Above & Beyond | Canada's Arctic Journal 2016 | 04

2016 | 04 • $5.95

Tossing Tea on At the Biking Across the Tundra Floe Edge Baffin Island

Project North PM40050872

o www.arcticjournal.ca

In the News Project North, with its partners, including First Air, travelled to Canada’s Arctic at the end of April this year and donated 25 bags of hockey equipment each to the communities of Kugluktuk and Igloolik. The 2016 tour of the Stanley Cup included the communities of Edmonton, Yellowknife, Kugluktuk, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Igloolik and Cambridge Bay.

L to R: Mark Napier, Brock Friesen and Lanny McDonald help bring The Cup to the North.

© LINDSEY GIBEAU (2)

Northern Tour of Legends brings smiles to Arctic hockey enthusiasts

Spreading music across the North Tusarnaarniq Sivumut Association (TSA) Music for the Future held fiddle workshops in Nunavut in April. Music for the Future is a non-profit organization that was created to help provide opportunities for Inuit youth to learn music. Annual workshops are held in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung and Pond Inlet.

As The Airline of the North, we are glad to sponsor this wonderful organization so that music, and the love of it, is spread throughout the North.

© TSA

For more info, visit: www.musicforthefuture.ca.

Enthusiastic students from Arnaqjuaq School participate in fiddling workshops with instructors Greg Simm and Kim de Laforest. TSA visited Hall Beach for the first time this year.

Ivakkak 2016 The 15th annual Ivakkak, a traditional Inuit sled dog race kicked off March 31 from the Ungava Bay community of Quaqtaq. This year’s route headed south along the Ungava coast, with stops in the communities of Kangirsuk, Tasiujaq and Aupaluk, before heading to the finish line in Kuujjuaq.

© PATRICK AKPALIALUK (2)

Ivakkak 2016 was an exciting race from start to finish! As The Airline of the North, First Air is proud to sponsor this event. We extend our congratulations to all of the teams and winners!

Jobie Tukkiapik / JW bexW4

Brock Friesen / XÇ4 K‰n8

Dear Guest, In 2015 First Air proudly carried the Stanley Cup to Kuujjuaq and Iqaluit, much to the delight of everyone who participated. Once again this year, First Air was honoured to be a part of the northern tour of the Cup! Organized together with Project North, Scotiabank and Canadian Tire, this very exciting community event tour began in Edmonton on April 28, after which the Stanley Cup visited Yellowknife and seven Nunavut communities: Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet.

We were very excited for the communities on this year's tour and hope that many of you had the chance to participate in this very special Stanley Cup experience!

Public turnout at every stop was fantastic and the crowds were pleased, as you can read in this issue of above&beyond.

Seeing so many smiling faces when the Cup arrived in the North was fantastic — a great way for us to give back to the communities we serve.

As we continue to expand our community reach, we are pleased to inform you that we have added Air North to our growing list of airline partners.

Following the introduction of codeshare with Air Greenland in 2012 and more recently with Canadian North and Calm Air in 2015, Air North is the fourth airline in the growing list of First Air codeshare partners. With this addition we have reached yet another milestone in the implementation of our partnership strategy, consistently improving the sustainability of scheduled airline services in northern Canada.

First Air and Air North initially started the codeshare cooperation on the Ottawa — Yellowknife — Whitehorse route, currently operated twice weekly year round by Boeing 737-500 aircraft. The first codeshare flight departed Whitehorse on May 15. Passengers can book these flights on First Air, just as they do all other First Air flights.

Air North will operate a third Ottawa flight for the period June 13, 2016 to September 16, 2016 on a Tuesday, returning westbound on a Wednesday, with the same timings as the other flights. First Air and Air North plan to add additional codeshare routes at a later stage.

Thank you for flying First Air, The Airline of the North — we are delighted to have you aboard!

Brock Friesen First Air President & CEO

ᑐᕌᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᓄᑦ,

2015 ᐅᑭᐅᖓᓂ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᓴᕆᒪᒋᒻᒪᕆᒃᑐᓂᐅᒃ ᐅᓯᔨᐅᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ ᕼᐋᑭᖅᑎᒻᒪᕆᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᕐᖑᓯᐊᓗᖓᓂᒃ ᑰᔾᔪᐊᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᖃᓗᓐᓄᑦ, ᑕᒪᐃᓂᓪᓗ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒡᔪᐊᕈᑎᐅᒻᒪᕆᒃᑐᓂ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂᑦ. ᑕᐃᒪᓗᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᑕᕝᕙᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᒥ, ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᐱᒍᓱᒻᒪᕆᓚᐅᕐᒥᔪᑦ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᒋᐊᒥᓐᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐅᐊᔭᕈᔾᔭᐅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᕐᖑᓯᐊᓗᒃ! ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐊᖃᖃᑎᖃᖅᑐᑎᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᑲᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᓄᑦ, ᓯᑰᓴ ᐸᐃᖕᒃᑯᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᒃᑯᕝᕕᖓᓐᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᓃᑎᐊᓐ ᑕᐃᐅᒃᑯᓐᓂᑦ, ᑖᓐᓇ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᒻᒪᕆᒃᑑᓪᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑎᑭᖃᑦᑕᕈᔾᔭᐅᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᕕᖃᓚᐅᕐᑐᖅ ᐃᑦᒪᓐᑕᓐ ᓄᓇᓕᐸᐅᔭᖓᓂ ᐊᐃᐱᕆ 28-ᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᑭᖑᓂᐊᓂᓗ ᑖᓐᓇ ᓯᑖᓐᓕ ᐃᕐᖑᓯᐊᓗᖓ ᑎᑭᒍᔾᔭᐅᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᔭᓗᓇᐃᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ 7-ᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ: ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑑᖅ, ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ, ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ, ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᒃ. ᖁᕕᐊᓱᓪᓚᕆᒍᑎᓚᐅᖅᐸᕗᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᐃᑦ ᑕᕝᕙᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᒥ ᑎᑭᑦᑕᕐᕕᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᒥᓱᐃᖑᓪᓗᓯ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᓚᐅᖅᑐᒃᓴᐅᕗᓯ ᑕᕝᕙᓂ ᐅᐱᓐᓇᒻᒪᕆᒃᑑᓪᓗᓂ ᓯᑖᓐᓕ ᐃᕐᖑᓯᐊᓗᖓ ᑎᑭᒍᔾᔭᐅᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ! ᑭᒃᑯᑐᐃᓐᓇᐃᑦ ᐅᐸᒍᑎᓯᒪᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᑕᒪᐃᓂ ᑎᑭᕝᕕᐅᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᒥᓱᑲᓪᓚᐅᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓄᒋᐊᒃᑑᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᒃ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒻᒪᕆᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᖅᑐᑎᒃ, ᓲᕐᓗ ᑖᒃᑯᓇᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᓕᐊᖑᓯᒪᔪᓂ above&beyond-ᓂ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᕈᑎᒋᓂᐊᕋᑦᓯᐅᒃ. ᑕᑯᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᓂᕗᑦ ᐊᒥᓲᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᖁᖓᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᑎᑭᑕᐃᒑᖓᒥᒃ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᒻᒪᕆᖃᑦᑕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ — ᐱᐅᓪᓚᕆᒃᑐᒃᑯᓪᓗ ᐅᕙᒍᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐅᑎᖅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᓕᒋᐊᒥᒃ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᕕᒋᕙᒃᑕᑦᑎᓄᑦ ᑲᔪᓯᓪᓗᑕ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᖏᒡᓕᕙᓪᓕᐊᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᖅᑐᑕ, ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒃᐳᒍᑦ ᐃᓕᑦᓯᓐᓂᒃ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᓕᕆᐊᒥᒃ ᐃᐊᕐ ᓄᐊᔅᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖁᑎᖏᓂᒃ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᕋᑦᑕ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔨᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑎᒌᒃᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ.

ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑎᒌᓕᕐᓂᖏᑕ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᐊᕐ ᐊᑯᑭᑦᑐᓂᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖁᑎᖏᓂᒃ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᖃᓕᓚᐅᕐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᓴᖅᑮᓯᒪᓕᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ 2012-ᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒫᓐᓇᓵᖑᓂᖅᓴᒥ ᑲᓃᑎᐊᓐ ᓄᐊᔅᑯᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑳᓪᒻ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓂᒃ 2015-ᒥ, ᐃᐊᕐ ᓄᐊᔅᑯᑦ ᓯᑕᒪᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᐅᕗᑦ ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒥᖅᑲᖃᑎᒌᓕᕐᓂᖏᑕ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑎᒋᔭᖏᓄᑦ. ᑖᒃᑯᓂᖓ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᓂᒃ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᖃᓕᕐᒥᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᑎᑭᓯᒪᓕᒃᑲᓐᓂᕆᕗᒍᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᒃᑯᑕᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐊᖏᔫᑎᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᕙᓪᓕᐊᓂᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑎᒌᓕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᒍᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᑦ, ᐱᐅᓯᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑏᓐᓇᖅᑐᑕ ᐱᕈᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᓐᓇᖅᑑᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᐅᔪᑎᒍᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᐅᓕᕐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᖓᓂᕐᒥᐅᓂ.

ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᐊᕐ ᓄᐊᔅᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᖏᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᒥᖅᑲᖃᑎᖃᓕᓚᐅᕐᒪᑕ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᕙᓐᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑎᖃᖅᑐᑎᒃ ᐋᑐᕙᒥᑦ — ᔭᓗᓇᐃᒥᑦ — ᕙᐃᑦᕼᐅᐊᔅᒥᓪᓗ ᐊᖅᑯᓵᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒥᓐᓄᑦ, ᒫᓐᓇᐅᓕᖅᑐᒥᓕ, ᐊᖅᑯᓵᕐᕕᐅᕙᒃᑐᑎᒃ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᖅ ᒪᕐᕈᐃᖅᑕᕐᑐᒍ ᐅᑭᐅᓗᒃᑖᒥ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᕐᓱᐊᒥᑦ ᐳᐃᖕ 737-500-ᒥᑦ. ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᒥᖅᑲᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᖏᑎᒍᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᕙᐃᑦᕼᐅᐊᔅᒥᑦ ᒪᐃ 15-ᖑᑎᓪᓗᒍ. ᐃᑭᒪᖃᑕᐅᔪᒪᔪᑦ ᐋᖅᑮᓯᒪᓕᕈᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑎᒍᑦ, ᓲᕐᓗ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᓯᒪᕙᒃᑲᒥᒃᑎᑐᑦ ᑕᒪᐃᓂᒃ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓐᓂᕆᓂᐊᖅᑕᐃᓐᓄᑦ.

ᐃᐊᕐ ᓄᐊᔅ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᖏᑦ ᐋᑐᕚᓕᐊᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᔫᓂ 13, 2016-ᒥᑦ ᓯᑦᑎᐱᕆ 16, 2016-ᒧᑦ ᑐᒡᓕᐊᖑᓕᕌᖓᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᑕᒫᑦ, ᐅᑎᒧᓪᓗ ᖃᖓᑕᕙᒃᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᐊᖕᓇᓕᐊᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᖓᔪᐊᖑᓕᕌᖓᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᑕᒫᑦ, ᖃᖓᑕᓂᖏᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᐅᕙᒃᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᓯᖏᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᑦ ᑎᑭᕝᕕᒋᕙᒐᐃᓐᓄᑦ. ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᐊᕐ ᓄᐊᔅᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᖏᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᓕᐅᓕᕐᒪᑕ ᐃᓚᓯᓯᒪᓕᑲᓐᓂᕆᐊᒧᑦ ᐊᒥᖅᑲᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᖃᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᖃᑦᑕᓕᕐᓂᐊᕐᕕᒃᓴᒥᓐᓂᒃ ᑭᖑᓂᐊᓂ.

ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᕋᑦᓯ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓂ, ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥᐅᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖁᑎᖓᓐᓂ — ᖁᕕᐊᓱᓪᓚᕆᒃᑐᒍᑦ ᐃᑭᒪᖃᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᐸᒃᑲᑦᓯ!

ᐸᕌᒃ ᕗᕇᓴᓐ ᕘᔅᑎᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅ & ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔨᒻᒪᕆᒃ

President, Makivik Corporation & Chairman, First Air xzJ6√6, mr=F4 fxS‰nzk5 x7m w4y?sb6, {5 wsf8k5 Président, Société Makivik et président du conseil, First Air

Chers invités, En 2015, First Air a transporté fièrement la Coupe Stanley à Kuujjuaq et à Iqaluit, au grand plaisir de toutes les personnes qui y ont participé. Encore une fois cette année, First Air a été honorée d’avoir fait partie de la tournée de la Coupe dans le Nord! Cet événement communautaire très passionnant, qui a été organisé en collaboration avec le Projet nordique, la Banque Scotia et Canadian Tire, a débuté à Edmonton, le 28 avril, après quoi, la Coupe Stanley à visité Yellowknife et sept autres collectivités du Nunavut : Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay et Pond Inlet.

