Aurora Research Institute

Aurora Research Institute

Share

The Aurora Research Institute is dedicated to supporting, promoting and undertaking NWT research. We have offices in Inuvik, Yellowknife and Fort Smith, NWT.

ARI is responsible for licensing, conducting and coordinating research in accordance with the NWT Scientists Act. We also promote communication between researchers and the people of the land in which they work. Aurora Research Institute is the research division of Aurora College.

06/01/2026

Join Aurora College for a free knowledge sharing event on learning opportunities for climate change adaptation and environmental stewardship in the NWT. We will open with stories about our changing northern climate, followed by a panel where we share educational opportunities for climate change adaptation. We are inviting members of the public to learn more about existing and new climate change adaptation training opportunities for northerners and offer their feedback.

As a group, we will reflect on future training, tools, and knowledge we need to build an even stronger, climate resilient NWT.
Complimentary snacks and refreshments will be provided!

đź“… Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
đź•• Time: 5:30-8:00pm
📍 Location: Prince of Wales Museum (Auditorium)

Please register for the event here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learning-tools-for-climate-adaptation-stories-perspectives-from-the-nwt-tickets-1988587695328?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

05/28/2026

Aurora College Thebacha Campus, in Fort Smith, is hosting the fourth annual Science Rendezvous tomorrow, Friday, May 29 at JBT Elementary School from 9-12.

Come check out the hands-on science, technology and trades tables, showcasing STEM careers in our communities! We have local organizations and businesses, teams from Yellowknife, Hay River and Edmonton, as well as a special guest from the high arctic! Hope to see you there!

05/19/2026

On Saturday May 9th, Inuvik hosted its annual Science Rendezvous. Thank you for coming out and celebrating all things Science with us!

Here are the winners for the science prize packs:
- Zaida
- Rain
- Nora
- Brody
- Jordanna
- Memoona

We will be reaching out soon.

Thank you to our sponsors, WSP Canada,
BGC Engineering, the Canadian Permafrost Association (CPA), and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) Locals 03 and 29.

05/09/2026

Science Rendezvous is happening now until 3PM at the high school gym. Pizza lunch will start at 12PM!

Come say hi and check out the different science booth 🔬🔭

Photos from Aurora Research Institute's post 04/23/2026

Happy Earth Day! Celebrate what you love about the land and challenge yourself to do something kind for the planet!

We wanted to take time today to highlight Beaufort Delta youth taking environmental action at the Youth Char and Climate Summit, where they joined GRRB’s Feb 24–25 Char Summit and youth workshops on fish health, climate change, and the North’s changing landscapes.

Youth extended their learning at workshops around town led by Elders, educators and experts! At ARI we cleaned and examined fish for parasites, and explored different environmental careers. At the Youth Centre we learned about fish leather and worked to create beautiful crafts. Throughout these workshops, and at the College, we had the privilege to learn from Judy Francey, Lillian Wright, and Shirley Elias about preparing fish, their connection to the land, how the land has changed, and how we can take action to support a good sustainable future!

A big thank you to all the generous support from our partners, and funders! Mahsi Cho! Quyanainni!

04/02/2026

All Aurora College facilities will be closed on Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6 for Easter. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 7.

03/22/2026

Interested in a scavenger hunt? Rentals are free.

Pi Day Ski-O is happening now from 12PM -4PM at the Inuvik Ski Club. Ski, walk or snowshoe and enter to win a pie! Snacks and hot chocolates are provided.

02/26/2026

Studying the recovery of the mining impacted landscape in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

The Yellowknife area was impacted by more than 50 years of atmospheric mining emissions from gold ore processing in the region (1938-1999). The landscape in the region continues to exhibit the environmental footprint of these activities, as soils and lake waters have arsenic levels much higher than background concentrations. The long-term objective of this research is to determine what processes control the recovery of the landscape near Yellowknife that was contaminated by stack emissions from local mines, and how this recovery will be affected by climate change and unusual or severe weather events. One focus is on how climatic events, especially sudden rainfall or snowmelt, affects how arsenic is transported from the soil through runoff into lakes. Another focus is on how arsenic in the soils changes over time, and whether those changes in mineral host results in increased mobilization of arsenic from soil to surface water, or enhanced sequestration of arsenic in the soil. The expected outcome is a better understanding of the long-term stability of arsenic on the landscape, and how long it will take to recover from the contamination associated with mining and ore processing. These results will be valuable to decision-makers with regard to land use planning and the prediction of surface water quality. They will also be helpful in providing information to residents about the health of their environment and how this may change over time.

Collaborators:
Queen’s University (Dr. Melissa Lafreniere, Dr. Heather Jamieson, Dr. Sean McHale, Abby Harrison)
Aurora Research Institute, Aurora College (Dr. Mike Palmer, Seamus Daly, Nigel Rossouw)
Taiga Environmental Laboratory (Yellowknife, NT)

Funding:
NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (GNWT), Aurora Research Institute, National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Environment and Climate Change (GNWT).

02/06/2026

Is it safe to eat vegetables from gardens in Yellowknife? YES!
Join us to hear the results of the Yellowknife Garden Metal Study!
Aurora Research Institute contributed to the most comprehensive study of Yellowknife gardens to date in collaboration with Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada.
All are welcome! Food and door prizes available.
Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Location: Northern United Place Auditorium, Yellowknife

02/03/2026

Is it safe to eat vegetables from gardens in Yellowknife? YES!

Join us to hear the results of the Yellowknife Garden Metal Study!

Aurora Research Institute contributed to the most comprehensive study of Yellowknife gardens to date in collaboration with Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada.

All are welcome! Food and door prizes available.
Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Location: Northern United Place Auditorium, Yellowknife

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Inuvik?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Telephone

Address


191 Mackenzie Road
Inuvik, NT
X0E0T0

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm