Chapter 11 Videos with Critical Thinking Exercises

The Territorial North

Video 1: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Canada warming at twice the global rate, leaked report finds [video]. Toronto, ON: CBC/Radio Canada; 2019.

Link       https://curio.ca/en/video/canada-warming-at-twice-the-global-rate-leaked-report-finds-21177/.

  • Registration and login required for access. Curio is free to most faculty and students of Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Length  2 minutes 2 seconds

Short summary/description

  •       This video includes scientific reporting on climate change in Canada. On average, Canada is experiencing warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world; while northern Canada heating up at almost three times the global average, according to a 2019 government report.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. What are foreseeable impacts of climate change in northern Canada as described in the video?
  2. The projected impacts of climate change are of considerable concern to residents of the North due to the potential consequences to traditional lifestyles, resource development and conservation. Discuss potential adaptation strategies.

 

Video 2: CBC News, “Challenges to Canada's Arctic sovereignty [video]”. Toronto, ON: CBC/Radio-Canada; 10 Apr 2019.

Link       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8-FDbnsZd8.

Length  11 minutes 43 seconds

Short summary/description

  • This video outlines the desire of nations to control the vast resources of the Arctic and access to waterways that are faster and more economical for year-round shipping. The Arctic is thought to possess up to one quarter of the Earth’s undiscovered oil and gas, as well as rare earth minerals. A 2019 report by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development identifies climate change, a shortage of infrastructure and a lack of respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples as challenges facing Canada's Arctic sovereignty. The report also points to Russia's growing military presence and China's global ambitions as threats.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. What is meant by an infrastructure deficit in the North? What is meant by science diplomacy?
  2. What are China’s interests in the Arctic?
  3. What is the legal status of the Northwest Passage with respect to Canada and the United States?
  4. The Inuit are central to Canada’s position in the Arctic. How can Canada develop a meaningful co-partnership with Indigenous peoples in the Arctic?

 

Video 3: Walker, John. Arctic defenders [video]: Unikkaat Studios, John Walker Productions; 2013.

Link       https://www.nfb.ca/film/arctic_defenders_ott/.

  • To view the movie, you will need a CAMPUS subscription. This may already be available through your institution’s library.

Length  1 hour 29 minutes

Short summary/description

  • This video relays the remarkable story that began in 1968 in northern Canada with a radical Inuit movement that changed the political landscape forever. The story details the largest land claim in western civilization, orchestrated by young visionary Inuit with a dream - the governance of their territory - the creation of Nunavut. The story reveals Canada’s misguided attempts at sovereignty in the north and finds hope and inspiration from determined people who changed the rules of the game.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. Explain what is meant by “Canada’s misguided attempts at sovereignty in the North”?
  2. How were Arctic Defenders able to reshape the geopolitical landscape in northern Canada?

 

Video 4: Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Stewart L Blusson - Lac de gras: diamond mining industry development [video]. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto, Canadian Mining Hall of Fame; 2018 Sep.

Link       https://www.mininghalloffame.ca/stewart-l-blusson.

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8-FDbnsZd8 (Direct)

Length  8 minutes 18 seconds

Short summary/description

  • This video relays the history of the Lac de Gras diamond discoveries in Canada’s North during the early 1990s. Stewart Blusson was an intellectual catalyst for this transformative event, which led to development of Ekati, Canada’s first diamond mine, and other significant discoveries. Blusson was key to advancing the science of diamond exploration and laid the foundation for Canada to become the world’s third largest producer (by value) of high-quality diamonds.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. What was the unique method that Blusson used in searching for diamonds in the North?
  2. When did the Ekati mine open in the Northwest Territories?
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