Polar Knowledge Canada's 2024-2025 Departmental results report

Results achieved  

Polar Knowledge Canada continues to promote and share polar research through a variety of accessible formats, including research papers, information sheets, videos, posters, pamphlets, presentations, webinars, and social media. By making polar research accessible and engaging, the agency strengthens evidence-based decision-making, fosters collaboration between scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders, and raises awareness of Arctic and Northern issues. These activities directly support sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in the North while informing national and international policy decisions on climate, ecosystems, and Indigenous rights. These efforts ensure that Northern and global audiences benefit from the latest polar science. Some highlights include:

• Information sheets
  12 information sheets were developed on topics of Northern relevance and global significance, including climate change, permafrost thaw, ecosystem science, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, Indigenous Knowledge, environmental stewardship, and education. These resources will be made available to researchers and the public at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, tradeshows, community events.
• Indigenous-led video projects
  Polar Knowledge Canada supported the production of several Indigenous-led video initiatives, such as:
  • A Century of Petroleum Extraction at Tłegǫ́hłı̨ (Norman Wells): Indigenous Knowledge for Indigenous Guardianship documents Indigenous perspectives on impacts of oil extraction at Norman Wells
  • Nanuk Narratives, a series of 20 short documentaries, features Inuit Elders and hunters from Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and Nunavut in Canada’s eastern Arctic sharing insights into their relationships with polar bears informing wide audiences, including government policy-makers
• Educational animation on public health
  The animated video Trichinella in Arctic and Northern Canada was produced to raise awareness among Northern communities about the dangers this zoonotic disease transmitted through the consumption of infected animals.
• Aqhaliat Magazine – 10th anniversary edition
  In preparation for Polar Knowledge Canada’s 10th anniversary in June 2025, all work on a renewed edition of Aqhaliat magazine was completed in 2024-25. This edition highlights research projects supported by the agency, showcases internal initiatives, and offers a firsthand view of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station facility. To align with the anniversary celebrations, the magazine will be published in 2025-26 in 4 languages: English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun.
• Publications
  In continued support of the 2020 to 2025 Science and Technology Framework, 18 articles, either co-authored or with data contributed by Polar Knowledge Canada were published in 2024-25 in various scientific journals, such as BioOne Publishing, Scientific Data, SpringerNature, One Health, and EGUsphere. These publications expand Canada’s scientific knowledge base in key research areas, informing policy, shaping public understanding, and driving advocacy, awareness, and behavioral change. Key publication highlights include:
  • Lichen Diversity at Cambridge Bay and Vicinity, Southern Victoria Island, Nunavut, Canada
  • Brucellosis emergence in the Canadian Arctic
  • Early Pleistocene glacier ice preserved in permafrost in the eastern Canadian Arctic
  • Ongoing firn warming at Eclipse Icefield, Yukon
  • Extremely low biodiversity Arctic intertidal habitats as sentinels for environmental change
  • High diversity of freshwater invertebrates on inuinnait nuna, the canadian arctic, revealed using mitochondrial DNA barcodes
  • Modeled Seed Accumulation Patterns Explain Spatial Heterogeneity of Shrub Recruitment Within the Taiga-Tundra Ecotone
  • Seasonal Temperature and Circulation Patterns in a Hybrid Polar Lake, Great Bear Lake, Canada

Results achieved  

Polar Knowledge Canada recognizes Indigenous Knowledge as a critical information source vital to Arctic research. The agency supports Indigenous self-determination in science and technology by prioritizing research areas identified by Northern and Indigenous communities and incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives into all aspects of its research. By integrating Indigenous and local knowledge with scientific research, Polar Knowledge Canada ensures that Arctic science is culturally relevant, locally grounded, and more accurate. This approach strengthens community leadership, informs policy decisions, supports sustainable development in the North and Arctic, and fosters trust and collaboration between researchers and Indigenous communities.

