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Arctic Defence Spending: How Will it Impact Indigenous Communities?

by ICC Staff

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As part of its Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF), the federal government has recently announced up to $6 billion in spending to further establish its presence in Canada’s arctic, with a portion of that funding set toward Indigenous communities in the area. Analysts forecast that such initiatives could have vast implications, both positive and negative, particularly for Inuit communities.

The arctic, according to the ANPF, is set to play a profound geopolitical role in the present and coming decades –– owing to its critical resources in addition to its passageways which could dramatically reduce travel times for cargo. As global warming proliferates, moreover, and the volume of sea ice continues to shrink with each subsequent winter, the geopolitical significance of the region will only increase.

“By 2050,” says the report, “the Arctic Ocean will become an increasingly viable shipping route between Europe and Asia during the summer.” Furthermore, with the rise in global instability facilitated by military conflict, the primacy of arctic control is not just an essential economic imperative, but a strategic one as well.

To address these shifts, Canada’s government is prioritizing the development of infrastructure, procurement of new defence technologies, and enhanced surveillance and mobility in the region. That includes the construction of new military facilities, the deployment of icebreakers, and investment in radar and communications systems capable of operating in extreme northern conditions. 

However, these initiatives bring a host of challenges, particularly for Indigenous communities whose lives and cultures are closely tied to the land. An expanded military footprint could disrupt local ecosystems, affect hunting and fishing grounds, and impose new social dynamics on remote communities.  

While some Indigenous leaders have welcomed the potential for infrastructure development and employment opportunities, others caution against top-down development without meaningful consultation. 

Partnerships that respect and advance Inuit self-determination, rights, and governance are therefore pivotal to achieving the framework’s goals and objectives,” says Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, regarding the ANPF.  

One potential benefit is the possibility of dual-use infrastructure, roads, airstrips, and telecommunications built for defence purposes could also serve nearby communities. Moreover, if procurement contracts are awarded in partnership with Indigenous-owned businesses, the investment could provide long-term economic benefits to the region. 

But critics remain wary. The history of defence and resource extraction in the North has too often involved exclusion rather than collaboration. Environmental degradation, the disruption of traditional livelihoods, and insufficient local input are ongoing concerns. There is also the question of whether the military’s goals, national security and territorial control, are always compatible with Indigenous priorities such as community well-being and self-determination. 

Ultimately, the impact of Arctic defence spending on Indigenous communities will depend not only on how much is spent, but how and with whom. Ensuring Indigenous voices are not only heard but empowered in shaping Arctic defence policy will be critical in balancing sovereignty with reconciliation. 

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