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IQALUIT
The world is looking North, says Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak, and the Nunavut Research Institute will help Nunavummiut be part of the conversation.

"There is a pressing need for cutting-edge research combined with traditional knowledge in the North, conducted by Northern researchers, and cutting-edge research requires cutting-edge facilities like this one," Aariak said at the official opening of the $10.4-million research institute Oct. 12, noting the project was done on time and under budget. "The Nunavut Research Institute provides leadership in developing and promoting science to improve the well being of Nunavummiut."

Along with the High Arctic Research Institute, the federal government is now funding 20 major research infrastructure projects across the North, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Minister and Nunavut MLA Leona Aglukkaq said.

"The new facilities will allow all Northerners to be fully engaged in designing and carrying out the scientific research that will affect the future of our people and communities," Aglukkaq said. "Inuit have much to contribute, and Inuit can now participate fully in the research in how Inuit knowledge can be used to develop programs for the future."

Nunavut is the focal point for discussions on climate change, Northern development, and the Northwest Passage, so it makes sense to invest in homegrown research, she said.

"Inuit have used the land for thousands and thousands of years, and can contribute to discussions on climate change, environment, wildlife patterns," said Aglukkaq.

The Nunavut Research Institute has a research library, 15 offices, four laboratories, and houses the Nunavut Arctic College's Environmental Technology Program. Sileema Angoyuak is a first-year student in the program, and is happy to be able to use the new facility, which came into use in February.

"Originally, the classes were at the old residence, and they had four classrooms for different things all the time," Angoyuak said. "In these buildings, we have a lab across the way, we have a library and we can deal with maps all in one building."

All but one of the students in the program are Nunavut beneficiaries, Angoyuak said, and college board of governors member Frank Pearce says that would have pleased late board of governors member Jose Kusugak.

"(He) commented to our past-president that he would like to see more Inuit conducting research on questions asked by Inuit, rather than having a flux of anthropologists and university researchers and government officials from the south doing these studies," Pearce told those assembled at the opening.

"When people lived on the land, they developed survival skills by studying," he said. "They studied animals, weather conditions, the stars, and ice, and how to design clothing most suited to the conditions. They designed ingenious tools and conveyances needed for survival. Today, we must continue to build on the knowledge already obtained. Becoming proficient in reading and writing, numeric skills, computer skills are just a few of the skills required to survive today."

Pearce emphasized the importance of preserving traditional knowledge, something Angoyuak supports.

"More Nunavummiut should get involved in science, traditional or modern-day science or a mix," she said. "I'm looking at my son and in 50 years, he's going to be dealing with these problems if we don't fix them now. I don't want that. Let's start fixing the problems now."

Iqaluit city councillor Simon Nattaq agrees, noting traditional knowledge should not be ignored.

"We live here. We know what it's like to be on the land," Nattaq said. "We have observed that the rivers and lakes are drying up, even though we tell scientists that, they do not readily believe us because they have not conducted research in that field. We observe our environment, and that will have to be taken more seriously in the future."

Increasing Nunavut's scientific profile through such institutes is critical, the premier affirmed.

"Nunavut has so much to offer to the science community, to Canada and the rest of the world," she said. "This is an investment in our community that will continue to position Nunavut at the forefront of Northern research and create strong relationships between the scientific community and all of Nunavut."

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