Ottawa - With an opening song and a closing prayer by Inuit elder Peter Irniq, the International Polar Year kicked off in Canada last Thursday with a celebration in Ottawa. It was one of several launch ceremonies held across the globe.

Former Nunavut commissioner Peter Irniq speaks at the launch of International Polar Year in Ottawa on Thursday. - photos courtesy of Melissa Irwin/Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

The massive scientific campaign involving more than 60 countries and 50,000 scientists will include projects in many scientific fields on both poles and actually runs for about two years.

In his remarks, Irniq said the timing for the International Polar Year (IPY) could not be better as scientists, conservationists and governments around the world race to halt the environmental pollution fuelling climate change.

"We as human beings have done so much damage to the Earth," Irniq said. "We need to slow down this terrible damage."

The 2007-08 edition is the first International Polar Year in 50 years and the fourth overall since the inaugural one held in 1882.

That year, the federal government donated $4,000 to the project, said David Hik, executive director of the IPY secretariat.

This year, Ottawa is contributing $150 million to various Canadian projects that will "place the people of the Arctic at the centre of the program," said Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice.

"The North is not a barren land as it is so often portrayed," he said. "It is teeming with life."

Organizers stress that aboriginal traditional knowledge and participation are key elements of IPY. Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami said that approach will benefit both southern scientists and the people of the North.

"Inuit are very much looking forward to working side by side on these research projects," she said. "We have shared (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) in order to bridge our knowledge with theirs."

There are 44 Canadian projects approved for IPY ranging from studies of Arctic freshwater environments to an investigation of how early Inuit interacted with their Dorset predecessors.

Speakers emphasized that Canadian projects will lean heavily towards the social aspects of the polar environment and the major project taking place in Nunavut reflects that.

Qanuipitali ("And How Are We?") is a two-year survey of Inuit health organized by researchers from six Canadian universities.

Researchers will travel from Sanikiluaq to Resolute, stopping at all Baffin and Kivalliq points in between, on board the Coast Guard Ship Amundsen starting Aug. 10.

The team will interview adult Inuit volunteers on their health history, diet and lifestyle. They will also study growth rates and vitamin intake.

"This study will help in making informed decisions for adapting to the consequences of changes in all facets of life, including climate changes," said Grace Egeland, professor with the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition and researcher with the Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment (CINE) at McGill University.

"As well, public health policies can then be developed, based on the monitoring of factors associated with certain diseases, conducted in association with Greenland, Nunavik and Alaska," Egeland said.

The health study also has the blessing and backing of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM), which is trying to drum up the 12 per cent participation rate needed for the study to succeed.

"It's full-speed ahead," said NAM president and Iqaluit Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik.