Understanding the Social and Economic Impacts of Mining Development in Inuit Communities: Experiences with Past and Present Mines in Inuit Nunangat

Authors

  • Thierry Rodon Université Laval, Québec City
  • Francis Lévesque Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22584/nr41.2015.002

Abstract

In this article, we examine whether the social and economic impacts of mines on Inuit communities have changed over time, based on Inuit experiences. After an overview of the past experiences of Inuit with the mining industry in Inuit Nunangat between 1957 and the early 2000s, we analyze the complex relation between Inuit communities in the vicinity of mines using recent fieldwork conducted in the Inuit communities located near two active mines in Inuit Nunangat: Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik) and the Raglan nickel mine and Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake, Nunavut) and the Meadowbank gold mine. We argue that much work remains to be done to understand the economic and social impacts of mining development on Inuit communities.

Author Biographies

Thierry Rodon, Université Laval, Québec City

Northern Sustainable Development Research
Chair, Associate Professor of Political Science, and Director of
the Interuniversity Centre for Aboriginal Studies and Research

Francis Lévesque, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

Research-Professor, Director of the Aboriginal Training and Program Development Unit (ATPDU), Department of Human and Social Development
Northern Review 41 Cover photo Koidern, Yukon by Syd Cannings

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Published

09/25/2015

Issue

No. 41 (2015)

Section

Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic

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