Arctic Fourth World Nations in a Geopolitical

Over the past decade, the Arctic region has received increased attention from climate scientists, politicians, and transnational corporations. Human-induced climate change is causing glaciers to recede, resulting in new northern sea passages that are highly sought after by businesses and governments alike. Deeply affected by this increased northern exposure are Arctic Fourth World nations – politically and culturally distinct nations encapsulated by states – that have lived in the Arctic for millennia. This paper examines the impacts that expanded northern sea routes are having on Arctic Fourth World nations and the conflict mitigation approaches being used in the region. Research was conducted while working for the Center for World Indigenous Studies. Primary data was collected through participant observation during the Conference of Parties (COP) 17 United Nations Convention on Climate Change Session in December 2011, and from an extensive literature review of Fourth World Theory and Arctic geopolitics. Data was analyzed from the perspective of Fourth World Theory building on this critical analysis of a geopolitical phenomena affecting social, economic, political an strategic affairs globally and locally. The Arctic is experiencing severe anthropogenic climatic changes that have led to melting glaciers, a decrease in biodiversity, and the destruction of human nutritional sources, infrastructure, and settlements. In addition, melting ice is giving way to new northern sea passages, resulting in shorter and more profitable shipping lanes for trans-state businesses and governments, yet causing severe disruptions to Arctic ecosystems and the diverse cultures that inhabit them. Arctic Fourth World nations -distinct political nations encapsulated by Arctic states -and the bio-culturally diverse regions they represent are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change and potential new commercial and military shipping lanes. Yet, given their long histories of cultivating symbiotic relationships with the niches they inhabit, Arctic Fourth World nations demonstrate tremendous capacity to adapt to these changes. Their hypotheses and instrumentation may look and feel different than the Cartesian-based scientific methods the western world places its faith in, but it is precisely this epistemological endowment that necessitates their full and effective participation in mitigating the environmental, social, economic, and political challenges of a warming Arctic region – and beyond. “Movement will always be a necessary part of life in the Arctic. We do our best to prepare our young people for that reality.”