Given Minister David Anderson's photo ops as the ship returned to port, many Canadians probably believed our nation led this initiative. A few Canadian scientists were along as tour guides. In the late 19th century, our nation was sutured together by the iron roosters that have been so celebrated by Paul Theroux. As we enter the 21st century, the need for territorial integrity has moved to a more cerebral plane, reliant on the sharing of distinctive experiences and interests. If we act, the North can play an important role in protecting our national identity from erosion on a networked planet.
Political intervention is the first step in energizing our national interest in the North.
In 1984, the U.S. Congress passed the Arctic Research and Policy Act, which formally recognized the United States as a polar nation. We have no similar legislation, no polar science policy and no budget. If done well, education can play an important role in crystallizing our national identity. It is a future worth anticipating. Prof. Paul Hebert is chair of the Department of Zoology.