On the shores of Lake Tiktalik in Canada’s Western Arctic, a troubling trend is unfolding—permafrost is succumbing to climate change, triggering alarming landslides and reshaping the landscape. This phenomenon has resulted in massive "thaw slumps" that are now exposing the fragile ecosystem and threatening the Indigenous community of Tuktoyaktuk with the prospect of becoming Canada’s first climate refugees.
The Inuvialuit, who have inhabited this land for centuries, are witnessing the land they call home transform drastically. Once nestled just below the surface, the permafrost is now rapidly thawing, collapsing into lakes and the Arctic Ocean, signaling a stark climate reality. As 17-year-old Jaden Cockney and seasoned environment monitor William Dillon survey the permafrost retreat, they recognize the urgency of their work.
Located atop 1,300 to 1,600 feet of thawing permafrost, Tuktoyaktuk is precariously positioned near the Beaufort Sea, its very foundation shifting beneath it. Dillon, who has been collecting climate data for three decades, notes the dramatic changes, emphasizing the critical need for the community to evaluate their future.
As the threat of relocation looms larger, local voices differ on when to take action. Balancing the rich history and deep attachment to the land with the pressing realities of climate change creates a complex dialogue within the community. As they navigate these challenges, the future of Tuktoyaktuk remains uncertain, shrouded in both urgency and resolve.
