Moving northern priorities forward
We are the Arctic Opportunities Group. As a northern-led strategic advisory and government relations firm, we advance complex projects across Inuit Nunangat and the broader Canadian Arctic. Our work helps you navigate Arctic governance, build trusted relationships, and secure the approvals, partnerships, and investments you need.
From the North,
for the North
We draw on deep knowledge of land claims, Inuit governance, and community expectations, along with practical experience inside federal and territorial systems. Grounded in respect for Inuit rights, reconciliation, and community-driven development, our approach ensures your project fits within regional realities and delivers lasting benefits for northern communities, governments, and partners. From early strategy to funding, regulatory pathways, partnerships, and implementation, we provide end-to-end support designed specifically for Arctic systems and northern priorities.
Meet the team
Arctic Opportunities Group is led by CEO, Sima Sahar Zerehi, who provides overall strategic leadership, vision, and accountability for the organization. Arctic Opportunities Group works in close partnership with Fasken and Outcrop, bringing together complementary expertise to support its mandate. This aligned model allows each organization to focus on its core strengths while working collaboratively within the Arctic Opportunities Group.
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Sima’s leadership anchors organizational strategy, governance, and relationship-building. She brings more than a decade of experience working at the intersection of government, Inuit organizations, and industry, with a career focused on advancing nation-building infrastructure, Arctic sovereignty, and sustainable economic development across the Canadian North. Most recently, Sima served as Chief of Strategic Operations to the Premier of Nunavut, where she played a central role in shaping territorial priorities and advancing complex, multi-partner initiatives. Her work included leading the development of the Nunavut Arctic Sovereignty and Security Strategy, organizing the Nunavut Arctic Sovereignty and Security Summit, and supporting the advancement of major Arctic infrastructure projects in partnership with Inuit organizations and the federal government.
Throughout her career, Sima has built trusted relationships across Inuit organizations, territorial and federal governments, and national and international partners. She is recognized for her ability to translate northern priorities into actionable strategies, navigate complex governance environments, and align public, Indigenous, and private-sector interests around shared objectives. As CEO of Arctic Opportunities Group, Sima brings a deep understanding of northern realities, strong political and policy acumen, and a collaborative leadership approach grounded in respect, partnership, and long-term impact.
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Caroline Bourbonnière is a seasoned advisor with over a decade of experience guiding senior executives and federal ministers on Canada’s most pressing files. Known for leadership across Northern affairs, Caroline has advised on key portfolios spanning Arctic infrastructure, mining, energy development, and defense, while also driving files on trade and artificial intelligence. With a track record of navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, from Indigenous partners to industry leaders, Caroline combines deep policy expertise with a pragmatic and entrepreneurial spirit, helping organizations align with the evolving Northern and national landscape.
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Tupaarnaq is an Inuk professional from Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) who serves as AOG’s primary link to Greenland. She brings deep cultural, political, and economic insight grounded in lived experience across Greenland, Canada, and Denmark.
With a background in banking and degrees in Business Administration and Psychology, Tupaarnaq combines financial expertise with strong relationship-building capacity. She maintains active networks in Greenland and closely follows the political, economic, and sovereignty discussions shaping the region.
Now based in Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 territory, she works with Indigenous organizations on trauma-informed financial literacy and economic empowerment initiatives. Within AOG, Tupaarnaq leads Greenland engagement, supports circumpolar relationship development, and strengthens cross-border collaboration aligned
with Inuit-led Arctic priorities.
Expertise Advisors
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Fasken contributes deep expertise in government relations, public policy, and regulatory strategy, with a strong track record supporting complex, high-profile initiatives across Canada’s North and nationally. As one of Canada’s leading law firms, Fasken brings an integrated understanding of the legal, policy, and political considerations that shape major infrastructure, resource development, and economic development projects.
