Honouring Joshua Komangapik

It is with deep sadness that the CAFF Secretariat learned of the passing of Joshua Komangapik.

Josh was the first CAFF Arctic Indigenous Canadian Youth Fellow, from October 2023-October 2024. His Fellowship culminated in the CAFF publication Connecting SIKU Indigenous biodiversity observations to CAFF global reporting, and presentation at the 3rd International Conference on The Ecosystem Approach to Management in Arctic Large Marine Ecosystems.

The findings and recommendations from Josh’s work continue to shape efforts under CAFF’s youth engagement work and the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP), particularly in Canada, where an interdisciplinary project team continues to implement activities based on his Fellowship’s recommendations.

Many CAFF colleagues worked closely with Josh as part of his Fellowship Advisory Committee including the CAFF Secretariat, the Inuit Circumpolar Council and CBMP Canadian colleagues. He inspired us all, and the Fellowship team had great respect for his ideas, strong voice, and advocacy for his community. He was deeply committed to environmental study and passionate about honouring the ways of Indigenous Peoples.

In honour of Josh, the CAFF Secretariat made a donation to the family-established Joshua Ipeelie Komangapik Scholarship with the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre.

The CAFF Secretariat is deeply saddened by this news, and we send heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.