Leslie M. Tuck (1911 – 79) was a pioneer of Arctic ornithology. He made the first studies in Canada of the breeding biology of Arctic-breeding seabirds, making three visits to major seabird colonies (four colonies total at the three destinations) in the Eastern Arctic in the 1950s. His main purpose was to assess population sizes and demography of Thick-billed Murres. His aims were to better understand the impact of hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador, where probably hundreds of thousands of birds were being harvested annually, and to assess the sustainability of that hunt. His studies were the first of many that have been conducted subsequently. Using archived material, I assess the impact of Tuck’s work and the degree to which it was affected by logistical constraints, highlight the contribution of local Inuit to his research, and discuss some unanswered questions that Tuck’s observations posed. Despite Tuck’s prolific writing, both scientific and popular, questions remain about some of his results, particularly the number of birds in the colonies at the time of his visits, a statistic very pertinent to current conservation concerns. Sadly, because of lack of information on the methods he used, these questions cannot be answered unless further historical material comes to light.

We examined logistic range dynamics of three cyclic subpopulations of migratory barren-ground caribou in northern Canada (Qamanirjuaq, Bathurst, and George River). We used time series census data from each subpopulation cycle to project numbers (Nt), calculate subpopulation annual finite rates of population increase (λt), and estimate the corresponding time series of range condition or carrying capacity (Kt) using an algebraically rearranged version of the discrete logistic growth equation. Range condition varied regularly over each cycle, presumably due to seasonal overgrazing and range recovery dynamics. Maximum and minimum annual rates of increase and decline for Qamanirjuaq caribou were 1.196 and 0.836. In contrast, maximum annual subpopulation growth rates for the Bathurst and George River herds were greater than intrinsically possible, indicating that immigration was a component of the irruption period of their recoveries. Subpopulation numbers for Qamanirjuaq, Bathurst, and George River barren-ground caribou subpopulations closely tracked carrying capacity throughout their cycles, with mean lag times of 3.95 (SE = 0.15), 3.65 (SE = 0.18), and 3.39 (SE = 0.19) years, respectively. Other factors appear to be of relatively minor or transitory importance to population growth for barren-ground caribou if barren-ground caribou are truly a logistic growth species. Range recovery and population increase did not occur until caribou numbers declined to a recovery threshold number (Qamanirjuaq = 41,971; Bathurst = 18,265; George River = 3141). Predator management and restrictive harvest practices during the low portion of the caribou cycle may unintentionally extend the time required for caribou to decline below the grazing threshold, and thus prolong the period of scarcity. Immigration from adjacent subpopulations played a role in the acceleration of the irruption period in the Bathurst and George River subpopulations, but not the Qamanirjuaq subpopulation. Once the subpopulation range begins to recover, the rapid recovery of subpopulation numbers suggests that other density-dependent and density-independent factors are of relatively minor importance compared to range condition. Continuation of barren-ground caribou cycles at historical levels is likely if habitat conservation measures are adopted so that annual migration patterns are not disrupted, summer and winter range remain undisturbed, and the natural decline of caribou to the threshold for range recovery is not artificially extended.

The Arctic is experiencing warming and ecological shifts due to climate change and the compounding effects of polar amplification. Arctic Alaskan coastal marsh environments, such as the Cape Espenberg barrier beach system, offer an opportunity to determine the carbon cycle response to changing climate by examining sediment records that have been preserved through time as shoreline-parallel, linear geometry prograding geomorphic features. This study determines the carbon and mineral accumulation trends in marsh environments at Cape Espenberg for both paleo (~776 CE to 1850 CE) and modern (post-1850 CE) time frames. A comprehensive physical and chemical dataset, including radioisotope (137Cs, 210Pb, 14C), stable isotope (δ13C), element concentration (%C, %N, C:N), and dry bulk density, has been built for several sediment cores. Results indicate that carbon and mineral accumulation rates have increased from paleo to modern times, potentially because of better growing and preservation conditions for organic matter in a modern climate. Paleoclimate trends in the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and warm periods interspersed within the Little Ice Age (LIA) also correlate with greater contributions of wetland organic matter, as evidenced by lighter δ13C values. Cold climate periods within the LIA correlate with increased aquatic organic matter sourcing and heavier δ13C values, with some spikes of wetland sources interspersed throughout the LIA. Future temperatures are predicted to rise with global climate change, which may continue to expand carbon stores in Arctic coastal wetland sediments. This has been observed in the swale environments at Cape Espenberg, where increasingly favourable growing and soil-preservation conditions (i.e. wet/anoxic soils and lower salinity to limit organic material decay, higher temperatures to promote growth) are increasing the carbon storage within Arctic coastal carbon reservoirs.

