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Cold War Radar

Radar's Impact on the Arctic

Considered the last place to explore in Canada, the military was sent north under Diefenbaker with the creation of the Dew Line.  The belief that technology would help take over and control the land was held by many as this took place. 

Inuit and Landscape:

By the early 1960s hundreds of people had moved north into 60 radar stations.  However, there were already people in the Arctic, about 9000 Inuit in Canada. 

The Inuit way of life was altered drastically with these new developments.  Their economies were altered, the the fur trade being replaced.  Many of these people left hunting and fishing, and turned to radar.  This changed their way of life, and once stations closed down, they were left in a difficult position.

Some Inuit also lost their lives as newcomers brought new diseases with them, much as the explorers had done when they first came to Canada.

This many people entering the north, obviously had an effect on the Landscape.  A strong example is Frobisher Bay, where people came from across the continent.  The town became the centre of eastern radar.  Here, and other large towns such as Inuvik were used to try to make outsiders feel more at home.  The landscape was altered to fit the needs of radar stations and those who served them, but when the Lines closed, the towns were quickly abandoned.