Crew of 29 catch bowhead
Hunters wait through wind, then have harpoon problems before whale hauled to shore
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, September 26, 2016
PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG
The Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Association's bowhead whale hunt last month turned into an epic tale lasting 10 days, office manager Jackie Maniapik recounted last week.
The Pangnirtung bowhead whale hunting crew with their catch are Jackie Maniapik, left, Jonah Nakashuk, Noah Ishulutak, Gordie Angmarlik, Jonah Maniapik, Aimo Paul Alivaktuk, Joey Akpalialuk, Corey Alivaktuk, Julai Kullualik, captain Adamie Veevee, co-captain Charlie Qumuatuq, Tommy Nowdlak, Johnnylee Nakashuk, Leopa Akpalialuk, Jimmy Qaqasiq, Joanasie Dialla, Silasie Nauyuk and Samuel Tommy Nakashuk. - photo courtesy of Sheila Nowdlak
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"The bowhead crew left the afternoon of Aug. 30 and could not reach the camp site at Qikiqtat and had to overnight at Tuapait," said Maniapik.
"Aug. 31, all the crew reached the camp when the wind started to pick up. (Because of the wind) the crew could not reach for a bowhead for the next three days. Three boats left the camp and had to get more food from the community of Pangnirtung, as supplies where getting low. The next day the three boats went back to the camp and it was still too windy to look for a bowhead."
The Suqqait Committee had selected 29 people for the community's 2016 hunt, filling the positions of captain and crew, co-captain and crew, harpoon boat and crew, long line and crew, as well as the safety crew and two cooks.
Along with people, a great deal of equipment was required. Five harpoons were made for the hunt, 13 buoys of various sizes were loaded on board, including 2,000 feet of rope, four niksiks, nine knives, three hand knives, niutak, floater suits and VHF marine radios.
On Sept. 6, the entire crew had to return to Pangnirtung, then headed out again on Sept. 7.
A few bowheads were spotted but one of the right size - not too big - had to be found.
More than two dozen whales of various sizes were seen. Finally, the co-captain spotted one of the right size.
Then came harpoon troubles. Three harpoon heads from three harpoons shot from the captain's boat came off.
"The second boat harpooned the bowhead and again the harpoon came off. The third boat with the long line was called to harpoon the bowhead and this time the harpoon stayed and we put four buoys on the line," said Maniapik.
"The co-captain boat with the grenade was next to shoot the bowhead. The co-captain who was driving the boat had two people shoot a grenade, and successfully fired the shot. The second grenade that the co-captain was going to shoot had two separate attempts to shoot the bowhead and did not fire. The pushers for the grenade were changed but the grenade could not fire."
Finally, more harpoons, .50-calibre and .458-calibre guns and qalugiaq were brought to the battle.
Then the crew, together, successfully killed the whale.
"The crew now are over the dead bowhead and successfully tied the two flippers and secured the rope around the whale's tail and started to drag the bowhead to our camp around 11 p.m.," said Maniapik. "For the next three low tides, during the day, all the crew who were down at the camp helped out getting all the maktak, meat and the bones apart and in the final day the crew had successfully put the skull above the high tide."
The crew, victorious, returned home, and were welcomed by the community.
"(The community) celebrated the next day and had a community feast. As the community feast is now done all the rest of the maktak was placed in the community freezer and can now be distributed to whoever wants to pick up a maktak," said Maniapik.
"Other communities can now order if they can pay for the box to be shipped out of the community."
