This Way Up

Thirty years after the Arctic Council was established, has it stood the test of time? In this special anniversary episode, we hear from the people who helped build the Arctic Council, shape its work and carry it through some of its most challenging moments. From breaking bureaucratic norms and putting the Arctic on the global agenda, to navigating a changing geopolitical landscape and efforts to retain cooperation, our guests share stories and behind-the-scenes reflections as the Arctic Council moves into a new phase. This episode isn’t just a re-hash about the Council’s history or achievements, but a story about trust, relationships, and friends of the Arctic coming together to tackle shared challenges. As the Arctic Council turns 30 while navigating a new reality, those who know it best reflect on where it has been, what has become and why it still matters. Guests, in order of appearance: The Right Honorable Mary Simon, former Governor General of Canada and lead negotiator for the Arctic Council Chief Bill Erasmus of Arctic Athabaskan Council Gunn-Britt Retter of the Saami Council David Balton of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center and former Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, U.S. (2015-2017) Benjamin Strong of the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Working Group Morten Høglund, former Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials for Norway (2023-2025) Taylor Jobin of the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship Youth Committee Jennifer Spence of the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center The music in this episode is by Emil Kárlsen, used with permission. This Way Up is produced by the Arctic Council Secretariat and Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat. The views expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views of all Arctic States and Permanent Participants.

What can rally a community to come together and make a real difference in everyday life? That’s right, we’re talking about trash. Because in remote villages with no roads and limited infrastructure, managing waste is both a real challenge and an inspiration. This episode explores how two remote Arctic communities have turned waste management challenges into opportunities. From community-driven initiatives like turning plastic bottles into 3D printer filament in Nunavut to large-scale cleanups in Sámi communities in Russia, this episode features inspiring stories about how local leadership and community collaboration can make a real difference even when resources are limited. Whether you’re curious about sustainable solutions or just want to hear inspiring stories from the Arctic, tune in to hear how Arctic communities are proving that even trash can spark meaningful change. Guests, in order of appearance: Michele LeBlanc Havard, Government of Nunavut Patrick Huber, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Julius Mihkkal Lindi, the Saami Council We also would like to thank Shankell Mack of Aleut International Association. Her insights helped inform this episode. The music in this episode is by Emil Kárlsen, used with permission. Sound design by Både Og Studios. This Way Up is produced by the Arctic Council Secretariat and Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat. The views expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views of all Arctic States and Permanent Participants.

In the Arctic, salmon is more than a fish. It's food, connection, culture and identity. In this episode, we travel to the Deatnu River on the border of northern Norway and Finland in Sápmi, where declining Atlantic salmon stocks have led to fishing bans and disagreement on how to move forward in the future. We speak to a fisher from Alaska, where declining salmon stocks in rivers there raise similar questions about food security and what it means when the very foundation of a culture is in crisis. Through the voices of local fishers and a scientist, we explore the ongoing salmon crisis in the Arctic and what food security and food sovereignty mean in practice. You'll learn about why some salmon species are rapidly declining, new invasive species on the rise and how measures to conserve them have upended the foundation of communities. You'll also learn about different cultures' connections with salmon, how Indigenous Peoples are adapting to new realities and why management decisions can't be made on science alone. This is a story about knowledge, identity and building bridges that raises the question - how do you manage a river and species in crisis, and who gets to decide the future? Guests, in order of appearance: Áslat Holmberg, Saami Council Jaakko Erkinaro, Natural Resources Institute Finland Deenaalee Chase-Hodgdon, formerly Arctic Athabaskan Council We would like to thank Camilla Brattland of the University in Tromsø and Rolf Rødven of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. They provided their insights for this episode. The music in this episode is by Emil Kárlsen, used with permission. This Way Up is produced by the Arctic Council Secretariat and Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat. The views expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views of all Arctic States and Permanent Participants.

How does one advocate for one of the most rapidly changing regions on Earth? In this episode of This Way Up, we bring together three voices with unique perspectives on Arctic advocacy: Sara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, on why Indigenous Knowledge and human rights must be at the core of Arctic policy. Petteri Vuorimäki, Finland’s former Arctic Ambassador and Senior Arctic Official, on bridging global understanding of the circumpolar region and finding balance between competing interests. Heïdi Sevestre, glaciologist and science communicator at the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Secretariat, on translating urgent climate science into human stories that inspire change. Together, they discuss why the Arctic matters far beyond its borders, what gaps remain in global advocacy efforts and how Indigenous Knowledge, science and diplomacy can come together to help the region thrive. From environmental change and critical energy transition minerals to human rights and geoengineering, their conversation highlights the complexity of the Arctic, and why listening, humility and cooperation are essential for its future. Tune in to hear how you, too, can advocate for the Arctic.

Welcome to This Way Up, the new Arctic Council podcast. In this introductory episode, hosts Jessica Cook and Rosa-Máren Magga set the stage for the season ahead. They share their own Arctic journeys, put Arctic Council representatives to the test with elevator-pitch challenges and answer questions from curious students about everything from Indigenous participation to navigating political tensions. With a mix of storytelling and behind-the-scenes insights, this episode introduces listeners to the people, priorities and spirit of cooperation that define the Arctic Council, and what you can expect in future episodes of This Way Up.

The Arctic isn’t just warming, it’s on fire. From the record-shattering 2023 wildfire season in Canada to the zombie fires smoldering beneath the boreal forests, Arctic wildfires are reshaping landscapes, threatening communities and accelerating global climate change. In this episode, learn about the changing fire regime and how Arctic wildfires impact everyone across the globe from Edward Alexander of Gwich’in Council International and Sue Natali and Brendan Rogers of the Woodwell Climate Research Center. Hear from Edward Alexander, Chief Bill Erasmus of Arctic Athabaskan Council and Vladimir Klimov of RAIPON, who share both the devastating impact wildfires have had on their communities, as well as the beneficial uses of fire practiced by their ancestors until colonization put a stop to Indigenous cultural burning. Finally, explore how restoring Indigenous fire practices and integrating knowledge systems could be part of the solution to improving wildfire management, promoting healthier ecosystems, revitalizing culture and building resilience. Show notes: https://arctic-council.org/podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcticcouncil/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arcticcouncil X: https://x.com/ArcticCouncil

This Way Up is the Arctic Council podcast that introduces you to the people and stories shaping a changing Arctic. Each episode explores an important topic in the Arctic through storytelling, where guests share their own unique experiences and ideas. But you won’t just learn about the issues, you will hear personal stories from across the circumpolar Arctic that showcase what makes the region and its Peoples so unique and inspiring. Whether you live in the Arctic, are familiar with the region or just curious, each episode opens your eyes to new perspectives on key Arctic issues, and perhaps even inspires you to take action. First episode comes out on Monday June 30. This Way Up is hosted by Jessica Cook of the Arctic Council Secretariat and Rosa-Máren Magga of the Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat. Original music by Emil Kárlsen, used with permission. Sound design by Både Og. The views expressed in this episode do not reflect those of the Arctic States and Permanent Participants. Learn more about the Arctic Council arctic-council.org