Ice and Water: Politics, Peoples, and the Arctic Council, by John English

Abstract

Reviewed by: Rob Huebert, University of CalgaryJohn English's Ice and Water provides an important albeit frustrating addition to our understanding of the process that changing international Arctic governance. It offers important insights into the Canadian efforts to create and promote the Arctic Council, presenting outstanding evidence and an insider's understanding of the intrigues involved. English examines in detail some of the most important phases of the creation of the Arctic Council. The book correctly focuses on the emphasis placed on the participation of northern Indigenous Peoples and in particular Canadian northern Indigenous Peoples.However, readers who lack a detailed understanding of the region and its politics may find the book confusing. First, it mistitled. It claims to be an examination of the creation of the Arctic Council. While it does provide important insights into its creation, its real focus the central role played by several Canadian individuals and nongovernment organizations. This really a book about Mary Simon, Franklyn Griffiths, and a number of other key Canadian officials. It also about the role played by the Gordon Foundation. There no question that they each deserve tremendous praise for their effort and perseverance in helping to create the Arctic Council, which, without them, would likely not exist today. But this not what English's book claims to do: its stated purpose is a history of the Arctic Council, a study of how a 21st century institution has roots in the human, ecological, and political developments of the most northern region of the planet (12).This promise at odds with English's methodology. He focuses on the role of the individual. While this an acceptable means of assessing the creation of international institutions, it necessary to ensure that the individuals selected are not presented as caricatures. Yet it becomes evident that English has a much more positive regard for individuals associated with the Liberal Party of Canada. The Arctic Council a very important achievement in Canadian foreign policy, but it was built on a bipartisan basis. One may take issue with the contents of that support, but there little question that from Brian Mulroney's first proposal of the Arctic Council in 1989 to Jean Chretien's success in gaining American acceptance of the idea in 1996, individuals from all sides of the Canadian political spectrum have been involved and supportive. Thus, English's tendency to portray Liberal supporters in much more sympathetic terms prevents a more nuanced understanding of the motives of all those involved.The book also discounts or completely ignores some critical actors. One reason for the Arctic Council's success its working groups and task force. These bodies, initiated by the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy and carried over into the Arctic Council, provided the continuity, expertise, and substance of much of the council's early work. As with the council itself, each body was created and supported through the work of key individuals. Furthermore, many of these individuals were Canadian. A chapter examining and explaining what these working groups and task force did needed. Readers need to know that Fred Roots was instrumental in setting up the very powerful Arctic Monitoring Program and that Jeanne Pagnan was critical to the success of Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna working group. Others such as Bernie Funston and Russel Shearer are left out. Perhaps even more problematic the complete omission of the critically important role Leslie Whitby played in the foundation of the task group on sustainable development. …