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Synopsis

Nanuk Narratives is an Inuit-led series of short documentary films that explores the deep and enduring relationship between Inuit and the polar bears in the Davis Strait subpopulation range. The series highlights a diversity of lived experiences with polar bears, including long-time polar bear hunters, Elders, cooks, and youth across Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Greenland. 

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Trailer

Logline

'Nanuk Narratives' explores the profound relationship among Inuit communities and polar bears in the Davis Strait range, uncovering the wisdom of traditional stewardship and its vital role in guiding contemporary wildlife conservation efforts.​

Long Synopsis

Draft 1: "Nanuk Narratives" is an Inuit-led documentary series that explores the profound relationship between Inuit communities and polar bears within the Davis Strait subpopulation range. Through a collection of short films, the series offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of Elders, hunters, youth, and cooks from Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Greenland, capturing their intimate experiences with these iconic Arctic animals.

The series highlights the generational exchange of knowledge—where the wisdom of long-time polar bear hunters meets the curiosity and insights of younger Inuit. Nanuk Narratives explores the challenges of living alongside polar bears while reflecting on the evolving dynamics between tradition and modernity. It also addresses the knowledge gap between Inuit ways of knowing and Western science, emphasizing the importance of bridging these perspectives to foster mutual understanding and collaborative stewardship.

As Iola Metuq from Inukjuak poignantly states, “Communication in the North is very poor between ordinary people and the government… years and years we’ve been begging for what is best for us, and we never get any proper answers, particularly for the mammals because our voice isn’t heard. This documentary, it’s the voice.” This sentiment underscores the documentary's mission to amplify Inuit voices and experiences regarding polar bear conservation.

This documentary series is the result of a remarkable co-management initiative involving the Torngat Wildlife & Plants Co-Management Board, the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Anguvigaq in Nunavik, and the Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Association. These partnerships reflect the spirit of collaboration between Indigenous leadership and scientific communities, ensuring that conservation efforts are informed by both traditional and scientific knowledge.

"Nanuk Narratives" goes beyond documenting the lives of polar bears and the people who coexist with them—it captures the emotional, cultural, and environmental connections that define this relationship. As Iola Metuq notes, “The world should understand how Inuit live with polar bears,” reinforcing the need for a broader audience to grasp the intricacies of this coexistence. From stories of human-bear encounters to reflections on changing ecosystems, each narrative offers profound insight into life in the Arctic.

Through breathtaking visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, Nanuk Narratives invites viewers to experience the North through the eyes of those who have cared for it for generations. It serves as both a celebration of Inuit heritage and a call to action—reminding us that the future of polar bears and the Arctic itself depends on how we listen, learn, and act together.

Long Synopsis

Draft 2: "Nanuk Narratives" is an Inuit-led documentary series exploring the profound relationship between Inuit communities and polar bears in the Davis Strait subpopulation range. Through a collection of short films, the series showcases the lived experiences of Elders, hunters, youth, and cooks across Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Greenland, highlighting their intimate encounters with these iconic Arctic animals.

The series emphasizes the exchange of knowledge between generations, where the wisdom of seasoned polar bear hunters meets the curiosity of younger Inuit. It also addresses the critical knowledge gap between Indigenous ways of knowing and Western science, underscoring the importance of bridging these perspectives for effective stewardship. As Iola Metuq from Inukjuak poignantly states, “Communication in the North is very poor between ordinary people and the government… This documentary, it’s the voice,” illustrating the series' aim to amplify Inuit voices in the conversation about polar bear conservation.

This project results from a collaborative effort among the Torngat Wildlife & Plants Co-Management Board, the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Anguvigaq in Nunavik, and the Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Association, ensuring that conservation efforts reflect both traditional knowledge and scientific insight.

Nanuk Narratives transcends mere documentation; it captures the emotional, cultural, and environmental connections defining the Inuit-polar bear relationship. As Iola Metuq emphasizes, “The world should understand how Inuit live with polar bears,” reminding us of the need for broader awareness of this intricate coexistence.

Through stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling, Nanuk Narratives invites viewers to experience the North through the eyes of those who have cared for it for generations, celebrating Inuit heritage and calling for collective action to protect the future of both polar bears and the Arctic.

Director's Bio

David Borish

David Borish is a social and health researcher and visual artist pushing the boundaries of using audio-visual methodologies to explore and understand relationships between humans and the environment. His work sits at the interface of documentary film, public health, cultural and social wellbeing, wildlife conservation, and audio-visual research methods. To create this film together, Borish worked in alongside a Caribou Project Steering Committee with experts and leaders from different sectors, disciplines, and knowledge systems, as well as over 80 Inuit from the Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut regions. Previously, he has worked in partnership with Indigenous Peoples in Peru, Uganda, Malaysia, Nepal, and elsewhere to co-create visual stories relating to environmental and social issues. Through film, photography, articles, and creative audio-visual and qualitative strategies, his work is centered around producing both research and storytelling outputs that can be used to inform multiple and diverse audiences within and outside of academia.

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