Inuit want say in Arctic shipping
Global marine body hosts Tagak Curley and other indigenous leaders for first time
Beth Brown
Northern News Services
Saturday, November 5, 2016
LONDON, ENGLAND
Indigenous peoples are looking for input on global shipping decisions for Arctic regions.
Prominent Nunavummiuq Tagak Curley joined NWT's Hans Lennie in promoting Canadian indigenous voices at the International Maritime Organization on Arctic shipping impacts in London, England Oct. 26. - photo courtesy of Andrew Dumbrille
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Former Nunavut MLA Tagak Curley joined the NWT's Hans Lennie - of the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee and the Inuvialuit Game Council - representing Northern indigenous voices for the first time ever at the International Maritime Organization on Oct. 26.
The two were among six indigenous representatives from Canada, Russia and the U.S. who gave a panel presentation at the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee.
"Particularly in Canada we are dependent on marine shipping vessels for the goods and supplies that we need, and the construction materials for all infrastructures," said Curley.
This was the first time indigenous voices were heard at an IMO meeting. The global marine regulator is a UN group of 171 member states.
"There is no representation from indigenous organizations at the IMO," Andrew Dumbrille, WWF-Canada's sustainable shipping spokesperson said. "This group of Inuit and Inuvialuit want to address that."
The presentation was funded by WWF-Canada, Friends of the Earth Canada, Pacific Environment, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
"We have been talking about shipping impacts and how that leads to food security and indigenous engagement," said Dumbrille. "A lot of the conversation is about impacts on local ecosystems. It was very startling how none of the conversation included people from the North, people who actually lived in indigenous communities."
The panel focused on issues like food security, which is directly impacted by increased shipping due to the sensitivity of marine mammal migration patterns.
"The ocean is the supplier of our food," Curley said. "Belugas, narwhal, walrus, seal and the fish of the ocean are all very important parts of our lives."
Another recommendation addressed by the panel was discontinuing the use of heavy oil, or bunker oil, which has already been banned in Antarctica.
"Catastrophes occasionally do happen, including oil spills," he said.
The Arctic is no longer the sleeping giant that it was before the the ice began to thaw, he said, and as
climate change increases and shipping in the Arctic becomes a more viable option for private marine companies, Northerners need to be considered.
"We're going to feel the brunt."
The intent of the visit was to determine how indigenous voices should be most effectively engaged within the International Maritime Organization.
"It is important to have a continuing voice so that the Arctic can be heard," he said.
Besides member states, IMO has seats for both non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations.
While cooperation with IMO is consensus-based, IGOs are granted higher status, said Dumrille. Because indigenous peoples have established jurisdictional governments in way of treaties and land claims, they would be able to apply to the marine body as an IGO.
"The idea would be that Arctic indigenous governments would get together and create a new organization which would have representation at the IMO," he said.
The indigenous voices panel was in addition to the regular meeting schedule and attendance was voluntary. Despite this, nearly three quarters of the member states were in attendance and the full Canadian delegation was present.
The indigenous group also met with IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim the day prior, for a roundtable discussion on shipping and climate. Conversations also addressed the Polar Code, which will come into effect in January of 2017. Lim will also attend the next meeting of the Arctic Council.
"Moving forward we will continue to be open to dialogue and will look towards discussing how to recognize and respect indigenous peoples," stated IMO spokesperson Natasha Brown.
Curley said nothing is formal yet, but that representatives will be having a monthly teleconference to make plans for the future.
"We need to have a voice there, we cannot just tag along on the goodness of organizations like the World Wildlife Fund. We have to have a permanent seat, a voice."
