Aboriginal self-determination and resource development activity - Environmental and Human Security in the Arctic - page 187

Aboriginal self-determination and
resource development activity
Improving human security in the
Canadian Arctic ? 1
Gabrielle Slowey
The potential for abundant natural resources and a changing climate,
with resulting opportunities and challenges, are transforming the Arctic.
It has become a region of active economic and political cooperation and
competition, and of scientific research.
(Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 2009)
The Arctic is hot. The renewed focus on the region has occurred not only in
Canada but also the other seven states that border the Arctic Circle, as well
as other foreign powers interested in the region's potential, including Asia
and Europe. Discussions about the security of the Arctic in Canada centre on
matters of sovereignty and how best to protect Canada's national interests. In
the 2007 speech from the throne, the Canadian government made it clear that
the Arctic would be a priority, promising to increase Canada's presence on the
international stage by modernizing its military training facilities, expanding
surveillance and building a world-class scientific research station. But what
was of particular surprise in that same speech was that it also outlined a 'north-
ern strategy' that would essentially focus on increasing the human security of
the people living in the region. Promising to strengthen Canada's north, the
government pledged to protect the environment, promote economic devel-
opment and devolve governance 'so that northerners have greater control
over their destinies' ( The Canadian Press 2007). Reflecting on the promises
made in 2007, I pose the question: does self-government advance the human
security of Aboriginal peoples living in the Canadian north? And does self-
government represent a step forward towards a broader understanding of, and
improving, Canadian security in the Arctic? Looking at experiences set across
two Arctic communities, one in the Yukon and another in the Northwest
Territories (NWT), this chapter argues that, yes, self-government is critical
because it improves substantially the human security of Aboriginal peoples
by providing Aboriginal peoples and their governments the opportunity to
improve the socio-economic conditions of the community. Moreover, even
though Aboriginal governments themselves are not sovereign (unlike the
provincial or territorial governments that are constitutionally distinct under