John Thompson is managing editor of Arctic Deeply. He has spent more than a decade working as a journalist in Canada’s north. He most recently served as the editor of the Yukon News in Whitehorse, and prior to that worked as a reporter for the newspaper. He also worked as a reporter and assistant editor for Nunatsiaq News in Iqaluit, Nunavut. In these roles he won more than a dozen regional and national newspaper awards. His writing has also appeared in the Globe and Mail, and his takes on northern politics have been featured in broadcasts by the CBC, APTN and CTV. He currently lives in Kingston, Ontario, which he often finds too warm for his liking. https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/contributor/john-thompson/rss en Fri, 15 Sep 2017 10:15:16 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/09/15/thank-you-deeply https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/09/15/thank-you-deeply An important message for the Arctic Deeply community. Environment Research Thu, 07 Sep 2017 03:18:04 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/09/07/unlocking-the-secrets-stored-in-arctic-lake-mud https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/09/07/unlocking-the-secrets-stored-in-arctic-lake-mud John Smol with Canada’s Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory sees in lake sediment the stories of dramatic environmental changes underway in the Arctic. Northern People & Health Thu, 06 Jul 2017 08:12:34 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/06/canadas-capital-gets-a-taste-of-the-central-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/07/06/canadas-capital-gets-a-taste-of-the-central-arctic The Canadian Museum of Nature’s new Arctic gallery features a space dedicated to showcasing Indigenous culture. Its kick-off exhibit offers insights into Inuit communities from the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut. Economy Energy & Natural Resources Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:17:18 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/21/an-uneasy-alliance-the-limits-of-the-china-russia-arctic-partnership https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/21/an-uneasy-alliance-the-limits-of-the-china-russia-arctic-partnership China isn’t as eager to invest in the Russian Arctic as once hoped, and it only seems inclined to do so if it’s able to drive a hard bargain, says Ekaterina Klimenko, a researcher with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Infrastructure Northern People & Health Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:20:10 +0000 Narine Ohanyan, John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/06/01/with-chinas-help-russia-pursues-decades-old-dream-of-arctic-railways https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/06/01/with-chinas-help-russia-pursues-decades-old-dream-of-arctic-railways Russia’s Arkhangelsk region hopes for an economic turnaround spurred by China’s investment in a new railway and deepwater port. But such plans have existed for decades in northern Russia and often fail to materialize, says Paul Josephson, a professor of Soviet history. Environment Governance Wed, 17 May 2017 13:01:44 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/17/introducing-the-new-arctic-council-observers https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/05/17/introducing-the-new-arctic-council-observers From Swiss glacier expertise to weather forecasting to assessing northerly fish stocks, the Arctic Council’s newcomers share how they plan to help create a better understanding of circumpolar issues. Arctic Blue Economy Fri, 12 May 2017 11:40:04 +0000 Narine Ohanyan, John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2017/05/12/casting-a-cool-eye-on-russias-northern-sea-route-ambitions-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2017/05/12/casting-a-cool-eye-on-russias-northern-sea-route-ambitions-2 Russian officials boast that their country’s Northern Sea Route will soon see a significant increase in traffic to export oil, gas and coal. But it’s probably best to temper expectations, says Malte Humpert, the strategic director and founder of the Arctic Institute. Arctic Governance Wed, 03 May 2017 11:05:18 +0000 Narine Ohanyan, John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/05/03/casting-a-cool-eye-on-russias-northern-sea-route-ambitions https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/05/03/casting-a-cool-eye-on-russias-northern-sea-route-ambitions Russian officials boast that their country’s Northern Sea Route will soon see a significant increase in traffic to export oil, gas and coal. But it’s probably best to temper expectations, says Malte Humpert, the strategic director and founder of the Arctic Institute. Energy & Natural Resources Environment Infrastructure Tue, 18 Apr 2017 05:00:42 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/04/18/rhetoric-versus-reality-russias-environmental-aspirations-marred-by-arctic-oil-spills https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/04/18/rhetoric-versus-reality-russias-environmental-aspirations-marred-by-arctic-oil-spills While Russia insists that economic development in the North won’t harm a fragile environment, Russian environmentalists note that the country’s oil companies continue to spill massive amounts