Recap: Northern Lights
From February 7-11, 2023, the Students on Ice Foundation attended the Northern Lights Conference at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. This conference and trade show aims to highlight Eastern Canada’s Arctic and Northern Arctic industry, tourism, arts and culture. SOI was represented all week by our staff and alumni volunteers at our information booth and at various sessions. The following is a reflective blog, written by Tracy Moore, SOI’s Expedition Education Manager.
Relationships are built on key moments in time. That is the big takeaway for me from this year’s Northern Lights Conference. Yes – we were able to zoom, call, and send messages during the two years that travel was halted, but coming together with other stakeholders to co-develop ideas and solutions in person is much more impactful. During our five days at the conference, we had the privilege of making new friends and reconnecting with our alumni, and our long-standing SOI partners from Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut.
Reconnecting with our alumni in person was such an inspiring opportunity. Hearing how they are pioneering programs for youth to get engaged and keep the knowledge and people local, not having to travel to larger communities to engage in learning. Seeing how they are developing businesses based on cultural art and the history surrounding how those skills are passed down from generation to generation. Noting the importance of language and the creation of resources in Inuktitut to ensure the continued strengthening of the language. It was clear that these alumni are not only leading the way, they continue to carve the way forward on a daily basis.
The workshops at Northern Lights focused on capacity building in northern-led education, research, economic development, and the sustainable blue economy. It was great to see SOI alumni and partners representing Inuit businesses, organizations and communities and sharing their voices on these subjects.
Shared meanings, stories, and traditions are things that get transferred better in person. Sharing space with community members as we continue to amplify their voices, prioritize their needs, and co-create opportunities grounded in respect and sharing remains key to our SOI story.
Since the last time we participated at Northern Lights, SOI has launched our Blue Futures Pathways Program, Arctic Policy Cohort, and successfully executed our inaugural Ocean Conservation Expedition. All avenues where we have prioritized and amplified the voices of youth.
Just like our alumni, our SOI story also continues to evolve, and we want to bring everyone along for the ride. This past week we strengthened some new and developing relationships. We got to hear from some new partners, and we focused on incorporating more Indigenous youth voices into our programming. Many of these connections are in the early stages, but we are so proud to be developing something new and exciting for this upcoming year.
Now, we now find ourselves with the opportunity for our ship-based program to return to Inuit Nunangat. The timing could not be better to find ways to involve our new programs in our ship-based expeditions this summer, and for the years to come!