Community engagement

In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada championed knowledge exchange and open dialogue with Northern communities, leveraging partnerships to bring together scientists, researchers, Elders, youth and other knowledge holders. These engagements supported projects investigating and mitigating climate change-related impacts in the North and are vital to ensuring that project goals align with community interests and priorities. Northerners are on the frontlines of environmental change, and their lived experience provides some of the most valuable insight to guide scientific research. Some highlights include:

• Knowledge sharing events

  Polar Knowledge Canada partnered on 5 events in 2024-25 to address the pressing Northern and Arctic climate change issues and the implications to communities and ecosystems:

  • Landscape Carbon Workshop - Hosted by the Government of the Northwest Territories in partnership with Polar Knowledge Canada, over 175 workshop participants attended from across Canada and internationally, with a synthesis focus on shared knowledge from scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders on the sequestration of carbon and ecosystem services of peatlands, permafrost, wetlands, boreal forest and soils, and watersheds. There was a strong emphasis and input on nature-based climate solutions and the potential of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas to advance and inform future carbon policies for decision makers in the Northwest Territories.
  • Permafrost Workshop - This event was hosted by Inuvialuit Lands Administration (Inuvialuit Regional Corporation) in collaboration with the Government of the Northwest Territories and Polar Knowledge Canada. Approximately 100 participants reviewed science and Indigenous knowledge on permafrost issues in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, aiming to develop a Western Arctic Permafrost Network to support a sustainable, integrated, multi-disciplinary permafrost monitoring.
  • National Inuit Youth Council Climate Change Workshop - In partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, this workshop engaged Inuit youth in climate change discussions and fostered youth-led knowledge exchange.
  • Nature-based Climate Solutions Workshop - Developed with Dr. Oliver Sonnentag from the Université de Montréal, this workshop focused on leveraging machine learning, artificial intelligence for large dataset management, and drone imagery to monitor and map Northwest Territories’ forests and vegetation.
  • Oceans Canada Week - Hosted a northern hub for Oceans Canada Week that connected Inuit voices from the Kitikmeot region with others from across Canada focussed on marine resources management.

• Open houses and community briefings

  Throughout the year, Polar Knowledge Canada hosted community briefings, open houses, and engaged directly with Elders and Indigenous knowledge holders. These consultations helped incorporate community priorities and traditional knowledge into the project design and implementation. Key engagement highlights include:

  • Permafrost and coastal erosion projects - Cambridge Bay community members shared knowledge on permafrost conditions and identified key locations for studying and monitoring permafrost and aquatic ecosystems.
  • Plant research needs - Interviews across the Kitikmeot communities (Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven, and Taloyoak) gathered local perspectives on knowledge gaps and community needs related to plant research.  
  • Community-driven air quality monitoring – In support of Arctic Council initiatives and other partners, Cambridge Bay residents helped identify key monitoring areas, select suitable sites for air quality monitors, and contributed to guidelines for sharing project results and data in this collaborative project.
  • Off-grid renewables hub planning – Community feedback informed energy projects at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, including local experiences with wind turbines and renewable energy technologies.
  • Food security and Traditional Knowledge – Community members shared insight into local plants and food security concerns during workshops supporting the Kitikmeot Inuit Co-Led Participatory Research on Traditional Edible Berries and Plants.
  • Monitoring Arctic change and extreme events – Open houses and meetings gathered local knowledge on changing snow conditions, sea ice changes, caribou movement patterns, water quality and permafrost thaw as part of the Multidisciplinary Observatory for Arctic Climate Change and Extreme Events Monitoring project, led by Université de Sherbrooke and University of Toronto.

By actively involving communities in Arctic research, Polar Knowledge Canada ensures that projects are grounded in local knowledge and responsive to real-world needs. This collaborative approach strengthens community resilience, enhances the relevance and impact of scientific studies, and supports evidence-based policy and sustainable development in the North. Polar Knowledge Canada remains committed to prioritizing partnerships with Northern communities to examine the long-term impacts of a warming climate on Arctic landscapes, and to predict the implications for sustaining healthy communities and ecosystems in the years to come.

Knowledge Management and Engagement

Knowledge mobilization and information exchange is key to the integration of Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives with polar science. Polar Knowledge Canada works with key knowledge holders from Indigenous, academic, national, and international partners to improve the effectiveness of knowledge mobilization and sharing events. By actively mobilizing knowledge and facilitating collaborative events, Polar Knowledge Canada ensures that research is informed by both scientific methods and Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. This approach strengthens the quality, relevance, and accessibility of polar science, supports evidence-based decision-making, and fosters long-term partnerships that help Northern communities respond effectively to climate change, environmental and social challenges.

Speaker Series at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station

The POLAR Speaker Series is a knowledge management and northern engagement feature at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station where visiting researchers share knowledge and the results of ongoing research with the community of Cambridge Bay. These events are critical for keeping residents informed about research taking place in their region and for fostering the exchange of local knowledge and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. By incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into scientific work, the series broadens the impact and relevance of research in the Arctic. 

