Tuktoyaktuk Hopes for WINd eNe RGY

Ever since the wind energy conference in Tuktoyaktuk last n ovember, there has been growing anticipation about Tuktoyaktuk being chosen as the first wind energy demonstration site. The first meeting was chronicled in global media, who are watching to see if the small arctic community will receive the help it needs to make a first step away from burning only diesel fuel.

John s tuart Jr. (board member of Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation and Tuktoyaktuk Development Corporation) and Jim s tevens (hamlet councilor) have just returned from a meeting with the n WT Wind Energy Committee. They discussed with technical experts, representatives from the government of yukon, I naC, ITI, and E nr the next step of this project.

“It all depends on how much funding will be provided,” said Jim, who said the community of Tuktoyaktuk hopes to turn this into a business opportunity. “If we got one or four turbines, we would still need the same transmission lines and connections. The economies of scale are such that if we get more than one turbine, we could have medium intensity generation of wind energy. Twenty to thirty percent of the town’s power can be generated by wind energy.” with windmills. Wind is definitely one of the natural resources abundant in the coastal community of Tuktoyaktuk, The community is now working on getting funding for a small scale windfarm venture.

“We won’t be seeing a huge savings, money wise, for the town till much later, but there are definitely benefits in terms of environmental issues. When the technology is proven, there could be some revenue for TDC. There will definitely be a job or two, with benefits and training,” said Stevens.

“The presentations are being made to the financial Management Board in June, G n WT is cutting that department’s budget, so this isn’t the best time,” Jim continued. n evertheless, Jim is hoping that potential funders such as Indian and n orthern a ffairs Canada, n atural resources Canada and the G n WT will come through.

ATCO SCHOlARSHIPS awarded

Aurora College and ATCO have awarded the ATCO Group Scholarships to the following students:

ATCO Continuous Academic Effort

Darlene Felix – Beaufort region (Tuktoyaktuk Learning Centre)

Katherine Lennie – Delta region (Inuvik Learning Centre)

Barbara Blancho – s ahtu region (Colville Lake Learning Centre)

ATCO Developmental Studies Scholarship

Angus Dillon – Inuvik Learning Centre

Darren Kenny – Deline Learning Centre

Inupiat-Inuvialuit Declare Need for Subsistence Hunting of Polar Bears

“TheInupiat of the n orth s lope Borough and the Inuvialuit have had a good relationship right from the start, many Inupiats have relatives in the delta,” said Andy Carpenter. “I am proud of the polar bear management agreement that we signed twenty years ago, which carries on today. It’s a user agreement between natives that set a precedent for all other native to native agreements today.”

“We share information on harvests on a voluntary basis,” said Frank pokiak, chair of the Inuvialuit Game Council. “ s o far, the harvest of polar bears in the s outhern Beaufort s eas has been conservative and lower than the recommended harvest quota recommended by both parties. It’s a good agreement, and one of the reasons why Canada can export polar bear hides to other countries today.”

This february, the Joint Commissioners of the Inuvialuit Game Council and the n orth s lope Borough met for their 17th annual meeting, held in Inuvik. The vision and commitment of Inuit from both areas to promote the sustainable harvest of polar bears in the s outhern Beaufort s ea was celebrated. a n Inupiat-Inuvialuit Declaration was also signed, recognizing the need to remind the Inuit and the world that aboriginal subsistence hunting of polar bears is essential to the Inuit’s cultural and nutritional well being. The pioneers of the original polar Bear a greement were mentioned in gratitude: a ndy Carpenter, n olan s olomon, Benjamin p n ageak, Charles D. n Bower, n elson Green.

This declaration is also intended to direct the federal government of Canada and the u nited states to take action to address the effects of climate change on the polar bear’s habitat, as well as to urge the u nited states to recognize the Inupiat-Inuvialuit polar Bear agreement in the event that the polar bear be listed as a threatened species by the us government.

“We felt it was important to make this declaration because of the many challenges faced by Inuit on this issue,” said Taqulik Hepa, Commissioner of the n orth s lope Borough Inupiat. “Climate change is a factor affecting the polar bear population, but the Inuit harvest is not a factor. We would like the federal government to really address why the planet is in this position.” The declaration also hopes to direct the us government to make the assurances that should the listing happen, that it will not place additional disproportionate impacts on the Inupiat-Inuvialuit people’s traditional hunting practices.

Currently, the Inupiat and Inuvialuit have a quota of 40 polar bears each, per annum. “We are in support of scientific research, and are now at the point where we may need to reevaluate the harvest levels of polar bears based on the best available science and further consultations,” said Frank Pokiak. “There are now talks on changing the boundaries of the n orthern and s outhern Beaufort polar bear hunting areas. We have not received the final decision from the US government, and we especially do not want to make any decisions until we hear back from the Canadian side. Both the Inuvialuit and Inupiat have to go back to their user groups and work shop with all the communities to make sure all steps are covered before making a decision.”