With the thawing of ice in the northern regions there are developments occurring especially in the area of exploration and mining, which are involving communities once isolated by ice and permafrost.
The passage of the Northwest Territories that lay as an obstacle for explorers looking for a route to China from the UK has now opened up, something unthinkable in the mid half of the 19th century.
Then a group, which landed on King William Island, could not continue westward because of thick ice and as result they all perished. With the thaw then exploration under the water for oil reserves can occur. The Russians have challenged us on that account by burying their flag on the continental shelf contesting Canadian sovereignty, in an area once under ice. We would be better able to defend our national resources.
One Inuit region which traditional depended on fishing and catching animals such as walrus for their hides and meat will now likely be learning new trades such as mining for iron ore. That will change the outlook of his family and the basis of livelihood for future generations. The advent of co-operatives that evolved into retail stores based on craftwork, commercial fishing and seasonal hunting would most likely still survive especially in areas remote from prospective mining zones.
A spokesperson at the port of Churchill has spoken about the changing times, his city a major inland port for Canada would be looking forward to playing a key role in exporting across the passage to European ports such as Murmansk in Russia. Until now Churchill is largely involved in receiving and is a hub for trains carrying grain for export.
Should global warming continue that port could eventually increase its maritime activity and over other exports over a longer shipping season. Development in regions along the Northwest Passage would also help secure Canadian sovereignty over the region by attracting more permanent settlements to be built along the waterway. With the advent of more permanent employment in the Arctic, there is likely to be better services there which would keep many Inuit and other first nation peoples from coming to Montreal looking for hospital care.
