Canada’s Arctic moment: Rethinking security, sovereignty and strength in the North — How a Canada Research Chair is helping shape the national conversation around security, partnerships and community in the rapidly changing Arctic

Date published: April 15, 2026 | Estimated read time: 6 min Social SCiences and Humanities Research Council

Standing in the northern community of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Arctic scholar Whitney Lackenbauer is thinking about Canada’s future in the North.

“There’s certainly a sense of wonder when I step outside here. I’m awestruck by the physical beauty of the North,” Lackenbauer says. But, he emphasizes that there is more to it. “Northerners are self-determining, they are setting agendas and they help us fulfil ambitions as a country. As an academic, it’s such a privilege to be a part of this conversation and part of this ecosystem. It’s the human connections I’ve made in the North that drive what I do.”

An Arctic historian, Canadian studies professor at Trent University and Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North, Lackenbauer is a leading expert on Arctic sovereignty, security and northern communities.

Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer assisting with the construction of an iglu (snow house) on King William Island, Nunavut, 2015.

Photo: Donald Waldock

“We are a country with vibrant communities building forward in the North. Our work is shaping national conversations and policies,” says Lackenbauer.

His work—supported by SSHRC—helps Canadians better understand the strategic importance of the Arctic, and the people who live there.

“This area is an inherent part of our country and, sometimes, when there’s a lack of first-hand experience, we can be susceptible to misunderstandings or even misinformation,” Lackenbauer explains about Canada’s Arctic, often stereotypically viewed as a target of imminent foreign invasion with a lack of surveillance. “The truth is, we are global leaders in terms of Indigenous rights and innovative approaches to Arctic sovereignty and governance. Yet, like every country, we still have things to improve on.”

Understanding Arctic threats

Lackenbauer’s work is best known for distinguishing between serious security threats through the Arctic, to the Arctic and in the Arctic. His framework for analysis has helped policy-makers develop defence strategies and better understand risks.

He says Canada and its allies face military threats from countries like Russia and China, but many fall below the threshold of armed conflict, including economic pressure, misinformation and other “grey-zone” activities.

“Our research shows where we are investing in Arctic defence and what provides early warning of an attack on North America as a whole. The likelihood of a direct military attack on a community like Cambridge Bay is very low,” says Lackenbauer.

Instead, his research focuses on building resilience—strong communities, reliable infrastructure and coordinated responses.

“Over the last decade, our research has focused on aligning Canada’s tools for identifying and responding to Arctic and northern security risks with Canadians’ values and mandates of departments across the whole of government,” he says. “While I support the armed forces, we must avoid unnecessarily militarizing the Arctic when addressing sovereignty and security risks.”

Balancing military risks with community safety

Lackenbauer says recent federal investments in Arctic security and infrastructure strike the right balance.

“If you ask Northerners about day-to-day security concerns, they often will point to housing and food security linked to climate change,” he explains.

Changing weather and environmental conditions pose the most immediate risks, such as altering travel routes on the lands and waters in different seasons, while extreme storms and wildfires threaten communities.

“Many Elders note that it is more difficult to predict weather patterns,” says Lackenbauer. “Smart investments in infrastructure and local capacity are key to ensuring that human and military security are mutually reinforcing.”

Sharing Canadian Arctic ideas

Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, who also serves as the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, on northern Ellesmere Island during Operation NANOOK-TAKUNIQ in July 2025.

Photo: Leandra Brient

Internationally, much of Lackenbauer’s Canada research programs are in partnership with colleagues in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Greenland and other NATO partners. The idea is to look at the North not just from a Canadian perspective, but through a circumpolar Arctic lens.

One key concept is “total defence”—a whole-of-society approach to responding to threats ranging from armed conflict, to misinformation, humanitarian and environmental disasters, or infrastructure disruption. Lackenbauer says Canada has been a leader in this area for decades, but stands to learn from its Nordic counterparts as well.

“I’m up here with the Canadian Rangers, I’ve studied them extensively and I’m their biggest fan,” he says, referring to the reserve force that has served as Canada’s eyes and ears in isolated coastal and northern communities for nearly 80 years.

“This is a Canadian success story that has attracted the interest of our allies,” says Lackenbauer. “Greenlanders are now building their own version inspired by what we’ve done.”

The modern face of Arctic threats

Recent international tensions—including discussions in the United States about Greenland—have highlighted how quickly geopolitical narratives can shift.

“In Greenland and in Canada, we’ve long seen the United States as a friend and ally, but now we must also view it as a competitor and potential risk. That’s something we’re adjusting to,” says Lackenbauer.

“In this era of heightened competition, Canadians need to identify what we can improve in the North, while reinforcing what we’re doing well,” he says.

Passing on passion for the Arctic

Despite the global stakes, Lackenbauer’s work remains grounded in northern communities—celebrating the Arctic not as a distant frontier, but as an essential part of Canada.

“I’ve been very fortunate getting my hands dirty—and pretty cold—from time to time,” he laughs.

Through SSHRC funding, Lackenbauer has also proudly helped train hundreds of students. 

“My work is centred around ‘nothing about us without us,’ conceived in partnership with the people of the North and attentive to their priorities,” Lackenbauer explains. “My passion is to inspire the next generation of Canadian Northern and Arctic researchers. I hope they realize how incredibly exciting it is to bring your curiosity to the north and immerse yourself in the deep and diverse expertise that resides in this amazing part of our country.”

Want to learn more?

Check out the more than 70 books written and co-edited by Whitney Lackenbauer or this Arctic Connections podcast.