Until now, Canada's claim to the frozen expanses of the Arctic has gone largely unchallenged. No longer. Suddenly our great white North is on everyone's radar, and five other countries are all interested in redefining our international boundaries. As known global oil and gas reserves dwindle, these nations are rushing to stake their claims on the Arctic's impressive, untapped mineral and energy reserves. Unprecented global warming means that natural resources previously trapped by ice under the region's seabed are more accessible. Melting sea ice is also opening the Canadian Northwest Passage, a coveted trade route that has been almost impassable for most of recorded history.

Journalist Jennifer Parks explores the issues related to Canada's Arctic in this timely, thought-provoking treatment.