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Arctic Change 2024: Reflections and Lessons


An Exciting Opportunity in Ottawa

This December, I had the privilege of joining my lab mate, Kate Ortenzi, at the Arctic Change 2024 conference in Ottawa, Ontario, as a research assistant. It was my first time in Ottawa, and I was both excited and nervous—not just for the conference, but for everything the city had to offer. The weather was gloomy for most of our time there, with grey skies and chilly winds, but the city’s food scene more than made up for it. I indulged in delicious noodles and a variety of dishes from different cultures, each meal more comforting than the last. Despite being Canada’s capital, the city felt surprisingly quiet and calm, which gave me space to reflect during the busy conference.


Attending Arctic Change 2024 was a big step for me. I recently completed my Master’s degree, and this was my first major conference as a “professional” and not a student. To be honest, I was nervous about how I would present myself in a room filled with accomplished researchers and community leaders, even though I’ve attended many conferences during my studies. This time felt different—like I was stepping into a new chapter of my career, where the stakes felt higher and expectations heavier. By this point, you’d think I’d have it all figured out—my path, my goals, my purpose. But the truth is, I don’t, and I’ve come to realize that’s okay. What I do know is that this conference reawakened something in me: a deep love for northern research and the communities I’ve worked with in Nunatsiavut.


I found myself missing so much about my time in Nain. I missed the sea ice, the benthos, and the friendships I’ve built with the people there. The conference reminded me just how much community-based research means to me—and how passionate I am about conducting science that prioritizes meaningful relationships, shared knowledge, and local perspectives.


A New Era of Community-Based Research

The Arctic Change 2024 conference, hosted in Ottawa from December 9–12, marked the 20th anniversary of ArcticNet’s Annual Scientific Meeting and its 5th International Arctic Change Conference. This milestone event served as a dynamic hub for Arctic and northern research in Canada, bringing together researchers from the natural, health, and social sciences to address the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing Arctic region. Through interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge sharing, the conference aimed to advance our collective understanding of the Arctic and develop evidence-based strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.


This conference was a powerful reminder of how research in the North is evolving. Historically, studies conducted in regions like Nunatsiavut often prioritized the goals of researchers from southern institutions, overlooking the needs and priorities of Indigenous northern communities and Peoples. This disconnect left many communities—including Inuit, Innu, and other northern Indigenous groups—frustrated by research that offered little benefit to their people or their lands.


In recent years, there has been a significant push toward community-based research methodologies. These approaches prioritize building genuine relationships with community members and embedding their knowledge into the foundation of the research. Carla Pamak, one of the keynote speakers from the Nunatsiavut Government, captured this shift perfectly: “Indigenous peoples are the ones seeing the changes occurring on their land and waters. Incorporating their insights makes research more impactful for the regions it serves.”


This paradigm shift comes with an important lesson: If researchers cannot secure the funding or resources to work alongside northern communities meaningfully, they must either rework their projects or look elsewhere to conduct their research. It is no longer acceptable to justify the exclusion of local voices with excuses like “limited funding” or a preference for traditional, top-down methodologies.


The Arctic Eider Society echoed this sentiment, warning against over-reliance on advanced technologies in northern research. While innovations like remote sensing or autonomous monitoring systems may seem appealing, their high costs and maintenance requirements often make them inaccessible to smaller, resource-limited communities. Instead, researchers should prioritize solutions that are affordable, sustainable, and locally relevant.


Additionally, discussions at the conference critiqued the term “Indigenous knowledge.” Many attendees emphasized that this term oversimplifies the rich diversity of knowledge systems held by northern Indigenous communities. Recognizing and respecting the many forms of local knowledge is critical to conducting meaningful research in the Arctic.


Highlights in Community-Led Research and Collaboration

The conference offered numerous examples of how community leadership is reshaping Arctic research. One standout presentation featured a community-based film project from Nunavut, where an Inuk researcher investigated water contaminants in his region. This project highlighted the blending of identities often overlooked in research narratives: he was both a researcher and a community member, bridging the roles with remarkable insight and expertise.


