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were approved to work out of the CHARS campus,
totalling over 700 field person days. Some of these
activities included substantial in-field technical and
research support from POLAR staff and resources.
BEC: “CHARS campus symbolizes a new chapter in
Canada’s polar leadership.” What does this sentence
mean to you?
DS: A new chapter in Canada’s polar leadership
means that we will be working in close collaboration
with Northerners to co-create the new knowledge
that Arctic and Canadian communities need to
understand pan-Arctic change — in order to adapt to
today’s conditions and better plan for the future.
It also means facilitating inclusive collaboration
between scientists and Indigenous knowledge
holders. Science coupled with Indigenous
knowledge is key to developing the best new
knowledge to support evidence-based decisions
needed to enable Northerners and all Canadians
to adapt to today’s conditions and prepare for the BEC: Where do you see POLAR in 10 years?
future. DS: At POLAR, we’re looking to a future with more
Inuit employees working at the CHARS campus
The CHARS campus will position Canada as a across all job groups and levels, aiming to increase
global polar player through enhanced partnerships overall Inuit representation, as per our Inuit
with Arctic and Antarctic research partners that can Employment Plan. It is POLAR’s medium-term goal
assist in understanding a range of relevant issues to achieve 64 per cent Inuit representation in all
for Canada and its northern communities, including its positions at the CHARS campus, with 21 Inuit
climate change and sea-level rise, present and employees in 33 positions.
future. The welcoming spaces for teaching, training
and community engagement spark opportunities Over the next ten years, POLAR also plans to
for knowledge exchange that mark a new chapter in actively engage with local Inuit children and youth,
Canada’s polar leadership. inspiring them to become the next generation of
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