Arctic Patrol Canada’s Fight for Arctic Sovereignty

by Jamieson, Eric

• ISBN13: 9781773861333
• ISBN10: 1773861336
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2024-05-16
• Publisher: Caitlin Press Inc.

Summary

In the 1920s, Canada’ s claim on the Arctic archipelago was tenuous at best. In 1880, the United Kingdom had handed over control of the area to the expanding dominion, though much of the area was still unoccupied and unexplored. But the need to reinforce sovereignty— and quickly— was driven by increasing threats on the horizon. The Americans, Danish and Norwegians were particularly active in the Arctic, posing sovereign challenges from both individuals and their nations. Something drastic had to be done. Legendary RCMP Inspector, Alfred Herbert Joy, joined by young recruit Reginald Andrew Taggart of Ireland, as well as the renowned Inughuit guide, Nuqaqpainguaq, embark on an 1,800-mile dogsled patrol to the outer fringes of the archipelago. As tensions rise and negotiations with Norway threaten to escalate, the three men face treacherous conditions and unexpected obstacles on a journey that takes on mythic proportions. In Arctic Patrol, Lieutenant Governor’ s Medal winner Eric Jamieson uncovers the fascinating history of Canada’ s fight to secure its Arctic territories in this thrilling tale of international politics, polar exploration, and human endurance.

Author Biography

Eric Jamieson is a retired career banker who took up writing outdoor and history articles for newspapers and magazines in his late 20s. He has authored three books: South Pole: 900 Miles on Foot (Horsdal and Schubart, 1996), co-authored with Gareth Wood; Tragedy At Second Narrows: The Story of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge (Harbour Publishing, 2008); and The Native Voice (Caitlin Press, 2016). He was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’ s Medal for History Writing in 2009. He currently resides in North Vancouver with his wife, Joan.