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“Polar bears... they are just part of my life”

 

– Tony Annanack, Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik

Listening to Inuit

The perspectives and insights shared by Inuit offer a unique, place-based understanding of polar bears and their deep cultural significance. These videos may introduce ideas and approaches that are new to you, offering a window into a way of life shaped by thousands of years of living alongside these animals. To help you fully engage with these different layers of knowledge, we’ve recommended an order to watch the videos, allowing you to gradually absorb the themes and concepts. We hope this journey will expand your understanding of both polar bears and a culture that has thrived with the land and animals for generations.

The Making of Nanuk Narratives

The co-creation process of Nanuk Narratives involved a collaborative effort between Inuit communities, wildlife co-management boards, local filmmakers, and interdisciplinary experts. This video celebrates some of the many people who were behind this work. 

Location

Participants

Nunatsiavut

Nunavik

Nunavut

Greenland

Jason Akearok

Jamie Snook

Tommy Palliser

David Borish

 

Pitsiula Kilabuk

Stephen Atkinson

Solomon Awa

David Poisey

 

Derrick Pottle

Ikimaliq Pikilak

Iola Metuq

PROCESS

How Inuit Co-Exist With Wildlife

For millenia, Inuit have shared a deep and enduring relationship with the wildlife they have lived alongside, including polar bears. An important dimension of these relationships is that animals continue to thrive into the future. This video shares a glimpse into Inuit views on wildlife stewardship, and calls for greater co-operation with others who value wildlife conservation. 

Location

Nunavik

Nunatsiavut

 

Knowledge Holders

James May

Iola Metuq

Tony Annanack

Derrick Pottle

Sammy Unatweenuk

Additional Resources

STEWARDSHIP

What do polar bears mean for Inuit?

Ikimaliq Pikilak, an artist, filmmaker, and cultural knowledge holder based in Nuuk, Greenland, shares a unique perspective on the deep emotional connections between Inuit and polar bears. She describes a reciprocal connection, and how hunters have learnt much from bears over many generations. 

Location

Nuuk

Knowledge Holders

Ikimaliq Pikilak

Additional Resources

Ikimaliq

Growing Up in Polar Bear Country!

Brendan Laroche sets on a journey to build a stronger connection with bears. He shares his observations of a growing bear population around his community of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, and the safety challenges this brings for both humans and bears. He also shares the importance of polar bears for him and his community for cultural and land-based reasons. 

Location

Kangiqsualujjuaq

Knowledge Holders

Brendan Laroche

Brenden

Are Polar Bears Adapting to Climate Change?

Knowledge holders from various regions discuss shifts in bear behavior, including observed changes in feeding habits and interactions with humans. These insights highlight how polar bears may be adapting to environmental changes, providing a valuable perspective on their survival strategies in an increasingly unpredictable landscape.

Location

Nunatsiavut

Nunavik

Nunavut

Knowledge Holders

James May

Derrick Pottle

Sammy Unatweenuk

 

Daniel Annannack

Kenny Angnatuk

Brendan Laroche

Jack Allakariallak

Additional Resources

Adaptations

Polar Bears: Voices from Pangnirtung

Knowledge holders from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, reflect on changes they are witnessing relating to polar bears outside of their community. They discuss the importance of Inuit stewardship, and the history of living alongside polar bears.

Location

Pangnirtung

Knowledge Holders

Simeonie Keenainak

Abraham Angnakaq

Johnny Mike

Jayko Ishulutak

Pang Voices

Observations of Polar Bears Around Makkovik

What do the changing ice conditions mean for polar bears? Knowledge holders in Makkovik share their views, and their experiences with changing bear behaviour. They also reflect on the importance of hunter education and connection to culture for sustained relationships with bears.

Location

Makkovik

Knowledge Holders

Nellie Winters

Barry Andersen

 

Logan Andersen

Roxanne Nochasak

Makkovik Observations

Tracking Polar Bears Outside Iqaluit!

Polar bears are elusive, even in open tundra landscapes. This video follows Solomon Awa and Jack Allakariallak from Iqaluit as they go out looking and tracking polar bears. They finds lots of tracks, and share their knowledge of what can be learned from these tracks and the environment around them.

