Next stop for our Students On Ice travellers : Qikiqtarjuak, Nunavut!
Arctic Expedition 2008
By Students On Ice's Youth Contributors
Our Students On Ice's Youth Contributors share with us their Arctic experience!
By Alexandra Polasko, Student
I was walking down the main road of Qikiqtarjuaq, and a woman standing outside her home asked to me to visit with her. At first, I was not sure, but after thinking about it for a second I decided to take the risk and go over, and it just so happened to turn out that I had just made an amazing opportunity for myself and friends beside me. The woman started out by sharing her lifestyle, culture, and family to us. Then out of no where she invites me into her home to see her family photos, artwork, and treasures they hold dear. It was incredible! There was no text book that could possible explain the home’s true beauty and splendor. Her kindness warmed my heart from the first minute I started talking to her, to the very last minute when we let go after shaking hands again. I came as a stranger and left as a family member. Without her bravery to try something new and take a risk, I would have never had such a moving experience. She “dared to move” and I cannot thank her enough for it. She has showed me that anybody can take risks, and that nobody should stay a stranger. Daring to move, has indeed moved me to dare, dare to take a risk to try new things and chip away at any ice that may be blocking a pathway for my future.
Today I had a very humbling experience. We were welcomed into a small community called Qikiqtarjuaq, which is along the east coast of Baffin Island. About 500 people populate this community and they are very friendly. The Inuit children were very captivated with our digital cameras. I made friends with two little girls who repeatedly took my camera and would take random pictures with it. We had a great time playing tag along the beach, but they ran much faster than I could ever run upon sand. I gave them two bracelets that I had originally woven for myself. It was my token of appreciation from me to them for warmly accepting me into their community.
Later during our visit we got to meet a Qikiqtarjuaq elder who explained the effects of climate change on the community. He has noticed the tides are rising higher than normal and receding out farther than usual. The sun used to move lower in the sky but now is moving higher up. Ice that the Inuit rely on for hunting is also melting earlier. The elder stressed his people need us to change the future. I deeply respected this elder for his wisdom and his optimism. As I looked into the elder’s eyes and shook his hand to thank him for sharing his knowledge I couldn’t help but remember what Ann Hanson said about meeting Inuit elders…“Whenever I shake the hands with an elder I feel like I am touching unwritten history”. That will stick with me whenever I come face to face with an elder.
This just happens to be my first journal published for SOI. I have kind of been putting it off but I know my father is most likely checking the journals daily and most likely shocked that I haven’t written one yet.
First things first: My name is Cori Eide, I am 17 and from Nome, Alaska. I have seen, swam, and lived in the Arctic before but this has been an amazing journey and we’re only half way through it. Every morning I awake and wonder, “Where are we today?”
Believe it or not, the Arctic is very similar to many parts of Alaska. For example, we took a hike up Sunneshine Fjord and there were many times I thought that I was back at home on another hike because of the types of rocks, the tundra, beach combing in the misty weather, and the constant look out for polar bears.
The best part yet about this expedition through the Canadian Arctic is meeting people who are on board. All the experiences and stories we have shared together really inspire me to do greater things. I didn’t think I would meet people who have been to the North Pole, a person with a film based on his life, an artist with such talent, and especially people who have been to my home town! I did expect to meet peers with the same passion and goals as me. On top of that, we became such close friends in a matter of days I am sure we will be a family at the end!
We’ve seen seals, heard interesting and amazing lectures, met locals from Baffin Island, and had so much fun with one another that out stomachs hurt from laughing! Still, there are other activities and sites to see, but right now there is no set itinerary for the next couple of days, due to ice. So for now we’re heading north; further north than expected!
The expedition to date has been full of novel and remarkable experiences, from seal pups and fog bows to local people and fresh char! One of the most interesting phenomena – and one that continues to become ever more fascinating – is the amount of daylight. The sun officially dips below the horizon around 21h00 and the brilliant colours of sunset are visible two hours later. Even at midnight there is enough light in the sky to wander the decks without assistance!
The first morning, I woke around 04h00 because of the bright sunlight streaming through the porthole! And as we travel further north – we crossed the Arctic Circle yesterday! – the day continues to lengthen! It was in reflecting upon this wonder that it really sank in to me that I am experiencing a truly rare and wonderful opportunity!
Image credits (from top): 1) Inuit kids from Qikiqtarjuaq.; 2) Qikiqtarjuaq town in Nunavut.; 3) Polar bear with bird.; 4) Whale.
Posted by on 08/12 at 12:03 PM