For hundreds of years, the Inuit have survived the world’s harshest conditions by living in balance with nature and thriving off the region’s pristine coastal waters. Many explorers talk of a unique ‘spirit’ within the Arctic, born from a vibrant culture and rich history unseen on the shores of its southern polar kin.

Since 2005, shipping traffic has risen by more than 75 percent in the region as climate change opens the Northwest Passage. But concerns from Inuit communities in Nunavut – the island-based territory that frames the notorious sea route – has resulted in the launch of a one-of-a-kind initiative that acts as a platform for northern voices while the Canadian government sets forth proposals for low-impact shipping corridors. By infusing local knowledge and cultural practices into the framework, a more sustainable Arctic shipping policy can be created; one that benefits the industry and preserves Inuit heritage for generations to come.

This article was featured in ECO's July/August issue. To read the full story, click here.