Nunavut Arctic College

For youth from Arviat, Nunavut this is a chance to influence the governments negotiating the Kyoto Protocol and to raise awareness among NGOs, corporations, universities, Indigenous groups, and youth from around the world on how climate change is affecting Inuit from the Canadian Arctic.

Youth will host a week-long exhibit, participate in a side-event with the Inuit Circumpolar Council, meet with African youth journalists from Lesotho, and interview Kumi Naidoo from Greenpeace. They will document the international event using video and make a film about their experiences upon returning to Arviat.

To prepare for COP17/CMP7, Mr. Jordan Konek, 23, from Arviat created the film, “Experiences of Climate Change from Inuit Elders”. Today the film was made publicly available through YouTube: http://youtu.be/NK8YFA3G9JY.

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Mr. Konek's work was recently highlighted at a multi-geographic film festival which connected the Arviat community, York University, the University of British Columbia, and viewers from across Canada to watch films on Inuit climate change perspectives.

Listening to what Inuit Elders have to say about climate change is important. Mr. Jordan Konek states, “There are a lot of reasons why we should use Inuit Elders as our leaders to make changes, they know a lot.”

Inuit youth researcher, Mr. Curtis Kuunuaq Konek, 21, from Arviat will also be attending COP17/CMP. He thinks its important for young people to learn more about Inuit traditional knowledge and is looking forward to sharing Inuit climate change lessons with a global audience in Durban.

Dr. Frank Tester, professor from the University of British Columbia School of Social Work and UBC student Ms. April Dutheil will also be travelling to COP17 with the Koneks.

• Access Live Webcasts & Blogs from Durban: nanisiniq.tumblr.com
• Videos: nanisiniq.tumblr.com/video
• Follow us on Twitter: @NanisiniqArviat

DATES OF INTEREST

December 3-9th:
Hosting booth at International Conference Centre (ICC), Durban SA

December 6th 3pm SAST:
Press Conference at the Kosi Palm Room located on level 2, ICC

December 7th 8pm SAST:
Arviat youth participate in Inuit Circumpolar Council side-event, Room 4, ICC

December 10th:
Visit Lesotho, http://phelisanong.com/

For more information please contact:

Tamar Mukyunik, Arviat Coordinator
Phone: 1-867-857-2615
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it