Fasken’s experience spans Parliament Hill and Bay Street, enabling effective engagement with federal decision-makers, regulators, and central agencies, while also supporting relationships with institutional investors, lenders, and the financial sector. Their team advises on multi-jurisdictional regulatory processes, Indigenous and Crown relations, public finance, and risk management in evolving policy environments. Within the Arctic Opportunities Group, Fasken strengthens governance and government engagement strategies, helps align public and private capital, and ensures initiatives are grounded in legal, policy, and regulatory realities, supporting informed decision-making and durable, investment-ready outcomes.
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Outcrop Communicationsbrings strategic communications grounded in more than 50 years of experience working in the North. That long-standing presence provides insights that can only come from sustained, on-the-ground relationships, cultural understanding, and a deep familiarity with northern realities. Outcrop’s work is informed by lived experience across northern communities, industries, and governments, ensuring communications and engagement approaches are practical, respectful, and rooted in place.
Together, the partners combine strategic leadership, government relations and policy expertise, and northern-informed communications and execution to advance our client’s objectives in a coordinated, credible, and effective way.
Our areas of expertise
Our services reflect the full cycle of work required, from strategy and funding to engagement, regulatory work, and advocacy.
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Strategic direction rooted in Inuit rights, territorial priorities, and federal mandates, and guided by the land claim obligations and political realities that impact decision-making in the North. Our strategic advisory gives your executive and board the clarity they need to navigate risks and act with confidence.
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Engagement approaches defined by Inuit governance, community expectations, and land claim obligations to ensure conversations unfold in a culturally respectful way. Our Indigenous and northern engagement supports meetings with RIAs, NTI, HTOs, Elders, youth, and community partners, providing the preparation and facilitation needed for meaningful and informed dialogue.
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Clear, evidence-based positioning for government-facing advocacy, supported by the speaking notes, Q&A packages, and briefing materials needed for high-stakes meetings. Our advocacy and issues management advises on sensitive Arctic files - including defence, critical minerals, dual-use infrastructure, fisheries, and climate adaptation - to help advance priority initiatives through federal and territorial systems.
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Performance reporting and stakeholder tracking that give you a full view of progress across government relations and engagement activities. Our reporting and capacity building supports leadership training in Arctic governance, land claims, and GR processes, and maintains the documentation required for consultation and accountability.
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Timely understanding of federal, territorial, and circumpolar developments that influence northern projects helps ensure emerging issues never take you by surprise. Our government monitoring tracks policy developments, funding opportunities, regulatory changes, budget decisions, and political movements that drive Arctic priorities.
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Stronger positioning for northern projects through federal and territorial funding programs, supported by the business cases, briefings, and treasury board–style submissions that make applications competitive. Our funding and project advancement brings together partner endorsements, letters of support, and multi-party coordination to align Arctic initiatives with national priorities in sovereignty, climate, energy transition, and economic development.
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Communication led by Arctic sovereignty, reconciliation, and northern development, designed to place your project in its proper national and regional context. Our strategic communications shape the op-eds, media statements, backgrounders, and social content that help southern audiences better understand northern realities and position your work within broader climate and economic priorities.
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Mapping the governance structures, institutions, and decision-makers that contribute to the Arctic political landscape. Our stakeholder mapping and partnership work strengthens relationships across territorial governments, federal departments, Inuit organizations, co-management boards, and northern municipalities, supporting the MOUs, frameworks, and joint initiatives that drive projects.
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Insight into the territorial, federal, and co-management pathways that guide regulatory decisions in the North. Our regulatory pathfinding supports submissions to environmental review boards and permitting bodies and brings together the technical, community, and partner input needed to elevate complex applications.
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Representation at global northern forums and circumpolar dialogues, including the Arctic Circle Assembly and major northern trade events. Our international and circumpolar engagement prepares delegates with the messaging, briefing materials, and strategies needed for effective participation and positions Arctic projects for partnership opportunities with governments, investors, and global stakeholders.
