Building Energy Sovereignty through Community-Based Projects in Nunavik

• Published in: Sustainability
• Main Authors: Thierry Rodon, Louise Nachet, Christophe Krolik, Tommy Palliser
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: arctic; energy sovereignty; indigenous; Inuit; Nunavik; remote communities; Environmental effects of industries and plants; TD194-195; Renewable energy sources; TJ807-830; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Arctic; Canada; Inukjuak; Kuujjuaq; inuit
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169061; https://doaj.org/article/a331a47807e5438cb1bf6402cc0a7fc0

Inuit communities in Canada are overwhelmingly dependent on expensive and polluting local diesel-powered generators for electricity production. This article seeks to understand the legal and political obstacles relative to the development of renewable energy in Nunavik, Québec’s Inuit territory. After an analysis of the legal regimes, political configurations, and policies affecting energy production in Nunavik, we present two case studies of renewable energy projects in the communities of Kuujjuaq and Inukjuak. This allows us to demonstrate that the development of alternative energy projects is not only determined by technical and economic issues but is also inseparable from the asymmetrical post-colonial power relations between Quebec institutions and the Inuit people. Our results not only illustrate the value of community ownership and leadership for sustainable northern development but also the ambiguous attitude of public authorities regarding the political and financial support for such projects.