Arcticness

Climate change and globalisation are opening up the Arctic for exploitation by the world – or so we are told. But what about the views, interests and needs of the peoples who live in the region? This volume explores the opportunities and limitations in engaging with the Arctic under change, and the Arctic peoples experiencing the changes, socially and physically.

With essays by both academics and Arctic peoples, integrating multiple perspectives and multiple disciplines, the book covers social, legal, political, geographical, scientific and creative questions related to Arcticness, to address the challenges faced by the Arctic as a region and specifically by local communities. As well as academic essays, the contributions to the book include personal reflections, a graphic essay, and poetry, to ensure wide and varied coverage of the Arctic experience – what the contributions all have in common is the fundamental human perspective.

Topics covered in the essays include indigenous identity and livelihoods such as reindeer herding, and adapting to modern identities; a graphic essay on the experience of Arctic indigenous peoples in residential schools; the effects of climate change; energy in the Arctic; and extractive industries and their impacts on local communities.

The book includes reflections on the future of Arcticness, engaging with communities to ensure meaningful representation and as a counterpoint to the primacy of environmental, national and global issues.

Praise for Arcticness

''An engaging read for all. The [following] chapters ... would be accessible to A-Level students wanting to extend their knowledge. For students: Chapter 1: Editorial Introduction: Shall I compare thee to an Arctic day (or night)? [and] Chapter 5: Arcticness: In the making of the beholder ... For teachers: Whilst the whole book will be of interest, Chapter 9 compares the Arctic and Uganda as resource frontiers. This was one of those chapters where the ideas for a scheme of work jump out as you read… and what a powerful unit it could be!''

KateStockings.com (blog)

‘Reviewing such an eclectic mix of contributions is not easy or straightforward, and each individual reader will need to decide whether a contribution “has real and useful meaning.''

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research: An Interdisciplinary Journal

‘As a collection, this volume offers an eclectic mix of chapters spanning artistic renditions, personal narratives, and socio-political analyses, as well as scientists’ takes on what it means to “know” Northern environments.’

ANTIPODE

''The wide range of contributions makes this latest book edited by Ilan Kelman an enjoyable and unexpected work, easily accessible due to its open-access availability.''

The Polar Journal

''A thought-provoking, well-curated exploration of a rapidly changing, dynamic region.''

Choice

‘The diversity of Arcticness: Power and Voice from the North is highly impressive ...It is rare to find a collection that incorporates such a wide range of perspectives, and it makes for a fascinating and compelling read...a clear and original contribution to the field of Arctic studies.''

Urban Island Studies

''Did this book meet its objectives? Absolutely. Just as living in the Arctic forces you to confront your own limitations and stretch yourself beyond what you know., this book guides you out of your comfort zone to assess the physical, spiritual, cultural and, environmental realities that make up this vast region. I am reasonably convinced that all examinations of the Arctic should follow this template. Only good things happen when the natural scientist considers the Indigenous understandings of place, the artist considers the unique views offered by science and technology, and the anthropologist becomes educated by both. This is the true spirit and success of Arcticness.... I hereby dub Arcticness a work of "awesomeness" and highly recommend it to anyone -- professional researcher or not -- who is seeking a well-rounded and diverse view of the state of being Arctic.''

ARCTIC