The 2010 ICC Nuuk Declaration

Each Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly produces a Declaration which reflects the presentations and discussions heard during the week. In addition the declaration is like a blueprint which sets out the work for ICC during the next four years. The 2010 ICC Nuuk Declaration is no different, but I would add that it is a visionary document which also reflects what is happening around us in the world and which affect us as Inuit.

For example, key issues that are in the news and at the top of political agendas in many states are included in the Nuuk Declaration. The tragic and horrific BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is specifically mentioned in the declaration. Many presentations and individual comments this week made references to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. We have strong and legitimate concerns about this issue because a spill in the Arctic Ocean would arguably have more devastating consequences on our environment and communities.

As a matter of urgency, we included a clause calling on the holding of an Inuit leader’s summit on resource development with the aim of developing a common circumpolar Inuit position on environmental, economic, social and cultural assessment processes.

Related issues, such as climate change, arctic sovereignty, and arctic shipping are also reflected in the seven-page Nuuk Declaration in the most contemporary terms. Inuit are witnessing firsthand many changes to our environment directly linked to climate change. The melting ice is linked to Arctic Sovereignty and shipping, as a shorter shipping route is opening up in the Arctic. There is already increased shipping, and more is predicted. The many clauses addressing these issues have at their root that Inuit are extremely concerned about climate change and its consequences on the Arctic environment. We are also saying that we want to be at the table when issues related to sovereignty in our respective countries are discussed.

Significantly the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was passed in 2007, a year after the last ICC General Assembly held in Alaska. Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand voted against it. Australia and New Zealand have since changed their vote and now support it. This important internationally supported instrument is now law, and included in the Nuuk Declaration. ICC has a mandate to ensure Inuit are aware of the declaration and work with their respective countries to implement it. Canadians and Alaskans have additional work to continue to lobby our respective governments to support the UN Declaration without any preconditions.

The Nuuk Declaration also restates our commitment and support of the Arctic Council as the central forum for international cooperation in the Arctic. Furthermore Arctic states must include Inuit in all bi-lateral and multi-later meetings of importance to Inuit.

There are 54 clauses in the Declaration which is called “Inoqatigiinneg – Sharing Life”. So far reading through this blog post you might think we are mostly concerned with international legal instruments affecting us as Inuit. But I am pleased to conclude with what I feel is just as important, and reflects what I stated at the beginning of the week – our health. Clause 35 calls on ICC to advance Inuit health and well-being by implementing the 2010-2014 Circumpolar Inuit Health Strategy. The focus is on improving the health of Inuit families. There are additional clauses that address more specific issues, such as food security. I firmly believe that our next challenge, as Inuit, is to improve our collective health and wellbeing.

I want to end by wishing everyone in Canada who is reading this today a very happy Canada Day. We sang Oh Canada in Inuktitut at the beginning of our meeting in here in Greenland, and held up the same little Canada flags we all know so well at Canada Day celebrations back home.