Of knowledge, research, and Arctic diplomacy through a next generation global lens: Students On Ice connect with communities
OTTAWA—Inundated as we are with so much public-policy debate along with incessant social media about security, sovereignty, and simple solutions, it can be more uplifting to hear about building connections, community, and inspirational leadership from our next generation.
July 9 was Nunavut Day. It was also the date for a special launch event of the Students on Ice (SOI) North-to-North Expedition hosted by the Canadian Museum of Nature.
In attendance were more than 100 students, educators, artists, scientists, Indigenous Knowledge Holders, and others, many of whom were about to embark on a 22-day voyage across the ocean to Nuuk, Greenland, and then back across to Iqaluit, Nunavut, visiting various communities, connecting with people and the land along the way.
The SOI Foundation is a truly global venture having students and educators from every corner of the globe experience to better understand first-hand and to learn more about our planet of people, land, climate, water, and ice and their complex interactions.
The SOI Foundation, established 25 years ago by the visionary Geoff Green (he was wearing his original T-shirt from that very first event), has been organizing polar journeys to inspire youth to both poles annually. One of these, the 2017 SOI C3 (coast to coast to coast) voyage across the country in 150 days celebrating Canada's 150th was a truly impressive expedition. This year is no exception with three expeditions lined up, including the North-to-North traverse.
At the museum, (the students had several visits to various facilities earlier including its impressive Natural Heritage campus in Gatineau), Green also welcomed several distinguished guests, including the ambassadors from Sweden and Finland, as well as the Indian deputy high commissioner. Green reminded the group of the significance of the 30th anniversaries of both the Arctic Council founded in Montreal in September 1996 with eight circumpolar nations, and the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Nordic Arctic Program.
At the July 9 SOI event, one of Nunavut's key architects, Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell, spoke to the group about the historic significance of Nunavut Day, emphasizing the need to embed and recognize Inuit ways of learning into respective knowledge systems. She noted that “knowledge is something no one can take from you.”
Canada’s Arctic Ambassador and Senior Arctic Official Ambassador Virginia Mearns—appointed in 2025—reflected on how the youth group can use this expedition as a rare window to “learn, grow and connect."
Some of these youth voices came to speak of the inspiring journey to Nunavut, Greenland, Sweden, Finland and Norway while referring to this opportunity as life-changing, and making a difference in their own knowledge and experiences.
The president and CEO of Canadian North, Shelly De Caria, underscored the northern job economy and the vital importance of showing youth what is possible. As she poignantly noted, “You can’t become what you can’t see” and Inuk singer-songwriter and educator Aasiva Nakashook—who is on the voyage— provided an uplifting singing performance.
Natan Obed, the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, touched on current geopolitical issues, but also challenged the youth to look beyond this and assess their surroundings, encouraging them to “see more than the water and the land ... see the interconnectedness of it all.”
No doubt these future leaders, diplomats, and educators will return to their respective communities and regions having experienced a world with which they are largely unfamiliar, but also be in a position to influence future public policy through diplomacy, community development, and other exchanges in a meaningful way. For example, preparations are already well underway for the Fifth International Polar Year, in 2032-33. Canada will participate in IPY-5 with key contributions to make in advancing polar science, sustainable development and relevant knowledge. The research and community-based sharing that will take place can impact Canada and elsewhere throughout many regions here and globally.
Readers can access the travel log for the expedition here or at soifoundation.org/en.
For a 25th anniversary history of the SOI, readers can also check out the magnificent book Hearts Wide Open: Polar Journeys inspiring Global Youth (with a foreword by Canada's former governor general Mary Simon.
Paul Dufour is a fellow and adjunct professor at the Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa.
The Hill Times