Locations
Indigenous-led conservation in the Arctic
For thousands of years, Inuit communities have relied on and cared for Pikialasorsuaq, a unique polynya spanning the waters between Canada and Greenland.
Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Vincent Desrosiers
In the heart of the Arctic, where ice and ocean intertwine, a hidden world teems with life. Here, in the Pikialasorsuaq polynya—a rare oasis of open water surrounded by thick ice—narwhals, belugas, polar bears and seabirds thrive. For millennia, Inuit communities have safeguarded this vital ecosystem, drawing upon their deep knowledge of land and sea. But as glaciers melt and sea ice retreats at an alarming rate, this fragile balance is under threat. On World Water Day 2025, dedicated to the theme of glacier preservation, we turn our gaze to those who stand at the frontlines of this battle: the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), a winner of UNDP’s Equator Prize 2023, leading the charge to protect the Arctic's last ice stronghold.
A vanishing landscape
Glaciers are disappearing faster than ever. Rising global temperatures are accelerating ice loss, disrupting the water cycle and fueling extreme weather. From catastrophic floods to prolonged droughts, the effects of glacial retreat are already reshaping landscapes and livelihoods for billions of people around the world.
For the Arctic, the stakes are even higher. The Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union has reported that while global sea ice reached a record low in early February 2025, Arctic sea ice declined even further, shrinking to unprecedented levels— 8 percent below the monthly average. The Arctic is heating up nearly three times faster than the rest of the planet.
Pikialasorsuaq, also known as "the Great Upwelling", is especially vulnerable. Situated in the high Arctic between northern Baffin Bay and the Nares Strait, this unique polynya, spans the waters between Greenland and Nunavut, Canada. A region that the Inuit communities have relied on for thousands of years, Pikialasorsuaq is now confronting unsettling challenges that threaten traditional ways of life. For the 5,000 Inuit living along the coastlines of this polynya, these changes represent an existential crises.
The Arctic is highly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures are accelerating ice loss and sending glaciers into retreat.
Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Kuupik V. Kleist
The Inuit Circumpolar Council leading the way
Recognizing the urgent need to protect Pikialasorsuaq, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) took a significant step in 2016 by establishing the Pikialasorsuaq Commission. Through a series of extensive consultations with elders, hunters and young people, the commission gathered Inuit knowledge and perspectives on the region’s ecological and cultural importance. A clear consensus emerged. Inuit communities must play a central role in the decision-making and management of Pikialasorsuaq. This initiative culminated in the 2017 report ‘People of the Ice Bridge: The Future of Pikialasorsuaq,’ which outlined recommendations for ensuring Inuit leadership in conservation.
Winner of UNDP’s Equator Prize 2023, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is leading the charge to protect the Arctic ice.
Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Kuupik V. Kleist
As a result of the ICC's advocacy, a major milestone was reached in 2023 when the governments of Canada and Greenland agreed to cooperate on the management and protection of Pikialasorsuaq. This was a historic step toward Inuit-led governance. The following year, the ICC convened the first Meeting of the Parties, bringing together Inuit representatives, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the development of an Inuit Management Authority. This meeting underscored the necessity of ensuring that Inuit leadership guides conservation, transportation and sustainable resource use in Pikialasorsuaq. With governmental recognition and growing international support, the ICC continues to champion a governance model that integrates Inuit knowledge, protects biodiversity and sustains the livelihoods of Arctic communities.
As glaciers melt and sea ice retreats, traditional ways of life are under threat.
Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Christopher Debiki
"Greenland and Canada share an Arctic treasure. We heard loud and clear from citizens in communities that are connected with Pikialasorsuaq that they want steps to be taken to protect it for future generations. People from the communities adjacent to Pikialasorsuaq want to be involved in the management and monitoring of this unique ecosystem. They recognize that the health of the species upon which they depend is connected to the health of the Pikialasorsuaq."