In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada hosted 6 Speaker Series covering topics such as food security and greenhouse dome Arctic food production, Arctic kelp research, the Kitikmeot biting insect monitoring program, a decade of mercury testing on Arctic Char, and Arctic Char movements and habitat near Kugluktuk.

Elders-in-Residence Pilot Program

As part of the Elders-in-Residence pilot program, Polar Knowledge Canada welcomed Inuit Elders to participate in internal meetings, where knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles was shared. This meaningful engagement supports the ongoing and intentional integration of Indigenous knowledge into the workplace and organizational culture. 

This program also supports ongoing work to update internal policies and procedures by integrating Elders’ perspectives. By embedding Inuit knowledge and cultural practices into organizational culture, Polar Knowledge Canada enhances cultural competency, promotes a supportive and inclusive workplace, and ensures that Indigenous perspectives inform agency decision-making. This approach not only strengthens internal operations but also models culturally grounded leadership for Northern and federal institutions.

Update to Polar Regions Research and Activities Grant

In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada undertook revisions to the Polar Regions Research and Activities Grant to strengthen its support for projects led by Northerners, foster the next generation of Polar researchers and integrate Indigenous Knowledge. While these changes will be fully implemented in 2025-26, significant updates to the grants process and design were undertaken in 2024-25:

• The grant program shifted from a targeted approach to an open call, allowing more Canadians to submit research ideas
• The evaluation process was revamped to prioritize projects led by Northerners, incorporating Indigenous Knowledge, and integrating community engagement activities
• Three priority areas in the grant program consisted of supporting the development of the next generation of polar researchers, enhancing understanding of the role of local and Indigenous Knowledge in research and the North, and growing knowledge and understanding of both the Arctic and Antarctic environments. These updates ensure that grant funding better supports projects that are inclusive, community-informed, and culturally grounded

By redesigning the grant program, Polar Knowledge Canada is broadening access to research opportunities, empowering Northern and Indigenous researchers, and promoting projects that integrate local knowledge with scientific study. This approach strengthens the relevance and impact of polar research, fosters community engagement, and supports sustainable and culturally informed decision-making in Northern and polar regions.

Results achieved  

In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada continued to work with domestic and international partners to enhance coordination and alignment of polar research conducted in Canada. Enhancing Canada’s international polar science engagement requires substantial coordination at the domestic level to ensure federal, provincial and territorial and Indigenous priority are represented. By fostering these partnerships, Canada ensures that its polar research is strategically aligned, collaborative, and impactful. This approach strengthens Canada’s leadership in global polar science, amplifies the influence of Indigenous and local knowledge in international research discussions, and ensures that scientific findings effectively inform policy, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Other Government Partners

In support of the Government of Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, Polar Knowledge Canada is leading the Federal Arctic Science and Technology Coordination Committee, launched in March 2024, to bring federal partners together on common priorities. Departments and agencies are developing tools to improve collaboration, such as a shared Arctic science inventory, funding inventory, and frameworks to guide joint work. The agency is also working closely with domestic and international partners to better align research, avoid duplication, and make the most of available resources. Looking ahead, Polar Knowledge Canada will continue to strengthen collaboration and governance to deliver stronger results for Canadians.

Through partnerships with the National Research Council (NRC), Polar Knowledge Canada advanced several key projects that supported scientific innovation and knowledge sharing:

• Bioelectrochemical Anaerobic Sewage Treatment (Phase 2) - Successfully delivered a proof of concept for the removal of organics from wastewater in one of Polar Knowledge Canada’s triplexes before decommissioning. Discussions for Phase 3 began with NRC and Elkan Engineering to install a full-scale experiment in 2025.
• Food-to-Fuels Project - Using Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket technology, this project assesses the feasibility and potential of generating methane from food waste in an Arctic setting.

By partnering with other federal agencies, Polar Knowledge Canada maximizes the impact of Arctic research investments, promotes innovation in sustainable technologies, and ensures that practical solutions, such as renewable energy, waste management and food systems, are informed by rigorous science and aligned with community and national priorities. These collaborations strengthen Canada’s capacity to address Arctic challenges efficiently and sustainably.

International Partnerships

In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada advanced support for Antarctic research by announcing the appointment of 10 members of the Canadian Committee on Antarctic Research, which operated under the umbrella of the agency. The advisory group provides expert advice and guidance on matters related to the development and implementation of Canada’s Antarctic Research Program and supports the promotion of Canadian participation in Antarctic international scientific programs and related activities.

