Polar Knowledge Canada opens Whitehorse, Yukon office to support Northern research
Press Release
From: Polar Knowledge Canada
January 09, 2025
Polar Knowledge Canada today announced the opening of a new office in Whitehorse, Yukon, at the Elijah Smith Building at 300 Main Street. This office is the first Northern hub of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. It will enable Polar Knowledge Canada to foster stronger relationships with researchers and Indigenous knowledge holders in Yukon. It will also allow Polar Knowledge Canada to recruit staff and build long-term capacity in Whitehorse and across the Yukon.
Headquartered at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Polar Knowledge Canada employs approximately 100 staff across Canada. Polar Knowledge Canada supports, funds and co-develops collaborative research initiatives across Canada’s North and prioritizes the leadership and participation of Indigenous knowledge holders and residents of Northern Canada in research and knowledge mobilization.
Polar Knowledge Canada’s long-term strategy, in close collaboration with other partners, is to advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship and the quality of life of Northerners.
Quotes
“Polar Knowledge Canada is expanding its ability to be a leader in Arctic science for all of Northern Canada. Working with more communities, developing more capacity and co-developing research with more Indigenous knowledge holders will be key to collaboratively addressing climate change and supporting Northern communities.”
– Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs of Canada and CanNor
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“We are very pleased to become more closely connected to the community of Yukon. These relationships are key to supporting Indigenous self-determination in research and expanding and disseminating knowledge to improve our understanding of the rapidly changing North.”
– Sue Kerr, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer
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Quick facts
- Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is a Government of Canada Agency responsible for strengthening Canadian leadership in polar science and promoting the development and distribution of knowledge of circumpolar regions. It was created by the Canadian High Arctic Research Station Act of 2015.
- POLAR undertakes and supports a wide variety of research across Canada’s North, much of it in collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders and international partners.
- The Canadian High Arctic Research Station is a world-class hub for science and technology in Canada’s North and is a major node in the network of national and international research infrastructure across the circumpolar North.
- Examples of research include baseline environmental research; testing the performance of clean energy technologies in the Arctic to help Northern communities reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and understanding emerging diseases affecting wildlife that threaten the sustainability of Northern food species.
- Since 2021, Polar Knowledge Canada has provided over $4 million through grants and contributions to support 25 projects across Yukon, in collaboration with Yukon First Nations, Yukon University and other Yukon residents and knowledge-holders. In addition, over $470,000 has been awarded to 119 students from 25 universities across Canada to support research projects in the Yukon, through the Northern Scientific Training Program.
Associated links
Contacts
Polar Knowledge Canada
Email: info@polar-polaire.gc.ca
Telephone: 867-391-0168
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