Nous avons été très heureux pour les collectivités qui ont participé à la tournée cette année et nous espérons que plusieurs d’entre vous ont eu l’occasion de vivre cette expérience spéciale. La participation publique à chaque arrêt a été extraordinaire et les foules étaient ravies, comme vous vous en rendrez compte en lisant la présente publication d’above&beyond. C’était merveilleux de voir tant de visages souriants à l’arrivée de la Coupe dans le Nord — un excellent moyen pour nous de contribuer aux communautés que nous desservons.

Comme nous continuons d’inclure de plus en plus de collectivités dans notre réseau, nous sommes heureux de vous informer que nous avons ajouté Air North à notre liste croissante de partenaires aériens. À la suite du partage de code avec Air Greenland en 2012 et plus récemment avec Canadian North et Calm Air en 2015, Air North est la quatrième ligne aérienne sur notre liste croissante de partenaires en partage de code. Avec cette addition, nous avons ajouté un autre jalon dans la mise en œuvre de notre stratégie de partenariats, en améliorant continuellement la durabilité des services aériens dans le nord du Canada.

First Air et Air North ont initialement amorcé leur coopération en matière de partage de code sur l’itinéraire Ottawa — Yellowknife — Whitehorse, qui est desservi pour l’heure deux fois par semaine, tout au long de l’année, par Boeing 737-500. Le premier vol en partage de code a quitté Whitehorse le 15 mai. Les passagers peuvent réserver ces vols sur First Air, comme ils le font pour tout autre vol.

Air North exploitera un troisième vol vers Ottawa, du 13 juin jusqu’au 16 septembre 2016, le mardi. Il retournera vers l’ouest le mercredi en respectant le même horaire que les autres vols. First Air et Air North envisagent d'ajouter d’autres itinéraires en partage de code à un stade ultérieur.

Nous vous remercions d’avoir choisi First Air, la Ligne aérienne du Nord — nous sommes heureux de vous accueillir à bord!

Brock Friesen Président-directeur général de First Air

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We value your support and thank you for making First Air The Airline of the North.

Nous apprécions votre soutien et vous remercions de votre appui à First Air la ligne aérienne du Nord.

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ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᑉ ᐅᔾᔨᕆᔭᐅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖓ

Employee Spotlight | Iqqanaijaqtiup Ujjirijautitauninga ᔪᐋᓐ ᑰᓛᕐ | Joanne Kolar ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᔨᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᕙᓐᓂᖏᑕ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖏᓂᒃ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᕝᕕᖓᓂ ᐋᑐᕙ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᕕᖕᒥ, ᔪᐋᓐ ᑰᓛᕐ ᐊᑯᓂᐅᓗᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᓯᒪᓕᕐᐳᖅ ᑕᐃᒪ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖖᒍᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᒐᒥ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ 41-ᖑᓕᖅᑐᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓱᓕ ᓈᓴᐃᕙᓪᓕᐊᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᔅᓯᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᓂᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᑎᐅᓯᒪᓕᕐᕕᒃᓴᒥᓂᒃ!

ᔪᐋᓐ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᕗᖅ ᐊᒥᓱᐃᖑᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᕙᓐᓂᖏᓂ. ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᓪᓚᕕᖕᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᕙᒃᑐᒃᓴᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᕙᒋᐊᓕᖁᑎᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᕙᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ, ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᕙᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖁᑎᓕᐅᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ; ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑎᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᑎᖏᓄᑦ; ᓇᐅᑦᓯᖅᑐᐃᔨᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᑦ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᔭᐅᓂᖏᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᐅᔪᓐᓇᓕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᒪᓕᒃᑐᒋᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᒪᓕᒐᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ; ᑐᓂᓯᓯᒪᓕᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒋᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᐅᑎᓕᕆᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ; ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᔨᐅᓕᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᒃᑯᑕᖅᑖᕆᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᒥᐊᕆᑲᒥᐅᑦ ᐊᓯᐊᓂᑦ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᔭᐅᑎᒋᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ; ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᕙᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᕕᖕᒥ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖁᑎᒃᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᓂ; ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᕙᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᖓᓕᕐᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᖁᑎᓂᒃ; ᓈᒻᒪᒃᓴᐃᓯᒪᓕᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᕈᒪᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ; ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᕙᒃᑭᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᑕᒪᕐᒥᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᑭᒋᔭᐅᓇᔭᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐋᖅᑮᓯᒪᓕᕆᐊᕐᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ; ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᑖᕐᐸᓐᓂᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑎᐅᕙᒃᑭᓪᓗᓂ.

ᐅᓪᓗᖅ ᖃᖓᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐊᓂᒍᖅᐸᖖᒋᓚᖅ ᖃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖃᑎᖃᓕᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᐊᖖᒋᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᓯᖏᓂᒃ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᑯᒋᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ. ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᒃᐸᖖᒋᓚᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕆᐊᖃᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᓂᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᓂᖃᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᓄᖅᑲᖓᑲᐃᓐᓇᕈᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ, ᐋᖅᑮᒋᐊᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᒃᑰᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂᒃ, ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᕙᓐᓂᕐᒥᕐᒥᒃ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᖁᑎᓂᒃ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᕐᓄᐊᖅᑐᒃᓴᓂᒃ, ᐋᖅᑮᓯᒪᓕᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᑕᐅᔪᒪᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᑭᓖᒃᓴᖁᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ, ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᕙᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖖᒍᓵᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖁᑎᖏᓂᒃ ᐊᑭᓕᐅᑎᑖᕆᕙᐅᕙᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ, ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᓂᖃᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒥ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᖁᑎᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᐃᕝᕕᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓂᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓯᒪᓕᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒥ ᓴᓇᕐᕈᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᖁᑎᓂᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔨᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᐃᕙᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ FAA-ᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑎᓂᒃ, ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊᓗ ᐃᓚᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᕙᖏᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᕆᕙᒃᑕᖏᓄᑦ.

ᔪᐋᓐ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᒥᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓂ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᖅᑎᑦ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᖁᑎᖏᓂᒃ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᓂᖃᓕᓵᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅᑎᓂ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᓕᐅᖅᑎᐅᖃᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ/ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒥ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔨᐅᖃᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ, ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᔨᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᓄᑑᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᕕᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥᒃ, ᓈᓚᐅᑎᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᖄᓚᔪᓕᕆᔨᐅᓪᓗᓂ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᒪᔨᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂ ᓵᑕᑖᖅᓯᒪᔪᒪᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᐱᖅᑯᑎᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ. ᒫᓐᓇᐅᓕᖅᑐᒥᓕ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᕕᒃᑕᖃᓕᕐᐳᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᖃᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᓂᖓ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᐅᓕᖅᑐᑎᒃ. ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓂᐊᕐᓗᓂ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐊᕆᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᓕᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᓄᓇᐅᑉ ᖄᖓᒍᑦ ᐊᖅᓴᕐᓂᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᕙᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐅᕈᑎᐅᓯᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᔪᐋᓐᒥᑦ. ᐊᒥᓱᐃᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᒃᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕋᓛᕆᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᓯᒪᒋᕗᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᔾᔨᒌᖖᒋᐅᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᓂ ᐊᑐᐊᓂᒃᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᓂᕐᒥᓂ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓂ.

ᖁᔭᓕᔾᔪᑎᖃᕐᐳᖅ ᐊᒥᓱᐃᒻᓚᕆᐅᓕᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᖃᒻᒪᕆᒃᑑᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᔭᐅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᑲᒻᐸᓂᒋᔭᐅᔪᒥᑦ, ᖃᕆᑕᐅᔭᓂᒃ ᐊᔪᕈᖕᓃᖅᓴᔾᔪᑎᖃᕐᑎᑕᐅᓂᕐᓂᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅ ᐃᓅᓯᕐᒥᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᔨᐅᓂᕐᒥᓂ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᑎᑕᐅᕙᒃᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ.

ᐃᓛᓗ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᒥᓂ ᐅᐊᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓗᐊᖅᐸᒐᓂ, ᔪᐋᓐ ᐅᑭᐅᓂ ᐊᑐᐊᓂᒃᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᓂ ᑕᑯᔭᖅᑐᐃᓯᒪᔪᓐᓇᖃᑦᑕᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥᐅᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᑦᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᑦᓯᐊᕐᒥ. ᐃᓚᖏᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᐅᒪᓗᐊᖅᑕᖏᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᖃᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐃᓚᖃᕐᐳᑦ ᓯᑕᒪᓕᒡᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᖃᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᑳᑉᒥᑦ ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᒧᑦ, ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᑦ Beech 18-ᓂᒃ ᑕᐃᔭᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᐅᖓᓯᒃᑐᒥᐅᖑᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᓯᓚᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᓲᓪᑦ ᐸᐃᒥ, HS748-ᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᖃᑕᐅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᖕᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᒧᑦ.

ᔪᐋᓐ ᐃᓱᒪᕗᖅ ᐊᒥᓱᑲᓪᓚᒻᒪᕆᐅᓕᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᐱᓐᓇᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᖅᓯᒪᓕᕋᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓚᓐᓇᕆᔭᖅᑖᖃᑦᑕᕐᓯᒪᓕᕐᑐᓂ ᐃᓅᓯᓕᒫᒥᓂ ᐃᓚᓐᓇᕆᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑦᑐᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕐᓗᓂᒋᓪᓗ ᐅᑭᐅᓄᑦ ᖃᐃᔪᓄᑦ ᓱᓕ. ᑭᖑᓪᓕᕐᒥᒃ, ᖁᔭᓕᔾᔪᑎᖃᒻᒪᕆᒃᑐᖅ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᕆᔭᓂ ᐱᕈᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᓯᒪᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓯᕐᑕᐅᑦᑎᐊᖅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ.

ᔪᐋᓐ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᒻᒪᑦ ᐊᑯᓂᐊᓗᒃ ᕘᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑎᒋᓪᓗᑎᒍ 70-ᓄᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᓄᑦ ᓇᓪᓕᐅᓂᓯᐅᕐᕕᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᑕᕝᕙᓂ ᐅᑭᐅᕆᔭᑦᑎᓐᓂ.

As Manager of Flight Operations Administration based at the First Air Hangar at the Ottawa Airport, Joanne Kolar is a long-standing employee having worked for First Air for 41 years and counting!

Joanne is involved in many facets of Flight Operations.

This includes the development, implementation and documentation of office processes and procedures; supervision of support staff and Crew Planners; overseeing the maintenance of Flight Crew training qualification records in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations; submission of correspondence and manual amendments to Transport Canada; maintenance of the Air Operator Certificate and U.S. Foreign Operations Specifications; preparation of departmental budgets; compiling statistical information; approval of expense claims and invoices; participation in collective bargaining; and assisting with hiring.

A day doesn’t go by without some type of collaboration with other First Air departments. This ranges anywhere from dealing with HR to manage leaves, modifying software with Computer Services, developing documents with Publications, reconciling invoices for Accounts Payable, coordinating new hire paperwork for Payroll, administering records from the Training Centre, and obtaining technical information from Maintenance to support FAA applications, just to name a few.

Joanne wrote the Company’s first Flight Attendant Manual in the early days when she was also a Crew Planner/Crew Scheduler, ran a one-person interline department, took radio calls, and fielded charter inquiries. Now there are entire departments that look after these areas.

The creation of the Company golf tournament is thanks to Joanne.

She has also served on many social committees and participated in various working groups over the years at First Air. She is grateful for the myriad of valuable training courses that the Company has provided to her, ranging from computer skills to personal and management development.

Although her position doesn’t require a lot of travel, over the years Joanne has been able to visit a number of northern locations in Nunavut and the NWT. Some of her most memorable flights with First Air have been in a DC-3 from Carp to Resolute Bay, a Beech 18 to a remote weather station in Mould Bay, and HS748 flights to Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung.

Joanne feels she has worked with countless remarkable people during her tenure and has built friendships that will continue for years to come. Bottom line, she is appreciative of everything that First Air has done to develop and support her career.

Joanne is just one of the long serving First Air employees we are featuring in celebration of our 70th anniversary this year.

Dedicated to being first in service — and our commitment to the communities and people we serve!

www.firstair.ca

2016 | 04 • $5.95

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Contents 7 25 Features

07

tossing tea on the tundra

imagine sitting in the middle of the Arctic aurora

20

deafening silence and all you have is your camera and some warm tea. — Michael H. Davies

At the floe edge

A small group of travellers gather along the

‘sinaaq,’ an area where the land fast ice, the

25

‘tuvaq,’ meets the open ocean. it is also known as the ‘floe edge’. — Kelsey Eliasson

Project north

Project north’s latest plan (this past April) was

ambitious: one tour, three days, seven communities,

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30

over 7,000 kilometres and an excited and motivated team. — David Reid

Biking Across Baffin island

An unsupported crossing of the Arctic ice from

Qikiqtarjuaq island across Baffin island, nunavut, in canada’s Arctic winter on fat bikes.

