GRISE FIORD/AUSUITTUQ - The hamlet mayor said this year's weather conditions in Nunavut's smallest community have been odd and are affecting the traditional way of life for Inuit.

The Department of Environment has tabled a document addressing climate change in Nunavut. Places like Grise Fiord in the High Arctic are already seeing the effects of the phenomenon as the water is remaining open for longer periods of time. This photo of open water was taken in Sept. 2010 when it is usually already starting to freeze up. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

“We're trying to accept the changes in the weather but it just makes us all stay at home,” said Meeka Kiguktak.

It is these kinds of observations and comments which drove the territorial government to table a document titled “Upagiaqtavut – Setting the Course, Impacts and Adaptation in Nunavut” at the Nunavut Legislative Assembly on June 10 about how climate change will affect the territory.

The fact Nunavut and the North are being affected by climate change is not news to assistant deputy minister Earle Baddaloo with the Department of Environment.

He said the territory is already seeing changes in temperature, more dramatic weather, changes in sea level and permafrost which are affecting wildlife and vegetation.

Challenging for the department is the fact they have to balance Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and modern scientific findings.

“They compliment each other,” said Baddaloo adding the department depends on heavily on elders to provide them with more traditional environmental knowledge.

Nunavut is also 100 per cent dependent on fossil fuels for heat, electricity and transportation. While the territory produces less than 0.1 per cent of Canada's total greenhouse gases, one has to note there will be more development in the future with the expansion of businesses such as mining and exploration.

The government's focus seems to be on “adaptation.”

All is not doom and gloom as Baddaloo said there are positive aspects that come with climate change such as the development of tourism as more people want to explore the Northwest Passage.

Challenging is the fact, he said, the government has limited resources to work with with.

“We are a tiny jurisdiction with limited resources but education outreach activities and workshops don't require much money to complete.”

Back in Grise Fiord, Kiguktak said the water was practically ice-free all winter with the floe edge being around Devon Island.

“We haven't been able to go camping this spring as the ice is not safe,” she said.

This also means residents cannot go out seal hunting.

A popular early summer activity is grabbing a bite to eat at the Co-op hotel and standing on the deck to watch for narwhals and belugas.

She said people have seen some but have not been able to catch any.

On June 28, there were winds in Grise Fiord gusting up to 90 kilometres an hour and heavy rain.

“The weather is changing rapidly and it's also so unpredictable.” s

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