Our History

The Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health (CSCH) was established in May of 1984 at the 6th International Symposium on Circumpolar Health, which was held in Anchorage, Alaska.

In March of 1986, CSCH became a charter member of the International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) in Stockholm, Sweden.

The CSCH began with 14 elected members, who made up the Executive Committee and the regional advisory board. Elected members included representatives from Aboriginal organizations and geographical regions across Canada.

Dr. Otto Schaefer is considered a pioneer of the circumpolar health movement, and was instrumental in the founding of the CSCH and the IUCH.

Appointed to the Order of Canada in 1976, Dr. Schaefer was unanimously elected as Honourary President and Honourary Lifetime Member of the CSCH.