For generations, the Inuit fished for char in the Kugaaruk River. Their traditional lifestyle was preserved on film in the 1960s and now the people who live there are working to preserve the site as a park.
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Feb 12/01) - Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik grew up watching the National Film Board's Tuktu series.
When Okalik visited the community last summer, he wanted to see where the NFB spent three years filming the lives of the Netsilik Inuit during the mid-1960's.
 Paul Okalik |
Okalik got to fish for char in the river using a spear -- just like his ancestors would have -- and apparently liked the field trip so much that he suggested the area be turned into a municipal park.
"We've been running with the idea since then," said Taggart.
The site is about 10 kilometres outside of the community and back in 1963-65, it was the perfect place to document the Inuit way of life prior to European contact.
Even today, the spot on the Kugaaruk River with its functional fish weir remains a popular fishing spot.
Full steam ahead
The community started to work on the park plan soon after the premier's visit.
A road leading up to the river was completed last fall.
Taggart said the biggest task left to be accomplished this season, other than getting the area officially recognized as a park or some sort of protected area, was to groom the site.
That includes getting the equipment and labour needed to develop a path to the river itself and to mark off a 60-square metre spot for camping and parking. Taggart estimated the project cost would ring in at about $25,000, not including signage or photographs.
That's a small price to pay for a project so rich in history and so valued by the hamlet's elders.
"This has fair meaning for the elders," said Taggart.
"They think this is a really nice idea. They like the idea that it's a park.
"They like the idea that the community will be recognized for the Tuktu series," he said.
Tourism potential
Okalik's scheme also has the potential to bring in tourists. That's important to a Kitikmeot community with little potential for the development of other types of industry.
"This is all we can hope for at this point. Unless someone strikes gold or diamonds, the likelihood of any major industry in this town is slim," said Taggart.
"We have to try to create something of our own. We have to play on what we have and what we have is history and culture," he said.
It was also important to people in the community that they remain able to fish in the Kugaaruk River after it becomes a park.
Alex Ittimangnak, a member of one of the families filmed for the series, said the project would actually make it easier for residents to do so.
"The trail is going to make it a lot easier for people to get there," said Ittimangnak.
"My wife and I, we still go there. I'm sure more people will be going there now because it will be easier to get there."
"I think it's a good idea," said Ittimangnak.
So does the premier.
"I'm a big supporter of the park," said Okalik.
"I'm happy the hamlet decided to pursue the idea. The site is a significant one for everyone," he said.
