Golden Rule in Arctic Science and Community Partnerships

Félix Lévesque-Desrosiers (left, student in physics at Université Laval, Québec) and Danny Audlakiak (right, hunter and resident of Qikiqtarjuaq) discuss how climate change is driving shifts in species distribution that affect traditional hunting in Nunavut. Photo: Marie-France Gévry

In recent years, women researchers, scientists, and local champions have elevated their visibility and empowered their voices across the world. The Arctic is no exception. With powerful organizations like 500 Women Scientists and local movements like Women in Polar Science and Plan A growing their reach and impact, women are sharing their personal narratives, highlighting their contributions, and supporting each other like never before. The Arctic Institute’s Breaking the Arctic’s Ice Ceiling is our team’s contribution to this movement. In a series of commentaries, articles, and multimedia posts, we are highlighting the work of women working and living in the Arctic.

The Arctic Institute Breaking the Arctic's Ice Ceiling Series 2019

• Looking Up: Women in Arctic Science
• The Gender Gap in Arctic Research Awards and Leadership – Infographic
• An Arctic Imposter’s Journey to Belong
• Women Are America’s Climate Change Champions
• Vegan at Sea-gan: The Arctic Ocean
• Golden Rule in Arctic Science and Community Partnerships
• Is the Future of the European Arctic Socially Sustainable?
• Geo-mapping in the Canadian Arctic
• Women in Polar Research: A Brief History
• It’s Our Table: Indigenous People Shaping Arctic Policy

It’s July in the northern Canadian territory of Nunavut. The season has shifted here from winter to summer—from one epoch to another. Like the rest of the planet, the Arctic is thought to have entered the Anthropocene; a proposed era defined by the significant impact of humans on the Earth’s ecosystems and climate. The protraction of the ice-free season is a bellwether of the many changes to come here, and elsewhere on the planet. With diminishing sea ice thickness and extent, increasing light penetrates the surface of the ocean. The impacts of the heightened availability of light on ecosystems, and the services they render, are still poorly understood, but light-based technologies are helping scientists explore these issues.

Understanding light by harnessing light. In short, that is the intent of Sentinel North, a transdisciplinary research program based at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. It is through optic and photonic innovations that Sentinel North aims to improve our collective understanding of the changing environments in the Arctic and the impacts that these changes may have on human beings and their health. But beyond fostering innovation and transferring technology and knowledge, Sentinel North hopes to nurture a new generation of transdisciplinary scientists. Scientists able to tackle intricate issues facing the North, yes. But also scientists able to make those people-to-people connections that are so fundamental to diplomacy and bridge-building with communities. Scientists able to foster reciprocity and implement the Golden Rule—a simple ethological axiom of empathy—treating others as one’s self would wish to be treated.

It’s July in Nunavut and an international team of 19 PhD students and 22 mentors, from 12 universities and 7 countries, has landed in Iqaluit, the capital and largest community of Nunavut. The students are here to take part in a summer school entitled “Shedding light on Arctic marine ecosystems”. Setting into motion the learning process from the classroom to the field, the school represents a truly unique opportunity for students to engage with residents of the North: Indigenous knowledge holders, elders, leaders, hunters, artists, and children. The school also allows students to interact with scientists, all the while learning about the role of light in driving arctic marine food webs, ecosystem services, and human health in the North. In Iqaluit, the group of scientists led by Prof. Marcel Babin from Laval University is greeted by Mary Ellen Thomas, director of the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI). After a tour of the town guided by Martine Dupont, Vice-President of operations at Inukpak Outfitting, the scientists are invited to a lighting of ceremonial Qulliq by the elder Rhoda Ungalaq and a feast of traditional food. A truly golden welcoming.

At the NRI, students learn about arctic ecosystem, its wildlife, and the challenges they face, before preparing to  embark on the Canadian research vessel CCGS Amundsen. The icebreaker will take them into the partially ice-covered waters of Baffin Bay and the fjords of Baffin Island. For some, the sensation of breaking ice is entirely foreign. For others, the deployment of state-of-the art optical sensors and oceanography equipment, as well as the use of remote sensing products, will contribute to adding more than one string in their bow.

While the ship follows its course, the students alternate between theoretical, observational, and experiential approaches. Complex optical concepts are explored through playful demonstrations and hands-on exercises. As one of the mentors, one evening of discussions stands out in my mind as the bedrock of the summer school. A discussion led by a leading light in the field of oceanography, Prof. Emmanuel Boss, on the benefits of the Golden Rule in science and beyond. In an era marked by unprecedented concentration and intensity of communication in which technology has made vis-à-vis engagement scarce, human kinship must be the fundamental principle underlying all actions towards constructive relationships. From science to community partnerships.

The activities of the summer school culminate in Qikiqtarjuaq (Nunavut), a small community of less than a thousand people. We welcome a delegation of Inuit onboard the ship, sharing with excitement the scientific bustle and our way of life on the research vessel. In turn, students, mentors, and coast guard crew members are welcomed the next day at the Gathering Center in Qikiqtarjuaq by William Iqalik, Alisha Kooneeliusie, Geela Kooneeliusie, as well as several children. A throat singing performance by Ann Sanguya and Laila Alookie, a game of One-Foot-High-Kick, and a walk to the Inukshuk hill overlooking the bay and the community leave us in awe of this culture and the beauty of the land.

It’s end of July in Nunavut and the ship leaves the community of Qikiqtarjuaq. School’s out for summer. The scientists return to their homes across the world, transformed by new social and scientific knowledge. Little things can become very significant when implementing the Golden Rule. In the end, Prof. Lee Karp-Boss, a mentor from the school, summarizes it perfectly: “I came here as a teacher and left as a student.”

Dr. Martine Lizotte is a Research Associate at the Biology department of Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada.