As I was saying, this declaration states in essence that Inuit have the right to self-determination in their Arctic homeland, which stretches from Chukotka, at the eastern tip of Russia, across Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, and all the way to Greenland. The right of self-determination is enshrined in various international human rights instruments and conventions.
I wish to emphasize, however, that this declaration is not intended to be confrontational. The closing of the declaration, if I could point out the last paragraph to everybody, says:
We, the Inuit of Inuit Nunaat
—and Inuit Nunaat, by the way, is this vast territory in which Inuit live—
are committed to this Declaration and to working with Arctic states and others to build partnerships in which the rights, roles and responsibilities of Inuit are fully recognized and accommodated.
Inuit intend to be strong partners in the future of the Arctic. This declaration lets the world know the foundation upon which Inuit are standing.
The Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic applies to all of the activities going on in the Inuit homeland. First of all, it means that Inuit need to be at the table when things such as military action involving the Arctic are discussed. ICC's position is that disputes should be settled using cooperation and diplomacy rather than military action, if possible, and I think everybody here would agree.
Second, Inuit need to be at the table when economic development of the Arctic is discussed. As you know, it is exceedingly important that economic development be done in a sustainable manner. The needs of Inuit communities must be front and centre. On the one hand, Inuit are eager to train for the new jobs that are coming to the area and are looking forward to the growth this could bring to Inuit communities. On the other hand, Inuit are very concerned about the risks to the fragile environment, because their way of life and indeed their physical, emotional, and spiritual health depends on their connection to a healthy Arctic ecosystem.
Third, Inuit want to be involved in the scientific research that is happening in the Arctic. Inuit are detailed students of their environment and can contribute a wealth of traditional knowledge. In many cases, Inuit also have concerns about research methods that need to be addressed.
You will notice in the declaration a provision that notes sovereignty begins at home, and that economic and social issues, including language matters, need to be addressed to build a strong, sovereign people. The declaration, you will see, reiterates the rights that Inuit have as one people under international law. Yet it also speaks to the issue of rights gained within states and within territories in those states. But mostly it insists that Inuit be at the table.
As many of you know, Inuit were not at the negotiating table when sovereignty was discussed among the five—or so-called “oceans five”—ministers of foreign affairs in Greenland in May 2008. Canada, as you know, Mr. Chair, sent the Minister of Natural Resources. There were the ministers of foreign affairs from Russia, Norway, the U.S., and also from Denmark. I would strongly recommend that the Department of National Defence take ICC and all Inuit leaders up on their invitation in this declaration to talk, to build relationships.
We heard something earlier about threats to the Arctic. I would say, from my experience of the Arctic Council, that this is one area in which there's a lot of cooperation and a lot of goodwill, even among those who are dropping flags at the North Pole.
Hans Island is often cited as either a joke or as something very serious to look at, and we've had our ministers land there. Inuit from Greenland have often said, as Inuit in Canada have said, leave those disputes to us and there wouldn't be a lot of discussion.
There's a lot of harmony in the Arctic; let's build upon that. We see it in the Arctic Council. Unfortunately, they didn't use the Arctic Council, or at least did not invite the Inuit to participate, in the sovereignty talks in Greenland in the same manner that they do and have done at the Arctic Council. But if we continue to involve the Inuit, whether it be through development in space technology, through academia, through tourism, or, most importantly, through state policies, take the Inuit up—all the Inuit of the four countries, including the Canadian Inuit—on what they're asking for in this declaration.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.