Arctic Circle Assembly 2022: Recap Blog

This month, members of our Arctic Policy Cohort attended the Arctic Circle Assembly, the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic, attended by more than 2000 participants from over 60 countries. To meaningfully connect with the land and each other before the conference, our delegation explored the ice, volcanic rock, geothermal water, and vast ocean on a five-day expedition through Iceland.

On an expedition, much of the magic comes from the enthusiasm and collaboration of the youth joining us for the journey. This delegation connected with each other quickly through icebreakers, facilitated discussion circles, and a common interest in Arctic Policy. With visits to Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Station, Þingvellir National Park and the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, our relationships continued to grow, working through fears and tackling tough topics in conversation. We got to see the effects of climate change firsthand, by putting on crampons and grabbing ice axes to explore the crevasses and moulins of the Sólheimajökull glacier. 

Our local Icelandic guide, Siggi, provided valuable insight into environmental and social changes in Iceland over the past few decades. He narrated landscapes that were unfamiliar to us, bringing them to life through stories and questions to the group. Indigenous knowledge, policy, and climate change were all discussed by our group at length on bus rides and at dinner tables.

“Having the time and space to explore and learn about Iceland helped give context for the actual conference. It also helped to build really good connections within the group in order to be confident at the panel.”
– Arctic Policy Cohort Member

To end the expedition, we hopped on a ship and headed off the coast for a morning on the water, spotting a minke whale and many playful white-beaked dolphins, endemic to the area. While an incredible experience, it also provided us with the opportunity to learn about current illegal commercial whaling efforts, fisheries, and marine conservation measures in Iceland. Afterwards, we even got to spend some time with our friends at Iceland’s Ocean Cluster to speak with entrepreneurs in marine industries!

“It was such a great way to ground myself before the heaviness (like big thinking) during the conference. It was great to build connections with staff and fellow youth before the conference so I always had safe people around if I needed them.”
– Arctic Policy Cohort Member

In preparation for the assembly, we reflected on the past few days’ journey and refocused our goals and intentions for the conference in the days to come.

The Arctic Circle Assembly kicked off with a panel about the Engaging Young Leaders in Arctic Policy, featuring all six of our Arctic Policy delegates. The key takeaways from the panelists included;

• Young leaders need to be compensated for their contributions, internships, community projects, advice and insights
• Basic needs have to be met before young people will have the capacity to contribute to community decision-making (safe & affordable housing, mental health resources, food sovereignty, etc.)
• Opportunities for engaging jobs and community events need to be present for young people to want to stay in their Northern communities
• We need to bring decision-making conservations to places where youth are (community centers, sports teams, social media, local radio)
• Grassroots youth-led initiatives need reliable long-term funding, not two-year grants
• Young people need to develop a connection and love for the land if they are going to feel drawn to protect it

On day two, there was a fantastic plenary session about the Future of Canada’s North, featuring three of our delegates, and a bonus SOI Alumni panelist, Danielle Wendehorst. The main stage panel was moderated by another SOI friend and alumn, His Excellency Whit Fraiser, and attended by hundreds of delegates. This panel tackled topics such as mental health, life promotion, suicide prevention, and intergenerational trauma. Calls to action included the need for more community-led culturally appropriate mental health resources, connection to culture through time on the land, prioritizing TRC commitment #66, and treating increasing suicide rates in the north as an emergency.

In between attending other panels on Inuit knowledge, green hydrogen, deep tech innovations, energy in the north, geopolitics and security, our delegates had the opportunity to attend some off-book special events. Jeanette Menzies, Canadian Ambassador to Iceland, invited us to a private dinner, and Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, hosted a private meet-and-greet at which our delegates got to ask meaningful questions, and thank her for her leadership.

“The most valuable part of this conference for me was a reminder of my power – I haven’t felt powerful in a long time and the panel and plenary panel were great experiences for reminding me of the power that I hold as an Indigenous woman and a person with lived experiences of the issues youth from across the North face. This conference gave me hope for the future and helped me view a clear path forward.”
– Arctic Policy Cohort Member

At the end of every day, we met to debrief and check-in with each other. These were incredibly meaningful as we discussed the challenges faced and reflected on our day’s events, which were usually very full and emotional. With a renewed sense of enthusiasm and purpose, we can’t wait to take this experience and knowledge back to our local communities and start implementing a positive change for the next generation of climate leaders.

Special thanks to our sponsors the Leacross Foundation and Government Affairs Canada for their support in our attendance.

View photo gallery from the expedition here.
For more information visit the dedicated landing page here.