Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Friday, January 29, 2007

SANIKILUAQ - Cornelius Nutarak would be proud.

Students in Sanikiluaq are being urged by scientists to write down their observations about wildlife and climate change, something the late Pond Inlet elder did for his entire life.

Nutarak's journals are a valuable primary source for scientists. When the Sanikiluaq Environmental Monitoring Group spent a week in the hamlet for a conference, they encouraged the students who joined them to write their own journals.

"We listened, and we were told to write down useful information. They talked about the ice and the marine mammals," said Tim Kowcharlie. He was one of four students who joined the scientists for the week of discussions.

"We learned that there will be no ice. It is going to hurt our traditions, our hunting, and our culture," said Kowcharlie.

Tony Appaqaq, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student, agrees.

"They told us about the eider ducks. They are starving. I learned a lot. It concerns me. I am a hunter," said Appaqaq.

Charlotte Cook took the information about making journals to heart.

"We talked about how we can monitor our environment, how we can monitor the mammals, and what is changing," said Cook.

She also enjoyed the visitors as people, not just teachers. "They were smart, knowledgeable, and they were nice. Some were sleeping in an iglu last night. They were excited," said Cook.

Addressing climate change is a cornerstone to preserving Inuit culture.

Without long, cold winters, there would be no polar bears. Sarah Cookie understands this.

"The ice, the weather, it is a big thing," said Cookie. "The animals are hungry and are moving. It is our culture, our country food, our clothes. It is important to us."