The research team included 9 researchers, male and female, young and less young: most were Master’s students. Between 2013 and 2017, a field visit of approximately six weeks was made to Baker Lake at least once a year. Each student participating in the project wrote a Master’s thesis and made a Powerpoint presentation about their research (in French, with a summary in English). The thesis summaries are found in the profiles below: if you wish to read a Master’s thesis, please fill in the contact form.

Anna Deffner – In 2013, Anna Deffner explored adaptation strategies of the community in response to cumulative impacts and changes as well as future alternative scenarios. She spent time with community members to identify the factors impacting traditional lifestyles, as well as to investigate the impacts of mining on the environment, community health and the economy. Anna completed a masters in Agronomic studies at AgroParisTech School of Montpellier, She is currently the Biodiversity project officer at BIOTOPE, a consulting company.

Annabel Rixen – In 2014, Anabel Rixen focused her research on the future of the caribou and the perspectives for employment following the closure of the mine. The community created a well-being wheel to compare different future mining scenarios from a wellness point of view. Annabel completed her agronomic studies at AgrpParisTEch Montpellier, France. Annabel est Allemande‐Canadienne et a réalisé un Master 2 en Gestion des Écosystèmes et des Forêts Tropicales à AgroParisTech Montpellier. Antérieurement, elle a travaillé comme stagiaire au sein de l’Assemblée Législative de Colombie Britannique au Canada ainsi que pour Oxfam Allemagne sur la campagne internationale pour une agriculture durable. Elle a aussi réalisé une étude sur l’adaptation aux changements climatiques dans la gestion de l’eau en Argentine, dans le cadre d’une recherche avec le CIRAD. Pendant son temps libre, j’aime bie faire des randonnées, jouer dans des groupes de musique traditionnelle, apprendre des nouvelles langues et voyager. Sujet de stage : Ayant grandi sur l’Ile de Vancouver, puis passé une licence en Sciences Politiques à l’Université de Victoria au Canada, elle porte un intérêt particulier pour la culture et les droits des groupes autochtones au Canada. Pendant qon stage de fin d’études au CNRS, elle a  travailler en équipe avec Sylvie Blangy et était co‐stagiaire avec Marine Jourdren sur l’évaluation des impacts socio‐économiques des activités minières sur les communautés Arctiques (Nunavut et Nunavik). Elle a appliqué diverses techniques de recherche action participative pour animer des ateliers avec la communauté Inuit de Baker Lake, notamment pour faciliter la construction des scénarios futur.

Elise Brunel – In 2015, Elise Brunel worked closely with four families to co-create short films about Inuit identity in Qamani’tuaq. The participants attempted to convey to someone outside the community what Inuit identity means today. These encounters allowed space for the expression of individual stories, which could then take their place in the collective history of the Inuit. Elise completed her degree in Politic Sciences at Lilles University, France.

Cécile Desérigny – In early 2016, Cecile responded to the community’s wish to generate projects to improve wellness and happiness in Baker Lake. She organized workshops that gave people the opportunity to gather together and discuss how they envision community wellness. Cécile completed her Master’s Degree in Geography at the University of Montreal, Canada .

Etienne Le Merre – Also in 2016, Etienne looked at how the mine affects well-being in the community. Together with Baker Lake residents, he identified how the mine affects different criteria of well-being and what degree of control people exert over these. This resulted in possible areas of action. Etienne completed his master degrees in Agronomic studies at SupAgro School of Montpellier.