Arctic sovereignty overshadowing everyday issues in federal election for some Nunavummiut

While federal party leaders have been focusing on Arctic sovereignty in the lead up to the federal election, some Nunavummiut say it has been overshadowing more urgent issues. 

Threats from the U.S., Russia and China, have led to rising interest in the region, making the issue a key talking point among many candidates as they campaign. And it's leaving some Nunavut residents frustrated.

"For me, sovereignty is an excuse to divert from what we actually need in Nunavut," said Vincent Ningark, a resident of Kugaaruk. "We don't need protection from the military, we just need better health care, better facilities … [the] carbon taxes brought down."

Candidates from four federal parties are running for Nunavut's lone seat in Ottawa. The Liberals have promised to strengthen military presence and invest in infrastructure in the Arctic.

The Conservatives' have committed to building a permanent Arctic military in Iqaluit and an Arctic security corridor between Yellowknife, N.W.T. and Grays Bay, Nunavut.

The NDP has promised to invest in Arctic infrastructure, while the Greens say they will strengthen coastal security and expand security patrols in the Arctic.

Aaju Peter, an Inuk activist and lawyer who lives in Iqaluit, said she takes Arctic sovereignty "very seriously," but she believes there are other more important issues facing Nunavummiut that the federal government needs to solve. 

"They absolutely need to create a lot more infrastructure, invest a lot more money, and make us more equal to the rest of Canada," Peter said. "We have the highest food insecurity, we lack housing, we lack jobs…. We don't even have a university."

Peter wants the next federal government to pay attention to the needs of small northern communities.

"I think if you're going to put so much effort into the military, then you also need to benefit the communities at the same time."

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok has been advocating for federal funding for projects like the Grays Bay road and port and the Kivalliq Hydro Fibre network – projects he said will both strengthen Arctic security and improve community well-being. 

A reminder of broken promises

Billy Palluq, CAO of Clyde River, said he's concerned about the long-term impacts of military presence in Nunavut. He recalls the Canadian Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line sites used across Baffin Island during the Cold War and how they left behind contaminants that took years to clean up. 

"Now that everything's been cleaned out, if they have to come back and then they'll just pollute it again," Palluq said. 

Despite his concerns, Palluq said he's not taking any party's promises about Arctic sovereignty "too seriously."

"As soon as the government is elected, they will likely end up neglecting the Arctic again," Palluq said. "So it's really not going to affect the North, that's what I think."

Ningark feels there have been many broken promises from the Canadian government in the effort to maintain Arctic sovereignty, including those made during the forced resettlement of Inuit in the 1950s. 

"We've been forced off our land to move to settlements and communities and were promised better housing, better health, a better life…. And we've been struggling."

Peter hopes that this time, promises to improve everyday life in the Arctic will not go unrealized. 

"I think Canada is realizing how far behind they are in fulfilling the promises that they have made. And I'm just hoping that these are not just empty promises."