Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Apr 30/01) - Last week's Arctic Science Summit in Iqaluit attracted more than 200 scientists from 25 countries, including delegates from Sweden, China and Harvard University.
Bruce Rigby, executive director for the Nunavut Research Institute, organized the week-long conference, which concluded at the Navigator Inn Friday.
Climate changes, migration patterns and water temperatures were discussed.
Nunavut was the ideal place for circumpolar scientists to gather given the 200 research projects conducted in the territory each year, Rigby said.
"We have a lot to offer."
Rigby said the Third Annual Arctic Science Summit was not a typical conference.
"It's so bridges can be built between the various scientific disciplines, (Inuit) organizations and people of the Arctic," Rigby said.
Delegates financed their own flights, accommodations and shopping sprees. There were no registration fees and therefore very little cost to hosting the gathering, Rigby said.
He estimated Iqaluit received a $350,000 boost from the visiting delegates.
Despite the territorial government's emphasis on the importance of incorporating Inuit knowledge into scientific research, Inuit elders were not invited to speak about traditional knowledge at the conference.
Rigby, an employee of the government, said it was not an oversight, but because the summit was a meeting of scientific and business-minded people.
"Placing an elder in front of a microphone and saying speak did not seem appropriate," he said.
However, many Inuit asked questions at the public sessions, Rigby said.
Karla Williamson of the Arctic Institute of North America talked about traditional knowledge and gender in sustainable resource use.
Olayuk Akesuk, Minister of Sustainable Development, spoke about sustainable development in Nunavut.:
