Kalaallit Nunaat to Nunavut Expedition: Update One
On July 31, 2024, youth arrived in Ottawa to a warm welcome from Students On Ice (SOI) staff. The name Ottawa is derived from the Algonquin word “adàwe,” which means “to trade.” During our introductions, we traded our unique perspectives and worldviews. At dinner, we shared our excitement in meeting new people and experiencing new cultures and food. Despite coming from vastly different geographical locations, we giggled and bonded over our many similarities and differences.
After dinner, we received the surprising news that our expedition vessel the Ocean Endeavour had experienced a mechanical issue and would be unable to complete our planned trip. Amazingly, our anxiety was quickly relieved by SOI staff who managed to find and rebook a nearly identical trip on a different vessel with Quark Expeditions.
“It has been so nice to surrender to not knowing what is happening, and to not worry about travel details or the itinerary.”
– Gabrielle Moreau, Toronto, ON
In true SOI fashion, we all embraced the motto “flexibility is the key” as we prepared for a similar yet slightly different adventure ahead. The following morning, we reconvened at the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families located in the Ottawa neighborhood of Vanier. Inuuqatigiitt provides a variety of important educational and youth services for Inuit in Ottawa. Inuuqatigiitt staff, camp counselors, and campers showed us around their space and introduced us to their youth programming.
Inuuqatigiitt’s senior presenter Aalla introduced us to the Inuit culture, way of life, and real challenges faced by his people across the four regions of Inuit Nungaat: Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut, and Inuvialuit.
“Water is life, we give water to the [animal] so that they may give themselves to us again.”
-Aalla, Senior Presenter, Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families
Aalla’s cultural teachings helped us to reflect on our relationship with water, and the many ways in which we are all connected to each other and our environment. As visitors to the Arctic, it is important for us all to be reminded of the active role Inuit play in stewarding their lands and waters, and their critical role within Northern ecosystems.
After a couple hours in the classroom, we were all ready and excited to try our hand at some Inuit games in the Inuuqatigiitt gymnasium. Smiles and claps rippled across the gymnasium as we moved and contorted our bodies in new and unique ways.
“Inuit games are important to express emotions and feelings in the form of physical strength and mental toughness.”
– Freddy Hutchings, Iqaluit, NU
Freddy amazed his fellow SOI participants with huge vertical jumps while completing the high kick. With sweat rolling down our foreheads, we deepened our relationships with one-another and with Inuit culture.
Shortly after, we quickly boarded the train to Toronto to catch our flight to Greenland. Despite some sleepy faces, excitement bubbled up within the group as we boarded our flight and the reality of our adventure began to sink in.