The most important driver of innovation is human knowledge. Creative, thoughtful, and forward-thinking individuals are at the centre of all scientific research. Today on Breaking the Ice, we're starting a two-part series looking at the young people who will make innovation happen in the north for years to come.

In our first episode, we're speaking with two youths - one from the north and one who moved there - who are already involved in the sciences. Nicholas Flowers is an 18-year-old from Hopedale, Nunatsiavut (in Newfoundland and Labrador). Last year, he won the STEAM Horizon Award, which recognizes innovative Canadian youth who promote positive changes throughout their community. Nicholas spoke about how Indigenous knowledge is critical in informing how we do STEM and innovation technology research.

Ayesha Ahmad is a 21-year-old who moved to Whitehorse, Yukon, two years ago. She is not from the north, but rather, saw it as a place with an enormous potential for science and innovation and decided to move there on her own initiative. Ayesha spoke about her impressive work that looks at how to safely manage mine tailings in northern conditions.

While much has been done of late to strengthen the North American Arctic, there is much potential to strengthen the ties between Canada and Greenland. The win-win of a closer relationship between the two countries has long been touted as a way to mitigate the persistent issues in the region such as security, economic under-development, and the infrastructure gap.

Today on Breaking the Ice, Dr. Jessica Shadian, Elliott Simpson, and Ayoe Kristiansen discuss this with two people keenly aware of the risks of continuing down this path of ‘business as usual,’ Leona Alleslev - MP for Aurora, Oak Ridges, and Richmond hill, and Vittus Qujaukitsoq – former Minister for Finance and Nordic Cooperation.

Greenland and Canada are neighbours in the Arctic, and they share much in the way of cultural ties. They also share an abundance of natural resources - especially critical minerals.

But what is diplomacy's role in all this? And how can the diplomatic ties shared between Canada and Greenland improve the economic, and human outlook in the North American Arctic?

Today on Breaking the Ice, Dr. Jessica Shadian, Elliott Simpson, and Ayoe Kristiansen sit down with two people intimately involved in the day to day matters of diplomacy between Canada and Greenland. Simeon McKay - Counsellor for Political and Public Affairs at the Embassy of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark - and Inuuteq Holm Olsen, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of Greenland’s representation at the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC.

Canada’s north has incredible potential for innovation in transportation. We have thousands of kilometres of land that could be available for almost year-round modern vehicular research, including the performance of autonomous and electric vehicles in northern climates.

Unfortunately, Canada is not taking full advantage of this potential. But other countries are. Norway, in collaboration with Finland, has established a research centre based around a test track on public roads in its far north. At this facility, it tests how Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems might function in northern environments.

In this episode of Breaking the Ice, host Connor Oke speaks to Tomas Levin, who is a Senior Principal Engineer at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, to learn more about the E8 Borealis Test Track.

Canada's north is facing a severe housing crisis. Today, we're looking at innovative solutions to address this problem, including new techniques for building on permafrost and the possibility of 3D printing new homes.

Our co-hosts Connor Oke and Rebecca Rogers sit down with Stig Hansen, the project manager for a new student housing complex in Svalbard, Norway, and Julian Leland Bell, a mechanical engineer who specializes in robotics, manufacturing, and mechanical design. In 2017, he worked on a project at MIT to construct houses using 3D printing techniques.

Mining is important to the economies of both Northern Canada and Greenland. There is a lot that the mining industries in Canada and Greenland can learn from one another.

Our cohosts were pleased to welcome Hans Hinrichsen, General Manager of the Greenland School of Minerals and Petroleum. His school, based out of Sisimiut, Greenland, takes an innovative approach to mining focused on hands-on learning and practical experience in the industry. And from Canada, we spoke to Paul Gruner, President & CEO of Det’on Cho Management LP. Serving the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Det'on Cho Management LP employs 600-700 people working in 15 companies and is heavily involved in services for the mining sector.

Heavy fuel oil is thick and has a tar-like consistency. That makes spills involving heavy fuel oil a major environmental concern. It is commonly used in shipping vessels, including in Arctic waters. However, the International Maritime Organization has recently approved a ban on HFO in the Arctic after July 1, 2024.

To make sense of this ban and what heavy fuel oil is, our co-hosts Paris Molokwu-Ogwuda Jr. and Rebecca Rogers sat down with a panel of guests: Andrew Dumbrille, Lead Specialist in Marine Shipping and Conservation at the World Wildlife Fund; Dr. Sian Prior, Lead Adviser to the Clean Arctic Alliance; and Michael Kingston, an Irish maritime lawyer and the Managing Director of Michael Kingston Associates.

Indigenous Development Corporations are the economic arms of many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in Canada and the United States. These organizations are major drivers of innovation and economic growth for Indigenous communities.

Our hosts Paris Molokwu-Ogwuda Jr. and Rebecca Rogers speak to Clint Davis, President and CEO of Nunasi Corporation, and Debbie Atuk, President and CEO at Kootznoowoo, Inc., to learn more.

Arctic360 is proud to announce our new summer podcast series Breaking the Ice. Each week, we will speak with international and local experts to understand the issues facing the North American arctic.

Listen to this episode for more information about what to expect this summer.