Arctic Initiative
Arctic and International Relations Series
Arctic and International Relations Series is dedicated to translating scholarship into policy options to enhance international cooperation in the Arctic and the inclusion of Arctic Indigenous peoples in decision making for the region. Also see our video series here.
Winter 2024, Issue #8 –Indigenous and International Relations in a Warming Arctic
ISSN 2470-7414
This issue is comprised of twelve policy papers written by students in the Donald C. Hellmann Task Force Program, JSIS 495: Indigenous and International Relations in a Warming Arctic (Winter 2024). In this course, students examined China’s role in the Arctic, Indigenous governance and policy development, and the impacts of increasing globalization and physical access to the region on Arctic Indigenous Peoples, Canada, the United States, and beyond. A week-long study tour to Ottawa where students met with scholars, diplomats, scientists, and representatives from Inuit organizations informed their perspectives on policies and the complexities of Indigenous and international relations in a warming Arctic. Their recommendations were further guided by the input of Whit Fraser, author of True North Rising, and expert evaluator for the course.
Editors: N. Fabbi, D. Huynh Contributors: J. Coffler. B. Denton, C. Fesko Santos, D. Huynh, K. Kesinger, E. Merino Mendoza, A. Moore, O. Myhre, A. Orillon, M. Russel-Hoff, A. Seifred, F. Torlai
Fall 2020, Issue #7 – The Right to Sea Ice: Canadian Arctic Policy and Inuit Priorities
ISSN 2470-7414
This issue includes nine policy papers by University of Washington (UW) International Studies majors and two by UW graduate students, also Arctic Fellows. The issue was an outcome of the course, JSIS 495: Arctic Sea Ice and International Policy (Winter Quarter 2020). In the course the students explored the role of sea ice in the environment and also in culture. The course took the students to Ottawa where they met with Inuit organizations, federal departments and scholars. That trip, and the people they met during their travels, inspired much of their thinking as did the feedback they received from their expert evaluator, Whit Fraser, author of True North Rising.
Editors: N. Fabbi, M. Koutnik, E. Ahlness, E. Wessells, H. Taylor-Manning Contributors: E. Ahlness, J. Bollesen, K. Boswell, H. Chen, C. Clarke, G. Coeuille, C. Cowan, N. Fabbi, W. Fraser, B. Greer, M. Koutnik, K. Lu, N. Paltep, E. Wessells
Fall 2018, Issue #6 – Bridging the Gap between Arctic Indigenous Communities and Arctic Policy: Unalaska, the Aleutian Islands, and the Aleut International Association
ISSN 2470-7414
The background and insights gained from a recent workshop held in Unalaska provide modest yet critical insights into how small Arctic Indigenous communities play a role in shaping policy. Issue #6 of Arctic and International Relations Series seeks to bridge the gap between remote communities and centers of power, Indigenous multi-state regions and nation-states, and on-the-ground knowledge and future policy shaping. This issue is the first of its kind to provide an overview of Unalaska and the Aleut International Association providing a foundation for further study of the Unangan people and the transnational Aleut region.
Editors: N. Fabbi, L. Mack, J. Muzak Contributors: N. Fabbi, V. Hatfield, F. Kelty, M. Kim, L. Mack, J. Muzak, C. Price, D. Rankin, T. Robinson, S. Shaishnikoff, S. Svarny-Livingston
Spring 2017, Issue #5 – Arctic Indigenous Economies
ISSN 2470-3966
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The Arctic has long been a site of global economic activity, particularly during the years of the whaling industry and fur trade. Today, in what has been referred to as a post-land-claims environment, traditional livelihoods are integrated with Arctic Indigenous-owned businesses to create a uniquely Arctic economic model. While the Arctic has historically been treated as a resource for the benefit of domestic and global economies, increasingly those who call the region home are defining a distinct economic model and determining how they will interact globally. How Arctic Indigenous people organize economically is a new frontier in international relations and one this issue of Arctic and International Relations addresses.
Contributors: J. Arteau, B. Ayles, K. Aspen Gavenus, E. Bell, M. Dumas, N. Fabbi, R. Freeman-Blakeslee, L. Kruesel, S. Lyall, A. Moorhouse, C. Nakoolak, O. Ndikumana, J. Park, B. Ray, J. Simpson, C. Watt, and E. Wessells.
Fall 2016, Issue #4 – The Many Faces of Energy in the Arctic
ISSN 2470-7414
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This issue of Arctic and International Relations Series is dedicated to the long-standing relationship between the Canadian Studies Center, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, and the Foundation for Educational Exchange Between Canada and the United States of America, Ottawa (Fulbright Canada); and the more recent collaboration between the our Center and the Fulbright Program, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State.
Contributors: G. Hoogensen Gjørv, A.M. Hansen, G.P. Holdmann, N. Johnson, B. Már Magnússon, G. Poelzer, L. Sokka, M. Tysiachniouk.
Fall 2016, Issue #3 – Young and Emerging Scholars!
ISSN 2470-7414
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Welcome to our first Young and Emerging Scholars issue, featuring the work of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing the study of Arctic issues at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies (Jackson School). These young or emerging scholars are from diverse backgrounds and have wide-ranging scholarly interests. Yet all have a keen interest in understanding the enhanced role of the Arctic in international relations – both as a focus of and a new voice in global geopolitics. The undergraduate policy papers in Part I are extracted from much longer research papers that formed a 200-plus-page report assessing the status of the Arctic Council in its 20th year. The graduate student papers in Part II were developed in response to the current theme of “One Arctic,” adopted by the US chair of the Council. Both the Jackson School’s JSIS 495 Task Force on the Arctic and the JSIS 600 One Arctic courses engaged students in pedagogical approaches unique to our Center and School – study-in-Canada or immersion experiences and policy-relevant research.
Contributors: K. Brewster, E. Castro, R. Freeman, J. Habenicht, L. Heckenlively, M. Kilani, I. Laohajaratsang, D. Moore, J. Park, B. Ray, A. Rutz, K. Siebert, Y. Wang, J. Young.
Spring 2016, Issue #2 – The Arctic Council at Twenty
ISSN 2470-7414
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The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic nation-states, Arctic Indigenous organizations, and other Arctic inhabitants on challenges to the region. The Arctic Council is a unique international forum both historically and globally. It is the first international institution formed in dialogue with Indigenous peoples and the first where nation-states and Indigenous organizations work on almost equal par to provide coordination for international decision making concerning the circumpolar world.
Contributors: J. Arteau, F. Griffiths, J.D. Kim, J. Kim, T. Leschine, S. Montgomery, S. Myers, H. Nicol, B. Ray, O. Young.
Fall 2015, Issue #1 – Québec Policy on the Arctic: Challenges and Perspectives
ISSN 2470-7414
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Québec is an important part of the circumpolar world. It is the only province in Canada that has a vast Arctic territory where approximately 16 percent of the world’s Inuit reside. Québec is a leader in Arctic affairs both in Canada and globally and has a unique relationship with the Inuit of Nunavik (Nunavimmiut). The Québec–Nunavik relationship is a model for a dynamic relationship between a subnational government and an Indigenous region. It provides a model for Arctic nation-states, subnational regions, the Arctic Council, and the Arctic Indigenous–Qallunaat (outsider) relationship globally. In this report, scholars and practitioners discuss the Québec–Nunavik relationship, including its history; current economic, environmental and social challenges; and considerations for the future.
Contributors: L. Arragutainaq, R. Bone, N. Fabbi, C. Fletcher, V. Gallucci, J. Heath, M. McEachern, D. Patrick, J. Plouffe, E. Ready, T. Rodon, M. Watson, G. Wilson.