Hooked on the Arctic

Despite Gita Laidler’s affinity for sunny weather and warm climates, this assistant professor now finds herself battling colder temperatures in Canada’s north for one or two months of every year.

This new geography and environmental studies professor first became fascinated with the north in 1998 while completing Labrador field work as an undergraduate research assistant. From there she pursued studies and master’s research that landed her in Taloyoak, Nunavut in 2001. Laidler says, “After this summer on the tundra, I was hooked on the Arctic.”

Much of Laidler’s research now focuses on cultural and environmental geography in the Canadian Arctic. While Laidler is keen to make scholarly contributions through these studies, there is one objective she is not willing to compromise: “My main goal with research in the north is to ensure that the research is not only valuable academically, but it is of benefit to northern communities as well.”

For the past five years Lailder has focused her research on sea ice around Baffin Island, Nunavut. She says it is incredibly eye-opening to work with Inuit in various communities, and she has developed a greater appreciation of their understanding of the marine environment and the importance of sea ice in their lives. “Mostly it’s the people that keep me going back,” says Laidler.

Sea ice plays an integral role in daily life in the north as it is a means of travel between communities, to access hunting grounds, and to enjoy leisure activities. Laidler works with the communities of Pangnirtung, Cape Dorset, and Igloolik, Nunavut, to better understand Inuit expertise of the sea ice environment. Climate change has caused the sea ice to move closer to the shore in Pangnirtung, for example, which has many challenging implications for local residents. The ice has become unpredictable and the increased open water has rendered travel routes more dangerous. The timing of freeze-up and break-up of the ice has also shifted, forcing hunters to adjust travel times and destinations throughout the year. The changing sea ice patterns also affect livelihoods as the ice’s positioning has been preventing local fisherman from reaching adequate fishing grounds.

Although the Northwest Passage doesn’t fall under Laidler’s research focus, when asked about this pertinent issue she conveyed that she has heard concerns expressed by Inuit communities. The potential opening of the Passage has caused some concern that increased shipping (and related noise pollution) would harm wildlife such as whales that frequent the area. The sea route that is normally blocked with pack ice could also attract big businesses which could be beneficial for the northern economy, but again, there are concerns that benefits from new developments would not necessarily stay in the north. Although Laidler says she does not speak on behalf of the northern Canadians, she stresses, “I just want whatever happens regarding the Northwest Passage to be fair for the Inuit living there, and to involve northern leaders, governments, and the communities in the decision-making.”