Magnetic North

Potatoes and Tomatoes and Strawberries, Oh My!

As the climate continues to change in the arctic, Greenland's government set a commission this year to see how the changing climate may help farmers increase agricultural production and minimize expensive imported foods. Many Inuit hunters are finding reindeer fatter than ever thanks to grazing in the Tundra, and some people have started growing vegetables, like tomatoes and potatoes, that have historically been more successfully grown in climates south of Greenland. Potatoes have done very well, along with cabbage. Commercially grown potatoes in Greenland reached over 100 metric tons in 2012, double the amount grown in 2008. Due to the longer summers, the climate is making vegetables more adaptable to the agricultural system, one restaurant even served locally grown strawberries to some surprised customers!

Know Nunavut!

A new blog was recently developed by a few students at the University of Virginia who intern for Judy Burch, a Nunavut specialist, who are highly enthused by Nunavut culture! The blog is updated by students at UVA frequently on different topics concerning Nunavut culture. Some recent posts have been fun facts, stunning photos of natural phenomenon and even a bit of history of the territory. The blog is a great way for students at UVA, as well as the general public, to connect to Nunavut in a fun and accessible way. The blog is relatively informal making it a breeze to scroll through a video of a community based circus that promotes traditional Inuit dance, check up on some surprising facts about Nunavut, and visit an extensive map of the territory, all while gaining useful knowledge. Click on the like to Know Nunavut to find out more!

There is a new Canada Fulbright Chair in Arctic Studies at the University of Washington! This position will bring scholars, practitioners and indigenous leaders from Canada to the University of Washington. The new position is being developed by the College of Arts and Science, College of the Environment and Applied Physics Laboratory. The new Fulbright Chair in Arctic Studies is meant to capitalize on integrated multidisciplinary research and scholarship. The chair will focus on emerging issues and developments in the Arctic region. The areas of research may include, but are not limited to, indigenous governance, adaptation of northern communities to environmental or social change, northern economies or change in transportation pathways in the Arctic Ocean. The Fulbright Chair will contribute and participate in the University life and the progress of ice innovation!

Nunavut Oral Tradition and Techonology

The iPad does it again. The Nunavut Elders Committee has applied for money from the "Quebec is Senior Friendly" program to introduce the modern technology of the iPad to elders in the Nunavut communities. Elders will be able to use programs like Skype and Facetime to stay in touch with family and friends without the hassle of travel. The valuable technology will allow the oral tradition of Nunavut to cross regional boundaries and facilitate communication.

Changing Ice: Arctic Climate Change in the Media

In 2012, an award winning film was made by National Geographic photographer, James Balog. Balog captured on film record breaking changes in the glaciers and brought to life the enormous affect of climate change and melting ice. Although many people around the world only see climate change and the affects of melting ice though weather oddities, the people of the arctic have a direct connection and can see the affects of ice melting on a daily basis as the seasons change. James Balog brings the dramtic changes from the top of the world to a larger audience in the film, "Changing Ice." For a look at the film, click here

  

Changing Ice Levels in The Arctic

In September of 2012, sea ice covered less of the Arctic Ocean than at any other time since 1979. In mid- September, the extent of the Arctic sea ice had dropped to 3.41 million square miles, compared to 4.17 million square miles recorded in 2007. Mark Serreze, a plenary speaker at the Smithsonian's 18th Inuit Studies Conference, and director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) comments, "What is perhaps most surprising is that we are no longer surprised." The affects of the melting ice is felt most immediately by the people of the arctic, although the changes are affecting the global environment. For more information on changing levels of arctic ice, click here.

Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) 2013, Anchorage, AK January 21-25

Marine scientists, policy makers, students, educators and public of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and beyond gather in Anchorage, AK from January 21-25, 2013 for the AMSS 2012 to share research findings focused on Alaska’s marine fisheries and ecosystems. For more information visit AMSS 2013.

Arctic Science Summit Week 13-19 April 2013, Kraków, Poland

The Arctic Science Summit Week 2013, Kraków, Poland April 13-19, 2013 is accepting abstracts until January 16, 2013. The ASSW is the annual gathering of international organizations engaged in supporting and facilitating Arctic research. Affiliated organizations include IASSA, Arctic Council, APECS, IASC and many others. Volunteers are also needed. More information can be found at ASSW website.

Yup'ik Women's Sewing Demonstration and Workshop at the 18th Inuit Studies Conference, Washington, D.C.

Yup'ik Elders Sewing Group Travels to Washington, D.C.

On October 28, 2012 in the Potomac Atrium at the National Museum of the American Indian, four Nelson Island women from southwest Alaska demonstrated and described the skills they learned and practiced as young women in the construction of hunting garments, including the processing of fish and animal skins, tanning, preparing sinew into thread, sewing techniques, and caring for the finished garments. The women  traveled to Washington to also examine exceptional examples of Yup’ik women’s work in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian collections.  Their desire is to share their living traditions with their younger generation as well as with men and women worldwide. View their blog to learn about their travels and latest projects, http://yupikelders.org/

Smithsonian Event at the Anchorage Museum: Alaska Native Film "Project Chariot"

Sunday October 14th at 3 pm. Admission free.

In 1958, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission planned to detonate thermonuclear bombs near North America’s oldest continually inhabited settlement. This documentary by Iñupiaq filmmaker Rachel Naninaaq Edwardson tells the dramatic story of an Iñupiaq village that stopped the most powerful agency of its time. This film’s Anchorage premiere is in anticipation of the Alaska Federation of Natives conference. A Q&A follows with UAA College of Education Professor Paul Ongtooguk and UAA Alaska Native Studies Program Director Maria Williams.