Episodes

  • Hope Bay

    Hope Bay
    Jun 22 2026
    In this season finale of The Arctic Edge, host Hannah Thibedeau travels to the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut, 125 kilometres southwest of Cambridge Bay, as Agnico Eagle announces a US$2.4 billion investment in the next phase of development for its Hope Bay project. What she finds is a compelling example of sustained northern investment. Projects like Hope Bay can serve as an example of how this can be done. Not as a blueprint to replicate, but as an illustration of what becomes possible when relationships are established early, built, and sustained over time, on trust.

    This episode features conversations with Sean Boyd, Chair of the Board of Agnico Eagle; Ammar Al‑Joundi, Chief Executive Officer; Alex Buchan, Director of Nunavut Affairs; the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Nunavut Premier John Main; Member of Parliament Lori Idlout; and employees on the ground at Hope Bay: Johnny Nikhaktok Avakok, haul truck driver; Quentin Crockatt, core technician; and Jonny Toft, senior exploration field technician. Together, they paint a picture of what it takes to build in the Arctic and the impacts on generations to come.

    As Sean Boyd puts it, "Hope Bay can be a template: a template of cooperation, a template of vision, a template of initiative to make big things happen."

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca

    Footage permissions provided by:
    BLM Alaska: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
    Breakfast Club of Canada
    Council of the Federations
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    19 mins
  • Rethinking Food in Canada’s Changing North

    Rethinking Food in Canada’s Changing North
    Jun 15 2026
    Access to nutritious, affordable food in Canada’s North is shaped by geography, infrastructure, policy, and the strength of local communities. In this episode of The Arctic Edge, host Hannah Thibedeau explores how communities, organizations, and businesses are working together to strengthen food systems across Canada’s North. While affordability and access remain ongoing challenges, this is also a story of leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

    Through conversations with Breakfast Club of Canada’s Ryan Baker and Judith Barry, Arctic Co-Operatives Limited’s Duane Wilson, ArchTech’s Alex Cook, and Arctic Fresh Group’s Albert Netser, this episode highlights initiatives that are making a tangible difference— from school nutrition programs and community-owned co-operatives to efforts expanding access to nutritious food. The discussion also explores the role of local knowledge, community leadership, and partnerships in sustaining traditional country food practices, supporting hunters, and strengthening local economies.

    In the North, food systems are about more than access. They are deeply connected to well-being, culture and opportunity, supporting children, families, and communities to thrive and shape what comes next.

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca

    Footage permissions Provided By:
    Breakfast Club of Canada (supplied photos)
    Arctic Co-ops (supplied photos)
    Alex Cook (supplied photos)
    Steve Mongeau (Arctic Stocks)
    Arctic Fresh (website images)
    Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Leslie Philipp, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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    24 mins
  • Powerful Change

    Powerful Change
    Jun 1 2026
    In this episode of The Arctic Edge, we explore how climate change is impacting life, infrastructure, and opportunity across the North. Through conversations with Anne‑Raphaëlle Audouin, CEO of Nukik Corporation, Dr. Jackie Dawson, Canada Research Chair in the human and policy dimensions of climate change at the University of Ottawa, Michael Milton, Inuit youth researcher land-based knowledge keeper from Pond Inlet, and Canada’s Arctic Ambassador Virginia Mearns, we explore how climate change is affecting daily life and traditional practices, the growing role of Inuit knowledge in Arctic science, and the broader geopolitical implications of a rapidly changing North.

    From the region’s continued reliance on diesel to the transformative potential of projects like the Kivalliq Hydro‑Fibre Link, the discussion underscores the need for sustained investment in reliable power, connectivity, and community-led solutions. Ultimately, the episode examines how innovation, collaboration, and long-term commitment can help build a more resilient, connected, and sustainable future for northern communities.

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca

    Footage provided by:
    CambridgeBayWeather, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    ADialla, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Janne Wallenius, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Ansgar Walk, CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Jordanroderick, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Virginia Mearns
    Jim Welsh
    Ikaarvik
    Annie Aleekee
    Doris Angohiatok
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    20 mins
  • Housing Is the Foundation

    Housing Is the Foundation
    May 19 2026
    Housing is the foundation everything else rests on. In this episode of The Arctic Edge, host Hannah Thibedeau goes inside Nunavut's housing crisis and the people constructively working to solve it. With a public housing waitlist of 3,700 families, aging infrastructure, and some of the most challenging building conditions on earth, the scale of the challenge is clear. But so is the momentum.

    Through conversations with Minister Cecile Lyall, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, ArchTech founder Alex Cook, and Albert Netser, Co-CEO of Arctic Fresh Group, this episode looks at what's actually being built: modular housing factories, net-zero homes, apprenticeship programs, and cross-sector partnerships - including Agnico Eagle's donation of shipping for 20 modular housing units to the communities of Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet. The new Nunavut 3000 Strategy, backed by nearly half a billion dollars in combined federal and territorial investment, is bringing construction to every Nunavut community simultaneously for the first time in the territory's history. Because a secure Arctic, as Minister Lyall emphasizes, starts with a secure population.

