Plan for Indigenous Protected Area in Canadian Arctic Clears Key Hurdle

Federal government commits to safeguard Arqvilliit Islands, which sustain Nunavik Inuit

Navigate to:

Plan for Indigenous Protected Area in Canadian Arctic Clears Key Hurdle
Hudson Bay
An Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area for Arqvilliit (Ottawa Islands) in Canada’s Hudson Bay will be one of the first to put the Indigenous-led conservation approach to use in the country’s Arctic waters.
Yvan Pouliot courtesy of Arqvilliit IPCA Steering Committee

Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 16, 2021 to remove an inference that people currently live on Arqvilliit (Ottawa Islands). Inuit occupied these islands for millennia.

The diverse and rich ecosystems of Arqvilliit (Ottawa Islands) are a refuge and feeding and breeding ground for northeastern Hudson Bay species, from polar bears and marine mammals to the thousands of eider ducks that nest here. Nunavik Inuit have been working to conserve this area for future generations, an effort that is paying off. In November, the Canadian government announced that it will create an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) to safeguard this remote island chain, which is reachable by plane or boat but is often inaccessible because of weather. This IPCA will be the first to be designated in the Arctic waters of Canada and will help the country achieve its international ocean conservation goal of protecting 30% of its marine and coastal areas by 2030.

The Inuit name Arqvilliit means “place where you see bowhead,” and, although that whale species is now rare in these waters, many other species are abundant and are a vital source of food for the more than 1,900 people who live nearby on the mainland in Inukjuak and other surrounding communities. Protecting Arqvilliit would benefit flora, fauna, and people alike. 

According to Jennie Knopp, the community and science director for the Canadian-based nongovernmental organization Oceans North, “Nunavimmiut (Nunavik Inuit) rely on harvesting wildlife as an important part of their health and nutrition. Protecting habitat to ensure animal populations thrive, especially in light of emerging threats such as climate change, is critical to Nunavik Inuit way of life.” The Pew Charitable Trusts supports the work of the Nunavik Inuit and Canadian government to conserve Arqvilliit, and we encourage finalization of the IPCA as soon as possible.

Peter Baker works on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ ocean conservation initiatives in Canada and New England.

Scott Islands
Article

Map of Scott Islands Highlights Important Areas for Migratory Birds

Quick View
Article

The Scott Islands archipelago rises above some of the most treacherous waters off the British Columbia coast, known for strong currents and battering waves that crash into the islands’ steep, craggy cliffs. Yet, during the spring and summer, these islands are vital breeding, resting, feeding, and foraging grounds for birds.

Getty
Getty
Article

Holistic Partnership Protects 'Canadian Galapagos'

Quick View
Article

Known as the Canadian Galapagos for its unparalleled biodiversity, Haida Gwaii is the ancestral home to the Haida Nation, coastal rainforests, old-growth stands of cedar, and a UNESCO World Heritage site that symbolizes the importance of the Haida people and their deep-rooted relationship to the land and waters of this region.