Science in the North, for the North, by the North Steve V. Kokelj Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Overview Describe the northern context What are the needs Challenges Opportunities Parting thoughts

The northern context for science Environmental change Resource development Land claims obligations Co-management and stewardship Collaboration and partnerships

Northern needs Northern environmental monitoring system Information base for decisions Engagement in science and monitoring Use traditional knowledge Understand and apply the results Build and retain capacity

To watch and understand the land and to use it respectfully forever

An integrated monitoring and research system? The Land Decision making, co-management, adaptation stewardship Community-based monitoring Government and academic monitoring and research Industry monitoring

Large scale environmental change Mackenzie Delta 10 km 1996

S. Solomon, NRCan Large scale environmental change, Mackenzie Delta Salinized area Over 10, 000 ha of impacted habitat 1000s of which is devastated 10 km 2002

Northern based Integrated monitoring system Community-based monitoring Government and academic monitoring and research Industry monitoring The Land Decision making, co-management, adaptation stewardship

Challenges Implementation Capacity Enhancing ability to collaborate Enhancing ability to apply the science Traditional knowledge and monitoring

Opportunities Northern capacity in science Northern monitoring system International Polar Year NSERC Research stations

To watch and understand the land and to use it respectfully forever

Issues What does our baseline look like? Are efforts coordinated? Are the communities involved? Who/what is integrating and reporting? Are we equipped to detect environmental change?