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca


    Footage permissions Provided By:

    OhanaUnited, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Nunavut Arctic College

    Footage of [Federal and Nunavut governments sign housing partnership – January 30, 2026] provided by CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc.
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    25 mins
  • A Defining Moment for The North

    A Defining Moment for The North
    May 4 2026
    Canada is looking north. In this season premiere of The Arctic Edge, host Hannah Thibedeau sets the stage for a season of conversations about what it takes to build a strong, sovereign, and thriving Arctic. Decades of underinvestment in northern infrastructure, combined with renewed global interest in the Arctic, have made this moment both urgent and full of opportunity.

    Through conversations with Nunavut Premier John Main, Arctic business leader Harry Flaherty, Canadian Ranger Jim Welsh, and former Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, we explore a pivotal moment in Canada's relationship with its North, where federal attention, historic investment, and Inuit leadership are aligning to protect Arctic sovereignty. Premier Main's vision is clear: a Nunavut defined not by its challenges, but by the strength of its communities, its culture, and its people. There is a momentum for the North and for partnerships to be built. This is a story of a region ready to seize a defining moment to shape its future.

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca

    Footage permissions Provided By:
    • Council of the Federations
    • J Hazard - Wikimedia commons
    • Jim Welsh of the Canadian Rangers
    • Nothern Pix - Wikimedia Commons
    • Privy Council Office.© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, 2026.
    • Qikiqtaluuk Corporation
    • Arctic Summit
    • Breakfast Club of Canada
    • “Don’t Make Me Blue” – Elisapie, Courtesy of Bonsound
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    24 mins
  • Coming Soon: Season 2 of The Arctic Edge

    Coming Soon: Season 2 of The Arctic Edge
    Apr 20 2026
    Hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster Hannah Thibedeau, The Arctic Edge aims to foster constructive engagement on the social, economic and geopolitical issues affecting Nunavut and Canada’s broader Arctic, bringing the voices of the North and beyond to a national audience.

    Season 2 of the podcast builds on the foundation of our first season to dive deeper into matters of sovereignty, resilience, innovation, and community-driven growth as Nunavut and the Arctic region grow in national and global significance. Through thoughtful conversations and storytelling, it examines how strong, vibrant communities underpin sovereignty, with episodes focused on housing, food security, climate and energy, and responsible resource development.

    NEW this season: the stories and perspectives of Canada’s Arctic are vividly brought to life with video and striking visuals that invite viewers to see the faces behind them and get to know the communities where they unfold up close. Watch full episodes at thearcticedge.ca.

    Season 2 will feature honest conversations about challenges, focused on solutions, that will hopefully bring a deeper understanding of the people, cultures and dynamics of Canada’s North, but also of its strategic importance.

    Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode!
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    3 mins
  • The Future of Nunavut

    The Future of Nunavut
    Aug 21 2025
    In this season finale of The Arctic Edge, host Hannah Thibedeau sits down with a powerful roundtable of leaders to look ahead to Nunavut’s future. Our guests offer their insight into the challenges, and the opportunities that are shaping the North. In this compelling and hopeful conversation, they explore the power of Inuit led development. How youth empowerment and education is critical for long term transformation. That collaboration across communities, industries and government is essential. Not just for resource and economic development, but for lasting community strength. Real impact comes when development aligns with Inuit knowledge to uplift communities, fuelled by local leadership, cultural pride and generational thinking. Our guests Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr, Chair of Agnico Eagle’s Board Sean Boyd and entrepreneur Cody Dean offer their inspirational insights.

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca
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    29 mins
  • Sovereignty and Security

    Sovereignty and Security
    Aug 7 2025
    What does Canadian sovereignty and security really mean for the Arctic, from a past, present and future perspective? From Cold War radar lines to modern defence systems, Canada’s presence in the North has always been shaped by global threats and strategic necessity.

    In this episode, we learn about Grise Fjord, Canada’s northernmost community, and about the Inuit families that were forcibly relocated there in the 1950’s, serving as human flag poles. Premier P.J. Akeeagok’s family was one of them. Their personal stories reveal how sovereignty isn’t just about borders, but about people. For Inuit, sovereignty isn’t an abstract concept. It’s rooted in survival, sacrifice and home, while bearing a strong sense of patriotism.

    With renewed geopolitical tensions, as well as climate change, Canada is looking north. It’s time for a shift from symbolic sovereignty to a real investment, not only in defence and infrastructure, but in communities as a foundation of a secure Arctic.

    To learn more, visit www.thearcticedge.ca
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    27 mins