In this episode of the Greatest Classroom on Earth podcast, host Geoff Green speaks with Michael Milton, an Inuit youth advocate and who took part as a 16 year old on the Students on Ice Arctic expedition in 2012. Recorded in January of this year, Michael shares his experiences growing up in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, the impact of the Students on Ice expedition on his life, and his current work with Ikaarvik, a nonprofit focused on Inuit-led research. The conversation highlights the importance of community, perseverance, and the need for ethical research practices that respect Inuit knowledge and priorities. In this conversation, Michael Milton discusses the integration of traditional Inuit knowledge with scientific research. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and relationships in research, particularly with Inuit communities. Michael shares insights on the cultural significance of ice, the challenges faced by Inuit youth in a rapidly changing world, and the impact of climate change on their way of life. He expresses his hope for the future, including mentoring the next generation and continuing to advocate for Inuit voices in research.

This podcast is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Productions.

Our theme music is by award-winning musician Sarah Harmer, inspired by her journey on the 2015 Students on Ice Arctic expedition.

Thank you to another great musician and SOI veteran, Ian Tamblyn, for sharing his field recordings of inspiring sounds from our polar regions used in our introduction.

To learn more about Students on Ice and how to get involved, go to studentsonice.com and give us a follow on social media.

About the show: 

In 1999, an idea was born. Imagine if we could bring youth, at the beginning of their lives, on educational expeditions to the Polar regions? Two cornerstones of the global ecosystem and windows to the world. And how that inspiring experience might shape their perspectives and even their futures.

In December of 2000, we made our maiden ship voyage, bringing a group of youth on a journey to Antarctica! An incredible voyage in what we would later call "the Greatest Classroom on Earth." It’s hard to believe, but Students on Ice is now in its twenty-fifth year. Since that first expedition, we’ve taken more than four thousand students to both the Antarctic and the Arctic, together with teams of educators, elders, artists, researchers and leaders from over 55 countries! 

Our mission to connect youth to nature, culture, environmental leadership, and even to themselves has remained steady in this changing world. We now have a global network of incredible alumni doing incredible things.

This podcast is part of a year-long celebration of Students on Ice. A chance to reflect on the experiences, connections, and impacts, through conversations with the people who were there getting their stories, in their own words.