What made this initiative especially compelling was its focus on reversing traditional research hierarchies. Southern researchers collaborated by providing training and technical support, while the Inuk researcher led the project, grounded in his community’s knowledge, priorities, and needs. This approach shifted the dynamic from one of external control to community-led action, integrating local and external knowledge systems in a way that felt meaningful and transformative.


The presentation was met with enthusiasm and applause, particularly from Indigenous attendees, who celebrated this profound shift in research dynamics—one where local leadership and lived experience take center stage in shaping the future of Arctic research.


Participatory scenarios exploring the future of Arctic char and Nunavimmiut fisheries by 2080 also stood out. Many presenters invited community members to co-present, ensuring the voices of those most directly impacted by the research were heard. Similarly, the Nunatsiavut Government and Sarah Wong from Environment and Climate Change Canada showcased bird-tracking research, with community involvement taking center stage. This participatory approach not only enriched discussions but also underscored the conference’s commitment to collaborative, community-led science.


The Power of Storytelling in Arctic Research

Storytelling emerged as a vital tool for Arctic science communication, as illustrated by David Borish’s Nanuk Narratives. By repurposing editing software for text-based coding, Borish’s team uncovered themes and keywords in community documentaries, aligning northern narratives with broader research goals.


Short films and documentaries proved to be particularly effective for engaging northern communities, providing an accessible format for communicating complex scientific outcomes. Unlike traditional academic publications, these visual narratives allowed research to be understood and appreciated by a broader audience. The success of storytelling at the conference underscored its potential as an essential methodology for future Arctic research.


My Contributions to the Conference

I had the privilege of presenting at the Amundsen Science booth, where I shared the documentation of the Makkovik Hanging Gardens—a unique underwater habitat revealed through community-based research and collaboration in Nunatsiavut waters. This work exemplifies how partnerships between researchers and Indigenous northern communities can uncover and protect vital Arctic ecosystems while addressing local priorities.


Looking ahead, I am thrilled to be leading a project focused on telling the story of the documentation of the coral hanging gardens through a documentary. This film will highlight both the community's and the researchers’ perspectives, capturing what this finding means for the future of research. The goal is to showcase how collaborative partnerships can lead to groundbreaking discoveries while laying the foundation for new conservation areas and habitat protection in the North.


Caption: Zach presenting at the Amundsen Science booth. Credit ZMK, 2024.


I also supported Kate Ortenzi’s presentation on the connections between community and the benthos. As a coauthor on this paper, I was proud to see it highlighted as a model for conducting research for northern communities, not merely in them. This methodology represents a critical paradigm shift in Arctic science, focusing on meaningful partnerships and local leadership.


Caption: Kate presenting at Artic Change 2024. Credit: ZMK, 2024.


Acknowledging Progress and the Path Forward

The Arctic Change 2024 conference was a powerful reminder of the significant strides made in shifting research in the circumpolar north toward community-based and collaborative approaches. However, it’s equally important to recognize how much work remains. While terms like "partnership" were frequently used throughout the conference, many discussions revealed that Southern researchers often still hold the power in deciding research priorities. True partnerships require equal decision-making, shared power, and long-term commitments to building capacity and trust within northern communities.


The road ahead involves more than just changing the terminology we use—it requires actionable steps to decolonize research practices. This includes relinquishing control over project goals, ensuring community-led initiatives, and focusing on long-term benefits for northern communities. If researchers truly want to call themselves "partners," they must demonstrate their commitment by centering northern voices and perspectives not just in research methods but also in the allocation of resources and leadership opportunities.


By acknowledging these gaps and working together to address them, we can continue building on the foundation of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect that has been established, ensuring that future research truly reflects the needs and aspirations of northern communities.


Closing Reflections

Arctic Change 2024 left me with a renewed sense of purpose. It reminded me of the power of collaboration and the importance of prioritizing local voices in research. More than that, it reignited my passion for northern research and the deep connections I’ve built in Nunatsiavut.


The conference celebrated a new era of Arctic science, one where communities take the lead, and researchers act as supportive partners. This experience has deepened my belief in the necessity of partnerships that respect local knowledge systems and empower communities to lead the way. The conference celebrated this transformative approach, and I am excited to see how these ideas will shape the future of Arctic science.

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