Unfreezing the Arctic : Science, Colonialism, and the Transformation of Inuit Lands

In recent years, journalists and environmentalists have pointed urgently to the melting Arctic as a leading indicator of the growing effects of climate change. While climate change has unleashed profound transformations in the region, most commentators distort these changes by calling them unprecedented. In reality, the landscapes of the North American Arctic—as well as relations among scientists, Inuit, and federal governments— are products of the region’s colonial past. And even as policy analysts, activists, and scholars alike clamor about the future of our world’s northern rim, too few truly understand its history. In __Unfreezing the Arctic__, Andrew Stuhl brings a fresh perspective to this defining challenge of our time. With a compelling narrative voice, Stuhl weaves together a wealth of distinct episodes into a transnational history of the North American Arctic, proving that a richer understanding of its social and environmental transformation can come only from studying the region’s past. Drawing on historical records and extensive ethnographic fieldwork, as well as time spent living in the Northwest Territories, he closely examines the long-running interplay of scientific exploration, colonial control, the testimony and experiences of Inuit residents, and multinational investments in natural resources. A rich and timely portrait, __Unfreezing the Arctic__ offers a comprehensive look at scientific activity across the long twentieth century. It will be welcomed by anyone interested in political, economic, environmental, and social histories of transboundary regions the world over. **The author intends to donate all royalties from this book to the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) andEast Three School's On the Land Program.** This account of a region transformed—and threatened—offers "a timely historical reflection on the important social role of science and scientists."— Historical Geography In recent years, environmentalists have pointed urgently to the melting Arctic as a leading indicator of climate change. While climate change has unleashed profound transformations in the region, many commentators mislabel them as unprecedented. In reality, the landscapes of the North American Arctic—as well as relations among scientists, Inuit, and federal governments— are products of the region's colonial past. And even as policy analysts, activists, and scholars clamor about the future of our world's northern rim, few truly understand its past. In Unfreezing the Arctic , Andrew Stuhl brings a fresh perspective to this defining challenge of our time. Stuhl weaves together a wealth of episodes into a transnational history of the North American Arctic, providing a richer understanding of its social and environmental transformation. Drawing on historical records and extensive ethnographic fieldwork, as well as time spent living in the Northwest Territories, he examines the long-running interplay of scientific exploration, colonial control, the experiences of Inuit residents, and multinational investments in natural resources. With a comprehensive look at a century of scientific activity, he covers the political, economic, environmental, and social history of this transboundary region. "A worthy addition to the recent wave of work on northern history...Bridging the histories of colonialism, resource management, military activity, and Indigenous self-determination, Stuhl focuses on Alaska and northwest Canada, including the Beaufort Sea, Mackenzie Delta, and surrounding region."— Canadian Journal of History The author intends to donate all royalties from this book to the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) and East Three School's On the Land Program. In recent years, journalists and environmentalists have pointed urgently to the melting Arctic as a leading indicator of the growing effects of climate change. While climate change has unleashed profound transformations in the region, most commentators distort these changes by calling them unprecedented. In reality, the landscapes of the North American Arctic--as well as relations among scientists, Inuit, and federal governments-- are products of the region's colonial past. And even as policy analysts, activists, and scholars alike clamor about the future of our world's northern rim, too few truly understand its history. In Unfreezing the Arctic, Andrew Stuhl brings a fresh perspective to this defining challenge of our time. With a compelling narrative voice, Stuhl weaves together a wealth of distinct episodes into a transnational history of the North American Arctic, proving that a richer understanding of its social and environmental transformation can come only from studying the region's past. Drawing on historical records and extensive ethnographic fieldwork, as well as time spent living in the Northwest Territories, he closely examines the long-running interplay of scientific exploration, colonial control, the testimony and experiences of Inuit residents, and multinational investments in natural resources. A rich and timely portrait, Unfreezing the Arctic offers a comprehensive look at scientific activity across the long twentieth century. It will be welcomed by anyone interested in political, economic, environmental, and social histories of transboundary regions the world over. The author intends to donate all royalties from this book to the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) and East Three School's On the Land Program "In recent years, journalists and environmentalists have pointed urgently to the melting Arctic as a leading indicator of the growing effects of climate change. While climate change has unleashed profound transformations in the region, most commentators distort these changes by calling them unprecedented. In reality, the landscapes of the North American Arctic -- as well as relations among scientists, Inuit, and federal governments -- are products of the region's colonial past. And even as policy analysts, activists, and scholars alike clamour about the future of our world's northern rim, too few truly understand its history. In Unfreezing the Arctic, Andrew Stuhl brings a fresh perspective to this defining challenge of our time. With a compelling narrative voice, Stuhl weaves together a wealth of distinct episodes into a transnational history of the North American Arctic, proving that a richer understanding of its social and environmental transformation can come only from studying the region's past. Drawing on historical records and extensive ethnographic fieldwork, as well as time spent living in the Northwest Territories, he closely examines the long-running interplay of scientific exploration, colonial control, the testimony and experiences of Inuit residents, and multinational investments in natural resources. A rich and timely portrait, Unfreezing the Arctic offers a comprehensive look at scientific activity across the long 20th-century. It will be welcomed by anyone interested in in political, economic, environmental, and social histories of transboundary regions the world over."--Jaquette In recent years, journalists and environmentalists have pointed urgently to the melting Arctic as a leading indicator of the growing effects of climate change. While climate change has unleashed profound transformations in the region, most commentators distort these changes by calling them unprecedented. In reality, the landscapes of the North American Arctic - as well as relations among scientists, Inuit and federal governments - are products of the region's colonial past. And even as policy analysts, activists and scholars alike clamour about the future of our world's northern rim, too few truly understand its history. Here, Andrew Stuhl brings a fresh perspective to this challenge of our time