Climate Change Kiosk Opening Ceremony

Published: 29 October 2003

People view the new ARM Climate Change Kiosk at the NSA site. ARM file photo.

The ARM Education and Outreach team had a very successful trip to the North Slope of Alaska (NSA) in October. The main purpose of the trip was to dedicate the new interactive kiosk titled “Climate Change: Science and Traditional Knowledge,” now on permanent display at the Iñupiat Heritage Center (IHC) in Barrow, Alaska. The kiosk is a unique opportunity for people to learn about the effects of climate change from an Iñupiat and a scientific perspective. The final product evolved through partnerships with many in the community in Barrow, including elders, whalers, scientists, and educators.

A well-attended dedication ceremony was held at the IHC on October 9, 2003 to acknowledge the completion and installation of the kiosk. Besides the many who attended from the Barrow community, those who could make the ceremony from the ARM Program included Wanda Ferrell, Doug Sisterson, Bernie Zak, Nancy Burleigh, Jane McKinney, Michael Ebinger, Tina Sommer, Margo Bachman, and Carrie Talus. We were fortunate to have an invocation in Iñupiaq by elder Noah Itta, followed by speeches from Reanne Tupaaq Crist, the deputy director of the IHC, Dr. Michael Ebinger, director of ARM Education, Dr. Wanda Ferrell, ARM program director, Marja Springer, kiosk program director, Jana Harcharek, North Slope educator, and Jeff Berger of Yaza Design, the kiosk producer. Following the speeches, the unveiling and a demonstration of the kiosk was presented. The ceremony ended with a performance by traditional Nuvukmuit Eskimo dancers.