— Ray Zahab

A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

July | August 2016 Volume 28, No. 4

30

20

11 Living Above&Beyond 18 Resources

28 Celebrating First Air’s 70th

37 Adventure up close and Personal with muskoxen — isabelle dubois

41 Arts Bridging the north and South — dr. Stephen Borys

45 Youth Jeunes Karibus

48 Science citizen Science in the Arctic — david millar 50 Bookshelf Polar Bears on the edge — review by david reid

53 Guest Editorial — the honourable monica ell-Kanayuk minister responsible for Suicide Prevention for the government of nunavut 54 Inuit Forum — natan obed, President, itK

5

From the Flight Deck What does it mean: “to cube a plane”?

The first question that we have to answer is: “How much stuff can we load?” It turns out that question isn’t quite as simple as one would initially assume. Every aircraft has a maximum allowable weight that cannot be exceeded. This weight includes everything that is on board the aircraft — fuel, passengers, baggage and cargo.

Obviously, we have to ensure that there is sufficient fuel on board to account for the planned flight and any weather conditions.

The remaining weight can be shared between passengers, their bags and then any additional cargo. The challenge is that cargo is generally loaded before all of the passengers are checked in. As a result, we have to guess how much the passengers and their luggage will weigh to figure out how much cargo can be loaded. We’ve gotten fairly good at this estimate but sometimes a passenger won’t check in or they will have lighter than expected bags.

This means that there will be some ‘spare’ room for cargo at the last minute. This is why you may spot cargo being loaded right at the last minute.

Once we know how much weight we can carry, we now have to face the challenges of getting it all on board the aircraft. Once again, there are plenty of considerations.

The most obvious challenge is simply making everything fit. Suitcases, boxes and containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Getting everything into the baggage hold is like a three-dimensional game of Tetris. This process comes with an added

twist — we also have to keep in mind that packages of bread should be stacked on top of piles and not underneath a package of bowling balls.

It’s not just about the size of the cargo hold though. Each specific location can only carry a certain weight. If we’re shipping nothing but potato chips, we will run out of space well before we come close to reaching a weight limitation. The opposite is also true if we ship small, heavy items.

A cargo compartment will hit its maximum weight when only about half-full of milk jugs — this leaves lots of empty space that we can’t use since we are already at the maximum weight. Ideally, we try to mix the two kinds of items together so that we run out of room at about the same time that we run out of weight. This makes for the most efficient loading scenario.

The story doesn’t end there. We also have to ensure the weight is well balanced between the front of the aircraft and the rear of the aircraft. If the bulk of the weight is too far forward or too close to the tail of the aircraft, it simply can’t fly safely. Each aircraft has a certain range where its balance point must lie. The team who loads the aircraft has to do so while ensuring that the weight is concentrated in the right region. (This is why there is an occasional request to have some passengers change seats and move to one closer to the nose or tail of the aircraft before we depart.)

As you can see, much more goes into loading an aircraft than you may think but it doesn’t stop there. While the staff is loading the aircraft, they also have to keep track of, and record, the weights and locations of everything that is placed on board. Once they are all done, the records are then reviewed by the pilots to ensure that the weight limits aren’t exceeded and that the balance point is within the allowable zone.

Between the pilots and cargo staff we always make at least two independent checks to confirm that the load is safely on board before we depart.

Captain Aaron Speer Vice President, Flight Operations First Air If you are curious about a specific topic regarding flying and aircraft operations, let us know what you'd like to learn about and we'll try to include it in a future column.

Email editor@arcticjournal.ca.

© Baffin Photography/Jason miller (2)

Anyone who has tried to load the family car for a weekend trip to the cottage or as part of a move knows the challenges that come with trying to pack a large number of objects into the back of a vehicle while still leaving enough room for everyone. Loading an aircraft comes with many of the same challenges – only we get to deal with them before each flight not just for a long weekend.

Dedicated to being first in service — and our commitment to the communities and people we serve!

Tossing Tea

Seen by millions of people, this photo went viral in December 2015. It captures tea being thrown into the air and turning to vapour immediately after it leaves a thermos.

On the Tundra text and photos by michael h. davies

imagine sitting in the middle of the Arctic aurora deafening silence and all you have is your camera and some warm tea. Subzero temperatures would not be the norm for the average photographer, but it takes an extraordinary and dedicated artist to brave these elements. michael davies recently got a lot of attention due to his “tundra tea toss” photo, seen by millions of people across the globe, where he captured hot tea being thrown into the air at minus 35°c in Pangnirtung, nunavut. this photo was a spectacular capture of the Arctic’s beauty, but michael has an extensive background in art and a passion that has driven him to endless opportunities.

A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

7

While out seal hunting at the floe edge, the light turned to allow me to capture a truly magical moment.

is formal training as a visual artist was carried out at Sir Sanford Fleming School of Fine

H

is was not an easy task for him, 10 years

Arts: focusing on studio work in pen and ink illustrations, painting in various media,

ago he had to use dial up Internet to put his

glassblowing, artistic blacksmithing, stone carving, sculpture and photography. He has

photos on the web. Sluggish bandwidth speeds

since enjoyed working professionally in different artistic mediums for the past 15 years. His work

aside, Michael got his photos online, and to this

can be found in many private collections around the world, including an image in a book of Canadian

day he has over 10 terabytes of photos; everything

photographs from Canada Post that was later presented to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

he shoots he keeps. Michael is a Nikon-only user

in celebration of their marriage. Various heads of states and celebrities, foreign dignitaries and

and shoots with a D800 full frame body DSLR.

Canadian politicians all also own pieces of Michael’s work.

Living within minutes of the Arctic Circle,

In 2006, Michael and his newlywed wife Nicole decided they wanted a new adventure, while

daily life in Nunavut provides much of his artistic

staying in Canada. Nicole applied as a teacher in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, and Michael purchased a

inspiration: from going fishing for Arctic char,

simple DSLR camera to capture shots from which he would then paint beautiful Arctic landscapes.

to setting out to shoot the aurora and even coming

He soon decided that photography was the best medium to truly exhibit the breathtaking views

across a piece of history such as an abandoned

of the Arctic.

Inuit settlement. Michael tends to set out aer

Racing to get back to town from a duck hunt in Pangnirtung Fjord.

school hours to remote locations to take shots of the Northern Lights, and frozen vistas. While living up North he says patience is a virtue; you usually have to wait for everything in the Arctic but his pictures prove that it’s worth it.

Michael also offers photography workshops. ey consist of one-week adventures to a location of his choice where he teaches beginner to advanced photography techniques, in a variety of weather conditions and photographic situations.

In the future, he hopes to have online courses available. His images are available for purchase from his website at www.michaelhdavies.com.

8

2016 | 04

Shot in the middle of Cumberland Sound while out on a hunting trip. Icebergs often float around out in the Sound and make for some spectacular sculptures.

Coming back from a trip to the next fjord over, I was overcome with the sight of a sundog. I knew of this Inuksuk and was fortunate that it lined up perfectly with the sun.

Left: Thor Peak, photographed in the middle of Auyuittuq National Park from Summit Lake.

Below: While walking back from school one night, I had my camera with me. I was in the right place at the right time.

A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

9

liVing ABoVe & Beyond

A Polar Bear on the Torngat Mountains. © Adamie delisle-Alaku

international trade in polar bear products safe no proposal has been submitted to the convention

on the international trade of endangered Species (citeS) to uplist polar bears from Appendix ii to Appendix i of the convention. this represents an

important milestone in inuit efforts to have the international community recognize the legitimacy of

inuit trade in polar bear skins and other parts and

further emphasizes that canadian inuit trade is not detrimental to the conservation of polar bears.

Proposals to up-list polar bear from citeS

Appendix ii to Appendix i had previously been

submitted to the citeS coPs in doha, Qatar, in 2010

and in Bangkok, thailand, in 2013. An up-listing to

Appendix i would ban all international trade in polar bear products and do serious damage to canadian

inuit polar bear sports hunts.

Since 2013, supporters for polar bears hunts from

canada’s inuit continued to highlight the social, cultural and economic importance of polar bears for

inuit and to demonstrate the responsiveness, robustness, and adaptive nature of the canadian polar bear management regime.

the committee on international trade in endangered

Species, or citeS, meets in Johannesburg, South Africa this September.

canada to implement undriP carolyn Bennett, minister of indigenous and

northern Affairs, has announced that the

canadian government will fully endorse the

indigenous peoples’ free, prior and informed

consent must be obtained before adopting

and implementing legislative or administrative

measures that would affect them.

un declaration on the rights of indigenous Peoples (undriP).

inuit leaders from russia, Alaska, greenland

and canada have drafted, negotiated, and

challenged their respective governments to ratify the declaration since the mid 1980s.

enacted by the general Assembly in 2007,

the undriP recognizes indigenous people’s basic human rights, as well as rights to self-

determination, language, equality and land,

among others. As such, this means that

A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

11

12

2016 | 04

liVing ABoVe & Beyond

climate change adaptation in the north

community members and researchers in the north are involved with various permafrost

projects to assist decision-making on infrastructure development and land use planning.

the university of Saskatchewan and yukon

college have been awarded a Social Science and humanities research council (SShrc) grant to make climate change research more relevant to northern indigenous communities.

The Changing Landscapes and Northern Ways

of Life project will map how permafrost thaw

impacts traditional land use in the communities

of old crow, yukon and Jean marie river,

The GN’s online permafrost databank.

to share existing climate change research with

permafrost databank to its online climate

includes information on temperature, depth

results from a number of academic organizations

permafrost databank at http://climatechange-

northwest territories. researchers will use art

the community and personalize climate change

science. together the Vuntut gwitchin and

Jean marie river first nations and researchers will develop a process for incorporating tradi-

the government of nunavut has added a

change centre. the data bank includes research

studying permafrost in nunavut. Built on a

google maps interface, it is user-friendly and

and type of permafrost. Visit the nunavut nunavut.ca/en/nunavut-permafrost-databank.

tional knowledge, western science and current community priorities into northern indigenous

community planning. the three-year project will be completed in the summer of 2018.

foXy creates new program

foXy, or fostering open eXpression among youth, uses art to encourage young women to

talk about their sexuality and relationships. it

received the $1-million Arctic inspiration Prize in 2014.

foXy research has shown that young men

also don’t know how to talk about their feel-

ings and about relationships but they want to

learn practical ways to communicate, including

how to talk in a respectful manner.

As a result, foXy has created, SmASh, or

Strength, masculinities, and Sexual health, a pilot project for young men. SmASh will hold a peer leader retreat in July and begin deliver-

ing workshops in at least 10 high schools in the northwest territories this fall.

A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

13

liVing ABoVe & Beyond Fred Carmichael © nAtA

Stephen Nourse © nAtA

Kathy Fox © nAtA

Aviation supporters honoured at nAtA Agm

for 40 years, the northern Air transport

Association (nAtA) has been supporting and

promoting northern and remote aviation in

canada. this past April, in Whitehorse, yukon, nAtA celebrated its 40th Anniversary by hosting

an Annual general meeting (Agm), conference, and tradeshow. conference-goers attended

interactive and informative discussions with

aviation industry and government members.

Various special events and social functions were held as well, making use of some of Whitehorse’s

most iconic locations such as the Air north

hangars, the Kwanlin dun cultural centre, the macBride museum, and the Westmark hotel.

the nAtA conference was also an opportu-

nity to recognize a few members receiving honours this year. two recipients of this year’s

canada’s Aviation hall of fame (cAhf) inductees were congratulated at the conference: fred

carmichael and Kathy fox. cAhf inductees are selected for their contributions to canada’s development through their integral roles in

the nation’s aviation history. it’s the highest

honour in canadian aviation.

14

2016 | 04

liVing ABoVe & Beyond Just one of the iconic aviation exhibits displayed at the NATA Conference in April this year. © nAtA

fred carmichael has spent over 60 years in

northern aviation. his accomplishments include

aviation entrepreneur, search and rescue missions, medical evacuations and mentorship

aboriginal person in the north to get a pilot’s

the transportation Safety Board, she was

Kathy fox has dedicated her entire life to the

Stephen nourse, nAtA executive director,

licence. he is an honorary life member of nAtA.

aviation community in canada through flight

appointed chair in 2014.

was also honoured at the conference and

of numerous aboriginal youth. fred’s contribu-

instruction, sport aviation, sport parachuting,

territories include long-term service with

safety. She has had an outstanding career in

end of the Agm. these awards recognize those

the highest levels of management with

to northern aviation and to nAtA over their

tions to community life in the northwest the gwich’in tribal council, and holding the

position of chair of the Aboriginal Pipeline

group since 2002. in 1955, he was the first

and the promotion and advancement of flight the air traffic control community and reached

nav canada. following retirement with

A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

given a nAtA honourary life membership with

the announcement of his retirement at the

who have made significant contributions both

lives and careers.

15

liVing ABoVe & Beyond

Attracting tourists to the north

and due to the popularity of tourists wanting

to visit the site of the hmS Erebus in Queen

maud gulf near gjoa haven — one of two ships lost during the 1845 Sir John franklin expedition

through the northwest Passage.

that increased cruise traffic could mean

more jobs and economic opportunities for local

people.

the marine strategy will include:

• codes of conduct for marine tourism © izzog / fotolia.com

the nunavut government’s economic development and transportation department has released

operators and visitors;

• a “community code” with “guidelines or

helpful hints” on how to host cruise ships

in a community;

a report entitled, nunavut marine tourism

• information packages including “visitor

new laws and regulations to assist tourism

of a hamlet in controlling visitors”;

management Plan 2016-2019 that outlines

operators who wish to visit various communities in the north.

the report will help better prepare for, and

attract, cruise ship traffic to northern communities.

