Regional Security in the North: Emerging Themes and Challenges

• Canada
• Projects
• United States of America
• 14 June 2017

By Polar Research and Policy Initiative

Polar Research and Policy Initiative is an official sponsor of the workshop ‘Regional Security in the North: Emerging Themes and Challenges’ which will take place between June 19 and June 22, 2017 in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

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Theme: This workshop will explore borders, security and security management with particular attention to the unique features of the Arctic and Sub-Arctic region in Canada and the United States. It examines how border integrity and regional security are envisioned through the lens of national policy and practice, and asks how well these fit with regional security needs. What is the impact of existing security practice? What works? What does not?

This workshop will examine security issues from various perspectives and agencies and at various scales. It seeks to identify ways in which regional needs can be better identified and met, and where security policies and practices can be better understood in relation to local communities, agencies and governance.

Who Should Attend: The workshop is by invitation only. Participants include government agency representatives, NGOs, local government and community representatives, security experts, scholars, and students.

Workshop Location: The workshop will take place at Yukon College, Whitehorse, with a day-trip to Skagway, Alaska.

PROGRAM

• JUNE 19 

– 6:30- 9:00 pm: Informal sponsored dinner at Yukon College.

• JUNE 20

– 8:00 am: Continental breakfast
– 8:30-9:00 am: Opening Remarks
– 9:00-10:45 am: The Big Picture: Arctic Security and National Security
Chair: Heather Nicol, Trent University

1. Christian Leuprecht, Royal Military College
2. Randy Kee, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret), Arctic Domain Awareness Center Executive Director, University of Alaska
3. Evan Travers, Public Safety Canada
4. Inuuteq Olsen Holm, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Greenland Representation at the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC

– 10:45-11:00 am: Coffee break
– 11:00-12:30 am: The Arctic Region and US Security Interests
Chair: Whitney Lackenbauer, St. Jerome’s University

1. Leslie Lawson, DHS Attaché to Canada, US Embassy, Ottawa,
2. Margaret Stock, Cross- Border Law Offices, Anchorage, Alaska
3. David Martin, Deputy Director for Plans and Policy, Alaskan Command
4. Claude E. Denver, Response Manager, State Emergency Operations Center, Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

– 12:30-1:30 pm: Lunch
– 1:30-3:00 pm: The Arctic and Canadian Security Interests
Chair: Christian Leuprecht, Royal Military College

1. Adam Lajeunese, Saint Francis Xavier University
2. Whitney Lackenbauer, St. Jerome’s University
3. Justin Barnes, Trent University
4. Heather Nicol, Trent University

– 3:00-3:15 pm: Coffee Break
– 3:15-4:45 pm: Border integrity and human security in regional and local context
Chair: Leslie Lawson, DHS

1. Heather Nicol, Trent University
2. Rob Hynes USCG D17
3. Superintendent Brian Jones, Criminal Operations, M Division
4. John Mitchell, Sgt. Canadian Rangers, Confirmed
5. Will Greaves, University of Toronto

– 6:30 pm: Bus from Yukon College to downtown Whitehorse
– 7:00 pm: Sponsored workshop dinner in downtown Whitehorse

• JUNE 21

– 8:00 am: Continental breakfast
– 8:30-10:00 am: Security and Border Policy: National versus regional perspectives
Chair: Will Greaves, University of Toronto

1. Steve Myers, Director, Arctic Caucus, Pacific Northwest Economic Region (NWER)
2. Mike Perry, Trent University, School for the Study of Canada
3. Karen Everett, Trent University
4. Dr. James R. Hemsath DM, PE, PMP, Director – Project Development and Asset Management, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (SKYPE)

– 10:00-10:15 am: Coffee Break
– 10:15 am-12:15 pm: Indigenous communities and international boundaries
Chair: Norman Easton

1. Chief David Johhny
2. Greg Boos, Cross-Border Law, Bellingham WA
3. Dalee Sambo Dorough, Professor, University of Alaska
4. Robin Campbell, Hutchins Legal, Ottawa
5. Chris Jackson, Royal Military College

– 12:15-1:00 pm: Lunch
Lunch Keynote Speaker: Terrence Cole, University of Alaska
No Border Line Here? The Imaginary Divide Between Alaska and North America
– 1:00 pm: Departure for borderland trip: Whitehorse to Skagway
– 7:00 pm: Return from Skagway to Whitehorse
– 8:30 pm: Arrive back in Whitehorse

• JUNE 22  

– 8:00-10:30 am: Continental breakfast and workshop discussion: Identifying next steps
– 11:00 am: Checkout and departure for airport