The Current How reliable hydro will help build Arctic sovereignty
Nov 18, 2025
Heather Schulten, Executive Director of the Nunavut Nukik Sautit Corporation, is leading the charge on a transformative hydroelectric project in Iqaluit. She discusses how local ownership is crucial for self-determination and decision-making in energy initiatives. Schulten emphasizes that reliance on imported diesel undermines Arctic sovereignty and proposes harnessing renewable resources instead. The conversation highlights the significance of Inuit values in the project and its potential to enhance community security and living conditions.
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Diesel Dependency Undermines Daily Life
- Nunavut relies entirely on imported diesel for electricity, causing frequent outages and high costs.
- Heather Schulten and locals say diesel dependence prevents basic services and economic activity from functioning reliably.
Frequent Outages Disrupt Community
- Curtis Mesher describes frequent power outages in Iqaluit as impossible to count.
- He says outages halt businesses and everyday life across the community.
Ownership As Self-Determination
- The planned hydro project will be 100% Inuit-owned and aims to return control and economic benefits to the community.
- Heather Schulten emphasizes ownership as a form of economic self-determination.