North Shore native whaling communities in Alaska are troubled over oil and gas exploration proposals in Beaufort Sea. “The U.S. Minerals Management Service has approved Shell’s plan to drill as many as a dozen exploration wells over the next two years in the Beaufort Sea” (1). Approval does not call for an environmental impact review, [...]

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New park proposal highlights cultural and environmental heritage of the Torngat Mountains in Nunavik, and the historic traveling route of the Inuit on the Koroc (or Kuururjuaq) River flowing into Ungava Bay and the Labrador sea. Area contains some of the highest continental peaks in eastern Canada, and is known for its spectacular scenic beauty, [...]

1,200 mile Arctic sled-dog expedition begins this month in Iqaluit, Nunavut. NPR interview with team leader, Will Steger, can be heard here: Weekend Edition Saturday, February 24, 2007 – Beginning this month, a team of seven explorers – including three Inuit hunters – are embarking on a 1,200-mile journey across Baffin Island in the Canadian [...]

My good friend Tad has posted several updates on mining developments near the communities of Iskut and Telegraph Creek on his blog (Fieldnotes: Notes on the Anthropology of British Columbia). Galore Creek Mine Update Kemess Mine Update The Galore Creek Mine: received its project approval from BC for it’s environmental assessment of the massive open [...]

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) lends support to Watershed Meeting in Mayo with Yukon First Nations and community elders for land use planning and protection of Peel River watershed. Its Three Rivers Campaign is set to launch a Canadian tour this April, and hopes to bring further attention to this magnificent watershed and [...]

A new territorial park for CANOL Heritage Trail and Dodo Canyon promises protection for cultural heritage and new tourism opportunities for Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories. First proposed as part of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement in 1994, NWT Minister Brendan Bell recently tabled a Management Plan for the Doi [...]

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2007 begins this week in the UK, and lasts until March 3rd. Highlights include the Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival, exhibition from the Royal Geographical Society (“Antarctic Witness: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition“), mountain skills and John Muir Trust writing workshops, and expedition paddling events with sea kayaker Allan Ellard [...]

Located 70 km north of Baker Lake, Nunavut, on the upper reaches of the Quioch River system, Cumberland Resources Ltd. received is project certificate for the Meadowbank Gold Mine in early January. Construction is set to begin on a permanent four season road this winter, and the company announced yesterday its merger with Canadian mining [...]

His second time winning top honors in the World Press Photo contest, Nicklen says his keen interest in watching wildlife and growing up in a small Inuit community in Baffin Island nurtured his interest in photography and photo journalism. Previously a wildlife biologist in the Northwest Territories, Nicklen says he pursued and pestered international magazines [...]

The CBC airs an interview with Inuit leader and activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier, who was recently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, and has worked on several international forums to raise awareness for global climate change, and its impact on Inuit subsistence, health, culture, and human rights. Challenging the assumption that the Inuit [...]

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