Yukon First Nations and scientists warn that rapid glacier melt in the St. Elias range threatens ecosystems, water systems, and Indigenous cultural heritage.
Indigenous Communities Sound the Alarm
Yukon First Nations leaders are raising urgent concerns as glaciers in the St. Elias mountain range—some of Canada’s thickest—continue to retreat due to climate change. For generations, these glaciers have shaped ecosystems and supported Indigenous life, culture, and traditions. Now, as the ice disappears, communities are questioning what the future will look like without them.
Field Research Highlights Accelerated Melting
In July, researchers set up camp at the Kluane Lake Research Station to monitor the rapid melt. Luke Copland, a University of Ottawa glaciologist studying the area for two decades, said many small glaciers are vanishing quickly and could disappear within a century. Though the largest icefields may survive for centuries, smaller ones are shrinking fast under rising global temperatures.
Impacts on Water and Wildlife Already Evident
Melting glaciers are already disrupting hydrology in the region. In 2016, the Kaskawulsh Glacier melt rerouted a river, leading to a significant drop in Kluane Lake’s water levels. Kluane First Nation elder Alyce Johnson expressed concern for the lake’s salmon population, noting that reduced water flow threatens the species’ ability to spawn.
Culture and Language Tied to the Ice
Beyond environmental impact, local First Nations say their identity is at risk. Elder Alyce Johnson and historian John Fingland emphasized that glaciers are deeply embedded in Southern Tutchone oral histories, serving as both physical and cultural pathways. “Our stories live in the glacial system,” Johnson said. As the landscape changes, she worries those stories and connections may be lost.
Historical Perspective Offers Resilience
Despite the looming loss, some community members express resilience. Ron Chambers, the first Yukon First Nations climber to summit Mount Logan, noted that glaciers have long shaped his life. Fingland added that adaptation is a core part of his culture. “When you study history, you realize that everything is change,” he said.
Local Melt, Global Consequences
According to Copland, the region’s glaciers contribute to about a quarter of global glacier and ice cap melt, excluding ice sheets. That level of melt impacts sea levels and weather patterns worldwide. The urgency to study and preserve what remains is growing.
A Call to Protect the Icefields
For Yukon First Nations, protecting the icefields is a cultural and environmental responsibility. “When you impact an icefield, you impact the lives of the people who are here,” said Johnson. Both scientists and Indigenous leaders agree: understanding and preserving the glaciers is essential—not just for Yukon, but for the planet.
