Inunnguat
Building Canada’s Arctic Future
For decades, Canada has claimed sovereignty over the Arctic, yet it remains largely uninhabited and underdeveloped. Sovereignty is more than legal definitions and territorial lines; it's about presence, infrastructure, and sustainable communities. Without a permanent, thriving population, Canada’s influence in the Arctic remains fragile.
Joe Federer saw this gap years ago. He envisioned Inunnguat, a self-sustaining, Indigenous-led city built for permanent habitation in one of the harshest environments on Earth. His idea was ambitious, but recent advances in passive building design, water purification, and circular economy technologies have made it possible. What was once a dream is now a realistic and necessary step forward.
A structure similar to an inuksuk is called an inunnguaq (ᐃᓄᙳᐊᖅ, 'imitation of a person', plural inunnguat); it is meant to represent a human figure. Inunnguaq has become widely familiar to non-Inuit, and is particularly found in Greenland. However, it is not the most common type of inuksuk. It is distinguished from inuksuit in general.
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The Challenge of the North
Canada’s claim to the Arctic is based on international law, but territorial claims must be reinforced by a lasting civilian presence. Other nations are strengthening their Arctic positions through investment in infrastructure and permanent settlements. Russia has built fully developed Arctic cities, while Canada has only small, underfunded communities spread across the region. Without a strong and sustainable population, Canada risks losing influence over the Arctic’s future.
For Indigenous groups, life in the Arctic has always been about adaptation and resilience. However, government neglect has left many northern communities struggling with inadequate housing, unreliable energy, and food insecurity. Many still rely on diesel power, creating unsustainable supply chains that are expensive and environmentally damaging. There is a need for infrastructure that supports self-determination rather than temporary government initiatives that fail to provide lasting solutions.
The Arctic is warming at four times the global average, creating new risks and opportunities. Traditional models of mining and industrial extraction are no longer viable for long-term development. A new approach is required, one that prioritizes sustainability, energy independence, and environmental responsibility.
Inunnguat: A Passive, Circular, and Self-Sustaining City
Inunnguat is not just a city. It's a model for the future. Built on passive design principles, a circular economy, and Indigenous leadership, it will be the first Arctic metropolis designed for long-term habitation.
Passive building techniques are essential in extreme climates where energy efficiency determines survival. Inunnguat’s structures will be airtight, highly insulated, and built using materials that minimize heat loss. Triple-glazed windows will maximize solar gain while preventing cold penetration. Heat recovery ventilation systems will maintain indoor air quality and warmth while consuming minimal energy. These buildings will use up to 85 percent less energy than conventional structures, making them highly sustainable in the Arctic environment.
Traditional Arctic towns rely on imported energy, creating expensive and vulnerable supply chains. Inunnguat will generate and store its own energy using wind, solar, and geothermal, battery=based microgrids. A fully circular economy model will ensure that energy, water, and food resources are efficiently managed and continuously reused.
Water independence is a critical factor in Arctic development. Current settlements rely on fragile supply chains to provide clean water, but this is neither sustainable nor scalable for a growing population. Inunnguat will integrate advanced water purification and recycling systems, ensuring a reliable and renewable water supply. Companies like Innocorps have already developed modular, high-efficiency purification systems that function in extreme conditions, making it possible for Inunnguat to sustain itself without external water shipments.
The systems we've described have been tested and proven in military applications for camps exceeding 10,000 people. While challenging, modern development and design practices create the potential to realize this project, and a new frontier in northern development opportunity.
Food security is another major concern in the North. Inunnguat will establish indoor vertical farms, hydroponic greenhouses, and aquaponics systems to grow fresh produce year-round. These controlled environments will reduce dependency on expensive imports and ensure a stable food supply for residents.
A Model for the Future
Inunnguat is more than a development project; it is a long-term investment in Arctic resilience and Canadian sovereignty. The city will serve as a global research hub for Arctic climate studies, renewable energy innovation, and sustainable urban planning in extreme environments. It will attract scientists, engineers, and businesses focused on sustainable resource management, further strengthening its economic foundation.
Governance will be Indigenous-led, ensuring that cultural traditions and self-determination remain central to the city’s development. Educational hubs will provide world-class training, combining Indigenous knowledge with advanced research in engineering, climate science, and sustainable development. The economy will be built around clean energy, advanced research, and responsible resource management, rather than extraction-based industries that deplete natural resources without reinvestment in the community.
Why Inunnguat Must Be Built Now
The technology exists. The funding is available. The partnerships are waiting. Inunnguat is not a theoretical concept—it is a necessary step for Canada’s Arctic future.
The federal government has committed billions to Indigenous infrastructure, Arctic sovereignty, and clean energy initiatives. Private sector investors in energy, clean tech, and sustainable urban development are looking for opportunities to expand. International organizations focused on climate resilience and Arctic research are seeking testbed communities for their technologies.
Inunnguat strengthens Canada’s Arctic presence at a time when NATO’s northern strategy is more critical than ever. As Arctic waters open and global competition intensifies, NATO requires stable, well-developed infrastructure in the region to support defense operations, surveillance, and rapid response capabilities. A permanent, self-sustaining city would provide a strategic hub for allied forces, reinforcing Canada’s commitments to Arctic security while reducing reliance on seasonal or temporary installations. Inunnguat ensures that Canada is not just a participant in NATO’s northern defence, but a leader in shaping its future.
Canada has the opportunity to lead the world in Arctic urban development, setting a new standard for sustainability, energy independence, and Indigenous governance. Inunnguat is not just a city—it is a statement of intent, a declaration that Canada is committed to its Arctic future.
Joe Federer saw the need for Inunnguat years ago. The question now is not whether it should be built, but who will step forward to make it happen.
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Inunnguat isn’t a dream. It’s a necessity.
Sovereignty is more than maps, it’s presence. Without people, Canada’s Arctic claim is fragile. Russia builds cities. We build outposts. That needs to change.
A self-sustaining, Indigenous-led Arctic city isn’t impossible. It’s overdue.
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