.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KANGIQTUGAAPIK/IGLULIK - Elders and young men from Iglulik and Clyde River shared a profound experience in March, journeying back and forth between their two communities along the traditional routes by snow machine and exploring their heritage along the way.

It's a very great experience," said Clifford Qamaniq, one of the Iglulingmiut students on the trip. "When I was 16 I always wanted to go out with my grandfather but he always told me, 'You got to go to school.' I'm really thankful and glad to the teachers who brought me here. I'm so proud and my life has got a bit brighter for the trip."

Clyde River instructor Alooloo Qautuk explains the proper technique for approaching a polar bear den: not from above or below, but from both sides simultaneously. - photo by Peter Iqalukjuaq

Qamaniq was especially happy that the group discussed the traditional Inuktitut names of the features of the land, some of which he remembered from when he was younger.

Natanine Apak, a young man from Clyde River, remarked that the trip was something he had not had much opportunity to do in the past. Through an interpreter, Apak said many young people don't often go on the land because their fathers have jobs and are too busy or lack snow machines.

Apak's father and elder brother had strongly supported him in applying to join the trip once they learned of it through community radio. Apak said he welcomed the hunting lessons he received during the journey.

For Qamaniq the hunting lessons were linked to a larger, positive experience of community and helping others. He anticipated passing on the lessons he learned on to younger people in the future.

"Especially if I ever get a kid, I'm going to teach my son or daughter how to survive out on the land and help other people," he said.

Eight students and four instructors set out from Clyde River in early March on what was to be a four-day journey to Iglulik.

On the trip back they were joined by six students and three instructors from Iglulik. That leg of the trip took seven days, longer than expected because of mechanical problems with their snow machines.

In both Iglulik and Clyde River the group attended workshops with elders to discuss traditional knowledge, hunting skills and learn the Inuktitut place-names of the areas around the communities. During their journeys they logged the place-names into a mobile global positioning system, marking their co-ordinates.