Olga Ievleva, M.A.

What’s the work that you do?

I am a PhD candidate at the Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen. My research is devoted to the regulation of Inuit hunting in Nunavut and is part of the larger project TRACES. My project aims to find a balance between Inuit hunting rights and Western scientific conservation efforts by analysing current hunting regulations, interviewing policymakers, scientists, and harvesters involved in harvesting regulation.
Beyond academia I am part of the Arctic Youth Network where I work towards youth empowerment and inclusion in the decision-making process in the Arctic.

What keeps you going?

I grew up in a sub-Arctic area surrounded by forest and bogs. I love how diverse the Arctic is, both in terms of natural landscapes and cultures. This inspires me to do what I do in academia and beyond. My work gives me a chance to explore the Arctic, its nature and how people live in and with it.

What’s your message to the world?

The Arctic and Indigenous peoples who live there teach us that nature is not something to suppress, or push into the background. It is a constant presence that shapes people’s daily life. Indigenous ways of living in the Arctic show that survival and well-being come from attentiveness, respect, and balance. Being aware of the land, weather, animals, and seasonal rhythms is part of everyday decision-making. In a time of global environmental crisis, these knowledge systems offer vital lessons on how to live with nature rather than against it.