Guardians of the frozen sanctuary

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Two snowmobiles are parked near a massive iceberg in a snow-blanketed landscape beneath a bright blue sky. For millennia, Inuit communities have relied upon and cared for Pikialasorsuaq, a distinctive polynya that stretches across the waters between Canada .

Inuit Circumpolar Council/Vincent Desrosiers Deep within the Arctic, where ice and ocean converge, lies a hidden world rich with life. In Pikialasorsuaq—the rare expanse of open water enveloped by thick ice—narwhals, beluga whales, polar bears, and seabirds flourish. For countless generations, Inuit communities have protected this crucial ecosystem, utilizing their profound understanding of the land and sea. However, as glaciers melt and sea ice regresses at an alarming pace, this delicate balance faces significant challenges. On World Water Day 2025, themed around glacier preservation, we shine a light on those at the forefront of this struggle: the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), recipient of the UNDP's Equator Prize 2023, which is spearheading efforts to safeguard the Arctic's remaining ice stronghold.

A Disappearing Landscape: Glaciers are vanishing faster than ever. Accelerating global temperatures are hastening ice loss, disrupting the water cycle, and resulting in extreme weather events. The consequences of glacial retreat are reshaping landscapes and impacting the livelihoods of billions around the globe, from severe flooding to extended droughts. In the Arctic, the stakes are even higher. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that while global sea ice hit a record low in early February 2025, Arctic sea ice experienced an even steeper decline, dropping to levels 8 percent below the monthly average. The Arctic is warming nearly three times faster than the rest of the planet. Pikialasorsuaq, also referred to as "the Great Upwelling," is particularly susceptible.

Located in the high Arctic between northern Baffin Bay and the Nares Strait, this exceptional polynya spans the waters connecting Greenland and Nunavut, Canada. Traditionally relied upon by Inuit communities for thousands of years, Pikialasorsuaq now faces daunting challenges that threaten centuries-old ways of life. For the 5,000 Inuit residing along its coastlines, these changes signal an existential crisis.

Inuit Circumpolar Council/Kuupik V. Kleist The Arctic is acutely vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures are accelerating ice loss and causing glaciers to retreat. The Inuit Circumpolar Council at the Forefront: Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard Pikialasorsuaq, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) took a major initiative in 2016 by founding the Pikialasorsuaq Commission. Through extensive consultations with elders, hunters, and youth, the commission gathered invaluable Inuit insights about the region's ecological and cultural significance.

A strong consensus emerged: Inuit communities must be central to the decision-making and management processes regarding Pikialasorsuaq. This effort culminated in the 2017 report "People of the Ice Bridge: The Future of Pikialasorsuaq," providing recommendations for ensuring Inuit leadership in conservation efforts. Photo Credit: Inuit Circumpolar Council/Kuupik V. Kleist Thanks to the ICC's advocacy, a significant milestone was achieved in 2023 when Canada and Greenland's governments agreed to collaborate on the management and protection of Pikialasorsuaq.
This historic agreement marked a step toward Inuit-led governance. The following year, the ICC convened the inaugural Meeting of the Parties, gathering Inuit representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the establishment of an Inuit Management Authority.

This meeting highlighted the importance of ensuring that Inuit leadership directs conservation efforts, transportation, and sustainable resource usage in Pikialasorsuaq. With growing governmental acknowledgment and international support, the ICC continues to advocate for a governance model that melds Inuit knowledge with biodiversity preservation and the sustenance of Arctic communities' livelihoods. Inuit Circumpolar Council/Christopher Debiki As glaciers melt and sea ice retreats, traditional lifestyles face significant threats. A Call for Inuit-led Management: Building on this momentum, the ICC is actively pushing for the formal designation of Pikialasorsuaq as an Inuit-led management area.

This proposal encompasses 8.5 million hectares of critical Arctic open water, essential for both marine biodiversity and Inuit cultural traditions. Such a designation would not only protect the fragile ecosystem but also affirm the rights of Inuit to utilize and steward these waters. By combining Indigenous knowledge with contemporary conservation science, the ICC is developing a model for sustainable resource management that honours both environmental requirements and Inuit cultural heritage. Inuit Circumpolar Council/Vincent Desrosiers The proposed management area also aims to address broader Arctic governance issues, including the protection of endangered species such as polar bears, walruses, and Atlantic cod. It seeks to restore historical Inuit mobility by advocating for visa-free cross-border travel, acknowledging Pikialasorsuaq's longstanding role as a corridor for intercommunity exchange. The ICC's vision not only secures the ecological future of Pikialasorsuaq but also underlines global recognition of Indigenous-led environmental stewardship. By setting a powerful precedent, this initiative underscores the need to harmonize conservation efforts with Indigenous rights, ensuring that Inuit are central to the protection of their homelands. Preserving a Frozen Legacy: "The Pikialasorsuaq is more than just an ocean or a unique wildlife area impacted by climate change. It is our home, our Nuna. This shared body of water defines our identity as a people—it connects us." — Okalik Eegeesiak, Former ICC International Chair Inuit knowledge has always been fundamental to survival and stewardship in the Arctic, shaping community interactions with their land and sea. This deep understanding of marine ecosystems, passed from elders to the younger generations, has enabled the Inuit to navigate and safeguard their environment amid harsh and changing conditions. As climate change accelerates, the ICC is ensuring that this invaluable knowledge plays a key role in conservation efforts. Through their project "Pikialasorsuaq—Inuit Knowledge of Marine Ecology in Northwest Greenland," the ICC is collecting vital insights from Inuit hunters, fishers, and knowledge holders to inform policies on marine protection and the establishment of safeguarded areas, as well as to guide regulatory frameworks that reflect Indigenous priorities. 

Inuit Circumpolar Council/Vincent Desrosiers At the heart of this initiative are Inuit-led workshops, providing a platform for communities to share ecological observations and traditional practices. These gatherings allow hunters and fishers to document shifting sea ice conditions, wildlife migration patterns, and resource availability. Beyond their scientific value, these efforts ensure the continuity of Inuit knowledge, empowering younger generations to uphold their responsibilities as stewards of the Arctic. The ICC illustrates how environmental protection and cultural preservation are deeply intertwined, affirming the notion that safeguarding Arctic ice also means safeguarding Inuit identity. Solidarity with the Guardians of Pikialasorsuaq: The narrative of Pikialasorsuaq reminds us that glacier preservation goes beyond merely protecting ice—it encompasses the complex connections among people, cultures, and ecosystems. The ICC's initiatives exemplify the potency of Indigenous leadership in tackling the multifaceted climate crisis. By supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts, advocating for policies that protect Arctic ice, and amplifying Inuit voices, we can help ensure that Pikialasorsuaq remains a symbol of resilience for future generations.

"We urge our governments to back Inuit-led efforts to protect this biologically productive area of great economic and cultural significance for the Inuit." — Sara Olsvig, ICC International Chair Amid the profound changes affecting the Arctic, the determination of the Inuit remains unwavering. As the world observes the retreat of glaciers, we must also recognize the strength of those fighting to preserve them. This World Water Day, let us unite in solidarity with the guardians of Pikialasorsuaq as they initiate critical conversations surrounding Indigenous-led glacier preservation and protect the waters that sustain us all. To learn more about the ICC's commitment to preserving Pikialasorsuaq, please read the case study published by the Equator Initiative.