— Kuupik V. Kleist, Former Greenlandic Pikialasorsuaq Commissioner
Inuit-led management area
Building on this momentum, the ICC continues to advocate for the formal designation of Pikialasorsuaq as an Inuit-led management area. This proposal encompasses 8.5 million hectares of Arctic open water, a region critical to marine biodiversity and Inuit ways of life. This would not only protect the fragile ecosystem but also ensure that Inuit retain their rights to use and steward these waters. By integrating Indigenous knowledge with contemporary conservation science, the ICC is shaping a model for sustainable resource management that respects both environmental needs and Inuit cultural heritage.
To preserve the ice and the region's critical biodiversity, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is advocating for the official designation of Pikialasorsuaq as an Inuit-led management area.
Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Vincent Desrosiers
The management area would also address broader issues related to Arctic governance, including the protection of vulnerable species such as polar bears, walruses and Atlantic cod. It seeks to restore historical Inuit mobility by advocating for visa-free cross-border travel, acknowledging Pikialasorsuaq’s long-standing role as a corridor for intercommunity exchange. The ICC’s vision not only secures the ecological future of Pikialasorsuaq but also reinforces the global recognition of Indigenous-led environmental stewardship. By setting a powerful precedent, this initiative highlights the importance of harmonizing conservation with Indigenous rights, ensuring that Inuit remain at the forefront of safeguarding their homelands.
Protecting a frozen legacy
"The Pikialasorsuaq is not just an ocean or a unique wildlife area impacted by climate change. This is our home, our Nuna. This shared body of water defines who we are as a people—it connects us."
— Okalik Eegeesiak, Former ICC International Chair
Inuit knowledge has long been the foundation of survival and stewardship in the Arctic, shaping the ways communities interact with the land and sea. This deep understanding of marine ecosystems, passed from elders to younger generations, has enabled Inuit to navigate and protect their environment despite harsh and changing conditions. Today, as climate change accelerates, the ICC is working to ensure that this invaluable knowledge continues to play a central role in conservation efforts.
Through their project ‘Pikialasorsuaq – Inuit Knowledge of Marine Ecology in Northwest Greenland,’ the ICC is gathering critical insights from Inuit hunters, fishers and knowledge holders to later inform policies around marine protection and the establishment of protected areas as well as guide regulatory frameworks that reflect Indigenous priorities.
At the core of this initiative are Inuit-led workshops, which provide a space for communities to share ecological observations and traditional practices. These gatherings allow hunters and fishers to document shifting sea ice conditions, wildlife migration patterns and resource availability.
Integrating Indigenous knowledge with contemporary conservation science, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is shaping a model for sustainable resource management that respects both environmental needs and Inuit cultural heritage.
Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Vincent Desrosiers
Beyond their scientific value, these efforts ensure that the transmission of Inuit knowledge remains strong, empowering younger generations to uphold their responsibilities as caretakers of the Arctic. ICC is demonstrating that protecting the environment and preserving culture are deeply interconnected, reinforcing the idea that safeguarding Arctic ice also means safeguarding Inuit identity.
Solidarity with the guardians of Pikialasorsuaq
The story of Pikialasorsuaq is a reminder that glacier preservation is not just about ice. It’s about the intricate weave of people, cultures and ecosystems. Photo: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Kuupik V. Kleist
The story of Pikialasorsuaq is a reminder that glacier preservation is not just about ice—it’s about the intricate weave of people, cultures and ecosystems. The work of the ICC is a testament to the power of Indigenous leadership in confronting the multi-layered climate crisis.
By supporting Indigenous-led conservation, advocating for policies that protect Arctic ice, and amplifying Inuit voices, we can help ensure that Pikialasorsuaq remains a beacon of resilience for generations to come.
"We call on our governments to support the Inuit-led efforts to safeguard this rich area with great biological productivity and economic and cultural importance for Inuit."
— Sara Olsvig, ICC International Chair
The Arctic is changing, but the determination of Inuit remains steadfast. As the entire world watches its glaciers recede, we must also witness the strength of those fighting to preserve them. On this year’s World Water Day, let us stand in solidarity with the guardians of Pikialasorsuaq as they break the ice on vital conversations about Indigenous-led glacier preservation and protect the waters that sustain us all.
To learn more about the Inuit Circumpolar Council's commitment to preserving Pikialasorsuaq, please read the dedicated case study published by the Equator Initiative."
