Inuk woman builds Northern science
Environmental field a focus for participant in job placement program
Beth Brown
Northern News Services
Thursday, April 20, 2017
IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
a junior project officer for the soon-to-open Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Alannah Kataluk-Primeau is learning that working for the federal government doesn't always mean sitting behind a desk.
Alannah Kataluk-Primeau is working as a junior project officer for Polar Knowledge Canada in Cambridge Bay. Here the avid environmentalist is taking part in a field camp as part of the Nunavut Arctic College Environmental Technology Program. - photo courtesy of Alannah Kataluk-Primeau
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"In this field, you are not in the office all the time," Kataluk-Primeau said. "That's my main interest, that you get to work outside."
The 25-year-old Coral Harbour woman is completing a four-month placement with the new Arctic science centre, as part of the Inuit Learning and Development Project (ILDP). The program is a public service training initiative between the Government of Canada, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation to increase Inuit representation in government positions.
Based in Iqaluit, she has also completed placements with CanNor, the RCMP and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. But a term at CHARS was on her wish list.
Fascinated with the environmental field, Kataluk-Primeau holds a one-year certificate from the Nunavut Arctic College environmental technology program and has worked for the Canadian Wildlife Services for two summers as an Inuit field research assistant.
"The research being done here is very focused on the North," she said.
In her CHARS position, she is participating on a housing committee by collecting and consolidating research on Northern housing produced by territorial and regional governments. She also works on the Cambridge Bay internal newsletter for Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR), highlighting upcoming community events and encouraging community engagement.
Event planning aside, she is itching to get out and do some fieldwork during her rotation.
"I hope the work I'm doing here will better engage the North on what Polar Knowledge is and why people should care about this department and the work we are doing here," she said.
"Engagement up here is key. Inuit want to be involved, we want to know what is going on and we have so much knowledge from up here that we want to share. I think POLAR is doing a great job to involve Inuit and Inuit knowledge in their department."
The Cambridge Bay CHARS campus will be operational in time for Canada's 150th anniversary and construction and site clean-up will continue throughout the summer. A grand opening ceremony is planned for later in 2017.
"The purpose of Polar Knowledge Canada is to create new knowledge that decision-makers in Northern and southern Canada can use to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship and the quality of life of Northerners and all Canadians," stated POLAR spokesperson Lynn Berrouard.
The centre will be used by community members and foreign researchers alike, and will combine both indigenous and scientific expertise to provide a "new knowledge base needed for acting on urgent Arctic issues," she stated.
As a federal organization, POLAR is required to recognize Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement by ensuring the Inuit population is represented in CHARS' staffing. Besides support of ILDP, POLAR is also supporting students in Nunavut Arctic College's environmental technology program at the Cambridge Bay campus and providing paid summer positions for students to assist with research field support, office administration, and community outreach.
When Kataluk-Primeau graduates from the ILDP this summer, she will be put into a pre-assessed pool for up to two years for possible employment opportunities. She is crossing her fingers that she will be in a position to be considered for permanent employment with Polar Knowledge Canada.
