Ensam är inte stark i ett smältande men lukrativt Inuit Nunangat

Sammanfattning: This comparative case study aims to analyze the strategies and levels of influence that local political actors in Nunavut, often with a clear representation of indigenous Inuit and First nation communities, assert towards larger monocentric actors at national and global levels of policy making. This by using the primary theory of Polycentric governance and additional postcolonial perspectives on the cases and policy processes of the Mary River mine expansion project, together with the implementation of Canada’s new Arctic framework of shipping and sovereignty linked to the emerging Northwest passage. After completing the study, the results of the study suggests that the decentralized territory of Nunavut is a good place for local actors to assert local influence by cooperation and being included in influencing decision making by providing local perspectives and knowledge. Something that however is made possible by the nature of the political system of Nunavut, trust and unique culture. However powerful private non-state actors together with still existing top down processes in national decision making over the territory show that the system is not without its flaws.