Gary N. Wilson

Inuit diplomacy in the circumpolar north

Over the past three decades, the Inuit peoples of the circumpolar north have played an increasingly important and influential role in Arctic affairs. Multilateral, transnational organizations such as the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) have represented and defended Inuit interests and have participated directly with international and state agencies, as well as other non‐governmental organizations, in a number of important environmental and development initiatives. This diplomatic effort is multi‐faceted and draws considerable strength from the efforts of particular individuals who have championed the Inuit cause. Although the ICC will find that its collective influence in the future is challenged by internal divisions, a lack of capacity, and bilateralism, all of which are affected by the increasing regional autonomy of Inuit regions, this organization will remain at the forefront of Inuit efforts to respond to the political, economic, and social challenges facing the circumpolar north.

I'm Not Dead Yet: A Comparative Study of Indigenous Language Revitalization in the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

At the outset of the twenty-first century, the survival of many minority and indigenous languages is threatened by globalization and the ubiquity of dominant languages such as English in the worlds of communication and commerce. In a number of cases, these negative trends are being resisted by grassroots activists and governments. Indeed, there are many examples of activists and governments working together in this manner to preserve and revitalize indigenous languages and cultures. Such coordinated efforts are vital to the success of language revitalization. This article compares the work of language activists and governments in three small island jurisdictions in the British Isles: the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. Comparison between these cases is greatly facilitated by similarities in their political, economic and demographic circumstances. The cases, however, reveal important differences in the way that activists and governments have responded to the challenges of language revitalization, as well as some interesting insights on the future prospects of the indigenous languages of these small island jurisdictions.

The Dynamics of Intra-jurisdictional Relations in the Inuit Regions of the Canadian Arctic: An Institutionalist Perspective

One of the most exciting developments in Canadian federalism has been the emergence of Aboriginal self-governing regions. This paper constructs a theoretical framework for exploring the evolution of intra-jurisdictional relations in the self-governing Inuit regions of the Canadian Arctic. Intra-jurisdictional relations in these regions are characterized by a unique set of relationships between elected governments and organizations that represent the beneficiaries of land-claims agreements. Using the literature on historical institutionalism, we argue that the nature of Inuit intra-jurisdictional relations following the establishment of self-government can be explained by the institutional choices made prior to the signing of land-claims agreements and/or self-government agreements. To illustrate the potential of our framework for analysing Inuit intra-jurisdictional relations, we briefly examine the experiences of Nunavut, an Inuit-dominated region and the newest territory in the Canadian federation.

Northern Sustainabilities: Understanding and Addressing Change in the Circumpolar World

Sustainability’ is a major concern in the North, given the rapid environmental and social (including political, economic and cultural) changes the region is undergoing. Yet the definition of what sustainability is, and how it might be achieved, are still much debated. Where one is located, both geographically and socially, influences how one perceives ‘sustainability’. This volume addresses various facets of northern sustainability in a variety of places across the Circumpolar North and from a variety of perspectives, thus contributing to our understandings of the multiple dimensions of sustainability in the arctic and sub-arctic regions of the world.

Exploring Sustainabilities in the Circumpolar North

‘Sustainability’ is a major concern in the North, given the rapid environmental and social (including political, economic and cultural) changes the region is undergoing. Yet the definition of what sustainability is, and how it might be achieved, are still much debated. Where one is located, both geographically and socially, influences how one perceives ‘sustainability’. This volume addresses various facets of northern sustainability in a variety of places across the Circumpolar North and from a variety of perspectives, thus contributing to our understandings of the multiple dimensions of sustainability in the arctic and sub-arctic regions of the world.