INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR
TRAINING, COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH PROJECTS

As part of its International Polar Year (IPY) program, the Government of Canada has allocated $5.2 million to fund communications, training and outreach projects. After a national call for proposals and rigorous review process, a diverse range of projects and events from across Canada were selected as part of Canada’s IPY Program and will be delivered by community and Aboriginal organizations, educational groups, government departments and agencies.

The projects will raise awareness about the Canadian Arctic and its peoples; promote IPY, polar science and research; and foster greater understanding of the importance of the polar regions. Specific activities encourage youth and students to learn about polar science and research. Other projects provide experience and training for Northerners to carry out northern-based research and monitoring during and after IPY.

An initial list of IPY-funded projects was announced on May 14, 2008. Provided below are additional training, communications and outreach projects recently approved for funding.

Training and Capacity Building Projects

Learning Materials Centre

Nunavut Arctic College
Adding to an existing database developed by the Nunavut Research Institute in Igloolik, this project will establish a production centre to prepare and distribute learning materials in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun and English. The learning materials will draw on traditional Inuit knowledge and Nunavut-relevant IPY research findings.

Nunavummi Nunarjuattigut Ilinniarniq: Learning in Nunavut through our Earth

Carleton University
The objective of this project is to digitize and catalogue oral histories that will be used to create a cybercartographic atlas. This digital resource will combine experiential and traditional classroom learning on topics such as sea-ice change and its impacts on travel and survival skills.

Contrasts Between the Poles

Natural Resources Canada
This project will send two northern Canadian students to Antarctica, where they will take part in data collection and glaciology work and learn about methods of snow and ice study. This project was originally submitted by the late Roy Koerner, glaciologist for the Geological Survey of Canada.

Circumpolar Young Leaders Program

International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), Winnipeg, Manitoba
This program provides professional leadership development for Canadian youth aged 19 to 30 from both northern and southern regions of Canada. This project will fund five interns to take part in northern research and capacity-building opportunities to help promote sustainable development in the North.

Communications and Outreach Projects

People of a Feather and Ice: Combining Inuit and Scientific Perspectives on Arctic Ecology and for IPY Education and Outreach

Joel Heath, Independent Film maker
This film project will document the drama and effects of sea-ice ecosystems and environmental change on Canadian Arctic seabirds. The film will juxtapose the story of Arctic eiders as they face environmental change alongside the struggle of the Inuit hunters who rely on these birds for their food and feathers.

Arctic Community Radio Information Hub for IPY activities

Native Communications Society, Northwest Territories
IPY Arctic Radio will develop a comprehensive weekly radio program focussing on Canada’s IPY research activities and projects. The show will be broadcast by CKLB in Yellowknife and made available (at no charge) to all broadcasters in Canada.

Pan-Arctic Interactive Communications Health Project (TV series)

National Aboriginal Health Organization, Ajunnginiq Centre
This project will create a series of television call-in shows, accompanied by youth web casts and broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). The project will involve Dr. Grace Egeland of McGill University, the lead of the IPY Inuit Health Survey Project, and will focus on key themes for Aboriginal health and related IPY research.

Polar Perspectives: Canadian International Polar Year Speaker Series and Youth Forums: A National Tour

Canadian Museum of Nature
This national speaker series will feature prominent IPY scientists, writers, artists and political leaders, presenting their research and views on Arctic issues. The series will highlight IPY research, activities and findings.

Hearing and Sharing the Voices of Nunavik

Makivik Corporation (Nunavik), McGill University and the University of Quebec
This project will digitize and catalogue the historic and scientific documents held by Makivik Corporation in Nunavik, as well as increase the accessibility of Inuit periodicals that are currently held in three collections in Nunavik, the University of Quebec in Montreal and McGill University.

Popularization of Northern Scholarly Articles for Public Interest

Arctic Institute of North America
By making research articles on northern science more accessible to the public, this project will promote better understanding and awareness of important issues for Canada’s Arctic regions. A northern intern will be hired to translate the materials into English.

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Diorama Project

NWT Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC)
Eight dioramas (full-scale models) will be produced to feature flora and fauna species found in the various seasons of the subarctic and Beaufort Delta regions. The project will highlight IPY research and the impacts of climate change. The project will also include virtual dioramas on the PWNHC’s website.

IPY Time Capsule - Snapshot of the Poles for the Next Generation

Canadian Circumpolar Institute
IPY Canadian Youth Steering Committee
This project will create a time capsule for and by students and youth. The capsule will include art, writing and photography by youth living in Canada’s North. The materials will first be displayed at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife and could be made available to tour other locations, before being sealed for future generations. The project will also include a national photo contest for students and youth.

This is Turtle Island: An Eco-friendly Natural History Adventure TV Series for Kids

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
This television series for children will follow two brothers as they learn about Canada’s North, with special emphasis paid to the importance of IPY research and climate change. The series will be broadcast on APTN and will also be linked to a dedicated website where children can participate in follow-up discussions.

November 2008