From Norway to Nunavut: A Q&A with Morten Høglund on his trip to Canada

What impressions from Iqaluit will you take back with you to Norway?

The energy, and all the possibilities they see for building a sustainable society is something I will take with me from this trip. For us southerners, Iqaluit looked like an extremely remote part of the world, but the people that live there have sustained over generations. They have adapted to many changes, they have extensive knowledge, and they see a future. So, it's all about utilizing these opportunities. Of course they face challenges, but I was positively surprised by how the representatives we met view their future and their vision for sustaining these communities in Nunavut and the larger Canadian Arctic.

What are some of the key issues you discussed?

Infrastructure is of course very critical, whether it's broadband or more physical infrastructure such as ports. On our first day in Iqaluit, we observed the new deep sea port, which will allow for more efficient transport of goods. We also discussed environmental issues such as adapting to climate change and biodiversity. Discussions on development issues included education opportunities, health and access to healthcare, business opportunities and economic viability. There are many challenges in any community, and in communities as remote and small as Iqaluit it can be difficult to retain the professionals and resources to address them fully.

One common theme that came up in many of my discussions was the importance of Indigenous knowledge. Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous knowledge holders must be involved in research processes from the very start. This is something we prioritize within the Arctic Council.