According to the report, the number of passenger vessel voyages through nunavut waters has

increased to 40 in 2015, from 11 in 2005. the

estimated number of passengers on those

vessels in that time has also increased to 3,680 from 1,045. Pleasure craft voyages have also in-

creased from nine in 2005 to 30 in 2014. that

upward trend is expected to increase as the

northwest Passage becomes more navigable

behaviour management,” and “the role

• a tourism handbook for nunavut;

• marine tourism awareness sessions;

• amendments to the travel and tourism Act to include new marine tourism

regulations; and

• “tourism plans” for communities — four by march 2017 and another three by march 2018.

the report also recommends gn tourism

officers and staff provide input on “strategic

marine tourism transportation infrastructure by march 2018”.

connecting canada’s north to the south

A new research report from the university of

calgary supports the concept of establishing a

southeast from churchill, manitoba, to north-

7,000 km “northern corridor” to reduce the

ern ontario and across northern Quebec to

the infrastructure would include pipelines,

the complete corridor could cost $100

cost of living in canada’s north.

labrador.

highways, railways and electrical lines, connect-

billion. funding would come from municipal,

corridor would connect to canada’s existing

those with vested interests in roads, rail lines

ing northern communities to the south. the

transportation network. it would follow the

16

move northwest along the mackenzie Valley,

boreal forest in the northern part of the west,

territorial or federal governments, as well as and pipelines.

2016 | 04

liVing ABoVe & Beyond

museum exhibit features the Arctic the canadian museum of nature in ottawa, ontario, has opened its first living outdoor

exhibit on the grounds of its national historic site, where you can get close to an “iceberg” and encounter a family of mammoths.

included in the landscapes of canada

gardens is a display of Arctic tundra as well as a representation of the extinct mammoth steppe terrain that was found in the yukon.

clamber over the rocky terrain and marvel at

the towering 13-metre stainless-steel sculpture inspired by icebergs that was created by artist and adventurer William lishman. the structure’s size provides a counterpoint to the tiny plants

such as sedges, labrador tea, and willows that characterize much of the Arctic terrain.

© martin lipman

Marchands aventuriers

Nous parcourons le Grand Nord depuis 1984 pour vous offrir nos services spécialisés

Adventurers by trade

Covering the Arctic since 1984 to offer you our specialized services

arcticconsultants.ca Tel: (866) 353-3552 | Fax: (888) 353-1251 | Email: info@arcticconsultants.ca A B oV e & B e yo n d — c A n A dA’ S A rc t i c J o u r n A l

www.arcticconsultants.ca 17

reSourceS

nunAViK

Exploring business in Nunavik’s mining sector

Kuujjuaq’s mining Workshop in April was an opportunity for nunavik businesses to hear how they can develop within the region’s mining industry. makivik announced that it is restructuring their economic development department to hire new positions dedicated to supporting community-based business in the region to find work within the mining industry. three companies are expected to carry out exploration work in nunavik this summer: • osisko exploration James Bay inc., a 30,000-hectare gold exploration project about 85 kilometres southwest of Kuujjuaq; • true north nickel’s Qiqavik and West raglan properties, located between Akulivik and Salluit, exploring gold and copper deposits east of Akulivik; and • midland exploration’s Willbob property, 66 m southwest of Kuujjuaq, exploring gold and platinum group elements deposits.

nunAVut

Nunavut mine pit expansion awaits ministry approval

the nunavut impact review Board (nirB) has given a green light to the expansion of an open mine pit at Agnico eagle mine ltd.’s meadowbank gold mine near Baker lake.

Vault Pit, located about eight kilometres northeast of meadowbank, is one of three pits currently being mined on the Kivalliq site. Vault Pit will require significant work, including the dewatering of Phaser lake, an estimated volume of 700,000 cubic metres. transferring the fish to another body of water is expected to begin later this year, if the project goes ahead.

Agnico eagle hopes to extract just over 400,000 tonnes of ore from the expansion of the pit, in addition to the 29.8 million tonnes already approved for extraction from the meadowbank site over its lifetime. the nirB’s hearing report and recommendation will be forwarded to the federal minister of indigenous and northern Affairs who will make the final decision on the expansion.

Agnico eagle hopes to begin mining the new pits in 2017.

18

TMAC mine life could expand

tmAc resources inc. has announced that highgrade gold has been drill intersected at depth below the dyke at the doris deposit during the company’s ongoing underground drill program, located in the northern part of the hope Bay Property in nunavut. management believes these results could significantly expand the current five-year mine life at the doris mine and dramatically affect the global reserves and resources and annual gold production at hope Bay. the primary objective of the 2016 underground exploration program is to build on the existing doris mineral resource base and continue to define mineralization below the diabase dyke. the current drilling program is focused on the doris north Btd zones, following up on significant mineralization intersected in widely spaced drilling during previous drill programs from surface platforms. tmAc also plans to install and commission its mill and expand the power plant as well as stockpile ore and 55,600 ounces of gold. the doris north mine could begin operating in 2017 and see $61.8 million in jobs and contracts over six years.

Jobs vs the environment debated

despite the potential risks to Beverly and Bathurst caribou herds, muskoxen, wolverines, bears, seals, birds and fish, archaeological sites, and to the environment, residents of nunavut communities taking part in the roundtable presentations about the Sabina Back river mine were interested in the expectation for more jobs from the mine.

65 people in the Kitikmeot region are expected to work at the mine during its fouryear construction period and 194 will work there during the mine’s 10-year operating life.

Sabina’s plans for Back river include a chain of open pit and underground mines at its goose property, 400 km south of cambridge Bay and 520 km north of yellowknife, which will involve filling, damming or draining lakes and streams, and building a road from the mine to a seasonal port facility and tank farm in Bathurst inlet. community representatives questioned the mining company on its ability to deal with toxic mine tailings, dust emissions and traffic on the ice road, shipping through Bathurst inlet, fuel storage safety, and fuel spills.

Sabina promised to accommodate caribou by closing down outside operations, like blasting, in its “phased” adaptive-management approach, if caribou cows and calves approach the mine site. But Sabina wouldn’t stop traffic on the winter road or forgo construction in July and August when Beverly caribou migrate through the area.

Sabina still needs to negotiate an inuit impact and benefits agreement, land tenure and royalty agreements and get a water licence from the nunavut Water Board and raise money for the mine’s infrastructure.

nWt

Jay pipe expansion approved

the northwest territories government has signed off on the ekati mine’s Jay Pipe expansion that could help keep ekati producing diamonds until 2033. the project approval includes conditions to minimize its impact on the environment, such as:

• improving the design and use of the roads to minimize impacts to caribou; • minimizing dust from road use; • funding an elders group to advise on the construction, operation and monitoring of the Jay road; • ensuring clean surface waters at the Jay and misery pits so the area can be used for aboriginal traditional uses after the Jay Project closes; and • preventing impacts to the narrows.

dominion diamond hopes to start mining the Jay pit in 2021.

yuKon

YESAB rejects proposed placer mine

the yukon environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (yeSAB) has recommended the government reject a proposed placer mine near Judas creek, south of Whitehorse, citing “significant adverse cumulative effects to the carcross caribou herd”. the 45 claims overlap four tributaries of Judas creek, 4.5 kilometres north of Jake’s corner on the Alaska highway, and about 80 kilometres southeast of Whitehorse. the yukon government has the final say whether to reject or accept the project.

2016 | 04

At the Floe Edge In Search of the Unicorn of the Sea

By Kelsey Eliasson

T

he sun is up, slowly circling the landscape, a gentle dip towards the mountains around 3am. It hasn’t set for six weeks and darkness won’t touch this land

until early August, another six weeks away.

At 72 degrees north longitude, 650 kilometres (400 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, a small group of travellers gather along the ‘sinaaq,’ an area where the land fast ice, the ‘tuvaq,’ meets the open ocean. It is also known as the ‘floe edge’. is sunlight touches water so blue that it melts into the sky. e only sign of the horizon are flocks of Arctic birds — thick-billed murres, kittiwakes, guillemots, eider ducks — bobbing along the water while seals poke their heads out, curious and wary. Inuk guides relax on their snowmobiles, answering typical tourist questions and keeping tabs on the community radio,

Floe edge tourism is growing each year near Pond Inlet.

Tourists travel from around the world to experience the sinaaq.

listening for wildlife sightings and maybe a bit of gossip.

A few travellers relax in folding chairs, set hopefully not too close to the edge, sharp white line where the land fast ice meets the open ocean. Others gather around the soup tent, snacking, shedding their parkas in the sun and waiting. Hydrophones, underwater microphones, occasionally break the envelope of silence, picking up the bleeps and whirrs of seals and whales echo locating prey. e group eavesdrops on marine conversations and peers out into the deep blue nothing.

For all this nothing, the sinaaq is a very busy place. is is the main attraction in spring and early summer. Aer a long, dark winter, the sea ice begins to move; east of Bylot Island the ice pack begins to open in mid-May. Large floes peel off and are pulled into the current of Baffin Strait. ey are flushed south, down the east coast of Baffin Island towards Davis Strait and a slow melt. is leaves a line of thick ice hard up against the water, a platform for hunting, travelling or taking pictures.

20

2016 | 04

Sheattie Tagak relaxes with a cup of tea and waits for narwhal at the floe edge. © Karine Genest (3)

A B OV E & B E YO N D — C A N A DA’ S A RC T I C J O U R N A L

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Snowmobiles and qamutiit stage along the shoreline before heading east to the floe edge.

At first glance, one would not necessarily recognize Pond Inlet as an international trade centre. However, all this activity starts in this small Inuit community of 1,500 people, known as Mittimalik in Inuktitut, which means ‘Where Mittima Lies,’ although no one really says who Mittima was or where he lies. It sits perched on the northern edge of Baffin Island. Rolling hills and small rivers speckle the landscape broken only by trails of ATV dust and the bounce of a few foxes and loose dogs. To the north, 25 kilometres across the inlet, stand the rugged peaks of Bylot Island and Sirmilik, (’Place of Glaciers’) National Park. It is really one of the prettiest spots in Canada, maybe the world.

Activity spreads out from the Northern and the Co-op stores in the centre of town. Supplies are purchased and trucked down the hill to the coast. Red rose tea bags, pilot biscuits, beef jerky, smokes, bullets, some packets of Tang, all the necessities of life, along with countless gerry cans and a 45-gallon drum of gas or two.

Down the hill, we’re back in the real north: a slushy, muddy parking lot. Weary, squeaky trucks and new ATVs zoom back and forth on land, readying supplies for a motley collection of snowmobiles and qamutiit, Inuit-style sleds on As the ice retreats, sunlight penetrates the Arctic waters stimulating the growth of

the sea ice. It has the distinct feel of an open-air Arctic stock

algae which, in turn, feeds plankton, tiny shrimp-like organisms that are the base of

market. Inuit guides and hunters tie down their sled-loads,

the Arctic food chain. Upwellings and currents stir and disperse this mix of marine

jump over cracks in the ice and discuss the latest snow-

food, making the retreating ice edge an extremely productive feeding grounds for ma-

mobile repairs. Tourists watch wide-eyed, occasionally

rine and bird life. Arctic cod and capelin, small sardine-like fish, feed on the plankton,

offering to help.

and they in turn are food for beluga whales, seals and narwhal. ese marine mammals then become food for polar bears and humans.

Plywood boxes, called ‘iglutaq,’ are soon secured on top of some of the qamutiit, transforming this freighting sled

For centuries for the Tununirmiut, the Inuit peoples of northern Baffin Island, the

into ‘luxury’ transportation to the floe edge. Some of these

floe edge is a tradition, a culture. ey have frequented the sinaaq each spring, hunting

are lined with caribou skins and blue foam mats; others have

narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales. Since their ule ancestors swept across the

cushioned seats bolted inside. It’s a long ride to the sinaaq.

Arctic in pursuit of the bowhead whale one thousand years ago, the Inuit have had a

ere are two floe edges near the community: the Pond

complex relationship with this frozen ocean. As the climate cooled, they focused more

Inlet floe edge, around 90 kilometres to the east; and Navy

on narwhal hunting and winter seal hunting techniques, patiently camped out by seal

Board, some 200 kilometres to the northwest. Most traffic

breathing holes.

heads east; it’s a shorter trip and a longer ice edge. e route

Less than two centuries ago, European and American whalers and traders joined

is easier this year; there’s rough ice up by Navy Board they

them on the floe edge, in search of baleen and whale oil, luxury items across the ocean.

say. Folks who’ve been up there say it’s a beautiful spot,

ey were eventually replaced by the Hudson’s Bay Company who added fox furs to

maybe more productive than the other floe edge. A camp is

their list of luxury items before that market fell out as well. Most recently, international

being set up for Leonardo DiCaprio’s film this year.

travellers and photographers have joined this congregation of humans, whales, birds

Tour companies and local hunters are staging here.

and bears. For six weeks each spring, travellers spend over ten thousand dollars each

Camp supplies and people are spread out among several

to reach this thin line of ice. Over the years, this ice, the floe edge itself has become the

qamutiit. Sheattie Tagak gives orders to his young crew, a

luxury item. ‘Experience’ is the trade good of today.

mix of family and friends, assembling camps for both Arctic

  

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Kingdom’s groups and his own. ere’s a real status that comes with access to contracts and equipment.

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Traditionally, the head of a household, the lead hunter at the floe edge, was called the ‘isumataq’. He made the

transforms from a chilled all-inclusive lodge to ‘fireman’s drill’ in slow motion. On ‘sinaaq’ time.

Dark speckled backs surface again, breathing holes whooshing once again. It is a

decisions about camp locations, preferred hunting spots and even placement of hunters along the floe edge. As the

pod of narwhal, the star attraction of the floe edge. e Inuks motion for everyone to

Tununirmiut transitioned from camps to community, the

keep it down but their attention is now focused on the whales as well. Sheattie stands

‘isumataq’ position changed, maybe disappeared for a bit.

by the ice edge, watching the whales approach. A line of tripods forms beside him as

Down on the beach, it sure seems alive in the tourism

the whale surface once more.

Tusks soon appear as the narwhal surge along the water. For the most part, only

industry. Either way, Sheattie’s a busy and happy man.

As Sheattie’s troops herd tourists, hunters and helpers get ready for the narwhal hunt, travelling a lot lighter than the tour companies. ey need to keep their footprints small out on the floe edge as they quietly wait for whales to appear. e tour groups, cameras tucked in their parkas to keep

the males sport the narwhal’s characteristic tusk, a long tooth that spirals out in front of them. Twenty or so bulls, each around 1,000 kilograms, head straight for the group. is is what every traveller, every guide has been waiting for. A close encounter with the ‘unicorn of the sea’. A true luxury.

Icebergs and rough ice make for magnificent photographic moments along the floe edge.

batteries warm, lurch and slide their way towards Mount Herodier, the first landmark on their way to the sinaaq.   

Whoosh! It is the sound of this dive that stirs the group. e sharp expelling of air as whales surface to breathe slices the crisp Arctic air. e visitor stirs the group into a quiet, shuffling frenzy, ‘rushing’ for their cameras, ‘rushing’ to the edge for a view without disturbing the whales. e floe edge Narwhal are the main attraction at the Pond Inlet floe edge each spring.© Karine Genest (3)

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Project North Realizing goals and dreams for kids

By David Reid

J

ust as the snow starts to melt and icicles appear on almost everything, kids (young and old) throughout the North, bemoan the fact that another ice hockey season is

quickly coming to an end. Playing and participating in our nation’s favourite game quickly changes to watching and waiting as the playoffs progress towards their grand finale. ose teams still competing play towards the eventual dream of holding alo at centre ice, the Stanley Cup. e very same dream is shared by many hundreds of kids throughout the North. For many, though, that dream seems (all too oen) very far away.

Seven years ago, Ottawa-based photographer Michelle Valberg made one simple phone call resulting in her travelling to the Arctic for the very first time. Not only did the incredible landscapes, people and animals capture her imagination and vision but so too did the sights and sounds of kids playing street hockey at 2 am under the midnight sun. At times, the energized young players had mismatching gear, one glove, no helmets, no goal net, to name but a few examples. at didn’t matter, what they lacked in proper gear was more than made up for in the passion, time and energy they had for “the game”. Michelle saw this and Project North was born!

Project North is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of

Below: Happy hockey players in Arctic Bay. © Michelle Valberg (2)

children in Canada’s North. In seven short years, Project North has delivered over $750,000 worth of new hockey equipment and gear (and some soccer gear!) to 24 Inuit communities in Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.

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Above: The Mounties assisted in bringing the cup up a nearby iceberg in Pond Inlet. The first time the cup has ever been on an iceberg! © Michelle Valberg

e North is defined by distances. ose many miles

e energy and excitement on board the First Air ATR was hard to contain. Upon

between isolated communities are oen an impediment but,

landing, when the doors opened, that same energy and excitement spilled out and was

as they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Project North’s

met and more than countered by the crowds who, rather than wait at the community

latest plan (this past April) was ambitious: one tour, three

event location, assembled at the airport. Smiles and laughter were only matched by the

days, seven communities, over 7,000 kilometres and an excited

wide-eyed wonder and respectful behaviour around the Stanley Cup. Newborn babies

and motivated team. Fulfilling ambitions, plans and dreams

were placed “in the cup” by beaming, proud parents. Grown men and women

is always easier when collaboration is involved. First Air has

approached the cup nervously and at times rather shyly to give it a loving hug or kiss.

been a sponsor of Project North from the very beginning

Names of past winning teams and players were looked for with favouritism and intent

and who better to step up and provide the necessary aircra

by hockey jersey-clad fans. Never have so many “selfies” been taken at an event!

and crew to make this happen? Despite having no branches

Lanny (in his Calgary Flames jersey) and Mark (in his Montreal Canadiens) were

or stores in Nunavut, Scotiabank and Canadian Tire have

as patient, caring and proud as the day was long; they could not do enough for the kids

joined and supported Project North without hesitation.

every step of the tour. ousands of autographs and photographs were given and taken

Along with the Project North team, Canada’s leading Arctic expedition cruise ship company, Adventure Canada, also stepped in to play their part. NHL stars and Stanley Cup winners Lanny McDonald and Mark Napier would join the tour along with one more very special guest: the Stanley Cup! As anyone who knows the North will tell you, news travels fast. Coordination was done in and for Kugluktuk, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Iqaluit, Igloolik, Cambridge Bay and Yellowknife. On this particular tour, it was Igloolik and Kugluktuk’s turn to receive 25 sets of new hockey gear each.

All the hard work done by the Project North team, their sponsors and partners and by the communities themselves had one goal in mind: to put smiles on the faces of the kids wherever the tour landed.

Young fans in Igloolik get the chance to touch “The Cup”. © Michelle Valberg

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2016 | 04

Above: Community members join hockey players in Pond Inlet. © Michelle Valberg

and they were oen the last to leave the venue. Phil Pritchard, the official keeper of the

sea ice in front of the tiny but incredibly proud community.

Stanley Cup, also could not do enough to ensure that everyone in every community

Aer the game, the local hockey team presented a clearly

had the chance to have their photograph taken with arguably the most famous and

emotional Lanny McDonald with a special puck inscribed

recognizable trophy in sports.

with “Lanny, thank you very much for coming to our community

roughout the tour, the (sometimes fickle) weather was incredible which helped

along with the Stanley Cup. We are honoured to have you here”.

keep everything on schedule. Aer the gear and equipment donation at the community

Half the town, the Stanley Cup and the RCMP in full red

hall in Kugluktuk, the tour group moved next door to the amazing new visitor and

serge, watched from the sidelines.

heritage centre. As should always be the case, the whole group (including Lanny, Mark

e Mounties once again played their part in Pond Inlet

and the Stanley Cup) went to visit the Elders of the community. Familiarity, smiles and

when they assisted Phil Pritchard in carrying the cup up a

hugs rendered cultural differences obsolete. Resolute Bay is the most northern location

nearby iceberg. e first time the cup has ever been on an

the Stanley Cup has ever been. Arctic Bay was a celebration of everything Canadian;

iceberg! In Igloolik, dozens of excited and energetic kids

Lanny and Mark laced up their skates and played the local kids on rinks created on the

surrounded e Cup and the mountain of new hockey gear.

Everyone was smiling! e tour culminated with the Northwest Territories Government in Yellowknife very kindly opening and making the Legislative Assembly available (on a Saturday evening!).

It marked the end of an incredible three days, a journey spanning the North and thousands of kilometres. More than anything, it illustrated just how important goals and dreams are for kids. For the thousands of kids who cheered, smiled and realized their own dream of touching the Stanley Cup, playing with two hockey greats and accessing hockey gear and equipment, it was an event they will never forget.

Project North, along with its committed partners, knows working together and helping to fulfill children’s goals, ambitions and dreams is necessary, vital and important.

Members of the Project North team pose with the First Air 70th Anniversary aircraft. © Lindsey Gibeau

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1. A Twin Otter on Wheel Skis on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, 1999. © Jason Miller – Baffin Photography

3. A Twin Otter on Wheel Skis on the Arctic Sea Ice north of Barrow, Alaska, re-supplying a Canadian Coast ship locked in the Sea Ice doing experiments, 1999. © Jason Miller – Baffin Photography

2. A First Air Twin Otter on Little Cornwallis Island, helping a British Hot Air Balloon try to float to the Magnetic North Pole, 1999. © Jason Miller – Baffin Photography

4. First Air’s Hercules G-USI 012 in Arctic Bay. First Air files

1

2

5. A First Air aircraft at the Iqaluit Airport.

First Air files

6. First Air was a sponsor of the Mars Institute and NASA’s historic Northwest Passage Drive Expedition (2009-2011). First Air files

3

4

5

6

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Celebrating First Air’s 70th Anniversary

First Air is...

Reliable

The First Air name is recognized in the aviation business with innovation and operational expertise for remote regions and unusual environments, particularly when it comes to flying in challenging weather and onto gravel runways in the North. Our safety-based approach and extensive northern experience are two of the main reasons why First Air aircraft and crews are a natural first choice when it comes to choosing an airline in Canada’s Arctic.

F

irst Air is reliable in providing safe, scheduled services and has a long history of dependable service in and out of remote regions over the last seven decades. Here, we feature just a few examples of some of the challenging terrain and unique communities First Air has flown into over the years.

Within a decade of its beginnings, in 1954, Bradley Air Services (First Air) begins charter and aerial survey work for the DEW line construction in the vast, untamed Northwest Territories. From 1958-68, charter operations in the Arctic Islands expand as Bradley Air Services is engaged by scientific and government agencies.

In 1968, Bradley Air Services is awarded the air support contract for the Polar Continental Shelf Project in the Beaufort Sea and Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. In 1971, the company opens the most northerly base commercial air service in the world at Eureka (600 miles from the North Pole) on Ellesmere Island. In 1973, First Air also opens a base in Resolute Bay in the High Arctic.

In 1974, a First Air operation is conducted in Antarctica, for the U.S. Navy’s Ross Ice Shelf Project. Since then First Air provides seasonal Antarctic support for a variety of international clients.

In 1975, First Air opens its Iqaluit base in Nunavut, offering passenger and cargo service to this community only accessible by air.

First Air purchases the Baffin operations and routes of Survair in 1978, securing a position for passenger and cargo services in what was then known as the Northwest Territories. is includes a new charter base at Hall Beach. e Baffin routes signal a major expansion to First Air’s operations in the North.

Since 1997, the First Air Hercules performs the big jobs that no other airline can, accommodating heavy-duty payloads, and navigating challenging terrain and climate, including being involved in humanitarian missions in the North.

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In 1999, First Air’s Twin Otters travel to Alaska to re-supply a Canadian Coast Guard ship locked in the ice.

Also, that year, a Twin Otter flies to Little Cornwallis Island to help a British Hot Air Balloon try to float to the Magnetic North Pole.

First Air is a sponsor of the Mars Institute and NASA’s historic Northwest Passage Drive Expedition (2009-2011), which is part of the ongoing annual Haughton-Mars Project on Devon Island in the Arctic. e project will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016. During the expedition, a featurelength motion picture documentary film is recorded. e film is now complete and about to hit the big screen. It is titled: Passage to Mars.

Because First Air operates in some of the harshest conditions on earth, it continually strives to find ways to improve safety and operational efficiency of the airline. In 2014, First Air added FLYHTStream’sTM automatically triggered, real-time data and live black box streaming capability to its aircra, raising the standard of tracking and automated alerting that is unsurpassed in the industry.

To ensure First Air aircra continue to fly safely in the remote regions of the North, First Air planes are equipped with innovative flight following capabilities. It is the only airline in the world with real-time event aircra tracking. is is particularly important to First Air due to its operations in remote areas, offering an increased safety function to its valued passengers and cargo.

In a few short decades, Bradley Air Services has evolved to become Canada’s foremost Arctic and remote region air carrier. Operating today under the name First Air, e Airline of the North, along with its codeshare partners, First Air’s scheduled network provides reliable service to 30 destinations in the North.

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In the North Pang Fjord. © Jon Golden (4)

Biking Across Baffin Island

By Ray Zahab

When we first came up with the idea of the Arctic2Atacama expedition it seemed straightforward enough. We would attempt an unsupported crossing of the Arctic ice from Qikiqtarjuaq Island and across Baffin Island, Nunavut, in Canada’s Arctic winter, immediately followed by a 1,200-km traverse of the driest place on Earth: the Atacama Desert in Chile in South America’s summer.

Jen Segger, Stefano Gregoretti and I are more accustomed to running long distances than we are mountain biking a thousand miles but that would be the challenge. Fat bikes in the Arctic, and full suspension rides in the Atacama would replace trail running shoes. Taking schools along for the ride would be a primary goal of this expedition. We would upload daily content to both social media and a live website that would track our adventure.

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2016 | 04

Heading out from Qikiqtarjuaq onto the ice!

e six months leading up to Arctic2Atacama seemed to be a frenzy of training, gear testing, planning logistics and gathering sponsorships, all while we continued working our day jobs, although they might be unconventional! e goal of being in remote parts of two different continents, in their most extreme seasons, one right aer the other, posed huge logistical challenges. Just getting to Qikiqtarjuaq without any weather delay and back to Ottawa can be its own expedition.

An old friend of mine in Qik, Billy Arnaquq, would be our main contact and provide logistical support for the Arctic leg. e months and days leading up to the expedition were a race against time to test and re-test every piece of gear possible for the unsupported crossing from Qik (a small island) across the frozen ocean and onto and over Baffin Island. Trying to get our Felt DD

I

n 2007, I finished a 7,500-km run across the Sahara Desert with two buddies and when the 111 days came to an end, I realized it would be life changing. In the run

across the Sahara it became abundantly clear to me that we are all capable of doing amazing things in our lives, things that we might think we can’t do! As well, through this amazing adventure I had learned about a culture and experienced a place that otherwise I may not have ever had the opportunity to.

I wanted to recreate everything I learned about myself, about a faraway place and about learning new things with young people. I wanted to give them an opportunity to be empowered with the knowledge that they could do anything they set their minds to. And so impossible2Possible (i2P) was born, an organization that takes selected young adventurers on learning-based running expeditions all over the world. On these Expeditions, they challenge themselves and share daily their experiences with classrooms globally, using a combination of live satellite content uploads and video conferencing. ere is absolutely no cost to the i2P Youth Ambassadors or the schools participating.

Every expedition I have been on since Running the Sahara has been in support of i2P, whether running 1,200-km across the Atacama, 2,000+ across the Gobi, trekking unsupported to the Geographic South Pole, or running 1,000 km across the Patagonian Desert. It’s all about connecting to students and gathering support for i2P Youth Expeditions!   

Ray Zahab with a few kilometres behind us and its getting chilly!

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A stretch of ice that has been ploughed near the beginning. © Jon Golden (4)

Fatbikes as light as possible, but not under packing gear was critical. We planned for a five-day traverse, and brought six days of fuel, food and other supplies. Our bikes were fitted with studded five-inch wide tires, custom pogies (think hand warmers on steroids) and frame bags. Every moving part on our bikes was greased with lube rated to -60. e day of departure finally came and we loaded our gear into the back of a buddy’s pick-up for transfer to the airport. We’d be flying on First Air flights to the Arctic. ey are the experts so of all our planning, this was the one piece I placed complete faith in the experience and reliability of First Air. Aer connections in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung, we arrived early evening in Qik. ey have to get the landing there just right. It can be windy and tricky, but the

on ice and snow. In the weeks leading up to the expedition, we were told that the area was ‘wind-blown’ meaning there would be very little snow. Great for us on our bikes, but my good friend and genius photographer Jon Golden was concerned. He was with us to shoot photos on the first and second day on the ice, but he would be heading on his own adventure with Billy across Baffin on snowmobile, shooting photos of Canada’s awe-inspiring Arctic landscape. e concern was actually being able to get across Baffin. If there was no snow…and only ice and rock, by snowmobile would not be possible. It turned out the weather would change dramatically and unexpectedly.

Our second morning in Qik was our departure. Around 9 am Stefano, Jen and I Entering North Pang Fjord, ice gives way to deeper snow.

headed onto the frozen waters off the coast of Qikiqtarjuaq and started pedalling towards Baffin, around 100 km or so away. Our goal was 50 km on the first day and we achieved that, although the packed, bare ice gave way to deeper and deeper snow. e

landing was as smooth as possible. Billy met us at the

ord leading into Baffin was like looking at a desert made of snow and ice. ere are

airport aer we scrambled across the gravel runway with

no trails here and navigating the best path meant being as direct as possible. We tried

our Osprey Packs as carry-on. It was a balmy –30°C,

Billy and Jon’s snowmobile track but it was simply too so to pedal in, so we pushed

compared to the –45°C the last time I was there. We

on “off track” with our 80 pounds each of gear, bikes and supplies creeping ahead slowly.

loaded Billy’s truck and headed over to his place. It

Day 1 ended with a camp about 40 km from the Baffin coast. To be honest we didn’t have

was a very short drive to Billy’s house in a town of 500

a great sleep. is area is known to have a large population of polar bears. Enough said.

people on an island that is 50 square miles. I love visiting

As the sun rose on Day 3, we packed our gear and headed into the Pass. ere was

with Billy and staying with his family in Qik was brief

snow. A lot more than we had heard was going to be here. Anyone that has ridden a fat bike

but awesome.

in winter knows exactly what I’m talking about when I say the difference between a

We spent the next day assembling our bikes,

few inches of snow is dramatic. Each additional centimetre of snow makes it logarith-

strapping fuel containers to our forks, preparing our

mically more difficult to stay on your bike, especially when it’s loaded with tons of gear.

dehydrated meals, packing and repacking until we felt

It was oddly warmer too. Like the weather was going through some crazy shi. We

we had it right. e bikes had to be balanced for travel

pedalled for hours, trying our best to navigate the frozen waters of the Owl River that

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2016 | 04

Jen Segger tired, but happy to be done!

snaked its way towards the Rundle Glacier area of Baffin. It got cloudier, and an ice mist filled the air, making for whiteout conditions. It’s a strange sensation. Balance becomes a huge challenge, and simply standing upright felt impossible. Our bikes felt unsteady with every pedal stroke, and our speed slowed with the combination of deeper snow and the grey haze. We stopped and camped before dark.

Day 4 started out just as grey but with a very clear goal: Get to the glacial moraine at Rundle and scramble to the top. We were roughly 20 km from camp to the emergency shelter at Glacier Lake, so we pushed as hard as we could to get there as early as possible. e “scramble” with our bikes would take the better part of an aernoon, with three of us working to get one bike at a time up the super steep and rocky wall that would lead us to Summit Lake. e snow was deep. Really deep.

Aer what seemed, and to my aching body, felt like forever, we reached the top. We were so sure that once we summited, and looked down to the lake below, we would see glaring ice. Perfectly swept from the wind…not exactly. We looked down from way up and to our disappointment we just saw snow and more snow. We knew it meant pushing, not riding. Riding the bikes in deep snow is very difficult, but when the snow gets too deep to ride, pushing seems to use infinitely more effort.

We started to make our way across the lake, our GPS set on making it to the Summit Lake shelter, approximately 8 km away. Winds began to pick up, and an eerie yellowish

Even though we had the best mitts and porgies you

colour was cast across the sky. It became quite clear things were changing. Temps

could ask for, to change batteries or dig for equipment

dropped quickly as the winds picked up. It was getting darker. Winds jumped to 100 km

became a very risky task of removing our mittens. We

per hour and it had to be close to –60°C with wind-chill. e sun had long set and we

had frostbite on our faces and our fingers were going

were being pounded by snow, both falling and being re whipped up by the howling

white. We pulled our map and our emergency head-

winds. It wasn’t letting up, and our equipment was freezing. Our GPS and two backups

lamp, the last one working. Luckily I had my Garmin

froze. Our headlamp batteries froze. We had backup plan aer backup plan, but it all

Epix on my wrist, covered in down mitts all day,

seemed to be fragmenting in this moment. We crawled behind a huge boulder on the

and under my Canada Goose down jacket, so it was

shore so we could hit the reset switch in our minds. We had spent the last hours doing

still functioning. We used it to determine our exact

our best to follow the shoreline so as not to get “too” disoriented in the bizarre weather

location and then began the task of navigating the last

and darkness.

few kilometres to the emergency shelter.

It took us hours to finally get there, with Stefano and I stopping every 50 metres to check in with each other and double verify our direction. Any huge navigational error up here in the Arctic can result in a serious conclusion. Combine that with this wicked storm we were in, and the result could be fatal. e reflection off the tiny window on the shelter caught my headlamp and identified its location up the side of a rocky hill. Jen noticed it first, and took the lead up to the shelter, Stefano and I hauling the bikes and gear up behind.

Immediately we used whatever energy we had le to get warm. On any Arctic or winter expedition team, everyone has a specific role. No time can be wasted Jen Segger pedals near the beginning of our Arctic leg.

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Getting closer to the Akshayuk Pass, Baffin Island.. © Jon Golden (4)

once you stop moving, as the bitter cold will set in. Setting up a tent even has specific roles. When I was in Siberia on expedition with Kevin Vallely in 2010, we each had roles that enabled us to set up tent, camp and have stoves lit in short time. Up here on Baffin we operated as a unit. One person gathered snow blocks for water, while one lit the stoves, while the other pulled down sleeping bags out to cover up in. Once we settled into a cup of salty noodles mixed with coconut oil, we were able to take that sigh of relief and assess the frostbite situation.

It was cold the next morning. Really cold. Day 5 started out on Summit Lake heading down the Weasel River. We pushed our bikes through snow that felt like wet concrete,

but even in these freezing conditions, we broke through the thin layer of ice covering

even though it couldn’t be more frozen. As we approached

the pocket of water that is “overflow”. It was deep enough to wet our boots; trust me, a

the steeper parts of the Weasel, it became a little barer. But

soaker at -45 really sucks! We stayed warm by keeping moving and when the pitch of

with that steepness, the river was covered in overflow. You

the river flattened slightly we did our best to stay on our bikes and ride down as far as

can never be sure how deep the overflow is, so precarious

possible. We passed or, one of the most visually stunning mountains in Canada, if

steps and careful navigation became key. We took our time,

not the entire world! It reminded me of why I keep coming back to this place. I just love it here so much! We reached our goal of making it to Windy Lake and called it a day.

Hopefully we would be done tomorrow. Stefano’s hand was looking really bad. Jen and I set up our IridiumGo and rang a buddy in the community of Pangnirtung, asking him if he’d ride out on his snow machine and grab Stef. e reality was he had no choice but to get to at least here. We were now about 50 km away from Pang in probably the flattest area. Snowmobile trips to this end of Baffin are quite common, so we didn’t have to wait long for him to come. We bedded down for the night and reminded Stef to eat a huge meal on our behalf when he got to Pang!

Day 6 Jen and I woke up early, packed our bikes, ate a huge portion of oatmeal, olive and coconut oil, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Seeds and Garden of Life Raw Meal.

Mucho calories for what felt like the coldest day. Maybe we were just getting weaker; maybe it was both.

With awesome fuel in our bellies and fruit bars in our pogies, we headed towards the Pangnirtung Fjord. We pushed for hours through the snow, but we knew we could make it to the finish. We definitely were not moving at the speed we had anticipated — the windblown ice was non-existent — but we were moving.

We talked for hours about missing Stefano on this last leg, but also the fact that by pulling out when he did, he probably would be ready for what was up next, a 1,200-km crossing of the Atacama Desert. Here we are, freezing, and we are discussing that in a matter of a few days we would be in a desert at +50°C (120°F)!

We arrived at the finish and anticipated our own huge meal! Stef was feeling better, and we spent a night in Pangnirtung at the Auyuittuq Lodge, operated by one of the most interesting cats you’ll ever meet, and an amazing chef, Louis. It felt good to be here, in warmth and with coffee flowing!

Now, we just had to scramble to get our gear packed and head south.

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Ray Zahab pushing his bike weighing 70 pounds for the last 65 km.

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ADvenTUre

UMIMMAIT | su7à5

Our tranquil retreat on the shore of Kaslac Lake. © Isabelle Dubois

Up close and personal with Muskoxen

ever since I moved up north to Kuujjuaq, in

nunavik, some 16 years ago, and was introduced

to these magnificent beasts, I’ve been fasci-

nated with muskoxen. Straight out of the ice age, these ancient creatures, which once walked

alongside woolly mammoths in the northern

steppes and have somehow, against all odds, managed to survive to this day, will never

cease to amaze me. Though I have had the chance to encounter local muskox herds every

now and then over the years, it wasn’t until last

summer that I truly made their acquaintance, when I was invited by Tundra Tom to take part

in a weeklong muskox observation expedition

out on the land with Great Canadian Wildlife Adventures.

A lonesome muskox stares back at us. © Isabelle Dubois

My adventure starts at Johnny May’s Air

colours, we’re ready to land. Below us, we see

outskirts of town. Here, Tundra Tom is already

next few days, on a peaceful sandy beach, on

and Mike needleman, who help us get settled

the camp where we would cast anchor for the

in the cozy tents that will be our home away

the shore of Kaslac Lake, about 100 km north

into the kitchen — an expedition tent that

victor Zaveduk, a couple from Chicago, and

off in what seems to be the middle of nowhere,

battery charging station — for an introductory

Minnesota — to one of his remote camps. The

making his way out, away from the hustle and

observation rules.

turns on the engine and soon enough, on this

inspiring sighting is the undeniable promise of

bull we saw from the plane, Thomas takes us

Less than an hour later, after gliding over

After a smooth landing on the lake, we are

Charters’ floatplane base at Stewart Lake, on the loading the Turbo Otter that is going to take me and my new companions — Barbara and

Dominique Braud, a photographer from

legendary bush pilot, Johnny May himself, delightful mid-September day, we are airborne.

of Kuujjuaq. As we are about to get dropped

we catch a glimpse of a lone muskox, slowly bustle our arrival has created. This first awethe exceptional quest that awaits us.

the remnants of the boreal forest northward

greeted by our trip leader Thomas Groening

year has already donned its warm autumn

with camp staff and guides Shelby Bordeleau

onto the barren tundra, which, at this time of

and his playful northern puppy dog Oscar, along

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

from home for the week. Then, we are called

also serves as communications centre and

session about camp life guidelines and wildlife As we are all eager to catch up with that

on a short late afternoon stroll just outside the camp, to show us around. We can’t seem to

locate the hoofed deserter, but as Thomas

points out to a nearby fox den, we stumble upon

an old muskox skull, beautifully preserved,

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ADvenTUre Two big bulls ram one another to win over the females’ favours. © Isabelle Dubois

Right: Trip leader Thomas Groening (centre) shows Barbara (left), Victor (right) and I how to weave the muskox wool (qiviut). We had handpicked it off the bushes surrounding the herd to make souvenir bracelets. © Dominique Braud/Courtesy Isabelle Dubois

complete with the horns and a full set of teeth.

I awake to a beautiful morning and with

We quickly catch up to Beth and Dominique

As a flock of geese flies over our heads, I hear

everyone anticipating the day ahead, it doesn’t

on the ridge. Down below on the other side

way back to camp. We have to watch our steps,

kitchen tent with our daypack stocked with grub

it’s still a little ways away, so we gobble our

wearing their summer plumage, which blends

from yesterday in the distance. Beth and

dinner calling my name and we start making our

as ptarmigans lay hidden in the shrubs, still

in better than any camo outfit ever could.

In the kitchen, while Shelby and Mike are

already setting the table for dinner, Arizona cinematographer Beth Davidow is going through

take long to devour breakfast. As we exit the for lunch as well, we spot the very same bull Dominique, who have much heavier gear to carry

lies the muskox herd. Although it looks close, lunch hastily before making our way down.

As we get closer, Thomas and Mike call for

a halt to explain their approach strategy. The

than the rest of us, decide to get a head start

seven of us are to walk as one, forming one

for the range where the herd was last spotted,

muskoxen on the lookout will only see one sole

and go by zodiac with Mike to shoot straight

single line, so that in any given direction, the

the footage she took during the past few days

across the lake’s inlet and over the hill. victor,

After seeing her stunning images, we are all

footsteps with Thomas in the lead. This choice is

the next day and get our own photos. It doesn’t

start to add up, but it’s a nice day and we’re all in

enough. What a thrill!

Outside, the northern Lights are on display,

made it to the tip of the inlet following the bull,

in the other direction, and soon we find our-

nearby Ungava Bay rolls in and it’s time to call

herd, we’re happy to see Mike come for us

muskoxen have decided to take their afternoon

she has spent here. Curious, we all take a peek.

suddenly eager to go to bed, ready to head out take long before everyone finishes their meal.

dancing the night away. Soon, the fog from it a night.

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Barbara and I decide to follow in the loner’s

definitely not the easier path, as the kilometres

good spirits. nevertheless, once we’ve almost

which, ultimately, would have led us to the

with the zodiac, for a short cut across.

person. And as soon as we are discovered, we

are to stop and crouch in the meadow until they let their guard down, at which point we

can keep moving, and so on until we get close Luck is on our side, with the wind blowing

selves just below the mound on which the

nap. Staying low, we slowly climb to the rocky

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ADvenTUre

Kilometres of barren steppes unfold before us as we hike our way through the tundra in search of muskox. © Isabelle Dubois A ghost of seasons’ past. © Isabelle Dubois

edge and pop our heads out just enough to peep. They are right there, a few steps away.

We all get our cameras ready and start

shooting, thinking this cannot last forever. But

they’re not going anywhere. In fact, they don’t even seem to know that we’re there. They just

go on with their daily routine, some resting, others quietly grazing, mothers tending to

their young, while the single males try to fool around with non-bearing females; it is, after

all, mating season. Two big bulls even put on a

show for us, butting heads together to impress the ladies.

After a single day out on the tundra, I’m

already content; my memory card already full of striking images that will forever stay imprinted

in my mind. Over the next few days, we’ll get

to know these enigmatic beasts that Inuit call

umimmait — the bearded ones — which, although intimidating, have somehow accepted

our presence, granting us the privilege to get up

close and personal.

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

Isabelle Dubois

For more information on muskox and other wildlife observation and photography expeditions offered by Great Canadian Wildlife Adventures in nunavik, visit their website at www.thelon.com or contact Tundra Tom directly at 608-370-5071 or tundra@thelon.com.

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ArTS

Inuit art and culture Bridging the north and south

Shuvinai Ashoona, just one of the typical artists you find at work in Cape Dorset.

Last summer, I had the privilege, along with my wife Hazel and son roman, of touring the Heart

of the Arctic on board the Ocean Endeavour with Adventure Canada. Aside from my duties

as a lecturer on the ship, we met with artists, elders, community leaders, and lots of children.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) has a long

history with Adventure Canada, and as Director

& CeO of the Gallery, I had been invited to

participate as one of the arts and culture specialists on board. My wife Hazel, a town

Ocean Endeavour, Davis Strait (on board).

planner and new urbanist author, was commis-

and a champion of Inuit art and culture. An

visited as well. Over the course of the two-

and research supports the Gallery’s collection

Greenland communities, including Kuujuaq

and new media. The Gallery began collecting

and Kimmirut in nunavut, and nuuk and

largely unknown in Canada’s south. To celebrate

sioned to blog about each community we week expedition, we visited several Inuit and

and Kangiqsujuaq in nunavik, Cape Dorset

Kangerlussuaq in Greenland.

With the largest public collection of

contemporary Inuit art in the world, the WAG

has been a longstanding partner with the north

unparalleled record of exhibitions, publications, of over 13,000 carvings, drawings, prints, textiles,

Inuit art in the 1950s when this art form was

the art and to honour the people who have created these works, the WAG is building an

Inuit Art Centre, the first of its kind in the world, with plans to break ground in 2017.

Icebergs in Davis Strait. © Stephen Borys (3)

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

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ArTS

Qavavau Manumie works over an art grid in Cape Dorset.

Inuit Art Centre is so important to our under-

standing of the Inuit. While textbooks, maps,

and videos play an important role in a child’s

education about the north and Indigenous

cultures, a trip to the Centre will bring students face to face with Inuit art and artists. With

the latest communications technology, we can connect a classroom in Iqaluit with one in

Winnipeg where kids can watch a carver work-

ing in Baker Lake or listen to stories being told

by an elder from Arviat.

Adventure Canada’s Ocean endeavour was

our pathway into the Arctic. While you can fly

into many of the Inuit and Greenland communities

On board the Ocean Endeavour, I gave

during the expedition was the best way to gain

history of the WAG’s Inuit collection, and the

I was also able to share the architectural plans

Our ship was much larger than the hunting and

exhilarating experience to be traversing the

but coming within reach of these communities

again the images that inspired the architects

able to get a sense of the Inuit reliance on and

several talks about Inuit art, as well as on the

development of the Inuit Art Centre. Of course the firsthand opportunity passengers had

visiting several Inuit communities and artists

an understanding and appreciation of the art.

for the Centre with passengers. It was an

waters and terrain of the Arctic — and seeing

designing the Centre.

One of the highlights of the Heart of the

Arctic expedition for me was seeing the Arctic

today, the opportunity to approach these places by ship was a completely different experience.

fishing vessels used by Inuit over the centuries,

(with the aid of Zodiac watercraft) we were still respect for the bodies of water that encompass

the north.

not unlike the ship we were on, the Inuit Art

and the Inuit culture through the eyes of a

Centre is a bridge, enabling peoples from northern

roman. In each of the communities we visited,

work together. It will also act as a cultural hub

child — in this instance, my 10-year-old son,

and southern communities to meet, learn, and

roman met kids his age and learned more

promoting economic development and tourism.

Only a handful of Canadians will ever have

the Centre’s success; in fact, the connection is

about their life and adventures in the north.

The link between north and South is critical to

the opportunity to see the land of the Inuit and

at the heart of this project. This will be a facility

enterprise. And that’s perhaps why Canada’s

learning, studio practice and art making. It will

the context for their incredible art making

for exhibitions and programs, research and

Ocean Endeavour, Davis Strait with icebergs.

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Itilleq, Greenland. © Stephen Borys (3)

ArTS

also serve as both conduit and gathering place,

enabling peoples from the north and South to meet, learn, and work together.

Art is a dynamic force in the world capable

of imparting ideas and perspectives, and shap-

ing public thought. In a similar way, the Inuit

Art Centre will be much more than a repository for the WAG’s celebrated collection of Inuit art.

It will be a transformative place led by the images and stories from the art, people, and

land. Linking northern and southern Canada

is at the heart of the Centre’s mission where art is a vehicle for artistic, educational, and economic development.

To read Hazel’s daily accounts, animated with wonderful images of the Arctic, visit www.placemakers.com/tag/ heart-of-the-arctic-series/.

Dr. Stephen Borys

Director & CeO, Winnipeg Art Gallery

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

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YOUTH

Jeunes Karibus

Kuujjuaq and Tasiujaq teams in action while heading to their next campsite. © This northern Life – Tristan Brand

Cross-country skiing rising in popularity in nunavik

For the second consecutive year, the Jeunes Karibus participants can proudly say “mission accomplished” after crossing over 90 kilometres on skis. From April 14 to 18, 2016, Kuujjuaq and Tasiujaq teams merged and skied from Tasiujaq to Aupaluk while teams from Kuujjuarapik and Kangirsuk gathered and skied from Kangirsuk to Aupaluk. All 32 athletes, 10 chaperones and 10 guides made it safely to their destination and were eager to have a shower and a good rest.

This unique project aims at developing an

educational curriculum that promotes perse-

verance through various hands-on activities

“Being out on the land for multiple days with

a group of hard-working teenagers essentially

means to build a family and learn to work as a

and a unifying athletic challenge: a five-day

team whether in good or bad moments. We

Cross-country skiing is the perfect sport to

various activities such as First Aid and survival

cross-country expedition.

develop academic, social and personal perse-

verance throughout the school year. This sport

prepared a complete curriculum including

training in remote areas, nutrition workshops,

substance abuse prevention sessions and

attracts a significant number of youth who

fundraising initiatives,” says valérie raymond,

using their own strength to move across the

Jaanimmarik School in Kuujjuaq, nunavik.

want to deeply discover their traditional lands

snow-covered region. In addition, cross-country

one of the project’s founders and teacher at

The most popular outing was certainly the

skiing is an opportunity to develop environ-

exploration of the Kuururjuaq and Tursujuq

Kuujjuaraapik youth try to make fishing holes with hockey sticks. © Maxime Saunier

whole project is a great catalyst for motivating

the chance to bond, and to get into a routine

and fishing, share stories with an elder and do

From splitting wood to cooking and washing

Parks is a great partner organization, giving all

mental awareness and healthy living habits. This students to stay in school and get their high

school diploma.

A cross-country ski expedition requires

meticulous individual and group preparation

on a physical, exploration and logistic level.

From October 2015 to April 2016, each team

completed all aspects necessary for their trip.

national Parks. “During those outings, teams had

of dividing up the tasks amongst themselves.

dishes, everybody had to participate,” affirms

a series of team building activities. nunavik

Jeunes Karibus members the chance to discover

valérie raymond. During their journey in the

the uniqueness of the nunavik territory.

were invited to the local school to present their

motivation and energy invested in its success.

other communities to visit the parks, teams

project to fellow students, go ptarmigan hunting

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

Behind such a huge project, there is so much

Jeunes Karibus are particularly grateful to

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YOUTH After building igloos and warming-up, it was time to move to the next destination.

Alice from the Kuujjuaq team cuts some wood to warm up the tents. © This northern Life – Tristan Brand (3)

All teams and guides safely and proudly made it to Aupaluk on May 18, 2016!

organizations and companies who believe in

our regional project, such as Black Diamond, the Kativik regional Government, the Makivik

Corporation, the Kativik School Board and the

nunavik regional Health Board of Social Services.

Their support has allowed our athletes to take

on this journey peacefully and comfortably.

Additionally, we want to thank all our dedicated

and talented collaborators and volunteers willing to make a difference for the youth within

the nunavik region without counting working

hours.

Let’s dream big. Let’s believe that one day,

each nunavik school will have its own cross-

country ski program and all the skiers will

gather right in the centre of the nunavik region where a big feast will be organized!

Sneak peak about Jeunes Karibus: This Northern Life Productions are producing a modern, inspiring and authentic documentary about the whole project. These professional filmmakers have documented the progress and successes from the beginning of the expedition until all the participants reached their goal. Stay tuned at facebook.com/jeuneskaribus and on www.jeuneskaribus.org.

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SCIenCe

Citizen science comes to the Arctic so partnering with people who live there year-

round makes a lot of sense. Above all, the Inuit

have a huge amount of knowledge to contribute that external researchers simply don’t possess.

What makes a citizen science project?

‘Citizen science’ only entered the dictionaries

in 2014, and is in many ways the product of the Internet and smart phones. Those two tech-

nologies have made such projects possible by

allowing access to a much wider audience as

well as making them easier to participate.

There are two basic kinds of projects —

observation and analysis. Observation projects

depend on people living in the area to report

Scientific research in the Arctic has traditionally

and then heading off on their skidoos. But now

what they see, such as types and numbers of

government agencies, who have sometimes

that many research projects are not only

a project website or with a smart phone app

been conducted by university academics or been guilty of working in isolation from the

northern communities whose environment

a phenomenon known as ‘citizen science’ means

actively encouraging public participation, they

are completely dependent on it for their

they are studying. Although there are plenty

success.

for others their involvement might be as brief

such public-participation projects. Logistically

who do engage Inuit assistance for their projects, as buying fuel and supplies at the local store

48

In fact, Canada’s Arctic is an ideal location for

it is a challenging and expensive place to work,

birds or marine wildlife. This can be entered in to snap and upload photos.

Analysis projects ask people to help with

analyzing or classifying the results, and don’t actually require you to be in a specific location

to take part. For example, the Arctic Institute

of north America, in collaboration with the

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SCIenCe

Scientific research in the Yukon. © Lance Goodwin

Canadian Space Agency, is running a project called The Auroral Zone (auroralzone.org) which

asks members of the public to help classify photos of the aurora into different types. Anyone

can participate, but obviously being familiar with the aurora and their various forms is a big advantage.

Of course conventional research projects

often also seek input from Arctic communities, either by doing surveys, asking questions, or

even engaging them to take measurements

throughout the year. Academics can often only do fieldwork in the summer when they are not teaching!

What projects are out there?

Most of the projects in the Arctic are about wildlife observations, climate change, or the aurora. For example, Canid Howl (howlcoder.appspot.com)

allows you to both report and help classify wolf

and coyote howls. Polar Bears International

climate change, and bird and animal populations.

For scientists they also provide broader and more

people in the north to gain exposure to scientific

projects and contacts in universities that they

continuous data than individual scientists

might otherwise not have access to and poten-

knowledge only known to those living there.

David Millar

would be able to gather themselves, as well as

These projects provide opportunities for young

(polarbearsinternational.org) is mainly an

tially lead to careers in science.

David Millar is a research Associate with the Arctic Institute of north America, arctic.ucalgary.ca.

educational site but also invites people who live

near polar bears to log their numbers and general health (by characterizing body weight into five categories ranging from skinny to very fat).

Other projects are global but include the

Arctic, such as the long-running ebird project

(ebird.org) which has hundreds of participants

logging bird sightings from Baffin Island to the

Mackenzie Delta. They also organize the annual Global Big Day bird census, which last year had

14,000 observers in 135 countries. Another

project is Happy Whale (happywhale.org) which aims to track whales by asking the public to

submit photographs, and then seeks to follow individual whales.

If you’re interested in the climate, you

might like to check out Icewatch Canada

(naturewatch.ca/icewatch), which aims to track

changes in the climate by asking participants

to report the freeze and thaw dates of lakes and rivers across Canada.

Citizen science projects allow northern

communities to take an active and key role in

studies of topics important to them, such as

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

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BOOKSHeLF

Polar Bears on the edge

Heading for extinction while Management Fails Morten Jorgensen Spitsbergen-Svalbard.com 2015

factor is prevalent and undeniable and more often than not accompanied with a resounding “aawwe!”

At the same time, it’s interesting to consider geographical emotion. The sentiments just described are more often than not held by people not living where polar bears do and not living in the Arctic, the only area of the world where polar bears are found. People living for the most part in southerly latitudes have a

If ever there was an animal that solicited and generated strong emotions, thoughts and opinions, it’s the iconic polar bear. Arguably, the polar bear is the most recognizable animal on the planet. “Why exactly is that?” we may ask. Perhaps, and this is just a thought, it has something to do with its colour; the same way as human emotion is attached (and attracted to) white rabbits or white coat seals. That “cute”

50

perceived relationship based on books, films and photographs. That is not to say that people living in the Arctic and more northerly latitudes have any less emotion; it’s just, in some cases, a different kind of emotion. When it comes to the understanding and knowledge of a particular animal, it is (and should be) a cumulative affair and effort between the people who call the Arctic home and those who only visit.

One thing that is, or at least should be, unemotional is science. Once there is an emotional element introduced to science, the fear and possibility exists that it will be skewed

and bent to serve another particular purpose other than to inform, educate and create awareness. True and believable science is brave and uncompromising, unyielding to fads or fashion and is unattached to organizations with vested interests.

Danish guide and lecturer Morten Jorgensen is not short of emotion when it comes to polar bears. In his new book Polar Bears – On The Edge, he forcibly argues that polar bears are quickly heading down the road to extinction. Whether or not that is actually the case, is not debated in this book, he believes passionately and emotionally that polar bears are in trouble. At no point, can the author be accused of sitting on the fence; throughout the book there is a dearth of ambiguity. He unapologetically shines a bright light on subjects not normally discussed in the mainstream media.

Jorgensen deals with the subjects of population, threats, protection and conservation.

The one question about polar bears that gets asked perhaps more than any other is: “how © David reid

2016 | 04

BOOKSHeLF

many are there?” The one simple answer is: “we don’t know!” On that everyone agrees.

The figure that is most commonly “used” is 25,000 but like many estimated numbers, a lot

depends on whom you ask.

On the subject of threats, the author lays

out the case against commercial hunting. It does come as a surprise to many, not only in

Canada but the rest of the world, that polar bears are still hunted. In his book, Jorgensen says, “Polar bears are indeed facing extinction.

But it is not because of global warming alone — it is because while global warming continues, we are allowing them to be shot”.

Global warming therefore is clearly identified as an added threat. The Arctic continues to change, so too does the (ice) environment on which the bears depend. As with many animal species on this planet, effective and real protec-

tion is vital if we are to see present populations safeguarded. On the subject of conservation, the author has the Inuit hunting polar bears firmly in his sights. It is in this regard that Jorgensen is most outspoken in the book. He appears fearless in his condemnation and judgement of modern Inuit hunting practices.

This is, without doubt, one of the books most incredible features. He says, “The educated, the clean hearted and the sensitive Inuit

must be questioning the intelligence of the mainstream Inuit tendency to take any given opportunity to maximize the exploitation of the surroundings”.

Jorgensen’s book will no doubt bring polar bears, once again, to the forefront of wildlife management and conservation discussions. With southern sensitivities and emotional attachment tending to overshadow any other point of view or opinion, a moment perhaps should be given to other animals facing a challenging and uncertain future. every year it is estimated (conservatively) that over 100 million sharks are killed. A quarter of a million sharks are killed every single day! Whether unintentional or not, Polar Bears On The Edge could be seen and read as a book representing all threatened species of wildlife. It’s about the science and speaking honestly and openly about issues that have, for too long, languished in the shadows.

Without question Jorgensen has done his homework. This is not a subtle book; the point of view and the language used is both strong and uncompromising. It is clear and very evident that the author is aware of the political correctness that exists in debates, negotiations and conversations between all those with vested interests sitting around the polar bear table. It is the political correctness and those vested

Traditional Inuit art captures the beauty, truth and spirit of Canada’s Arctic

interests that help cloud and sway much to do with polar bears and their management. As early as page 10, Jorgensen confesses, “I am not a racist,” a comment clearly directed at Arctic peoples with whom he does regard as “my brethren”. He does not reserve his scorn just for many people in the Arctic but shares it with those in politics, government and within the numerous nGO’s that play a part in disseminating information about the past, present and future state of the polar bear. It is crystal clear that Jorgensen cares deeply for these animals and that fact has to be recognized, respected and admired.

One size does not fit all. It is difficult, if not impossible, to cast a net/judgement over the entire circumpolar world — an area covering approximately 15 million square kilometres.

The same thing can be said about polar bears.

Therein lies the challenge for any book dealing with and discussing the present and future of this iconic animal. This is an opinionated, passionate, emotional and forthright book.

Without question, this book is essential reading for those interested in, not only polar bears, but also any of the world’s threatened species of wildlife.

review by David reid

“Bear Mother and Child”

by Norman Quamautuq, Pangnirtung Nunavut.

northern images A Division of Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.

Yellowknife 867-873-5944

Visit Our Website www.northernimages.ca A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

Supporters and Promoters of Inuit and Dene artists and their art

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2016 | 04

GUeST eDITOrIAL

Atausiuqatigiingniq Inuusirmi nunavummiut are some of the strongest and most resilient people in the world. This May 4-6, 2016, the nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy partners hosted a summit, drawing more than a 100 stakeholders from all walks of life: elders, wellness leaders, survivors and youth met to build on our strengths, and help develop a fiveyear action plan for suicide prevention. This stakeholder summit, Atausiuqatigiingniq Inuusirmi (United for Life), recognized that nunavummiut are affected by the loss of loved ones, and that we know what we need and we are united in our pursuit of a better tomorrow.

The summit began with mapping the many programs that already work in our communities.

The Qaujigiartiit Health research Centre has developed, based on our elder’s knowledge, evidence-based programs in Inuit parenting and youth mental health. Ilisaqsivik Society has developed a training and certification process for counsellors to meet the need for Inuit language healing and residential school treatment programs. The Arviat Wellness Committee has introduced Young Hunters, an after-school program for youth, which resulted in increased school attendance, food security, mental wellness, transmission of traditional knowledge and intergenerational connectedness. Individual and community initiatives such as these, serve as the foundation for lasting mental wellness, resiliency and suicide prevention throughout our communities.

The Government of nunavut has also made significant investments. We have trained more than 2,000 people to be interveners, and the most recent group received their certificates during the week of the summit. We have significantly increased mental health capacity in communities: we have child and youth outreach workers, mental health workers and psychiatric nurses in many of our communities.

In March of this year, we added another 22 positions, bringing our budget to $24 million, up from $6.3 million in 2004 when we began working together.

There is no doubt a lot more work needs to be done. Summit stakeholders know what works in our communities and what is needed to reduce the incidence of suicide. Our elders, informal counsellors, mentors and leaders do the bulk of this work. They are the ones who lead language and culture camps, Inuktitut preschool, activities for youth and parenting programs. These activities speak to the need for Inuit self-determination, while ensuring healthy individuals and communities. In the long-term action plan, summit participants called for multi-year funding and safe places to continue this work.

Above all, summit participants spoke to the need to heal together and safe places for that to happen. Participants want to reach those who are in the justice system, those who are being bullied in school, those who have faced abuse, or dropped out of school. nunavummiut want intergenerational healing circles, men’s

groups and youth groups in every community.

As Premier Peter Taptuna stated in October, there is not a family in nunavut that has not been affected by suicide, and added that our future “requires collective action with communities, families and outside partners.” I join summit participants in reaffirming this sentiment. We are all in this together. We are United for Life!

The Honourable Monica ell-Kanayuk

Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention for the Government of nunavut

The Honourable Monica ell-Kanayuk is the Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention for the Government of nunavut, a new portfolio created in October 2015. Since 2004, the Government of nunavut (Gn), nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (nTI) and the royal Canadian Mounted Police v-Division (rCMP) have been working together, with the creation of the embrace Life Council (IIKeLC), on reducing suicide. In 2009, the partners engaged communities for the development of the nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy. That strategy was readopted by the partners in January 2016, and a one-year action plan, resiliency Within, was released on March 7, 2016.

Remember, you are not alone. Help is available.

Call: Kamatsiaqtut Help Line for anonymous support, 24/7 at 1-800-265-3333, Illisaqsivik for support in Inuktitut at 1-888-331-4433 or visit your community health centre.

A B Ov e & B e YO n D — C A n A DA’ S A rC T I C J O U r n A L

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InUIT FOrUM

The Challenge of Our Time

Š Letia Obed

The elevated rate of suicide by Inuit in Canada is the most urgent challenge facing our people. Inuit in each of the four regions of Inuit nunangat have called for action to address this issue for decades, yet suicide endures as a leading cause of death among our population, particularly among young people. Inuit are collectively taking action to reduce the risk of suicide in our society by developing and implementing supports for our people. To be effective on this journey, we must transform the way we talk about, understand, and work together to prevent, suicide in Inuit nunangat.

Although we have a more limited understanding of what can trigger a suicide attempt in the moments before it occurs, public health evidence informs our understanding of the overarching life experiences that create greater risk for suicide. Our broad approach to suicide prevention demands that we focus on the entire lifespan and how to prevent people from having experiences that we know can increase their risk for suicide, and advocating for Inuit-specific services and supports for those who need help.

Those of us who live in Inuit communities are exposed to society-wide risk factors for suicide as well as individual risk factors. Society-wide risk factors include being exposed to suicide, historical and intergenerational trauma and lack of access to essential services. Individual risk factors for suicide include physical or sexual abuse during childhood, poverty, undiagnosed mental health disorders and substance abuse. each person has a unique reaction to risk factors for suicide that vary depending on their biology, past exposure to suicide risk factors, the duration of that exposure, as well as their own ability to cope and overcome challenges in the face of adversity. Protective factors can help shield individuals from the negative effects of risk factors. Protective factors include access to Inuit-specific mental health services and supports, close connections to family and community, and economic stability.

Preventing suicide by Inuit is entirely possible, but our success depends on our willingness to confront the social inequities that have placed enormous stress on Inuit since we began living in settlements, and which create a foundation of risk for suicide.

At the societal level, ITK will fight for social equity in the form of increased investments in a continuum of mental wellness services for Inuit, early childhood education, access to housing and family violence shelters, poverty reduction, research, and support for language and cultural promotion and revitalization.

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Each person has a unique reaction to suicide risk factors. Protective factors help shield individuals from the negative effects of risk factors.

At the individual and family levels, we will work to ensure that people at risk for suicide have access to Inuit-specific services, guide and support initiatives that teach resilience in the face of adversity, support trainings that teach people how to intervene when someone they know is suicidal, and advocate for a greater network of services for those who need help.

On July 27, ITK will release a national Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy in Hebron, nunatsiavut. The Strategy builds on many of the ideas I have shared. It guides policymakers to make more focused, efficient and impactful investments in suicide prevention. The release of the Strategy will be a time to reflect upon all we have been through as a people, as well as an opportunity to come together in commitment to transforming what we know about suicide into actions that prevent it.

natan Obed

President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

2016 | 04

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