There are issues that the Government of Canada and the Indigenous communities of Canada's Arctic will be facing in the near future as they implement sustainable development strategies. Following are some of these issues.

• The Indigenous population in Arctic Canada is much younger than the Canadian average. Generally, 50 percent of the population is under the age of 15 years. There will be tremendous pressure to create jobs in a region that also has a very high unemployment rate.
• This young population has little formal education, restricting opportunities even where jobs are available.
• The North continues to be heavily dependent on subsidies from the federal government. Creating a tax base remains problematic.
• The remoteness of the region contributes to very high transportation, energy, and communications costs and limited market access.
• Many northern communities are suffering from social problems, including frighteningly high rates of youth suicide.
• Strengthening the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain traditional activities as a viable lifestyle option is as important as ever.

The learning will be in the doing as the journey toward sustainable development in the Canadian North continues. Partnership and capacity building with Indigenous peoples are cornerstones of the Government of Canada's sustainable development strategies in the North. The Government of Canada is committed to building the foundations for sustainable development by working with Indigenous peoples as they create their own institutions and craft their own development models.