Western Arctic Research Centre (WARC)

As a regional research centre of Aurora College, the Western Arctic Research Centre (WARC)’s mandate is to improve the quality of life for Northwest Territories residents by applying scientific, technological and Indigenous Knowledge to solve northern problems and advance social and economic goals. WARC operates year-round and is home to a robust research team in addition to a full suite of supports for external researchers.

WARC is located at the boundary between the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Gwich’in Settlement Area, just south of the tree line on the eastern edge of the Mackenzie Delta. The Research Centre, located in the town of Inuvik, sits within the continuous permafrost zone on the boundary between the boreal forest and arctic tundra biome. The permafrost conditions in the western Arctic region are highly variable, largely depending on the glacial history of the terrain. This makes WARC an excellent platform from which to study permafrost change.

Staff are actively involved in research and monitoring programs throughout the Northwest Territories. The Centre has a strong GIS (geographic information system) research program, supporting community driven hazard mapping and climate monitoring, in addition to supporting the development of mineral strategies in the Western Arctic. It leads the Beaufort Sea Coastal Restoration Project which examines the effects of thaw slumping on the nearshore waters of Kugmallit Bay, and is investigating the feasibility of using indigenous plant species to mitigate these effects. WARC is home to the Permafrost Information Hub, an initiative to improve collaboration and information sharing between permafrost researchers and northern stakeholders. In addition, WARC staff lead research projects related to water quality, wind, solar, and heat energy, space, manufacturing, permafrost, and risk mitigation, among others.

Because of our skilled technical staff and unique location in the Western Arctic, WARC is a partner in several monitoring programs, including air quality, water quality and permafrost monitoring. Additionally, it is home to the Western Arctic Ethnobotany Garden, which highlights the Indigenous traditional uses of plants found in the Mackenzie Delta region. Using traditional knowledge from both the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in, the educational garden emphases the critical role plants play in our life: food, fuel, tools, medicine, and more.

WARC offers logistical support to visiting researchers including travel support, local advice for research planning, and connection to community groups. The facility provides equipment and safety gear rental for Northern field research deployments including, boats, skidoos, satellite phones, rifles, camping equipment, and warm outdoor clothing. Support of our experienced field technicians can be arranged if needed. We provide researchers with office space, access to a research library, high-speed and wireless internet, laboratory space and equipment, accommodations, and highly skilled research technician support. In addition, the facility is equipped with storage and freezer facilities where researchers have the option of storing field equipment in one of our storage areas when not in use. WARC Research and monitoring services can also be provided on a contractual basis, and hiring of local research assistants can be facilitated.

In addition to in-house research programs, WARC field technicians have invaluable on-the-land experience and hold T E (traditional ecological) Knowledge and historical information about the western arctic region and environment. Technicians provide research support including accompany researchers to the field, assisting with the collection of samples or maintaining monitoring equipment for research groups during off-seasons, while researchers are stationed at their home institutions

WARC boasts a connected, engaging and successful outreach program. We host speaker series (in-person and virtual), supporting educators with engaging STEM activities that tie into the curriculum, support youth groups with on-the-land and STEM activities, and offering outreach support for researchers (ie work with researchers to ensure that research engages local people and organizations as much as possible, and provide customized workshops based on researchers needs and priorities.)