Two graduate students from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development recently completed a nine‑day field visit to Arviat, Nunavut, marking the beginning of a new research initiative examining plastic pollution in Arctic communities. Hannah Walker, MSc student in Rural Planning and Development, and Sofia Ruggiero, a PhD student in Rural Studies, are studying under the supervision of Dr. Nicolas Brunet [1], travelled to establish relationships, gain contextual understanding, and begin collaborative work with local partners. The research project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
The visit was hosted by the Aqqiumavvik Society, a community‑led organization central to wellness programming, youth engagement, and land‑based learning in Arviat. Throughout the week, Walker and Ruggiero participated in activities alongside Aqqiumavvik staff, elders, and members of the Young Hunters program. These experiences included sewing workshops, community celebrations, meetings with the premiers of Nunavut and Manitoba, and time on the land observing traditional harvesting practices. Each activity provided valuable insight into how environmental issues, including plastic use, disposal, and pollution, intersect with cultural practices, food systems, and daily life in the region.
The research team also had opportunities to learn from community members about local priorities, environmental change, and the importance of intergenerational knowledge transmission. These conversations and experiences will directly inform the project’s approach to understanding plastic pollution in remote Arctic contexts.
This initial field visit establishes a foundation for a long‑term partnership between the University of Guelph research team and the community of Arviat. By grounding the project in local knowledge and community‑identified needs, the team aims to support meaningful, culturally informed, and locally driven approaches to addressing plastic pollution in Arctic communities.
