Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 29/02) - Environment Canada and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami signed a formal agreement on July 25 as part of the Northern Ecosystem Initiative.

ITK will contribute to the $10-million, five-year program through its extensive experience with environmental and community issues in the North and a network of Inuit contacts across the country.

The NEI works to support scientific research throughout the North and combine it with traditional knowledge.

"There is not only western science, but traditional knowledge issues as well," said ITK president Jose Kusugak.

And for Kusugak, the biggest issue has been solved. It was to get this sort of agreement. Next is observing the human elements of climate change and other ecological issues. For people in the North, he said, the problem is not only what happens to the seals or polar bears when the ice melts away, but also what happens to a traditional way of life.

Environment Minister David Anderson said climate change is perhaps the single most important are of study.

"I have no doubt that climate change is here. And I have no doubt that the North will feel it first," said Anderson. "The North is like a canary in the mine. It's our biggest challenge to wake people up."

Environment Canada hopes this partnership will give the NEI more credibility in the North and among Inuit.

ITK is sure it can provide this. Kusugak said he also hopes the initiative will help spark an interest in western science among Inuit.

"In our past, education in the Arctic has always focused on what Inuit youths know. They have never been exposed to the western science. It's an exciting field. Not all Inuit are carvers or politicians," said Kusugak.