The North is a region full of promise and an increasingly important element of Canada’s domestic and international identity. While it is in some senses still a frontier, it is also maturing as it develops economically and as new forms of governance take root. At the same time, the lands and peoples of the North face challenges, both in the Canadian and circumpolar contexts, as a result of geopolitical, environmental, economic and social trends.

The symposium, held from October 25 to 27, 2007, opened with a panel discussion among six young leaders from across the North -- Udloriak Hanson (Nunavut), Elaine Alexie (Northwest Territories), George Berthe (Nunavik), Laura MacKenzie (Nunavut), Natan Obed (Nunatslavut/Nunavut) and Aynslie Ogden (Yukon). The panellists outlined their vision of the future of the North and underlined the importance of education, culture, Aboriginal languages and the land.

Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Nobel Prize nominee and citizen advocate on Arctic climate change, gave the keynote address.

conference program | participant list | youth panel discussion (MP3) | remarks by Sheila Watt-Cloutier (MP3)

Studies in progress:

• The Art of the State, Volume IV (edited volume)