Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/149372
The Inuit and U.S. Arctic Policy In January 2009, President Bush issued National Security Directive 66 with respect to the Arctic region. Paragraph III of that directive sets out the policy objectives. Interestingly, all six policy objectives are directly related to work in which the ICC is currently engaged. Objective 1: Meet national security and homeland security needs relevant to the Arctic region. Comment: The ICC has long maintained that the Arctic should be a region of peace. We are hopeful that any military activity in the Arctic will be minor and any buildup there will not increase tensions or lead to another cold war. Objective 2: Protect the Arctic environment and conserve its biological resources. Comment: This objective is in complete harmony with Inuit perspectives, and will go a long way toward protecting and ensuring Inuit food security. Objective 3: Ensure that natural resource management and economic development in the region are environmentally sustainable. Comment: The only recommendation for improvement that the ICC would make to this objective is to ensure the sustainability of the Inuit culture. Objective 4: Strengthen institutions for cooperation among the eight Arctic nations. Comment: The ICC totally agrees with this objective, and is an active participant in the Arctic Council. Objective 5: Involve the Arctic's indigenous communities in decisions that afect them. Comment: There could be improvements with this objective; consultation with indigenous communities varies greatly, depending on the agency. Objective 6: Enhance scientifc monitoring and research into local, regional, and global environmental issues. Comment: The ICC suggests that all Arctic scientific research include interaction with indigenous experts to capture traditional ecological knowledge. On paper, it appears the government's objectives are aligned with the objectives of the Inuit people; however, the best way to ensure that everyone's interest are taken into consideration is to communicate often. The ICC is committed to keeping all lines of communication open. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp, (right); Alice Hill, Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security; and Rear Admiral Thomas Ostebo, Commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, meet with Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska President Jim Stotts in Anchorage, Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Offcer Patrick Kelley. 40 Proceedings Summer 2013 www.uscg.mil/proceedings