Memorial University is proud to be a member of the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a global network of universities, colleges, research institutes, and other organizations dedicated to higher education and research focused on the Circumpolar North.

As a decentralized organization, UArctic operates through a distributed model, with its daily activities supported by member institutions that host its programs, offices, and functions. The contributions of these members are the foundation of UArctic’s success, enabling the network to build collective resources and infrastructure that benefit both local communities and global knowledge.

UArctic’s members span Arctic and non-Arctic countries, united by their commitment to understanding and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of the North.

 Learn more about Memorial University's UArctic membership, and stay up-to-date on recent activities of the network!

The Labrador Campus of Memorial University represents a key part of this vibrant network.

Located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, our campus prioritizes education, research, and community engagement rooted in the social, cultural, and environmental landscapes of the North. We serve as a hub for collaboration and innovation, advancing solutions that benefit Labrador and the wider Circumpolar North.

We are proud to contribute to UArctic’s mission through our education, research, and community engagement rooted in the unique social, cultural, and environmental landscapes of the North. Our work reflects the collective goals of the UArctic network, fostering collaboration and advancing solutions that benefit both Labrador and the Circumpolar North.

UArctic members

We were honoured to host the fall 2024 UArctic Board meeting right here in Labrador and welcome visiting members to the Big Land.

Specific connections between UArctic and Labrador Campus include:

UArctic Chair, Indigenous and Northern Education

Dr. Sylvia Moore
Vice-provost, Labrador Campus, and dean, School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies pro tempore

Dr. Sylvia Moore was appointed as UArctic Chair of Indigenous and Northern Education, beginning her five-year term on Jan. 1, 2025. In this role, she is working to connect small, scattered Indigenous and northern educational communities and build co-operation and competence in Indigenous and northern education in the Circumpolar North. This requires strengthening relationships among educators, academics and communities; supporting course development and instruction across the Circumpolar North; and, sharing knowledge across the UArctic network.

Dr. Moore is also responsible for inspiring, supporting and collaboratively engaging in research focused on northern and Indigenous education, including supporting master's and PhD student research and mentoring post-doctoral fellows and new scholars from across the Circumpolar North regions.

In addition to her UArctic chair role, Dr. Moore is vice-lead of UArctic's Verdde Indigenous Education Thematic Network, a platform that fosters collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars to advance northern education.

For more information please contact Dr. Moore at sylviam@mun.ca.

UArctic Fellow

Heather Angnatok
Coordinator, Elders, Aunties and Uncles Program

Our Elders, Aunties, and Uncles Program is coordinated by Heather Angnatok, who is also a UArctic Fellow. This program brings Indigenous knowledge, wisdom, and mentorship into the heart of our campus. By engaging with Indigenous knowledge holders, we create opportunities for cultural teachings, intergenerational learning, and community connection. 

Programs like this reflect the shared values of the Labrador Campus and UArctic, emphasizing the importance of connecting communities, honouring Indigenous knowledge and fostering sustainable development. We are committed to building a resilient and thriving future for the peoples and lands of the North.

For more information on the Elders, Aunties, and Uncles Program, please contact Heather at heather.angnatok@mun.ca.

Decolonization of Arctic Library and Archives Metadata (DALAM) member

Sarah Papple
Public services librarian, School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Sarah Papple, our public service librarian, has a passion that extends beyond her current position as she contributes to broader decolonization efforts within library services.

As a member of UArctic's Decolonization of Arctic Library and Archives Metadata (DALAM) Thematic Network, she is actively working with others to decolonize library subject headings and classification systems, archival descriptions and other metadata that are inaccurate, culturally inappropriate, derogatory or otherwise unacceptable within polar libraries and archives.

For more information contact Sarah at spapple@mun.ca.

GENI Growth Network Initiative, project lead

Dr. Scott Neilsen
Associate professor, School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies

Dr. Scott Neilsen is our lead for the GENI Growth Network Initiative, a collaborative UArctic project between Memorial University's School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies (SASS), community partners at Innu Parks, and scholars and community partners at other northern insitutions.

Through this project, faculty and community partners are co-developing and co-delivering land and place-based curriculum, and will co-create and publish comparative case studies that will serve as teaching materials for northern and Indigenous study programs globally.

For more information contact Dr. Neilsen at scott.neilsen@mun.ca.