body of knowledge referred to as Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ). This knowledge includes critical information about the land and water, its use, and important cultural practices. IQ must be considered in development projects in the Arctic in order to ensure that any possible negative impacts from the project can be minimized or avoided. The identified issue is that managers do not know how to effectively incorporate IQ into the decision-making process.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lucia Fanning

Student:

Partner:

NEXUS Coastal Resource Management Ltd.

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: