Above & Beyond | Canada's Arctic Journal 2017 | 05

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2017 | 05 • $5.95

The Alianait Warmth of the North

The Making of Three Feathers — the Movie

Auyuittuq National Park

PM40050872

o www.arcticjournal.ca

Bear Witness Arctic Expedition



Brock Friesen / XÇ4 K‰n8

Dear Guest, We are very happy to have you onboard with us on your Arctic flight. We take pride in doing everything we can to make your journey as comfortable and pleasant as it can be. I’d like to start by acknowledging and celebrating the opening of the new Iqaluit airport terminal. What an amazing accomplishment this is for the city of Iqaluit and what a shining new beacon this is for the entire Qikiqtani region and really for the entire territory of Nunavut. We are excited to have been involved in the process of the opening of this new terminal, from testing flights and equipment to being the first official departure from the new terminal. We’re happy to have been part of this moment and are looking forward to serving our customers in facilities that will enhance the overall travel experience. As Canada 150 continues, one project is making its way through the Arctic as we speak: the Canada C3 ship expedition. The Canada 150 signature event connects Canadians from coast to coast to coast from Toronto to Victoria via the Northwest Passage, an initiative from our good friends at Students on Ice. This expedition showcases Canada in a completely unique way. We are happy to help this journey take place as an official partner and showcase amazing Arctic communities as they stop from community to community along the way. I’m also pleased to update you on a few adjustments we have made to our network that will add flexibility to our customers. We are introducing a once a month/ monthly freighter service on a Boeing 757 from Ottawa to Kuujjuaq. This operation will allow for a wide array of shipping options for our customers. In addition, we have recently increased our seat capacity by 10 seats on our flights to Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay and Resolute Bay. We hope this capacity increase will help meet the rising demand from our customers on this route and provide a better flight experience overall. Flying in Canada’s Arctic is a special privilege for all of us here at First Air. On a daily basis we interact with not only people living and exploring the Arctic communities but also feel as though we are part of the greater Arctic family. Our staff across the Arctic value connections made with travellers and continue to strive to make a difference in their flying experience. Thank you for choosing First Air for your flight today. I hope we could make your journey great and we hope to see you aboard again soon.

Brock Friesen First Air President & CEO

ᑐᕌᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᓄᑦ,

ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᓐᓇᕋᕕᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖁᑎᑦᓯᓐᓂ. ᓴᕆᒪᒋᒻᒪᕆᒃᐸᒃᑕᕗᑦ ᖃᓄᓕᒫᖅ ᐃᑭᒪᓂᑦᓯᓐᓂ ᐃᖢᕐᕆᑦᑎᐊᕋᓱᒃᑎᑦᑐᓐᓇᐃᕙᒃᑲᑦᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᓄᐃᖖᒋᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᓯ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᓐᓇᖅᑎᑦᑎᕙᓐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ. ᐱᒋᐊᕐᕕᖃᕈᒪᕗᖓ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᕆᔭᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓕᑕᕆᓯᒪᓗᒍ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑎᒐᑦᑎᒍ ᓄᑖᒥᒃ ᐃᖃᓗᓐᓂ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᕝᕕᖓᑕ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᓕᓚᐅᕐᓂᖓᑕ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐱᔭᕆᑐᔫᓚᐅᕋᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐱᔭᕇᖅᑕᐅᑦᑎᐊᕈᓐᓇᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᐸᐅᔭᖓᓐᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᑖᑦᑎᐊᒥᒃ ᖃᐅᒪᔪᖅᑕᖃᓕᕈᑕᐅᒻᒪᑦ ᕿᑭᑕᓂ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᓕᒫᖓᓂᕐᒥᐅᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᓕᒫᖓᓃᑦᑐᓄᑦ. ᖁᕕᐊᓱᓪᓚᕆᒃᐳᒍᑦ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᓚᐅᕋᑦᑕ ᑖᔅᓱᒪ ᓄᑖᖑᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᕕᐅᑉ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᑕᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᖃᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ, ᖃᖓᑕᓲᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᓇᕐᕈᑏᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᕐᒥᒃ ᖃᖓᑦᑕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓕᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᕝᕕᒃᑖᓵᒥᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒥᒃ. ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᑕᕝᕙᓂ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖃᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᑎᑕᐅᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᕆᐅᒋᓂᐊᖅᐸᕗᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑰᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᕕᖃᖃᑦᑕᓕᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᕐᕕᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᐅᓯᒋᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓪᓚᕆᒃᑐᓂ ᐅᐊᔭᖅᐸᒃᑐᓄᑦ. ᑲᓇᑕ 150-ᖑᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ ᑲᔪᓯᓯᒪᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓱᓕ, ᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᑲᐃᓇᕐᑐᖅ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᓕᒫᒥ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᓐᓂᖃᕐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑕᐅᕙᓪᓕᐊᒻᒪᑦ: ᑲᓇᑕ C3 ᐅᒥᐊᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕆᐊᕐᓂᖃᕐᑐᓂᑦ. ᑲᓇᑕ 150-ᒥᒃ ᑕᐃᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨᓂᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐊᖑᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᕐᓯᒪᒻᒪᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥᐅᖑᔪᓂᒃ ᑕᕆᐅᑦ ᓯᒡᔭᖏᓐᓂᑦ ᑕᕆᐅᑦ ᓯᒡᔭᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᑐᕌᓐᑐᒥᑦ ᕕᒃᑑᕆᐊᒧᑦ ᓱᓪᓗᐊᓗᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᕙᓪᓕᐊᓪᓗᑎᒃ, ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᒋᐊᖅᓯᒪᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐱᖃᑎᐊᓗᒋᔭᑦᑎᓐᓂᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᐃᑦ ᓯᑯᒦᖃᑎᒌᒃᑎᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕐᕕᖓᓐᓂᑦ. ᑖᓐᓇ ᐅᒥᐊᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕆᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᑕᑯᔅᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᒻᒪᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕆᔭᖓᓂᒃ ᐊᔾᔨᖃᖖᒋᓐᓂᖅᐹᖑᓪᓗᓂ ᑕᑯᔅᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᑦ. ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑐᒍᑦ ᑖᔅᓱᒥᖓ ᐃᖏᕐᕋᕙᓪᓕᐊᓂᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑦᑎᖃᑕᐅᔪᓐᓇᓚᐅᕋᑦᑕ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒧᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑎᓪᓚᕆᐅᖃᑕᐅᓂᑦᑎᒍᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑕᑯᔅᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖃᕐᓂᑦᑎᒍᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐊᖅᑯᓵᖅᓯᕙᓪᓕᐊᕙᓐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐅᒥᐊᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓄᑦ. ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒍᑎᒋᒋᕙᕋ ᐃᓕᑦᓯᓐᓂᒃ ᑐᓴᖅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᓕᕆᐊᓐᓂᒃ ᒫᓐᓇᒧᑦ ᑎᑭᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᒥᓲᓗᐊᕋᑎᒃ ᐋᖅᑮᒋᐊᖅᓯᒪᔾᔪᑎᒋᓚᐅᒃᑲᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᕈᑎᒋᕙᒃᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᓕᕐᓂᐊᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᓯᑦᔩᒋᐊᕈᖅᑎᑦᑎᔪᓐᓇᖅᓯᓂᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᑐᕌᖓᓪᓗᑎᒃ. ᑕᖅᑭᖅ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ/ᑕᖅᑭᑕᒫᑦ ᐱᖁᑎᓂᒃ ᐅᓯᔨᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖅ 757 ᖃᖓᑕᕙᓐᓂᐊᓕᕐᓂᖓᑕ ᐋᑐᕙᒥᑦ ᑰᔾᔪᐊᖅᒧᑦ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᓕᕋᑦᑕ. ᐊᒻᒪᓗᒃᑲᓐᓂᖅ, ᐊᒥᓱᖖᒍᖅᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᓵᕋᑦᑕ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕙᐅᑕᖏᓐᓂᒃ 10-ᓂᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᕙᓐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᒻᒧᑦ, ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᒧᑦ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᒥᓲᓂᖅᓴᓂᒃ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᓐᓇᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕗᑦ ᐃᓱᒪᒋᒐᓗᐊᖅᐸᕗᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᕈᑕᐅᓕᖁᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᖖᒍᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓕᕐᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᑕᐅᕘᓈᖅᐸᓐᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕋᕐᕕᐅᔪᓐᓇᓕᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ. ᖃᖓᑕᓪᓗᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᖓᒍᑦ ᕘᔅᑦᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖓᓂ ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓄᓕᒫᖅ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᓪᓚᕆᒃᐸᒻᒪᑦ. ᖃᐅᑕᒫᑦ ᑲᑎᓯᓯᒪᓕᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᐸᖖᒋᓐᓇᑦᑕ ᐃᓄᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᓕᖃᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᐃᓂᖃᖅᐸᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᖅᑰᔨᖃᑕᐅᕙᒃᑐᒍᑦ ᐊᖏᓂᖅᐸᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᓚᒌᓕᒫᖑᔪᓄᑦ. ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᒋᔭᕗᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᓕᒫᒥ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᒻᒪᑕ ᐊᑦᑕᑕᖅᓯᒪᓕᕐᓂᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᑲᑎᓯᓯᒪᓕᖅᐸᒃᑲᒥᒃ ᐅᐊᔭᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᔪᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᖃᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒥᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᑲᔪᓰᓐᓇᖅᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᖅᐸᒃᑐᑎᒃ. ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᕘᔅᑦᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖓᓂ ᐃᑭᒪᔪᒪᓚᐅᕋᑦᓯ ᐅᓪᓗᒥ. ᐅᐊᔭᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᕐᓂ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᑦᑎᐊᕐᓗᓯ ᑐᖖᒐᓱᖁᕙᑦᓯ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓯᕗᓂᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥ ᑕᑯᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᒪᓂᐊᕆᕙᑦᓯ.

ᐸᕌᒃ ᕗᕇᓴᓐ ᕘᔅᑎᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅ & ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔨᒻᒪᕆᒃ

Johnny Adams / ÷i ≈bu Chairman of the Board, First Air grjx5typz vtmpq5b, { wx Président du Conseil d'Administration, First Air

Chers invités, Nous sommes très heureux de vous avoir à bord au cours de ce vol vers l’Arctique. Nous nous appliquons avec fierté à rendre votre voyage aussi confortable et agréable que possible. Je tiens à commencer par souligner et célébrer l’ouverture de la nouvelle aérogare d’Iqaluit. Quelle réalisation extraordinaire pour cette ville et quelle nouvelle balise pour toute la région de Qikiqtani et aussi pour tout le territoire du Nunavut! Nous sommes heureux d’avoir participé au processus de l’ouverture de cette nouvelle aérogare, à partir de la vérification de vols et du matériel jusqu’au premier départ officiel. Nous nous réjouissons d’avoir fait partie de ce moment spécial et nous avons hâte de servir nos clients dans des installations qui vont améliorer globalement l’expérience des voyageurs. Alors que Canada 150 se poursuit, un projet suit son parcours à travers l’Arctique en ce moment même : l’expédition Canada C3. Ce projet Signature Canada 150 qui relie les Canadiens et Canadiennes d’un océan à l’autre, de Toronto à Victoria par le passage du Nord-Ouest, est une initiative de nos bons amis de la Fondation Students on Ice. Cette expédition met en valeur le Canada de façon totalement particulière. Nous sommes heureux, à titre de partenaire officiel, d’aider à ce qu’elle se réalise et de faire connaître les communautés incroyables de l’Arctique, alors qu’elle s’arrête d’une communauté à l’autre en cours de route. Je suis aussi heureux de vous informer de quelques ajustements que nous avons apportés à notre réseau et qui ajouteront plus de souplesse pour nos clients. Nous sommes en train de mettre sur pied un service de fret mensuel/une fois par mois sur un Boeing 757 d’Ottawa à Kuujjuaq. Cette opération offrira une vaste gamme d’options d’expédition pour nos clients. De plus, nous avons récemment augmenté de dix notre capacité de sièges sur nos vols vers Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay et Resolute Bay. Nous espérons que cette augmentation aidera à répondre à la demande croissante de nos clients sur cet itinéraire et à offrir une meilleure expérience globale en vol. Survoler l’Arctique canadien est un privilège spécial pour nous tous ici chez First Air. Non seulement nous interagissons quotidiennement avec des personnes qui habitent ou qui explorent les communautés de l’Arctique, mais nous avons aussi l’impression de faire partie de la grande famille arctique. Les membres de notre personnel dans l’ensemble de l’Arctique apprécient leurs rencontres avec les voyageurs et continuent de chercher à faire la différence dans leur expérience en vol. Merci d’avoir choisi First Air pour votre vol aujourd’hui. J’espère que votre voyage sera très agréable et nous espérons vous revoir bientôt à bord.

Brock Friesen Président-directeur général de First Air

srs6b6g3u4 czb˙oEp7mEst4vFs4. 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.


From the Flight Deck The pre-flight briefing A great deal of preparation goes on behind the scenes before the crew determines that the flight is ready for passengers to board.

All flight plans are prepared by the Flight Dispatcher. When the crew arrives at the airport, it’s the Captain’s responsibility to review the flight plans to cross check the weather and contingency plans. Considerations include enroute weather systems, runway conditions (especially when it comes to snow clearing during the winter), fuel loads and air traffic control restrictions. Then, the Captain and Dispatcher will have a discussion to confirm that all legal and safety details are addressed. Sometimes minor changes will be made, like adding additional fuel to account for delays, alternate flight routes or contingency plans. The two will also discuss any special cargo or unusual restrictions. Next, the Captain, First Officer, and every Cabin Crew member will meet to discuss all of the pertinent details of the plan for the day, including the length of the flights, cruising altitudes and routes, fuel stops, any special procedures or requirements, and any potential weather issues, such as turbulence.

© Mark Taylor

Before every flight, the entire crew gets together for a pre-flight briefing. Every flight is well planned, and it’s during this briefing that we review the planning for the day’s flights. Every day is different, and the briefing is our opportunity to make sure that the entire crew is on the same page.

The second part of the pre-flight briefing consists of a general review session. Each year, every crew member undergoes a series of training events to ensure they meet the required standards. Despite that ongoing training, part of every daily pre-flight briefing will include a discussion of recent policy changes as well as a review of emergency, security, safety and communications procedures. They will also discuss any recent issues that have come up either at First Air or at other airlines. Not only does this discussion serve as a daily review to ensure that the crew members always remain proficient, it helps to ensure that they focus their minds on the task at hand — safely and efficiently getting the passengers and cargo to the destination. It is only then

that the crew proceeds to the aircraft to carry out the various pre-flight inspections and safety checks of the aircraft. Even though you may only see the crew walking out to the aircraft 30 to 40 minutes before departure time, they have already spent 20 to 30 minutes preparing for the flight. To ensure that the flight departs on time, the crew, just like you, has to arrive at the airport one hour before departure. 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

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


ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᑉ ᐅᔾᔨᕆᔭᐅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖓ

Employee Spotlight | Iqqanaijaqtiup Ujjirijautitauninga ᖁᕆᔅ ᐋᕗᕆ | Chris Avery

ᖁᕆᔅ ᐋᕗᕆ ᕘᕐᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᔪᓚᐃ ᑕᖅᑭᖓᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᓕᓚᐅᕐᑐᖅ ᐊᖏᔪᖅᑳᒧᑦ ᑐᒡᓕᕆᔭᖖᒍᓵᖅᑐᓂ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᖏᓄᑦ, ᐋᑐᕙᒥ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᓕᕆᔨᖏᓐᓂ. ᐳᐊᕐᑦ ᒪᒃᓂᐅᓪᒥᐅᑕᐅᕗᖅ (ᐃᓄᒋᐊᖕᓂᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ 2,064-ᓂᒃ) ᕚᓐᑰᕗᕐ ᐊᐃᓚᓐ ᑕᖅᕋᖓᓂᖅᐸᓯᐊᓃᑦᑐᒥᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᒋᐊᒍᕆᒥ ᐊᖏᔪᖅᑳᒧᑦ ᑐᒡᓕᕆᔭᐅᓵᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᕕᔅᑦᔨᑦᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᖏᓐᓄᑦ. ᑯᕆᔅ ᐱᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᐅᕋᓱᐊᕈᑎᖃᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᓂ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕌᓂᒍᑎᖃᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᕕᔅᑐᕐᓐ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᖓᓂᑦ ᓚᓐᑕᓐ, ᐋᓐᑎᐊᕆᐅᒥᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖁᑦᑎᖕᓂᖅᐹᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕌᓂᒍᑎᖃᖅᓯᒪᔫᓪᓗᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᓯᔨᓕᕆᓂᖓᓐᓄᑦ ᑳᓐᑯᐊᕐᑎᐊ ᓯᓚᑦᑐᖅᓴᕐᕕᖓᓂ ᒪᓐᑐᕆᐋᓪᒥ.

Chris Avery joined First Air in July as its new Vice President of Customer and Commercial, based in Ottawa. He is originally from the town of Port McNeill (pop. 2,064) on the northern end of Vancouver Island and was most recently in Calgary where he was a Vice President with WestJet Airlines. Chris has an Economics degree from Western University in London, Ontario, and a Masters of Business Administration from Concordia University in Montreal.

ᐊᖏᔪᖅᑳᒧᑦ ᑐᒡᓕᕆᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᖏᓐᓂ ᕘᕐᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ, ᑯᕆᔅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖃᑎᓂᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᓂᐅᕝᕈᑎᓕᕆᓂᕐᓄᑦ, ᓂᐅᕕᐊᒃᓴᓕᕆᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᐅᕋᓱᐊᕈᑎᓕᕆᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᓕᐅᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᒃᑯᕝᕕᐅᑉ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᓯᔭᒃᓴᐃᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᕙᓐᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᓂ. ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᑐᑭᖃᕐᐳᖅ ᐃᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᒥᓂ ᕘᕐᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᐅᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᑎᒋᐊᖅᐸᒻᒪᒋᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᖓᑖᓄᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᖅᐸᓐᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᖁᑎᑦᑕ ᐱᓯᒪᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᐸᒃᑕᖏᓂᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᖓᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᖓᑖᓄᑦ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓄᑦ.

ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᖁᓕᓄᑦ (10) ᐅᑭᐅᓄᑦ ᕕᔅᑦᔨᑦᑯᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔨᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᑦᑐᒥᒃ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᖏᒡᓕᕙᓪᓕᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᑑᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔨᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᒃᓴᐅᕙᒃᑐᓄᑦ 40-ᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓂᑦ 150-ᖑᓕᖅᑐᑎᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓄᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᖓᓲᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᓱᐴᔫᕐᔪᐊᓄᑦ ᐊᑦᔨᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ, ᑯᕆᔅ ᐊᓛᔅᑲ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᔨᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖃᓚᐅᕐᐳᖅ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᓕᕆᓂᕐᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᕙᒃᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐱᐊᕈᒧᑦ ᑕᖅᕋᖓᓃᓐᓂᖅᐸᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐳᕈᑦᕼᐅ ᐸᐃᒧᑦ ᐊᓛᔅᑲᐅᑉ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᖓᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓯᕿᓂᖅᐸᓯᐅᓂᖅᐹᖑᔪᒧᑦ ᔨᕼᐅᐊᑕᓂᕼᐆᒧᑦ ᒥᒃᓯᑯᒥ.

ᒫᓐᓇᒧ ᑎᑭᑦᑐᒍ, ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖃᓕᕐᓂᕐᒥᓂ ᑯᕆᔅ ᖁᕕᐊᒋᔭᖃᕐᓂᖅᐸᐅᕙᑦᑐᖅ ᑲᑎᓯᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᒥᓱᑲᓪᓚᒻᒪᕆᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᕘᕐᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᖓᑖᓄᑦ 800 ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᒋᔭᖏᓐᓂᒃ. ᐊᑕᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᐃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᖁᑦᑎᒃᑐᒻᒪᕆᐅᒻᒪᑕ ᖃᐅᔨᖃᑦᑕᕐᓯᒪᔭᖏᑦ ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᒃᑲᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᖔᕈᒪᕙᒃᑑᓪᓗᓂ “ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥᐅᑦ ᖃᖓᑕᓲᖁᑎᖓᓐᓂ”.

ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᑦ ᐱᓯᒪᓕᕆᐊᖃᖅᐸᒃᑕᖏᑦ ᐊᑦᔨᖃᖅᐸᖖᒋᒻᒪᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐱᓯᒪᓕᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᓪᓚᕆᒃᑑᕙᒃᑐᑎᒃ. ᑯᕆᔅ ᑐᑭᓯᐅᒪᕗ ᕘᕐᔅᑦ ᐃᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᑎᑕᐅᓂᖓᑕ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕋᕐᕕᐅᕙᒃᑐᓂᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓂᕆᐅᖕᓂᖃᑦᑎᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᐃᑭᒪᕙᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᑲᑎᓯᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᑎᑭᑉᐸᓪᓕᐊᕝᕕᒋᓂᐊᖅᑕᒥᓄᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᒋᔭᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᕐᕕᒋᔪᒪᓪᓚᕆᒃᑐᒋᑦ ᑎᑭᕝᕕᒋᕙᒃᑕᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ. ᑕᒫᓂ ᓄᓇᒋᔭᒥᓂ, ᑯᕆᔅ ᐊᐃᑉᐸᖃᕐᐳᖅ ᐱᖓᓱᓂᒃᓗ ᕿᑐᕐᖓᖃᖅᑑᓪᓗᓂ. ᒫᓐᓇᓵᖑᓚᐅᕐᑐᖅ 6-ᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᖃᖅᑐᓂ ᐸᓂᖕᒥᓂᒃ ᕿᒥᕐᕈᑎᑦᑎᓵᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᓚᖏᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᒥ ᐆᒪᔪᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐊᑦᔨᓕᐅᕐᓯᒪᓕᖅᑕᒥᓂᒃ. ᐸᓂᖓ ᐃᓱᒪᓕᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔭᕆᐊᖅᓯᒪᕙᒐᓱᒋᓪᓗᓂᐅᒃ ᐊᑖᑕᓂ ᐱᖖᒍᐊᖃᑎᖃᕆᐊᕐᓂᐊᕋᒥ ᐆᒪᔪᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ!

ᑯᕆᔅ ᐋᕗᕆ ᐸᓂᓂᓗ, ᓕᓕ.

Chris Avery and his daugher, Lily.

As Vice President of Customer and Commercial at First Air, Chris and his team is responsible for Marketing, Sales and Commercial Planning as well as Airport and Cargo operations. What that all means is that his job is to ensure First Air meets and exceeds the needs of our customers in Canada’s North and beyond.

Aside from over 10 years with WestJet where he played a significant role growing the airline from 40 aircraft to over 150 aircraft and three fleet types, Chris worked at Alaska Airlines where the flight network ranged as far north as Barrow and Prudhoe Bay in the state of Alaska to as far south as Zihuatanejo in Mexico. So far, the best part of the job for Chris has been meeting many of First Air’s 800+ employees. The tenure and experience of the team has been very impressive as with seeing their dedication to being the preferred “Airline of the North”. The needs of customers in the North are unique and essential. Chris understands the importance of First Air to the communities it serves and looks forward to meeting more of our customers as he makes his way to all the communities we have the privilege to serve. At home, Chris is married with three children. He recently showed his six-year-old daughter some pictures of wildlife in the Arctic. She now thinks he goes to work to play with the animals!

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


In the News Youth travelled from Cambridge Bay to Yellowknife in late June as part of the Ayalik Fund, which aims to give Inuit youth a boost as they navigate modern adolescence in the challenging environment of the North. © TODD MALONE

Rain or shine, First Air staff were excited to hand out Beavertail treats in Iqaluit July 9 to celebrate Nunavut Day. © VINCENT DESROSIERS

First Air Flight 860 arrives August 9 with a welcome water gun salute, the first Boeing 737 to land at the new Iqaluit Airport terminal. © VINCENT DESROSIERS


2017 | 05 • $5.95

The Alianait Warmth of the North

The Making of Three Feathers — the Movie

Bear Witness Arc c Expedi on

Auyuittuq National Park

Contents 9

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Stopping to take in the beauty of Breidablik Peak and Thor Peak peeking through the clouds, Summer. © Michael H. Davies

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above&beyond ltd., (aka above&beyond, Canada’s Arctic Journal) is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Air, and a media instrument intended solely to entertain and provide general information about the North. The views and opinions expressed in editorial content, advertisements, or by contributors, do not necessarily reflect the views, official positions or policies of First Air, its agents, or those of above&beyond magazine unless expressly stated. above&beyond ltd. does not assume any responsibility for any errors and/or omissions of any content in the publication. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. We welcome contributions but assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Send to editor@arcticjournal.ca.

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Features

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September | October 2017 Volume 29, No. 5

28 34

The Alianait Warmth of the North

There is one word the Inuit have which speaks volumes. An entire string of words and run on sentences can be brilliantly replaced by this one simple word: alianait (ah-lee-aj-nite) which means wonderful. I have often found this word to be so perfectly appropriate when attempting to explain the warmth of the North. — Michael Shaughnessy

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The Making of Three Feathers — the Movie

Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, is the set of Three Feathers: The Movie, a ground-breaking film about the power of restorative justice and likely the first four-language film ever produced. — Sarah Pruys and Brent Kaulback

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Auyuittuq National Park

Mountains reaching up to the sky, rock falling and hearing the echo of the wind through the mountains ... Auyuittuq is just one of many spectacular provincial parks in Canada, but it’s one of the most unique. This Park gives people the opportunity to visit and experience northern life like never before. — Michael H. Davies

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Bear Witness Arctic Expedition

Bylot is a fascinating, enigmatic, historical, culturally rich and very remote island. Along with strong science and educational components, the idea of celebrating Canada’s 150th was a major reason for the Bear Witness project. The journey would represent the largest island in the world ever circumnavigated by ski. — David Reid

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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13 Living Above&Beyond 21 Resources

38 Education Preparing to Teach in Nunavut — Nick Newbery

43 Adventure Hiking Ancestral Trails — Jonathan Alsberghe

47 Youth Inspiring a Generation of Social Entrepreneurs — Karine Smith

50 Arts Inuit Artists in the Contemporary Art market — Claire Foussard 53 Bookshelf

54 Inuit Forum — Natan Obed National Inuit Leader & President, ITK 7



A dog team takes us to our remote cultural gathering.

The Alianait Warmth of the North Text and photos by Michael Shaughnessy At the age of 10, a business associate of my father brought me back a bow whip from his trip to the Arctic so that I could learn how to “master the art of mushing”. Now, almost 60 years later serving as an advisor for an organization called Project North, I’d been invited to accompany a group of volunteers to deliver new hockey and soccer equipment to remote villages in Canada’s Arctic. While I’ll admit I was very enthusiastic about supporting sports in Baffin Island, I was even more excited to see firsthand how these amazing fellow Canadians thrive in some of the harshest conditions our country has to offer. For me, this trip really was going to be a dream come true. The Inuit are a people of very few words. They don’t seem to need them and prefer to allow the nuances of face to face communication serve the purpose. For instance, the Inuit don’t really have a word for hello in Inuktitut. But an Inuit smile, and their incredible understanding of body language, is as powerful a greeting you will ever be privileged to receive. 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

2017 | 05

There is one word the Inuit do have which speaks volumes. An entire string of words and run on sentences can be brilliantly replaced by this one simple word: alianait (ah-lee-aj-nite) which means wonderful. I have often found this word to be so perfectly appropriate when attempting to explain the warmth of the North. For instance, when we step off the plane after landing in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, we are immediately greeted with handshakes and many smiles from the attendants charged with getting our luggage from our plane, Darlene welcoming us into the airport, Clare who would be on call to assure all would go as planned and all the people who simply came over to welcome us. Smiles, dozens and dozens of alianait smiles. Throughout the week perfect “strangers” would suddenly appear in our house and without a word sit down making themselves right at home. Back home one might be 9


Levi plays the traditional drum at our midnight cultural gathering.

12:45 a.m. Mona Lisa Smile — playtime has no boundaries with 24 hours of sunlight.

tempted to scold, chase or even call the police at such bold “intrusion,” but here one quickly realizes the only purpose to their visit is to simply make sure we don’t feel like strangers and to make us all feel right at home. One evening, dog teams and snow machines gather to take us to a special outdoor location where the entire population of Arctic Bay has gathered to entertain us in the traditional ways of the North. It’s 11 p.m. and of course the sun is still bright as it lights our soon to be midnight sky. Although it is late, at no time is sleep even on our minds. The air is crisp and we all feel very alive with excitement. We just want to bask in the culture we all feel so privileged to have been invited to experience. This truly was the show of the incredible warmth that I had been told to expect. Everyone ventured out as a special thank you for our having made the trip to help their community. I feel blessed not only to have been invited to take part in something so few Canadians will ever get a chance to see, but also to have been reminded what community and a true sense of belonging is really all about. For the Inuit, community is not simply a place where they live, but a necessary part of their entire existence. They know that to survive, the act of sharing with each other will continue to keep them strong. This gathering was also a cultural reminder to everyone of just how incredibly strong this community of 800 continues to be. The biggest day of our visit and the real reason we are there is the giveaway of the sports equipment we had come so far to deliver. The anticipation is evident in everyone we meet. A draw had been created where children’s names would be randomly picked out of a box and announced live over the local radio station. In a village where a carton Darlene performs a traditional dance to the beat of Levi’s drum.

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Even at 1:15 a.m. in the midnight sun, there’s no stopping the fun when everyone’s together.

One evening, dog teams and snow machines gather to take us to a special outdoor location where the entire population of Arctic Bay has gathered to entertain us in the traditional ways of the North. of milk can cost as much as $18, imagine how it must feel to be given a chance to receive hockey equipment worth thousands. That evening, everyone shows up at the local outdoor rink to receive their “winnings”. It is soon evident that, recipient or not, everyone sees this as an opportunity to celebrate as an entire community. I am reminded of the Inuit games and how they best reflect the Inuit traditions. Not just in culture, but also where bragging about one’s success is still considered inappropriate and bad manners. No sports heroes here, just a dedication of skills to the entire community. How’s that for an alianait idea?! The entire experience made me realize how very much I had missed all the visual contact with people that modern technology has taken away. Without the constant checking for and sending of messages, these people actually interact face to face with each other. I was once again enjoying the incredible warmth and subtle nuances that can be experienced only through face to face communication with another human being. What an alianait experience this had been for everyone involved! Below left: A young boy dresses in sealskin as he would have many generations ago.

Below right: Clare’s family by their qamutiq eagerly waiting to depart.

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LIVING ABOVE&BEYOND

Bringing a taste of the Arctic to your flight

It started over a bowl of venison stew.

definitely a process highlight for our chefs, and

part of a fundraiser for David Reid, and the team

in the creation of this dish.

This stew, a signature dish, was served as

responsible for the Bear Witness Arctic Expedition

we loved the spirit of collaboration resonating

the collaboration of communities supporting

From our bakery comes a signature cookie,

sponsor for Canada’s Table, an event in Ottawa,

— a journey that marked the circumnavigation

made only for First Air, featuring white chocolate

in this issue of above&beyond.)

of winter. Not only has the creation of this menu

beginning of a partnership between First Air

team, we have been overwhelmed by the

cemented by our mutual goals of connecting

from letters, to e-mails, and especially

of Bylot Island by ski. (Ed Note: See the article It was this chance tasting that sparked the

and Thyme & Again — a collaboration further communities — and what better way to do so than by sharing food together!

Thyme & Again is also thrilled to see

and cranberries, echoing flavours reminiscent

community, as when First Air joined us as a

Ontario, on August 27. This iconic dinner

been incredibly rewarding and inspiring for our

positive response we’ve seen so far — across social media.

In the conception of this specialty menu, it

was important for us to blend our style of small batch cooking, with a sprinkle of Northern flare. Keeping with what we do well, we focused on fresh, local ingredients that would be ready to take to

Venison and roasted potatoes. © Thyme & Again

the skies!

Our First Air menu features our

celebrates Canadian food and chefs from across

venison stew, a penne with fresh veg-

the country and is a fundraiser for food security

etable ratatouille, and an Arctic char with

both locally and nationally.

smoked tomato chutney, jars of which are

Every Tuesday and Thursday on the flights

favourites in our take home food shop. Our

between Iqaluit and Ottawa, First Air will serve

Arctic char is delivered to us by First Air, all the

way from the Pangnirtung Fisheries, renowned

for both its char and turbot. Getting the chance to play with this incredible ingredient was

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

Arctic Char. © Thyme & Again

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amazing new menu creations by Thyme & Again Creative Catering. We hope you enjoy!

Thyme & Again

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LIVING ABOVE&BEYOND

© Martin Fortier / ArcticNet

Expedition supports science and health

The Science Team of the Canadian Research

Icebreaker CCGS Amundsen continues its mission

through October as it completes its final year

of the ArcticNet study.

In addition to supporting ArcticNet’s annual

marine-based research program, the expedition also hosts:

• the second edition of the Nunavik Inuit Health Survey;

• the Sentinel North’s BriGHT project

(Bridging Global change, Inuit Health and the Transforming Arctic Ocean);

• the Kitikmeot Marine Region project; and

• the Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Marine Protected Areas Program, with operations

conducted in the Labrador Sea to acquire

baseline data on the biodiversity and

productivity of this ecosystem.

The results of these research projects and

many others will be presented this year at the

International Arctic Change Conference hosted

by ArcticNet in Quebec City December 11 to 15. 14

arcticnet.ulaval.ca

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LIVING ABOVE&BEYOND

NACA artists display creations on Nunavut Day

This year the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association

(NACA) held their annual Arts Festival in July in Iqaluit. Above left: Wall hangings by Elisapee Hulu. Top middle left: Victoria Kakuktinniq’s display of her warm and beautiful sealskin accessories (Victoria’s Arctic Fashion) were popular. Top middle right: Francisca Mandeya of Iqaluit provides some of the entertainment on Nunavut Day. Top right: Traditional snow knife wall hangings by Johnny Angutiqsuaq from Pond Inlet, Nunavut. Above right: Helen Iguptaq shows her beaded moccasins. She also taught a couple of workshops during the Festival on traditional beadwork techniques. © Doris Ohlmann (5)

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After five days of workshops and presentations, the public had a chance to view some of the beautiful arts and crafts on Nunavut Day at the Nakasuk School.

For more information about the Nunavut Arts Festival,

visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Nunavut ArtsandCraftsAssociation.

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Protecting Inuit art © Inuit Art Foundation

In July, The Inuit Art Foundation (IAF) announced

the transfer of the iconic Igloo Tag Trademark from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

(INAC) to the IAF. With its national mandate, the IAF is uniquely positioned to administer the trademark to further protect, promote and

support Inuit art in Canada and internationally.

The internationally recognized trademark

was created by INAC in 1958 and helps protect

Inuit visual art from counterfeits. Inuit art bear-

ing the Igloo tag trademark contributes about

$3.5 million annually to the Inuit arts economy.

The North’s gold standard for art authenti-

cation will be renamed “Inuit art.” IAF will

engage with Inuit organizations, communities

and artists to ensure this important program continues to enhance and protect Inuit artists.

To learn more about the IAF’s plans for

the Igloo Tag, visit: http://iglootag.inuitart foundation.org/.

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LIVING ABOVE&BEYOND

Arctic exhibit a multimedia experience

The Canadian Museum of Nature opened its

new permanent Canada Goose Arctic Gallery June 21. This 8,000-sq. ft. gallery, the museum’s

Canada 150 legacy project, aims to transform people’s understanding of the Arctic and its importance to Canada in the 21st century.

Visitors are welcomed with a display of

icebergs created with real ice, with beautiful photos of the flora and fauna, wildlife and

culture of the Arctic illuminated on large ice slabs. You can even go up and touch the ice, all while listening to a backdrop of breaking ice.

Learn about the Arctic’s geography, eco-

systems and sustainability, as well as the

impacts of climate change through 200 authentic

specimens and artefacts, stunning multimedia, indigenous perspectives, guided learning,

activities, games and more. Enjoy Inuinnauyugut:

We Are Inuinnait, a temporary exhibition curated

by the Kitikmeot Heritage Society from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, located in the Northern Voices

Gallery. Look out for the original work created by Inuk artist Nancy Saunders, which reconstructs

images across surfaces throughout the gallery in an immersive experience called Anamorphosis.

Spectacular images portrayed on real ice icebergs open the “Beyond Ice” interactive exhibit at the Canada Goose Arctic Gallery at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Created in cooperation with the National Film Board and the Museum, the display depicts stunning Arctic images with the sound of breaking ice in the background. © Doris Ohlmann (4)

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LIVING ABOVE&BEYOND

Order of Quebec awarded Zebedee Nungak received the Order of Quebec

during a ceremony in Quebec City in late June.

The Order of Quebec is the highest honour

Quebec’s Government can give. It’s awarded each

year to individuals who, through their achievements, values and ideals, have influenced Québec’s growth and contributed to its distinction.

Zebedee is a former James Bay and Northern

Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) signatory, Makivik President, CBC Commentator, author, linguist, hunter, and musician. He has contributed

to Nunavik’s political, social, and economic development as well as the preservation of

Inuit traditions. He was part of the group of young Inuit leaders who were critical in

negotiating the JBNQA. He was crucial in the Inuit political process throughout the 1980s

and 1990s during the patriation of the

Canadian constitution, notably the inclusion of

section 35 on Aboriginal rights, and fighting for

the rights of Nunavik Inuit during both Quebec referendums.

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L to R: Jean Boucher, Member for Ungava, National Assembly of Quebec; Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec and Zebedee Nungak. © Makivik Corporation

Zebedee’s ability to speak publicly in Inuktitut

and English to communicate complex political

issues helped others understand the many important issues affecting the Inuit of Nunavik.

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Celebrating Indigenous leaders

LIVING ABOVE&BEYOND

David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presented honours to Northerners in recognition

of outstanding Indigenous leadership at a

ceremony June 19, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario.

Jordin Tootoo.

Darlene Scurvey.

Polar Medals were given to:

Ann Maje Raider from Watson Lake, Yukon,

for her dedication to community healing and

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril from Iqaluit, Nunavut,

received the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) for inspiring Inuit communities to

reconnect with their ancestral values and lost traditions through her films.

enhanced safety and for the creation of the

Darlene Scurvey from Whitehorse, Yukon,

for actively preserving traditional language and culture to preschool-age children.

Together for Justice community safety protocol which, in collaboration with the RCMP, established

a framework that profoundly strengthened

community-police relations in Watson Lake, a protocol since adopted by communities through-

out northern Canada; and

Odelle Pike. MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2017 (6)

Odelle Pike from Stephenville, Newfoundland

and Labrador, received the Sovereign’s Medal for

Volunteers for work with numerous provincial

organizations, including the Newfoundland

Aboriginal Women’s Network and the

Hovak Johnston.

Newfoundland Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

Maje Raider.

The following received the Meritorious

Service Medals (Civil Division): Hovak Johnston,

from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, as part

of the team that created the Inuit Tattoo

Revitalization Project to re-establish an Inuit art form that was on the verge of being lost; and

Jordin Tootoo, who grew up in Rankin Inlet,

Nunavut, for using his star power as an NHL hockey

player to promote healthy lifestyles in Canada’s

North, including encouraging conversations

about addiction and suicide, and inspiring youth to stay in school and pursue their dreams.

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Deployed members of Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 patrol from Inuvik to Aklavik along the Mackenzie River during Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 on July 12, 2017. © Capt Soomin Kim YK-2017-055-008

Securing a regional presence in Canada’s North The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) successfully concluded Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 near the

end of July, after nearly four weeks of presence and domain operations across the Northwest Territories.

Task Force NUNAKPUT conducted land and

waterborne operations to demonstrate Joint

Task Force (North)’s ability to project a military

presence and maintain awareness within the Northwest Territories area of responsibility.

Other activities included: navigating river systems;

search and rescue techniques; conducting an

emergency preparation assessment in Hay River;

and cleaning up a landing strip near the Great Bear River, the reopening of which will be an

asset to the communities for servicing local cell

phone towers and emergency preparedness due to forest fires. Approximately

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other

government

department and agencies members, such as

the RCMP, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Government of Northwest Territories deployed

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with CAF members.

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NUNAVUT

Gold mine awaits project certificate

After additional hearings, the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) has recommended that the Sabina and Silver Corporation Back River gold mine move forward. The proposed mine site is approximately 400 kilometres southwest of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. The company put a lot of work into expanding its environmental impact mitigation plan, including 'State-of-the-art' caribou protection plans, which helped bring support for the project. However, the NIRB has laid out more than 90 terms and conditions to be followed. The company will begin applying for permits associated with full-scale mine construction, including licence applications to the Nunavut Water Board. Preliminary work on the mine site could start as early as March 2018, with construction moving into full swing by the fall. It is estimated to cost $400 million to build the mine and bring it into production. It will employ about 800 people and is projected to have an 11-year production lifespan. The revised report has been submitted to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, for a final decision. If the review board's decision is accepted, a project certificate could be issued before the end of the year.

IIBA signed for gold project

Agnico Eagle Ltd. and Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) officials have signed an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) for the Whale Tail gold mine project in Baker Lake. Agnico Eagle’s third gold mine in Nunavut, Whale Tail is about 50 kilometres northwest of its Meadowbank gold mine near Baker Lake. Besides receiving a $6.5 million cheque upon signing, the IIBA’s benefits include monies towards a community fund and annual training programs and resource royalties and fees paid to KIA and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. As a satellite deposit to the Meadowbank mine, Whale Tail will use the existing mine infrastructure there — including mining equipment, mill, tailings, camp and airstrip — to begin open pit mining by the end of 2019. An environmental impact proposal for the Whale Tail project is now working its way through the regulatory system, with a public hearing expected later in 2017 and a project certificate expected by the third quarter of 2018.

RESOURCES

Panel rules in favour of Inuit organization

The Arbitration Panel has made a unanimous ruling in favour of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) that Baffinland pay QIA approximately $7.3 million. The funds will be deposited into the QIA Legacy Fund, which determines the amount of money spent on an annual basis under the QIA Benefits Fund. The Benefits Fund is used to support language and cultural activities, counsellor training programs, local and internet distribution of Inuit media, traditional skills workshops, elder and youth programs and community hunts. Baffinland is a Canadian company, which operates the Mary River Project, mining iron ore in the Qikiqtani. QIA is a not-for-profit designated Inuit organization under the Nunavut Agreement that represents approximately 14,000 Inuit in the Qikiqtani (Baffin) Region of Nunavut and is responsible for managing Inuit Owned Lands in that Region.

NWT

Mining-related programs getting new facility

Construction has begun on a new $10 million modern facility that will house Aurora College’s Heavy Equipment Operator and mine training programs. The Centre will focus on the development, delivery and maintenance of both miningrelated curriculum and the Heavy Equipment Operator program. Located at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith, the Centre for Mine and Industry Training will contain several vehicle bays, classroom and office space, and areas to house all mining equipment, simulators, and other trainingrelated equipment. The Centre will bring classroom and shop sessions into one building, which will be more efficient and will benefit students. Programs will include Heavy Equipment Operator, Introduction to the Mining Industry, Surface Miner, Mineral Processing Operator Trainee, Introduction to Underground Mining, Underground Miner, and Diamond Driller. The development of the Centre in Fort Smith will allow students to access affordable and available student housing, as well as provide access to supports at the campus, such as other trades facilities and shops, instructional staff, tutoring, and counselling.

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Gold and base metal prospects acquired

Silver Range Resources Ltd. has signed a Letter of Intent with GGL Resources Corp. to option the Providence Greenstone Belt (PGB) Project in the Northwest Territories. The Providence Greenstone Belt is centred 250 km northeast of Yellowknife and 80 km west of the Ekati Mine in the central Northwest Territories. It is a 140 km long by 10 to 30 km wide belt of ultramafic and mafic volcanic rocks capped by turbidites, metamorphosed to between greenschist and lower amphibolite facies. To date, three drill-ready gold targets (ATA 1006, 1004, 1518) have been identified, each with historical surface assays in excess of 10 g/t gold. Much of the belt has yet to be thoroughly prospected and Silver Range believes it has the potential to host a significant gold deposit. In addition to the gold prospects, the belt hosts unexplored volcanogenic massive sulphide and magmatic nickel occurrences.

YUKON

New road needed for potential mine

Goldcorp Inc. has filed 19,000 documents on the Coffee Gold mine to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board. The Coffee Gold mine, 130 kilometres south of Dawson City, is expected to produce about 200,000 ounces of gold per year for about 10 years. The mine could hire about 400 people once production begins, still approximately four years away. The project requires 37 kilometres of new road that will cross the Stewart and Yukon Rivers — by barge in summer and ice bridges in winter. The route will begin on the Hunker Creek Road just outside Dawson City and end at the mine site’s airstrip 214 kilometres away. The road will be used mainly for moving freight and fuel. Employees will generally fly in and out on charter flights. The Tr’ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation will review the proposal.

Mining properties change hands

The Taku Gold Corporation has purchased four Yukon properties from Golden Predator Mining Corporation. Three of the properties are southwest of Dawson City in the White Gold district, and one, the 40 Mile project, is northwest of Dawson City. The largest of the sites, the Lucky Joe project, is beside the Rose Butte project, a property the company already owns. Taku plans to start exploratory drilling in September.

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Flinch (David Burke) tests his skills in the bush. Screen capture from the film. © Videographer Craig Kovatch

The Making of Three Feathers — the Movie By Sarah Pruys and Brent Kaulback

With hand warmers in our mittens and shouts of “Action” hanging in the sharp -30C air, the cameras begin rolling on what is likely the first four-language film ever produced. Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, is the set of Three Feathers: The Movie, a ground-breaking film about the power of restorative justice.

Bryce (Joel Evans) seeks strength and forgiveness through prayer at the Sacred Fire. © Sarah Pruys Photography

In addition to battling the cold, the limited daylight means we must work fast so everyone — even the actors — pitches in to set up scenes and make sure the process runs as smoothly as possible. The first of four seasonal shoots has three wayward youth: Flinch (David Burke), Bryce (Joel Evans), and Rupert (Dwight Moses) snowshoeing, chopping wood, and making tea as they learn the lessons of the land from Elders Irene (Eileen Beaver) and Raymond (Henry Beaver). Burke, known for his role in the Hollywood film Cut Bank, is the tall and silent lead who swings the axe over and over, splitting wood for both the upcoming scenes and to feed the large fire we huddle around. The cast and crew are almost all Northerners, and nearly everyone is wearing more than one hat — both literally and figuratively. There’s Burke, who was born and raised in Fort Smith. He’s one of the stars in this movie and is also the trained stunt supervisor. There’s Richard Van Camp, the Smith-born author of the graphic novel that the movie is based on, executive producer, and giver of the kindest compliments, who says, “It’s the ultimate dream come true to have everyone you grew up with, everyone you admire in

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“These are the spirits of our ancestors.” — Raymond Carla Ulrich © Sarah Pruys Photography

Dusk on set. © Sarah Pruys Photography

The Elders and youth depart for camp – nine months on the land. © Sarah Pruys Photography

Henry and Eileen Beaver's smokehouse. © Sarah Pruys Photography

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a movie that you helped imagine. I’m just so grateful to everyone who had anything to do with this movie.” There’s Carla Ulrich, a local filmmaker who both wrote the screenplay and is directing the movie being filmed in four languages: Dene Yatie (South Slavey), Bush Cree, Dene Dedline (Chipewyan), and English. And then there’s Brent Kaulback, producer and visionary behind the Three Feathers projects. Kaulback, known for his ability to inspire and empower others to succeed, was instrumental in breathing life into both the book and the movie. Inspiration for this project came from a conversation between Kaulback and Van Camp. Kaulback, then Assistant Superintendent for the South Slave Divisional Education Council, proposed a storyline that connected with some themes taught through the cultural curriculum of the northern schools. They explored the idea of how a few misguided youth might discover their culture, language and identity when sentenced to live in a bush camp on the land for their misdeeds. Van Camp had just the story in mind … an experience from his own childhood. “Three boys were breaking into all of our houses about 20 years ago in Fort Smith. An Elder 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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Craig Kovatch films Raymond (Henry Beaver), who relaxes after a long day out on the land. © Sarah Pruys Photography

Irene (Eileen Beaver) teaches Flinch (David Burke) how to prepare fish for drying. © Sarah Pruys Photography

Flinch, Rupert and Bryce go fishing with Raymond while Irene remembers when young Flinch, Rupert and Bryce went fishing along the same shores with their Elder. © Sarah Pruys Photography

thought his grandkids had come home early from school, and he surprised the boys and they got in a big fight, and the elder really did get hurt — he suffered a stroke and a heart attack. The boys were caught and sent down south for a very long time,” explains Van Camp. This turned out to be the perfect spark to the story but the reimagined ending had the three youth sentenced to live with two Elders in a bush camp far from town. At first the three youth rebelled against the routine and isolation of camp life but with the land as their teacher and the guidance and wisdom of the Elders, they begin to turn their lives around and rediscover a sense of purpose and identity. 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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“Bryce, Rupert, and Flinch learn to become responsible and capable young men and, after their nine months on the land, are now intent on righting the harm they have caused their community. But how will the community react to their return? Are they ready to forgive? This story goes on to explore the power and grace of restorative justice and the cultural legacy that can empower future generations,” explains Kaulback. While we won’t spoil the ending for you, we can say that in real life, the movie has found incredible support within the Fort Smith community. It’s not just because of the excitement surrounding the opportunity to host the cast and crew — that’s just how this small Northern town is — but many local Native groups, organizations and individuals rallied together to provide the funding to get this project started. This support was evident during the second of four shoots. It was early summer and time to film a community feast scene. A call was put out to the community of 2,500, inviting extras to enjoy a traditional meal in the background of the filming. The Beaver family, many of whom also play major roles in the film, emptied their freezers and rallied their family members to spend the day cooking up a feast of moose-nose stew, fried fish, bison, bannock and corn on the cob. As drums and mosquitoes sang and cameras rolled, the tent overlooking the Slave River was filled with hundreds of people enjoying the feast and watching the movie magic happen. 25


Tipi Raising. © Sarah Pruys Photography

The three main characters: L to R: Bryce (Joel Evans) Rupert (Dwight Moses) and Flinch (David Burke) try to stay warm between scenes. © Sarah Pruys Photography

One unique feature of this movie is that it is being filmed in four separate languages — reportedly the first time ever in the history of film-making. Each scene is filmed four times with the actors repeating their lines in a different language each time. To ensure the cameras kept rolling, the cast and crew relied heavily on local language coaches, many of whom are retired teachers. The three coaches first translated the script into their Indigenous language and then recorded the translations so that the actors could practice and speak with the proper pronunciations. Eileen Beaver, who plays Elder Irene in the film, was one of the most important cast and crew members on set. Not only was she a main actor, she was also a language coach with a wealth of traditional knowledge. She also donated props and sets, offering up everything from the smokehouse tipi in her own backyard to her family’s fishing nets and filleting knives. Her husband Henry, who doubles as her movie husband Raymond, was also a constant presence on set, dividing his time between acting on camera with splitting wood, starting fires, setting up tipis and doing anything else that needed to be done behind the scenes. When he had a spare moment, he would grab his gun and head out into the bush to hunt, sometimes startling everyone as he took aim at some ducks overhead. “I thought it was a fine opportunity to show off Fort Smith, and the fact that it was filmed in four different languages is amazing,” says Eileen Beaver after the shoots 26

“Bryce, Rupert, and Flinch learn to become responsible and capable young men and, after their nine months on the land, are now intent on righting the harm they have caused their community. But how will the community react to their return? Are they ready to forgive? This story goes on to explore the power and grace of restorative justice and the cultural legacy that can empower future generations.” had wrapped up. “They are showing me how to put the Chipewyan movie together so I’m gaining lots of experience. I really enjoy it — it’s an experience I wouldn’t get anywhere else.” The movie, which will come out as a full-length English film accompanied by three other films in each of the languages, is meant to be a great language learning resource. “The film will showcase our Indigenous languages and the richness of the Dene, Cree and Metis cultures,” explains Kaulback. “Our languages are struggling but hopefully projects like this will motivate many to reconnect with their language and culture and in so doing discover the strength of character and identity that accompanies such experiences — just as the youth in the movie.” Three Feathers – the Movie is scheduled for release in the fall of 2017. Sarah Pruys is Public Affairs Coordinator for the South Slave Divisional Education Council (SSDEC), a major investor in the film. Brent Kaulback, retired as Assistant Superintendent for the SSDEC, is Producer of Three Feathers – the Movie. 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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Auyuittuq National Park For the experienced adventurer Text and photos by Michael H. Davies Auyuittuq means “the land that never melts” in Inuktitut, which couldn’t be more true. The Park is 19,089 square kilometres and is accessible by outfitters from the surrounding towns of Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. Boat travel is used in the summer while in the winter snowmobiles are used to traverse the icy terrain. There are many wildlife-viewing opportunities, especially if travelling from Qikiqtarjuaq, this is because all the fiords are inside the park. Hiking is possibly the most popular activity in the park. Skiing is offered as well as climbing and mountaineering. Registration and deregistration are a very important part of staying in the park. When registering you will also attend a mandatory orientation where park staff can give you tips and points of interest on your route before entering the park. Deregistration is important so if visitors do not check out within 48 hours, the park staff will initiate a search and rescue. In the spring months the fiords are frozen and lots of wildlife is waking up for the start of the season. There are lots of mammals, birds and aquatic life. Polar bears are just coming out of hibernation with their cubs. This poses an opportunity for a great picture, but at the same time safety is a huge factor. It is not uncommon at this time for snowfall, and in the spring months whiteouts are possible. Skiing is most popular at the beginning of the season.

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Hikers Start their trek into the Park, Summer.

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In the summer, hiking and climbing season opens. The fiords are normally ice free but the water levels become very high late July and early August. Because the glaciers tend to pick up rock and debris, extreme caution is recommended for any river crossings. Akshayuk Pass is the most popular spot in the park for hiking and skiing. This passageway will take you through breathtaking landscapes and some of the most iconic mountains such as Odin, Thor and Asgard, to name a few. Thor Peak is a 5,495 ft elevation and features the greatest vertical drops on the planet sitting at 4,101 ft. This mountain is stunning. Mount Asgard is such a unique looking mountain, it has two flat top cylinder shaped peaks and a saddle that holds them together. This mountain was also used in the scene of the James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me. Mount Odin has an elevation of 7,044 ft and is the highest mountain within the Baffin Islands.

Left: Two adventurers ski through the Pass, Winter.

Below: Looking at Thor Peak Down the Weasel River, Summer.

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Right: An Arctic weasel pokes his head out from his hiding spot under one of the emergency shelters, Summer.

Below: One of the many Arctic Hares that call the Park home, this one in mid molt, Spring.

GPS devices are permitted but may not always work. Because the park is in such a remote area, you can’t always rely on technology. This means that at any moment, if something happens, you are left to your own devices. There are emergency shelters in the park, located on certain spots of the map. They contain radios, which are in contact with the park staff. Satellite phones are recommended, but don’t rely on them. Visitors must take this into consideration, as this is not an experience for a first-time hiker. The park also features the Penny Ice Cap, which is a remnant of the last ice age. The glacier is protected within the Park. Within the last few decades the ice cap has been receding due to increased temperatures in the summer and winter months. Researchers are studying the ice cap to get a better idea of how the glacier will react to hotter temperatures. So far, in Auyuittuq, they’ve noticed it’s contributed to the flooding in Akshayuk Pass in the late summer months. The end goal is to see how the glacier will affect sea levels and just how much of the ice cap will melt.

Travelling by snowmobile with an outfitter into the Park, Winter.

Highway Glacier From the air.

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Looking up the Weasel river towards Summit Lake.

The famous twin peak of Mount Asgard.

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Every season offers its own unique insight to the land. The land is sacred to the Inuit, especially Akshayuk Pass, where locals set up various animal traps, which provide food for their families. There is so much ancient culture and appreciation for the land. Because of the harsh climate, temperatures reach as low as -40 in the winter, this Park is not for the inexperienced. When the seasons change and it rains, freezes and thaws, things are shifting. It proves that the land in the Arctic is alive and thriving; whether it be the rock fall, the sound of the water flowing or the wind howling, Auyuittuq is truly flourishing with life. The Park is a beautiful place but at the end of a visit, people may want to spend a few extra days in Qikiqtarjuaq or Pangnirtung. Staying in these communities will give visitors a great insight into Inuit culture. This will give people the opportunity to ask questions about the Park, about Inuit traditions or points of interest in the town. It will also give people the chance to possibly do some fishing and view more wildlife. Nunavut has a lot to offer. Hunters may want to hunt for big game animals. Dogsledding is another excursion that could be of interest. The possibilities are endless and the culture is what people go away with and remember the most. Mountains reaching up to the sky, rock falling and hearing the echo of the wind through the mountains is something one normally only sees in a movie. To think that Canada offers such a beautiful yet rigid place makes it even more exciting and surreal. Auyuittuq is just one of many spectacular provincial parks in Canada, but it’s one of the most unique. The Arctic way of life is fairly unknown and this Park gives people the opportunity to visit and experience northern life like never before.

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Bear Witness Arctic Expedition Circumnavigates Bylot Island by ski Text and photos by David Reid

Camp at Possession Bay. Shot taken looking north across Lancaster Sound. The dark clouds on the horizon signify open water, a worry for the team as spring progressed.

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For anyone visiting the North Baffin community of Pond Inlet, given fair weather, the first thing that strikes you looking North is the formidable and staggeringly beautiful sight of Bylot Island. Snow and ice-capped mountains rise 3,000 feet straight out of the deep waters (or sea ice) of Eclipse Sound and Pond Inlet. The south coast of Bylot is the most precipitous with the distinctive triangle-shaped Linguaq Mountain (3,000 feet) the Castle Gables (4,600 feet) and Mount Thule (5,800 feet) — all within plain view from the community. The unseen interior mountains of the island rise to well over 6,400 feet. A number of glaciers can also be seen (although most are now in retreat) and the island is encompassed within the aptly named Sirmilik National Park. Sirmilik in the Inuktitut language means “place of glaciers”. The southwest corner of Bylot is much lower in elevation and is characterized by rolling hills, tundra and the occasional outcropping of incredible limestone features known as Hoodoos. The hoodoos found on Bylot rival any found in the world including Drumheller in Alberta and Escalante National Monument in Utah. 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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David Reid approaches Cape Liverpool on the north coast.

Last camp before returning to Pond Inlet. Shot was taken looking north across Eclipse Sound towards the incredible towering mountains of Bylot Island.

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The Inuit are known to have inhabited the island and the surrounding North Baffin region for about 1,000 years. Although the island is now uninhabited, many hunters from nearby Pond Inlet still actively hunt there in all seasons. The North Baffin area is scattered with archaeological Thule sites. Thule are the ancestors to the present-day Inuit who arrived in the Eastern Arctic about 1,000 years ago. Approximately 420 miles above the Arctic Circle and just over 1,000 miles from the North Pole, Bylot covers an area of 4,273 square miles, twice the size of Prince Edward Island. The name Bylot comes from Robert Bylot, who with William Baffin, were the first non-Inuit to see the island in 1616. More “visitation” came to the island in the 1820s in the form of whalers and explorers. In the mid 1800s the great polar migration of Qitdlarssuaq (aka Kridlak) and his followers took place. On their migration North, time was spent on Bylot Island before crossing Lancaster Sound, Devon Island and eventually to the Thule area of northwest Greenland. In 1906, Bylot was claimed for Canada by the incredible Capt. Joseph Bernier. The location at which this “claiming” took place is called Canada Point and to this day the rock that Bernier and his crew inscribed (chiselled) the words ARCTIC 1906 can still be seen. Bylot is a fascinating, enigmatic, historical, culturally rich and very remote island. It is for these reasons and more that the 2017 Bear Witness Arctic Expedition was launched. Along with strong science and educational components, the idea of celebrating Canada’s 150th was a major reason for the Bear Witness project. The plan and goal of the expedition was to circumnavigate the island by ski — something that had never been done before, or even attempted. The journey would represent the largest island in the world ever circumnavigated by ski. The estimated distance of 520 km meant the journey would take about a month to complete. The timing of the expedition would be crucial. Local Inuit hunters were consulted and asked about the ice conditions throughout the winter. Together with

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One of the Hilleberg expedition tents. Approaching Cape Fanshawe on the north coast. Nearby icebergs provided some of the best drinking water in the world.

satellite images from space (courtesy of NASA) a picture and comprehension was created as to what travelling conditions might be expected. Ice conditions were reported as being favourable along the south coast but very little (if any) knowledge was forthcoming or known about the north and east coasts. The fact and stark reality was, and is, that very few people (including local Inuit hunters) ever venture to the north coast. Perhaps there was a reason no one had ever attempted to ski around Bylot! An enormous amount of planning and organizing finally culminated in team members David Reid, Eric Brossier, Ingrid Ortlieb and Martin Garcia meeting in Ottawa, Ontario. The team flew with First Air and headed North, first to Iqaluit and then onward to Pond Inlet. On April 12, the four skied north across Eclipse Sound towards Bylot Island — the decision had been made to travel around the island in a clockwise direction. The team was accompanied by four Inuit sled dogs, provided by local Inuit hunter Lee Innuaraq. The dogs were brought along because the island is known for its high population of polar bears — the dogs would be on “bear watch”. With heavy sleds (each around 210 lbs each — the price paid for going unsupported) and rough ice conditions, it soon became clear that the idea and plan of averaging 20 km a day

Break between Cape Burney and Cape Graham Moore on the east coast of the island. Despite the smooth ice conditions, this area was known to collect snow and therefore the going was slower. Photograph was taken from small iceberg. Icebergs or any high pieces of sea ice were used to scout the route ahead.

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Time for a quick break, re-hydrate and eat something from the “grab bags”. The team didn’t take a lunch but instead had a series of short breaks throughout the day, usually lasting about 10 minutes.

had been too optimistic. Early on, the team experienced cold temperatures (-30C+ at night) as a winding route was found and negotiated up Navy Board Inlet on the west side of the island. On April 19, the team reached Canada Point, 111 years after Capt. Bernier claimed the island for Canada. The team was proud to hoist the Canadian flag. The formidable and daunting north coast lay ahead and the travelling conditions (although under mostly sunny conditions) didn’t improve. The route was a fascinating (and at the same time frustrating) mixture of smooth floor-like sea ice and jumbled ice as tall as a house. A normal day would consist of breaking camp and start skiing by about 9 or 10 am.

Many thanks to all our sponsors.

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At around 6 pm thoughts would turn to looking for a suitable campsite and on most days the team skied until 7 pm. With few icebergs around on which to climb to scout the smoothest route ahead, the team patiently worked their way through, around and over the challenging icy labyrinth. The north coast of the island is significant, not only because of its incredible remoteness and wildness, but because it forms part of the eastern entrance to Lancaster Sound and the Northwest Passage. Another goal of the Bear Witness project was and is to bring attention to the proposed Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area and help ensure its eventual protection. On May 6, the team arrived safely at Button Point on the southeast corner of the island. Schedules, timing and the distances needing to be covered dictated that there were no rest days during the entire expedition. At long last, the team’s skis pointed west and the route back to Pond Inlet was highlighted by meeting and stopping to talk to a number of local hunters and incredibly smooth ice. The teams daily distances were now up around 24 km. After 28 days straight, the team skied back into Pond Inlet on May 9. David, Eric, Ingrid and Martin consider themselves incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity to successfully accomplish such an expedition and bring attention to such an important region of Canada. The Arctic means many things to many different people but its beauty, importance and significance can never be understated. Plans are already in the works for another Bear Witness Arctic Expedition. Details will be posted through the Bear Witness website and through social media. A commemorative expedition book will be coming out in 2018. www.bearwitness.ca www.facebook.com/bearwitness150 2017 | 05

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E D U C AT I O N

Alex’s wall hanging, Attagoyuk School, Pangnirtung. © Alex Pipes

Preparing to teach in Nunavut

The Need for Teacher Orientation

When the Government of Nunavut (GN) advertises every year for teachers to come North, it is looking for people who are flexible, who can handle a different teaching environment and who plan to stay around for a while. Southern teachers constitute about two-thirds of the Nunavut teaching population and all would benefit from an orientation program prior to moving North. Since the student drop-out rate and the turn-over of teachers in Nunavut are both high, the GN is trying to address this issue, one example of which is the partnership between Qikiqtani School Operations (QSO) and Mount St. Vincent University 38

(MSVU) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, called the MSVU Nunavut Teacher Practicum Program. For nine years the university has offered both a credit course on Nunavut as well as bursaries for five students interested in teaching in Nunavut to do a one month teaching practicum there. QSO is the program’s northern partner and provides access to its schools.

The Joint Cultural and Educational Experience

The MSVU students are encouraged to see the northern practicum as much a cultural experience as an educational opportunity. From the educational perspective, it provides

them with the chance to see what life is like in a cross-cultural, English-as-a-Second-Language, often multi-grade northern classroom, one demanding initiative, flexibility and selfreliance. From the cultural perspective, the students get the opportunity to meet Inuit, get the feel of a Nunavut school, take part in community events and get out on the land so they then know exactly what they will face if they decide to apply for a Northern teaching position. Since the start of the program, approximately 30 MSVU graduates have gone on to teach in the northern parts of Canada, primarily Nunavut, so an MSVU network is beginning to form in

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E D U C AT I O N Angela Hosking tries some seaweed with her grade 6 students, Sam Pudlat School, Cape Dorset. © Angela Hosking

Nunavut, with some MSVU students now being mentored and hosted by former participants in the MSVU northern practicum program. The MSVU program has relied for the past nine years on the generosity of four key sponsors: the TD Bank Group, Dr. Hans and Mrs. Annegret Uhthoff, First Air and Qikiqtani School Operations, as well as the help of Nunavut teachers and principals who host and mentor the students.

The Double Program Objective

The goal of the MSVU Nunavut Teacher Practicum Program is to provide northern schools with teachers who have some prior understanding of the people they are going to serve, who know what they are getting into and who will be happier and will stay longer in the North. At the same time, they will therefore be more likely to form more than just passing relationships with their students, thus helping the young people in turn to want to stay longer in school and complete their grade 12. By providing an orientation experience for southern student teachers, it will hopefully be easier for

them to transition into a northern teaching position as well as to enjoy life in an Inuit community.

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Student Impressions

Here, the 2017 bursary winners give their own impressions of various aspects of their Nunavut practicums.

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E D U C AT I O N Angela Hosking and some of her grade 6 students, Sam Pudlat School, Cape Dorset. © Angela Hosking

Proud students and their print display

It took a few hours on Sunday but I completed the display that my class had worked on so hard last week. When they came in the morning, they were in awe! They said it was the nicest display in the school, so I reminded them that it was they who had created the artwork. When other students walked by, my students were quick to make sure that everyone knew that it was they who had created the prints. They were so proud of their work and it made me proud that they could explain to others how they had created it. They were especially proud that something they saw as being very unique about Cape Dorset was something that they too had created on a smaller scale. — Angela Hosking, Sam Pudlat School, Cape Dorset

There are ups and there are downs

Parachutes

Outdoors, the weather is getting warmer here, and the community is coming alive. Some of the kids in class have been dreaming about upcoming trips on the land with their families. Although spring in Pond Inlet is void of rain showers and the smell of fresh soil, the end of the long, dark winter season is reason enough to celebrate. In class, we are slowly working through our flight unit in the classroom, which has involved more experiments. Today I used balloons to demonstrate air pressure and we capped off the afternoon with our parachute drop. I was amazed at how quickly the kids constructed their parachutes. They can be quite industrious when interested! — Chris Hunt, Ulaajuk School, Pond Inlet

I’m starting to understand how some think that teaching in the North is a lot harder than in the South. I’m starting to realize why they have such a high teacher turn-over rate. But I'm also remembering why I came up here and why I want to come back in August even more. I was the kid who hated high school, I was the kid who missed over a hundred days of school. Maybe I'm the person that can change these kids’ perceptions of school like a teacher once did for me. I came up here because I want to make a difference and that's exactly what I am hoping to do. If I should be so lucky as to start my career in the North and change the perception of at least one student then it will all be worth it. — John Mackenzie, Nasivvik School, Pond Inlet

The Uqqurmiut Centre

The artists here are internationally celebrated for their embroidery, tapestry and print-making. I was amazed at the carvings, jewellery and hundreds of prints that were for sale at the Uqqurmiut Centre. But it was the embroidery pieces that caught my eye, some strung on miniature sealskin racks, others free-hanging. One small wall-hanging stood out, of a woman wearing an amoutik, with ‘Welcome’ underneath, embroidered with flowers. It said exactly how I felt when my plane landed here. This place is exactly where I am supposed to be, so after school the next day I bought it, along with a Pang hat, to remind myself of this adventure. — Alex Pipes, Attagoyuk School, Pangnirtung

Today was another good day in the North

One evening three of us went to meet Annie Lampron-Manning, a local elder and seamstress in Cape Dorset who is a retired school teacher and the first female Justice of the Peace in Nunavut. Annie, like so many Inuit seamstresses, is an artist and creates beautiful stitching and beadwork on the kamiit, mitts and parkas that she makes. After our visit with Annie we heard that someone had killed a polar bear down on the ice. We headed down just as the bear was being skinned. It was about 10 feet long and had massive feet. The young man who shot it was about 25 and it was his first bear kill. The town will have plenty of meat from this bear and I’m hoping to get a piece to try. — Lynann Rhodenizer, Sam Pudlat School, Cape Dorset 40

The group, parka clad, ready for the North! L to R: (Front) Lynann Rhodenizer, (Back) John MacKenzie, Chris Hunt, Angela Hosking and Alex Pipes. © Chris Hunt

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Alex Pipes with her first fish trophy, Attagoyuk School, Pangnirtung. © Alex Pipes

Becoming Effective Teachers

The MSVU course on Nunavut not only teaches about northern Canada, it encourages young would-be teachers to think outside the box, to step outside their comfort zone and to draw on their creativity to ‘sell’ education to a set of younger people who are often not particularly impressed by it. Too many indigenous students do not finish school and are thus deprived of the chance of good jobs, including the many in the Government of Nunavut. Providing southern teachers with orientation prior to going North through the Nunavut Teacher Practicum Program is just one of the ways of helping Inuit children to be more successful in school. For the teachers themselves, the chance to spend time in Nunavut, teaching in a cross-cultural setting, is an opportunity to experience a different way of being in a part of the world whose secrets are still overlooked by many. As Francis Thompson put it over a century ago: The angels keep their ancient placesTurn but a stone and start a wing! ‘Tis ye, ‘tis your estranged faces That miss the many-splendoured thing.

Nick Newbery

Nick Newbery teaches a course on Nunavut at Mount St. Vincent University in Nova Scotia and is the coordinator of the Nunavut Teacher Practicum Program.

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Thrift Store St Jude’s Anglican Church

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ADVENTURE Taye Lake. © le Chti’ Jardinier Voyageur

Hiking ancestral trails

Indigenous adventure tourism

Nested between Alaska’s wilderness and the spectacular Northwest Territories, the Yukon, with its countless unnamed summits, is home still to pristine and undisturbed lands. The Gold Rush, the Chilkoot Trail and the legendary Dawson City are only some of the names that make adventurers around the world dream about travelling to Canada’s North. Yet those icons don’t represent the true Yukon in its entirety. So why not discover the territory in 14 stories through those who were there when it all started many moons ago? That’s the idea behind the innovative project that is the Chti’ Jardinier Voyageur. It is a link between you and the 14 Yukon First Nations.

Taye Lake, Canoe trek

Over two days, and only a few hours from Whitehorse, you can take part in an incredible journey through time and into the traditions and ancient territories — home of nature’s true treasures. Painting on wood by artist William Kane of the symbol of the Champagne people. © Johan Demarle

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ADVENTURE Harrold Johnson © Johan Demarle

Our adventure begins along the famous Alaska Highway with an hour hike into the heart of Kluane National Park. You will be led to the site of a former clay village, telling the story of a busy fishing camp. A long time ago the salmon swam upstream along the Yukon River into the Mendenhall River and would spawn in Taye Lake.

Harrold Johnson, a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation, welcomes us in front of a beautiful crackling campfire as the morning breeze sets in. The camp is simple but comfortable: the ground of the tent — which will be our shelter for the night — has been covered with spruce branches making for a thick mattress with a delicate perfume. After a short tour of the camp, some quick introductions, and a taste of bannock — a traditional treat common to the North — everyone gears up for the hike our Indigenous guide has planned.

Taye Lake Waterfall. © le Chti’ Jardinier Voyageur

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Going through the small Mendenhall River gives us a refreshing break before heading into the depths of the boreal forest. The region of

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ADVENTURE Mendenhall River. © le Chti’ Jardinier voyageur

Taye Lake is home to wild bison, made clear early on while following the trail. Harrold, leading the group and staying alert to any signs of wildlife, tells us fascinating stories from his childhood about this hidden utopia. After a good hour of hiking, the trail reaches the tree line and Taye Lake reveals itself in all of its glory, surrounded by hills rolling towards the horizon — only interrupted by wild mountains shooting up to the sky.

All of a sudden, we are struck by the roaring sound of a torrent: a canyon made of giant slabs polished by the water appears in front of us. As we climb up the canyon, the sound of the water grows louder and louder until we reach a majestic waterfall. We take a well-deserved refreshing break and bask in this natural beauty. Our trail continues, merging with the migration trail of a bison herd. Our guide fascinates us with tales of how the bison were hunted back in the days and teaches us traditional ways to recognize signs of recent bison activity. On our way back the sunset lights up the summits with golden tints that are reflected on the lake. Back at the camp we’re greeted by a delicious aroma coming from the improvised kitchen. For dinner tonight, ground bison with asparagus and wild cranberries — nothing better to regain some strength! Harrold tells us not only his personal story but also the story of his ancestors and their legends. We drift off to sleep with stunning images floating through our minds. Tomorrow, we’ll be canoeing across the lake!

On the lake you can see majestic swans and bald eagles roam free. This moderately difficult hike will stun you with how gorgeous and calm the views of the lake are. While hiking and canoeing you’ll learn a lot about traditional hunting and foraging practices. This awe-inspiring journey leaves us with a profound feeling of respect and admiration for this culture and land.

Jonathan Alsberghe

Translated to English by Pierre Chauvin Contact Le Chti’ Jardinier Voyageur in Whitehorse, Yukon, at: www.jardiniervoyageur.com or Facebook: Tourisme d'aventure Autochtone.

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YOUTH Out on the land with King of The North Outfitting in Mog Bay, near Igloolik, Nunavut. © Inspire Nunavut

Inspiring a Generation of Social Entrepreneurs

Providing empowering tools for success

Remote communities in Canada’s far North grapple with many social and economic issues. Employment is hard

to come by in Nunavut, and its disproportionately young population is largely disengaged. It may be a bleak picture to some, but Inspire Nunavut sees a generation with a rich potential, ready to be activated and mobilized. Inspire Nunavut is the largest social entrepreneurship development organization in Nunavut. Their mission is to give young Nunavummiut the skills and resources to solve social and environmental problems via entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. The program teaches youth to craft their own opportunities, create their own jobs, and

find their own solutions to problems they are most passionate about. It fosters grassroots entrepreneurial activity through their intensive entrepreneurship skills training intervention and business incubation program. “The program gave me a good wake up call to life,” says Inspire Nunavut alumni and new president of the National Inuit Youth Council,

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Ruth Kaviok. “It doesn’t matter how young or old you are; it only matters that you have the desire to do something. Make a difference as long as you’re alive so that people can continue your dreams and visions.” “Seeing others doing great things, you want to become something like them or more,” says 18-year-old Angela Amarualik, founder of Flower 47


YOUTH

Angela Amarualik, founder of Flower Sweets Bakeshop. © Inspire Nunavut Joshua Haulli at Haulli's Hunting Supplies booth. © Inspire Nunavut

Sweets Bakeshop. “I’ve learned that I am more capable of doing things.” Angela strives to become a leader, an inspiration to other young people just like her.

Social, Culturally Relevant Business

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Inspire Nunavut entrepreneurs have one thing in common - they are in it for their community and for the betterment of their territory. The businesses integrate and promote their cultural values, and work towards social improvement. From empowering youth through a music and motivational speaking program, to making hunting and other traditional skills more accessible and affordable, to opening a thrift store where people can purchase affordable clothing, every business at Inspire Nunavut works towards improving the livelihoods and wellness of their community. Erik Ikoe is the founder of Inland Rentals, an ATV and snowmobile rental service in Baker

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YOUTH Lake. “Here in Baker Lake, hunting is easier and cheaper than purchasing from local stores. I want this business to be successful because I want local hunters to be able to provide for their families.” Igloolik born and raised Joshua Haulli wants people to go out on the land more often, as it brings peace and quiet to the mind. He is bringing back Inuit tradition with his hand-crafted bearded seal skin ropes that he is selling at his hunting supplies store, Haulli’s Hunting Supplies.

Mobilizing a Growing Youth Population

Since its launch in January 2016, Inspire Nunavut has worked with over 55 individuals. Over 56 per cent became business owners and 30 per cent either went back to school or found employment, putting the program’s success rate at over 86 per cent. Todd King Ammaaq, a young outfitter from Igloolik and owner of King of The North Outfitting and Tourism, joined Inspire Nunavut because he saw an opportunity to open up his dream business — taking out students, tourists and hunters out on the land, and opening a year-round hunting school. “I want to show people how we survive on the land, how we understand the land, and how it connects to our culture. Just like my dad taught me, I want to teach the local youth.” “I can’t even describe how grateful I am to have learned what I have through Inspire Nunavut, and I know it will benefit me for years to come,” says Nelson Tagoona, founder of Project Spotlight, a program that teaches leadership and confidence to youth through

Erik Ikoe with Inland Rental in Baker Lake, Nunavut. © Inspire Nunavut

music workshops. “The feeling of completing what you wanted to complete rejuvenates your spirit. You feel fresh because you took a new step in your life.” Inspire Nunavut’s founder and president, Ajmal Sataar, believes the best way for Nunavut’s youth to shape their future is to be empowered to do it themselves. “Entrepreneurship is hard, and it’s even harder in Nunavut. We hope that Inspire Nunavut can be the catalyst which drives more support to young entrepreneurs, so they can be successful long term.”

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The future of Nunavut rests in the hands of the youth. By showing them they can have a positive impact and by giving them the tools to do so, Inspire Nunavut hopes to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs in the territory. The team will work relentlessly to see a Nunavut filled with youth-led social enterprises, that solve complex problems and together move the territory towards a brighter tomorrow.

Karine Smith

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ARTS

Inuit artists in the contemporary art market

In preparation for my trip to Cape Dorset, Nunavut, I had read hundreds of pages on the history of Canadian Inuit

art, but only in speaking with the artists, carvers, and printmakers at Kinngait Studios, could I even begin to understand how essential this artistic practice is to the members of this small Arctic community.

One of the youngest artists I interviewed, Ooloosie Saila, has only been working with the studio for a year, but art has always been a vital part of her life growing up in Cape Dorset. An ornate drawing of a yellow owl is the first work of Ooloosie’s to be reproduced as a stone cut print, which, to her delight, will be included in the 58th Annual Cape Dorset Print Collection, which will be released to galleries and museums internationally in October 2017. She spoke about her experience getting to work with the printmakers — who are some of the most skilled in the world — excitedly announcing, “I got to choose the colour!” Unlike many southern artists, the artists in Cape Dorset seldom receive formal training in studio arts, so their artistic practices are largely informed by mentorship and collaboration within the community. Nearly every artist I had the chance to speak to shared a similar story of growing up watching relatives and friends practicing art. When she was a young girl, Ooloosie remembers watching in awe as her friend’s grandmother, the celebrated Inuk artist Kenojuak Ashevak, worked on her drawings in their home. Ooloosie looked on smiling as we flipped through prints in this year’s collection, enthusiastically pointing out the works of distinguished artists and community leaders like Ningiukulu Teevee, Shuvinai Ashoona, and the late Tim Pitsiulak. Later that week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Ningiukulu Teevee to discuss her 10

Above left: Ooloosie Saila Ornamental Owl, 2017 Stonecut on Kizuki Kozo White Printer: Qiatsuq Niviaqsi 45.8 x 61.8 cm Courtesy: Dorset Fine Arts

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Left: Senior printmaker Niveaksie Quvianaqtuliaq at Kinngait Studios. © Clarie Foussard

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ARTS Ningiukulu Teevee Ravens Boots, 2017 Stonecut & Stencil on Kizuki Kozo White Printer: Tapaungai Niviaqsi 34.5 x 31 cm Courtesy: Dorset Fine Arts

works in the upcoming collection. I had already developed an enormous admiration for her whimsical and expressive depictions of animals and life in the North, but listening to Ningiukulu describe the narratives behind each image pushed me to view this work with a new lens. As we went through the collection, she explained some of her works were simply the product of her imagination, whereas others were inspired by stories she had grown up with or Inuit legends she has studied in her adult life. One story in particular entirely transformed the way I saw the drawing it had inspired — that of the owl and the raven. According to Ningiukulu’s account, long ago, both the raven and the owl were white until, one day, they agreed to paint each other’s feathers with soot. The raven painted the owl first, and the owl was so happy with his new look that he gave the raven a pair of boots as a thank you. When it was the raven’s turn to be painted, he was so excited with his new footwear that he couldn’t sit still, and the owl had to paint the raven all black. Ningiukulu’s drawing of a raven’s head with a small pair of boots peeking out in the corner provides a distinctly contemporary perspective on this well-known Inuit legend. Where I approached this work with the mind of a collegiate art historian, Ningiukulu showed me that her drawings demand more than simple formal analysis, as they are truly material expressions of the culture found in her beautiful hometown, Cape Dorset.

Claire Foussard

Claire Foussard is a student at Colgate University in New York, where she double majors in Art History and Anthropology. She is currently collaborating with Dorset Fine Arts on an ethnographic research project about Inuit artists in the contemporary art market. For more information on the Annual Cape Dorset Print Collection, proceed to www.dorsetfinearts.com.

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

Left: Artists Ningiukulu Teevee and Shuvinai Ashoona at Kinngait Studios. Right: Artist Ooloosie Saila with her one of her pieces outside Kinngait Studios. © Clarie Foussard (2)

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ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᑕᐃᒎᓯᓕᐅᖅᑏᑦ Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit Inuit Language Authority Office de la langue inuite ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓰᑦ ᐱᖁᔭᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᑦᑎᐊᖅᖢᓂ ᐃᒫᒃ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓇᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᓄᖏᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᖃᕐᒪᑕ ᐊᑐᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖓᓂᒃ • ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᔩᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓴᖅᑭᑎᑦᑎᓲᑦ ᑐᑭᓯᐅᒪᖃᑎᒌᒍᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᓂᒃ, ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ; • ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᓲᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕈᓐᓇᑦᑎᐊᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ; • ᐃᑲᔪᓲᑦ ᓇᒻᒥᓂᖃᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᑕᒻᒪᖅᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔭᕆᐊᓕᖕᓂᒃ; • ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖃᓲᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑐᑭᒧᐊᒃᑎᑦᑎᔨᐅᓲᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᐃᓄᒃᑐᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ; • ᑎᑎᖅᑲᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᓯᐅᔾᔭᐃᖅᓯᓲᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᓖᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖏᓐᓂᒃ; • ᑐᒃᓯᕋᕐᕕᐅᓲᑦ/ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᖃᓲᑦ ᑎᒥᖁᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᓯᓚᑖᓂᓗ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖏᑕ ᒥᒃᓵᓄᑦ

Ilitariyauhimayut Uqauhiinni Maligaq Nunavut Kavamatkunnit nalunairutauyuq Inuit Nunavunmiut pilaarutiqaqtut aturiamikku uqauhiqtik Inuinnaqtun • Havaktut ilitturipkaiyullu nalaumayunik taidjutinik, atuqpauhiinik, titirauhiiniinullu; • Havaktut uqauhiit ayunnginnikhaagut, uuktuutikhaagullu; • Ikayuqhugit nanmiuyut havagviit aallallu ihuaqtunik atuqpauhikhaagut; • Havaariliqhugu tiliuqhugit ihivriuqhiyut uqauhikkut; • Titraqhugit ilitturipkatigiblugit taimani atuqtauvakut tainiit aallatqillu uqauhiit inuktut; • Tuhaqtittivaktut/ havaqatigivagait katimayiuyut Nunavunmi ahinilu Inuit uqauhiannut. Official language Act within the Government of Nunavut affirming that the Inuit of Nunavut have an inherent right to the use of the Inuit Language • Develops and promotes standard terminology, usage & orthography; • Develops language competency levels & testing; • Assists businesses and others with correct usage; • Undertakes or supervises research about the Inuit Language; • Documents and promotes traditional terminology and dialects; • Shares & collaborates with organizations in Nunavut and abroad on Inuit Language Issues. Loi sur les langues officielles du gouvernement du Nunavut affirmant le droit inhérent des Inuit à l’utilisation de le langue inuite • Élabore la terminologie, les usages et les expressions normalisés, et en assure la promotion; • Élabore les niveaux de compétences et les tests permettant de mesurer ces niveaux; • Aide les entreprises et d’autres organismes à offrir des services de qualité en langue inuite; • Entreprend ou supervise des recherches au sujet de la langue inuite; • Consigne et fait la promotion des expressions et des dialectes traditionnels; • Partage et collabore avec des organismes au Nunavut et ailleurs vis-à-vis les enjeux ayant trait à la langue inuite. ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑕᐅᔪᒪᒍᕕᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᒋᔭᐃᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᑐᑦ ᐊᑎᖅᑖᖁᒍᖕᓂ ᐅᕙᑦᑎᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᑎᑦ Ikayuqtiqariaqaqqata nanminiit havagviit atiliuriarni Inuinnaqtun uqarvigittaaqtaptigut If you need help with creating your business name in Inuktitut contact us Si vous avez besoin de l’aide pour traduire le nom de votre entreprise en inuktitut, veuillez prendre contact avec nous

www.taiguusiliuqtiit.ca ᑐᕌᕈᑖ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᕕᒃ ᑎᑎᖅᑲᒃᑯᕕᒃ 1000, ᑐᕌᕈᑎᖓ 810, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ X0A 0H0 Parnaivik Bldg 2nd floor P.O. Box 1000 Station 810, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 (: 1 855 232 1852 | 867 975 5539

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IUT@gov.nu.ca

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BOOKSHELF

Those Who Run in the Sky Aviaq Johnston Inhabit Media April 2017

This young adult novel is a coming-of-age story about a young, strong, male hunter who is learning to become a leader. When he is swept away in a blizzard to the spirit world — without a dog team or weapons — Pitu encounters a fellow shaman and many mythical creatures including demonic wolves, water-dwelling creatures and a giant, as he tries to find his way back home. Those Who Run in the Sky is a story about shamanism with a modern tone, based on many stories that Inuit grow up hearing.

Too Many People Contact, Disorder, Change in an Inuit Society, 1822–2015 Willem Rasing Nunavut Arctic College Media May 2017

Too Many People: Contact, Disorder, Change in an Inuit Society, 1822–2015 examines the history of contact between the outside world and a group of Inuit, the Iglulingmiut, living in Igloolik in Canada’s Eastern Arctic and the impact of these encounters. Seeking to understand how order was brought about and maintained during this period of nearly two centuries, the ongoing historical narrative that evolves displays a pattern of interconnected social, economic, political, cognitive, and volitional changes in Iglulingmiut society.

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

Many Norths Spatial Practice in a Polar Territory

Lola Sheppard, Mason White (eds.) Actar Publishers June 2017

Many Norths: Spatial Practice in a Polar Territory charts the unique spatial realities of Canada’s Arctic region, an immense territory populated with small, dispersed communities. The region has undergone dramatic transformations in the name of sovereignty, aboriginal affairs management, resources, and trade, among others. For most of the Arctic’s modern history, architecture, infrastructure, and settlements have been the tools of colonialism. Today, tradition and modernity are intertwined to show that Northerners have demonstrated remarkable adaptation and resilience as powerful climatic, social, and economic pressures collide. Innovative drawings, maps, timelines, as well as essays and interviews are included.

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INUIT FORUM

Premiers’ refusal to engage as partners a failed gesture of reconciliation

© Letia Obed

In July, I wrote to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, Chair of the Council of the Federation for 2017, with a basic request for structured engagement. I sought a half-day on the Council of the Federation meeting agenda for a discussion between Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Assembly of First Nations, the Metis National Council and the Council of the Federation to develop a structured, coordinated and meaningful process for engagement between Indigenous peoples and provinces and territories. The purpose of such an engagement process would be to identify and coordinate action on shared priorities such as housing, health and wellness, and infrastructure. The current structure of the Council excludes a space for Indigenous leaders to participate, limiting our ability to co-develop constructive solutions to shared challenges at the provincial and territorial levels. Indigenous leaders have never been invited to participate in the Council of the Federation. Since the Council of the Federation was formed in 2003, Indigenous leaders have been invited to what amounts to no more than an informal conversation during a side meeting where the primary outcome is a group photo of leaders against a scenic background. If we as Canadians are truly committed to reconciliation and empowering Indigenous communities, the Council must adapt to include a space for Indigenous leaders to have a voice. Inuit Nunangat, our homeland in Canada, spans two territories (Nunavut and the Northwest Territories) and two provinces (Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador). It represents more than one-third of Canada’s landmass and half its coastline. We co-manage this area in partnership with the federal government and Inuit regional organizations and governments

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National Indigenous Leaders: ITK President Natan Obed at podium flanked by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde (left) and MNC President Clem Chartier (right) speak to reporters about their request for inclusion at the Council of the Federation meeting. © ITK

have a critical function within their regions that implicate provincial and territorial governments. Despite our small population size, Inuit have an enormous part to play in Canada. Full and effective participation by Inuit in intergovernmental forums, including the Council of the Federation, are necessary to advance a coordinated and cooperative approach to improving outcomes for Inuit and all Canadians. Asking to meet formally with Premiers on issues of joint priority that we identify together is not the same as asking for province-like powers. I do not expect to be treated like a Premier. However the reality is that progress on reconciliation can only be achieved if governments demonstrate openness to new ways of doing things. We know that innovative and progressive approaches to partnership are possible. Together with federal ministers, Inuit leaders are members

of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, formed in February to identify and take action on our shared priorities. Our partnership with the federal government through this Committee recognizes that we will only achieve success if both sides are willing to take risks and pursue a new way of working together. Reconciliation requires more from governments than an informal side meeting and a photo opportunity with Indigenous leaders. This year and in previous years, the Council of the Federation did not allow for the conversations necessary to explore what a meaningful approach to partnership could look like between provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples. Inuit stand ready to have that conversation.

Natan Obed

National Inuit Leader and President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

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