of crude each year. Tue, 11 Apr 2017 05:00:43 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/04/11/the-delicate-subject-in-northern-russia-of-indigenous-rights-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/04/11/the-delicate-subject-in-northern-russia-of-indigenous-rights-2 The newly re-elected president of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North says the best way to advance the interests of his members is through quiet diplomacy rather than noisy confrontation. Energy & Natural Resources Environment Fri, 07 Apr 2017 11:18:12 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/04/07/big-promises-from-a-big-polluter-while-neighbors-hold-their-breath https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/04/07/big-promises-from-a-big-polluter-while-neighbors-hold-their-breath Russia’s Norilsk Nickel mining company is touting its plans to dramatically reduce its air emissions. These modernization efforts can’t come soon enough for the mayor of a Norwegian town that lives downwind. Geopolitics & Security Thu, 30 Mar 2017 12:50:56 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/30/putin-plays-mr-nice-guy-at-russian-arctic-forum https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/30/putin-plays-mr-nice-guy-at-russian-arctic-forum In the face of growing concerns about Russia’s recent demonstrations of military might in the Arctic, the Russian leader used a conference in Arkhangelsk as a platform to present a message of peace and cooperation. Geopolitics & Security Tue, 28 Mar 2017 04:00:52 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/28/russia-set-to-stage-charm-offensive-in-arkhangelsk https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/28/russia-set-to-stage-charm-offensive-in-arkhangelsk A big Arctic conference about to start may help Russia thaw icy relationships with its European neighbors, says George Soroka, a lecturer at Harvard University and author of “The Political Economy of Russia’s Reimagined Arctic.” Environment Research Thu, 23 Feb 2017 07:18:59 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/23/arctic-gulls-give-new-meaning-to-avian-long-distance-relationships https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/23/arctic-gulls-give-new-meaning-to-avian-long-distance-relationships Canadian biologists have discovered a pair of Sabine’s gulls that mate in the High Arctic and then split up to over-winter at opposite oceans in the southern hemisphere. Mark Mallory, a Canada Research Chair at Acadia University, explains this and other new findings. Environment Tue, 14 Feb 2017 08:19:30 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/14/artist-aims-to-capture-the-arctics-larger-than-life-landscapes https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/14/artist-aims-to-capture-the-arctics-larger-than-life-landscapes Canadian artist Cory Trépanier has spent a decade painting northern landscapes in the hope of sharing the sensation of seeing the Arctic’s awe-inspiring scenery firsthand. Tue, 07 Feb 2017 08:37:16 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/07/a-powerful-advocate-for-inuit-youth https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/07/a-powerful-advocate-for-inuit-youth Maatalii Okalik wants Canada’s Inuit to enjoy the same quality of life as other citizens. But the president of Canada’s National Inuit Youth Council knows big shifts are required to overcome gaps in health and education outcomes. Thu, 02 Feb 2017 05:00:03 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/02/the-art-and-science-of-studying-caribou https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/02/the-art-and-science-of-studying-caribou Jean Polfus is a researcher who uses her illustration skills to help build bridges between the worlds of caribou biologists and Dene hunters in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Economy Infrastructure Tue, 31 Jan 2017 05:06:54 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/01/31/taking-the-measure-of-internet-access-around-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/01/31/taking-the-measure-of-internet-access-around-the-arctic The availability of high-speed internet access varies greatly around the circumpolar region. The Arctic Economic Council is urging governments to take steps to encourage greater broadband connectivity for northern residents. Thu, 26 Jan 2017 07:33:01 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/01/26/celebrating-inupiat-identity-a-pointed-take-on-cultural-pride https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/01/26/celebrating-inupiat-identity-a-pointed-take-on-cultural-pride Marjorie Tahbone is helping to reawaken the Inupiat tattooing tradition. The master’s student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks sees this as part of a broader effort to give Northern youth a strong cultural foundation. Tue, 24 Jan 2017 05:00:05 +0000 Eline Gordts, John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/01/24/the-daughter-of-a-trailblazer-finds-her-own-path https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/01/24/the-daughter-of-a-trailblazer-finds-her-own-path Nina Larsson has created a renewable energy company, helped launch an indigenous youth collective and is working towards improving early childhood development in Canada’s Northwest Territories.