Arctic Wilderness — And Other Mythologies

• Published in: Journal of Canadian Studies
• Main Author: Grant, Shelagh D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress) 1998
• Subjects: inuit
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/jcs.33.2.27; https://utpjournals.press/doi/pdf/10.3138/jcs.33.2.27

Many Canadians still conceive the Arctic as a vast area of pristine wilderness, a concept not shared by its indigenous peoples, the Inuit. The eco-tourism industry promotes the vision of an unspoiled natural world to attract thousands of visitors northward by air or cruise ships. Environmentalists argue that this wilderness must be protected against roads, mineral exploitation, trapping and hunting. The Inuit, who for centuries have relied upon their environment for sustenance and survival, argue the right to decide how best to utilize their lands and waters to sustain them, culturally and economically, through the next millennium. This paper explores the origins of these conflicting perceptions, their evolution and adaptation to changing times, to seek redefinition of the Arctic as a wilderness area.