IQALUIT
Mohammad Hussain, founder of the Nunavut Paranormal Society, had a hard time choosing which story to share among the many strange experiences he's had in his life.

Mohammad Hussain, founder of the Nunavut Paranormal Society, tries out his electromagnetic field meter on March 6. The organization, which needs one more board member, will be open to anyone interested in unexplained phenomenon. - Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo

"One time some friends of mine and I were headed to Niagara Falls in the middle of the night," said the 31-year-old City of Iqaluit employee.

"We were waiting in the car and all of a sudden it just started jerking from side to side. The lights turned on but the key was in my lap. It lasted 30 to 40 seconds before it suddenly stopped."

Hussain said his past experiences, coupled with conversations he's recently had with Iqalummiut, have prompted him to create a society where like-minded people can share their stories and maybe even investigate some of them.

He then proceeded to take an electromagnetic field (EMF) meter – a device used to measure electric fields – out of his bag and turn it on.

The blinking lights, he explained, would light up in the presence of a supernatural being.

The instrument is an important part of the paranormal investigator's toolkit, and Hussain said the society will eventually purchase more equipment such as night vision goggles and sensors to help them in their research.

"A lot of people in Iqaluit have told me they've felt a presence here," he said.

"I've spoken to a lot of people who have had the same experiences. When I talk to groups of friends, the conversation invariably turns to the paranormal, so I think there's a great interest in it."

The Nunavut Paranormal Society is in the final stages of creation, having already found four of the five board members it needs to officially exist, and is also in the process of determining final bylaws.

In the few days since an initial post on Facebook which described the open position, Hussain said the society's been flooded with e-mails. In fact, he was even interviewing a few people later that evening.

The right candidate had to be more than 18 years of age, open minded and especially tech savvy.

"We're looking for someone who can operate our equipment," Hussain said.

"Most of the work is logistical, such as setting up the equipment and processing the footage."

More importantly though, the organization is a group that will put a heavy emphasis on story telling and bridging the gap between generations.

Hussain said there needs to be a platform where people from all ages and background can come and share their experiences without the fear of being judged or ridiculed.

Since Inuit mythology is steeped in elements of the paranormal, he believes the society will attract a lot of different people.

For example, there is the story about Qalupijuk, a monster-like creature who steals children from ice floes, and Qiviuq, an Inuk adventurer often depicted in art as riding a giant fish.

"We're interested in anything we can't explain," Hussain said, "and we won't limit ourselves to certain aspects of the paranormal."

"If we do happen to find something, maybe it'll convince people that we're not the only ones out there."

The society is actively looking for partners and funding opportunities, and is also planning on linking up with experts from the south who can analyze and authenticate any strange footage from Nunavut.

There is also a logo contest for youth in the works, Hussain said.