Growing up closely connected to so called northern Canada has significantly shaped my understanding of community, culture, and especially climate change. As a young Inuk from Tuktuuyaqtuuq, conversations regarding the future of the Arctic are personal because it’s about my home. Climate change and growing political interest in the Arctic have brought more attention to the North, but sometimes these conversations feel far removed from the people who live here. When people talk about the future of the Arctic, they are also talking about our home and our future. That is why I believe Inuit, especially Inuit youth like myself, need to be a part of those conversations from the beginning, as we will be the ones responding to the future impacts of climate change.
In Tuktuuyaqtuuq, we do not have to look very far to see the effects of climate change. Coastal erosion has been an ongoing concern for our community, with parts of the shoreline disappearing and some homes having to be moved farther inland. Permafrost is thawing, and changes in sea ice can affect when and how people safely travel on the land and water. These changes are not distant threats. They are happening right now in a place I call home. In Tuktuuyaqtuuq, below my Nanak's (grandmother) house, she was losing more and more of her beach every year, and her house began tilting downwards. If it weren’t for the recent coastal erosion project, her house might have not survived the next storm. Although she is now safe, she has lost her beach and now sits above huge rocks. Tuktuuyaqtuuq is not the only community facing these challenges either.
To me, Inuit sovereignty and self-determination are about more than having a seat at the table. They are about Inuit having the ability to make decisions for ourselves, for our communities, and the land we live on and depend on. Inuit have lived in the Arctic for generations, and our knowledge comes from that relationship with the land. Any decisions directly affecting the North should reflect the knowledge of the people who live there, more importantly the Inuit voices. Living and working in Tuktuuyaqtuuq has helped me understand the challenges small communities face from a changing climate. I also see the knowledge and leadership that already exists within the communities, and how important it is for youth to listen and engage in these conversations. These conversations should not be held behind closed doors but should include the entire community and give everyone an opportunity to share their concerns. It begins within our communities, through people outside of leadership sharing their knowledge, and people supporting one another, finding solutions to protect the Arctic.
Youth have an important role in this because we are learning from the generations before us while also bringing our own personal experiences and ideas forward. Inuit youth will live with the long-term effects of the decisions being made about climate change, and that is why our voices should not only be included but encouraged and supported by older generations.
This becomes even more important as the Arctic receives greater international attention and as global climate discussions such as COP31 approach. People from around the world are making decisions about climate action, while the Arctic is experiencing some of the most significant changes. Inuit need to be involved and able to share their knowledge and experiences, which should be valued alongside scientific and political perspectives.
When I think about the future, I hope the next generation of Inuit youth grows up knowing that their voices matter. I want them to see that Inuit can be represented in research, community leadership, climate discussions, and even international spaces such as COP31. That is what sovereignty, self-determination, and climate leadership mean to me: the ability to shape our own future while carrying forward the knowledge of the generations before us.
À propos de l'auteur
Tiki Stefure is an Inuvialuk from Tuktuuyaqtuuq, Northwest Territories. Tiki spent much of their childhood in Thorsby, Alberta, where they were raised while pursuing greater educational opportunities. They now live in Nanaimo, British Columbia, where they attend Vancouver Island University. They are currently completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology with minors in Criminology and Psychology. Their experiences growing up between the North and southern Canada have shaped their perspective and strengthened their connection to their culture. Outside of school, Tiki currently sits on the Youth Climate Action Council, where they represent and advocate for the tundra region of so-called Canada.
