General Governor Simon: The Arctic needs determination and perseverance to face the impact of climate change

The Governor General of Canada Mary Simon and President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö spoke to university students as part of their visit in Rovaniemi.

The event organized in Arktikum on 9, February was
part of the program of the state visit of the Governor General of Canada to
Finland.

President Niinistö stated that the Arctic and
cooperation in the region is something that truly unites Finland and
Canada.

– We care deeply about the Arctic and the
protection of its unique environment and the well-being of its peoples are very
close to our hearts, Niinistö said.

He also emphasized the
important role of the University of Lapland in coordinating the cooperation among
Arctic universities and research institutions.

In her speech,
Governor General Mary Simon encouraged global co-operation to work against climate
change and to find creative, sustainable solutions in the face of instability caused
by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

– It will take all of
us working together to ensure we will remain focused on the path forward, Mary Simon
said.

Canada has recently introduced a new
national strategy of climate adaptation. Since mitigation of the effects of climate
change is not viable anymore, northern communities require support to adapt the new
changes. As the first ever indigenous governor general, Mary Simon also stressed the
importance of including the indigenous peoples in the adaptation
work.

– The indigenous people who live in the Arctic
have seen the changes and have felt those impacts that are caused by climate change
long before it came to the attention of the whole world, Governor General
stated.

At the end of her speech, Mary Simon referenced
to two words; Finnish word sisu, “the strength of will and determination in the face
of adversity” and Inuktitut word ajuinata, “perseverance in the face of obstacles
and to never give up”.

– In the spirit of both ajuinata
and sisu, we must find ways to move forward, to act now when it’s the most critical.
It’s important to combat the climate change at its source, treating both the
symptoms and the disease – and to inspire collaboration between arctic and non-artic
nations, indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, said Simon.

General Governor Mary Simon.
Photo: Kaisa Sirén.

Panelists emphasized the
inclusion of all actors and perspectives

The
remarks were followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Johanna Ikävalko, Director
of the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland. Speakers in the panel were the
President of the Sami Parliament Tuomas-Aslak Juuso, research professor Bruce Forbes
from the Arctic Centre and professor Jackie Dawson from the University of
Ottawa.

Due to different background and perspectives of
the panelists they brought up wide-ranging views to the question of most pressing
issues that need to be considered when it comes to the impact of climate change in
the Arctic.

Tuomas-Aslak Juuso emphasized the dramatic change in
snow conditions which is a truly alarming issue for the state of grazing lands and
that way to reindeer herding as a traditional livelihood of the Sámi people. Jackie
Dawson predicted that new security challenges will come up when the loss of sea ice
enables more and more shipping traffic in northers sea routes. Bruce Forbes paid
attention to the forms of governance in climate change issues emphasizing that a
participatory way which takes into account all point of views is the only
sustainable way to go forward.

Although the situation
with climate change in the Arctic is serious, panelists were also able to find words
of hope that could be passed on to children growing up in the middle of climate
crisis. All speakers emphasized the need to involve younger generations.

– We need to give young people real access and real power, Dawson
said.

Also, the role of education was highlighted as a mean of
giving hope for the future.

Panelistis Tuomas-Aslak Juuso, Jackie Dawson and Bruce Forbes. Photo: Kaisa
Sirén.