Q1. Where does Real Ice conduct its research?
Real Ice is currently working in Cambridge Bay, a small community located on Victoria Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Our continued relationship with the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay also facilitates our research.
Q2. What strategy does Real Ice have in place to effectively engage the local community with the research?
A. We are committed to engaging with local communities in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognising Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Cambridge Bay residents to give or withhold their consent to Real Ice’s fieldwork activities that may affect their land or resources.
We also operate in line with the protocols of the Inuit Circumpolar Council to ensure equitable and ethical engagement. Our approach involves close collaboration with traditional knowledge holders. Local Hunters and Trappers Organisation members are a core part of our research team.
We also engage through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, municipal councils and Indigenous-led organisations. We have been conducting community outreach and consultations through local public demonstrations, open dialogue workshops, and schools before, during and after our research activities.
Following each research season, we share and discuss our preliminary findings with community members to allow local people to validate or challenge interpretations. We are prioritising long-term relationship development with the residents of Cambridge Bay to support Indigenous partnerships and community leadership throughout our research and for planning future operations
Q3. What is Real Ice doing to ensure their presence is contributing positively to the local community?​
A. Real Ice is providing employment opportunities to local consultants from the community and to members of the Cambridge Bay Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization over a multi-year period.