In 1768, the Labrador Inuk woman Mikak and her son Tutauk were taken to England by Newfoundland’s Governor Hugh Palliser as official guests of the government in hopes of improving relations, especially trade, with Labrador Inuit. They returned to Labrador in 1769. In 1772, English merchant Captain George Cartwright brought two Labrador Inuit brothers and their families to England: Attuiock, Ickongoque, Ickeuna, Tooklavinia, and Caubvick. The known paintings and pastels of these individuals, together with their personal histories, have provided insights into the Inuit experience and management of 18th-century colonial presence and expansion in Labrador. The known images are also unique and striking artworks of the Georgian period, several by famous artists of the time. This paper adds four more works to the known portfolio, including two portrayals of Mikak and Tutauk and two of the Inuit family group. Additionally, two further images of Mikak and Tutauk are noted that have been mentioned in exhibition catalogues but have not yet been found. Provenance histories and comparisons of both the new and the known works are emphasized and explored. The subjects’ performances in their various roles—as individuals with their own goals, as important visitors, as subjects of artwork for purpose of ethnography—are also considered, as is the purpose of some of these images as mementoes. Their hosts’ performances and responses to the Indigenous visitors are also considered—including their use of common colonial figures of speech, such as sarcasm, and cultural stereotyping of their guests as the wise noble, the innocent, the “Indian princess,” and chief or leader (to open social and diplomatic doors). Finally, the painting known as A Labrador Woman by an unknown artist in the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, is briefly revisited. This striking portrait has been variously identified over time, and we discuss why this may be another 1769 portrayal of Mikak.

A policy simulation is designed to create a safe, fictional environment that captures the complexity and salient features of future governance and policy issues. The goal is to deepen participants’ understanding of the issues at hand and provide a way to explore possible solutions on challenging topics. We report on a policy simulation for emerging leaders in the Arctic. The simulation addressed pressing issues related to adaptation to climate change that may, among other things, lead to increasing exploitation of mineral resources and the expansion of shipping in Arctic waters. We describe how the simulation was developed, its implementation and results. We conclude that, to serve as useful tools in searching for solutions to complex policy challenges in the Arctic, policy simulations demand careful design and preparations that engage participants.

Over the past two decades, scientists, advocates, and communities have put considerable international effort into the development of a sustained Arctic observing system that can sufficiently monitor ongoing environmental and socio-economic change. Advances are slow due in part to a lack of nation-level coordination, with Canada being no exception. Canada needs a coordinated national strategy in support of sustained Arctic observations that will benefit all Canadians and the broader global community, advance Arctic system understanding, and support management and mitigation of the impacts of rapid Arctic transformation. This paper lays out a proposed framework for a coordinated national initiative in support of sustained Arctic observing that includes cross-sector and Indigenous co-developed and co-executed plan, plus an implementation strategy. Recommendations include: 1) establishing national teams (for observing, data, and infrastructure) to effectively deliver on our international obligations related to Arctic research, 2) supporting data sharing, and 3) ensuring sustained observations while also providing observational data and information in support of societal needs within Canada, including many identified in the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and the National Inuit Strategy on Research.

This paper draws on a case study of Iqaluit, Nunavut, to exemplify the conceptual utility of the water – energy – food (WEF) nexus as a starting point in better understanding the cascading nature of climate change impacts. The case study demonstrates that damage to Iqaluit’s main fuel storage tank caused by instability in the permafrost layer induced a series of cascading impacts that affected Iqaluit’s water, food, sanitation, and health care services. Because of the non-linear nature of cascading impacts, the response was largely reactionary, rather than anticipatory, leaving Iqaluit residents exposed to heightened and extended periods of WEF insecurity. Given the relatively weak state of WEF security in Arctic regions, coordinated policy action is needed to increase the resilience of Arctic WEF systems. We suggest the WEF nexus can support those coordinated efforts by avoiding siloed responses.