WHITEHORSE, YT — Polar Knowledge Canada has officially opened its first northern office in Whitehorse, marking a strategic expansion aimed at strengthening partnerships with researchers and Indigenous knowledge holders across the Canadian North.
Located in the Elijah Smith Building on Main Street, the office is part of Polar Knowledge Canada’s broader mandate to support collaborative Arctic research and knowledge mobilization. The organization, headquartered in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, employs nearly 100 staff across Canada.
Officials say the new Whitehorse hub will enhance relationships with local communities and knowledge keepers while creating long-term opportunities for research collaboration that responds to the unique environmental and cultural landscape of the North.
Working with more communities and Indigenous knowledge holders will be key to collaboratively addressing climate change and supporting Northern communities,” said a senior representative from Polar Knowledge Canada.
The move reflects a commitment to integrating Western science with Indigenous ways of knowing, particularly on issues such as climate adaptation, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship.
Researchers and community leaders welcomed the announcement, noting that proximity to Yukon communities should improve participation from local stakeholders and strengthen capacity for northern research initiatives over time.
Advocates say that expanding research infrastructure in the North supports economic opportunities, informs policy decisions, and helps build resilient communities amid rapid environmental change.