Polar Knowledge Canada strengthened bilateral collaboration with the Instituto Antártico Chileno, confirming their mutual commitment to polar science by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in Punta Arenas, Chile. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for scientific and technological research, logistical support and shared priorities over the next decade leading up to the International Polar Year in 2032-33.

Polar Knowledge Canada also provided support toward the Canadian Antarctic Research Expedition 2025 in partnership with the Royal Canadian Navy. HMCS Margaret Brooke departed from Punta Arenas, Chile with a team of 15 Canadian scientists on February 24, 2025. The month-long expedition to the South Shetland Islands and west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is the first Canadian-led Antarctic expedition in over 50 years.

Partnerships in Science and Research

Throughout 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada continued to facilitate research through partnerships by collaborating with academic, national, international, and Indigenous governments and organizations. These partnerships provide opportunities to better support the needs and issues of Canada’s Northern communities through collaborative research and infrastructure. Examples include:

• A partnership with Natural Resources Canada’s CanMET Energy, Carleton University, and the Municipality of Cambridge Bay to study heat sink and thermal pump options for residential heating
• Collaboration on permafrost and ecosystem studies on Southern Victoria Island with Université du Québec à Rimouski, Institut des Sciences de la Mer, Dalhousie University, Thompson Rivers University, and Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
• Participation in the international T-MOSAiC Permafrost Thaw Action Group to quantify permafrost thaw across the Arctic
• Expansion of the Canadian High Arctic Research Stations herbarium with samples from the Canadian Museum of Nature, University of Zurich, Laval University, and independent researchers

By fostering international and domestic partnerships, Polar Knowledge Canada strengthens Canada’s leadership in polar science, promotes the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge, and maximizes research impact across multiple disciplines. These collaborations enable innovative solutions to Arctic and Antarctic challenges, support capacity-building, and ensure that scientific discoveries contribute to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and policy-making at local, national, and global levels. 

Results achieved  

Polar Knowledge Canada aims to inspire younger generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), by providing youth with hands-on research experiences. Building skills in research and education contributes to advancing the self-determination of the North and supports economic development.

Polar Knowledge Canada's Grants and Contributions programs continue to support post-secondary students and early career researchers in technical, science, and research programs. Polar Knowledge Canada engages youth through various activities at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, including science camps, school trips to the facility, and summer employment. In 2024-25, the Northern Scientific Training Program provided grants to 34 post-secondary institutions (split amongst 299 students). In addition, 8 scholarships and 5 awards were awarded to students.

In 2024-25, Polar Knowledge Canada’s staff engaged with local schools, hosted educational activities at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, and supported partners in delivering additional learning events, including:

• presentations on bryophyte (moss) research and the clean energy initiatives underway at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station
• engagement on Kitikmeot plants and specimen donations from the herbarium

• lab and learning event with local Elders and an expert hunter and fisherman on Arctic char covering oral history of traditional fishing practices, fish uses, and preparation techniques

• coastal erosion outreach events where youth learned to use research tools such as sea drones and trail cameras
• delivery of the Makigiaqta STEM camp at Canadian High Arctic Research Station with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated where 14 youth from 5 Nunavut communities participated in workshops on GPS wildlife tracking, engineering Arctic vehicles, and Inuktut math
• hosted Carleton University's on-the-land learning activities where local Elders led a survival skills course and shared land-based knowledge

Polar Knowledge Canada also supported early career researchers in 2024-25 by offering training and development opportunities:

• 2 Northern summer students participated in ecosystems and clean energy projects, including invertebrate biodiversity research.
• 4 graduate students (MSc and PhD) were trained in coastal and permafrost research projects.
• A PhD candidate received training for the re-establishment of the Kluane meteorological station.

New education programs were developed in partnership with Indigenous organizations to increase access to education and further the self-determination:

• Polar Knowledge Canada advised Makigiaqta on a customized, accredited Biology 30 pilot course incorporating curriculum co-development, accreditation discussions with the Nunavut Department of Education, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and land-based learning.
• Preparations are underway for a qamutik-making workshop, where 2 local hunters will train 6 youth over 10 days to construct traditional sleds, building practical skills and fostering familiarity with the Canadian High Arctic Research Station facilities.

By engaging youth and early career researchers in hands-on, culturally grounded STEM experiences, Polar Knowledge Canada develops local expertise, strengthens Northern self-determination, and ensures the next generation of scientists can conduct Arctic research that is both community-informed and impactful.