ArctiConnexion

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐭, 𝐍𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐮𝐭

With industrial development on the move on Baffin Island and the proposed development of the Steensby Inlet port & railway, the neighboring communities of the Foxe Basin are concerned for their traditional land, country foods and water. The closest and most impacted communities, Iglulik and Sanirajak, came together to develop their own community-based project to document ‘what is out there’ - the natural condition of the environment, fish and wildlife- before any construction takes place. Their goal is to monitor the terrestrial, aquatic and marine environment and collect baseline information they can use and share in the future.

In the month of July, three boats left Iglulik on a trip to Kangiluqjuaq (Steensby) with the mission to document the wildlife and collect information on the marine and aquatic environment. The trip engaged 3 youth participants, assistants and one Elder who spend 5 days out in near the future port (Ipikitujuaaq). With this project, the local Hunters and Trappers Associations aim to establish important baseline information on caribou, walrus, marine life, and other country foods harvested by Iglulirmiut and Sanirajarmiut.

More work to come in 2027…!

Qujannamiik to everyone contributing their time and expertise to this important work.

We wish our partners and friends a happy belated National Indigenous Peoples Day! Our team recognizes the knowledge, leadership, and stewardship that Indigenous communities continue to demonstrate in caring for the people, land and waters.

The spirit of community-led action is at the heart of our new initiative: a water monitoring project in Qikiqtarjuaq. Led by Laila Alookie, manager of the Qikiqtarjuaq Research Centre, the project aims to monitor the quality of the traditional freshwater sources fetched by the community. The project addresses water quality concerns expressed by the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq following recurring boiling water advisories in the community.

Community consultations and engagement activities were held last month in Qikiqtarjuaq, including an open house held at the research station. This month, the project moved to the next phase when a team of five Qikiqtarjuarmiut participants took part of a water microbiology and lab analyses training. The team first met with a group of local Elders before they started to collect water samples from six freshwater sites identified as priority. The stations will be sampled throughout the summer and results will be presented to the community in the fall.

The project will build local capacity to monitor water quality, contribute to safeguard people’s health and inform decision-making.

Thanks to the staff and administration of the Qikiqtarjuaq Research Centre!

The Aqviqtuuq Guardians from Taloyoak just finished the installation of weather monitoring stations along the caribou migratory routes!

The community-based project, led by the Taloyoak Umaruliririgut Association, aims to collect environmental data - temperature, precipitation, wind, soil moisture, and snow conditions- and to relate them with the movement and distribution of the Aqviqtuuq caribou. The monitoring program will help identify how changing environmental conditions may affect the Ahiak caribou herd, particularly within calving areas.

We aim this monitoring to inform the Niqihaqut Cut & Wrap Facility project development. Data will help set sustainable harvesting guidelines on the number of caribou.

Qujannamiik to the Guardians for their hard work, knowledge, and dedication to monitoring and protecting the land for future generations.

As the sun sets on 2025, our team wishes a merry Christmas time to all our friends accross Inuit Nunangat and Canada🌟

We wish for a joyful and plentiful year 2026 🫶

📣ArcticNet 2025 📣

ArctiConnexion's team is attending the ArcticNet's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM2025)!

🎥Movie Session — Eyes on the land : Inuit Films on Stewardship🎥
We will present three movies showcasing Inuit stewardship of their land, water, and culture: Ujjirijavut, Young Hunters and Marine Guardians

⏰December 15th, 2025, at 3pm
📌Glen 206 (South Building), Calgary Telus Convention Center
More info here: https://event.fourwaves.com/asm2025/schedule/d9042239-128b-471c-b504-851837c2c7fa

You can't make it ? Come meet our team at booth #18 to learn more about our organization and projects

See you there !

A beautiful relaunch of the Young Hunters Program in Ikpiarjuq under the lead of the IHTO🫶 Thanks to the committed instructors and hats off to the endurant young hunters braving the cold everyday!

More to come 🙌!

Happy International Inuit Day to all our friends accross Inuit Nunangat 🫶❤️

🧡 Truth and Reconciliation Day🧡

Today we remember the past and celebrate the resilience and memory of the survivors of residential schools. Let's honour them and help each other in building a bright future for the next generations.

The Kugaaruk HTA has launched last summer an Inuit Guardians Program; the eyes and the ears of the community!

The Guardians patrol the land and the sea twice a week and report their observations and animal sightings to the board.

Last week, they took on a 'short' fishing trip to Kellett River located 50km south from the community. The fish caught were given to community members in need.

Qujannamiik Guardians and KHTA, long live the program! Special thanks to Abel Aqqaq for the training!