Location

Iqaluit
 

Knowledge Holders

Solomon Awa

Jack Allakariallak

Additional Resources

Tracking Bears

How to be safe around polar bears

Derrick Pottle is a respected bear guard from Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, who protects and trains other Inuit in safely managing human-bear encounters, a skill increasingly needed given more bears are spending time on land. This video provides practical lessons and tips for mitigating a dangerous interaction with a polar bear. 

Location

Rigolet

Knowledge Holder

Derrick Pottle

Additional Resources

Animation

The Dangers Of Living In Polar Bear Country

Across the Davis Strait range, many have reported an increase in encounters between people and polar bears. This video highlights the voices of those from Kangiqsualujjuaq in Nunavik, a community that has seen more polar bears in the area. In some instances, bears have ventured into communities, directly threatening the well-being of residents.

Location

Kangiqsualujjuaq

Knowledge Holders

Sammy Unatweenuk

Charlie Annanack

 

Daniel Annanack

Tony Annanack

Additional Resources

Encounters

His cabin was broken into by a polar bear!

In 2021, a bear broke into Tony Andersen's cabin outside of Makkovik, Nunatsiavut. Many people within Makkovik and other communities across the Davis Strait range have experienced similar issues, with bears causing damange to property.   

Location

Makkovik

Knowledge Holder

Tony Andersen

Makkovik Cabin

Living With Polar Bears in Pangnirtung

As people hunt, fish, and trap on the land, they no longer feel the same sense of safety they once did. Bears are breaking into cabins, making experiences on the land more uncertain. In this video we hear from knowledge holders from Pangnirtung as they share their experiences with bears.

Location

Pangnirtung

Knowledge Holders

Simeonie Keenainak

Jayko Ishulutak

Johnny Mike

Peeleeposei Koonielusee

Pang Cabin

How did this woman survive a polar bear attack?

This video shares the legend of an elderly woman who, long ago, encountered a polar bear on her own and managed to kill it... with nothing but her cane and a mitt! Although this legend varies across communities, it represents a shared oral knowledge system across the Eastern Arctic, and is an example of how stories convey meaning across regions. 

Location

Nunavik

Knowledge Holders

Lizzie Epo

Moses Morgan

 

Tommy Unatweenuk

Additional Resources

Mitts

60 years of tracking polar bears

Lucassie Echalook is among the most respected polar bear hunters in Nunavik. Through hunting, he has developed an deep understanding of polar bears and the landscape he shares with them. For Lucassie, traditional practices such as dog sledding to building an igloo are fundamental to the hunt, enabling him to survive to travel and survive in harsh winter conditions. This narrative is a testament of Inuit wisdom and connection to the land and polar bears they live alongside. 

Location

Inukjuak

Knowledge Holders

Lucassie Echalook

Lucassie

Nippaq - The Seal Hole

The millennia-old relationship between Inuit and polar bears is cinematically explored through a shared source of food: seals. Bear and human hunters both wait patiently by the tiny breathing holes seals have carved into the frozen icescape. Through bears, Inuit have learned to be still, waiting for the rare moment to strike to eat and survive.

Location

Inukjuak

Knowledge Holders

Jobie Oweetaluktuk

Simeonie Ohaituk

Paul Palliser

 

Brian Kasudluak

Davidee Mina

Nippaq

What Hunting Polar Bears Mean For This Woman

This narrative shares the experience of Melva and her family's experience trying to hunt a polar bear outside of Rigolet, Nunatsiavut. As a female hunter, Melva shares the cultural value of the hunt, and how the fur is now used as an educational resource for youth so that their connection to polar bears can be sustained. 

Location

Rigolet

Knowledge Holders

Melva Williams

Max Allen

Jim Williams

Melva

Tracking Polar Bears Outside Makkovik

Inuit receiving one of the two polar bear licenses in Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, have seven days to hunt a polar bear before the license is passed to another hunter. This video shares an experience of tracking polar bears outside of Makkovik.

Location

Makkovik

Knowledge Holders

Darryl Voisey

Wayne Dicker

Julia Dicker

Elijah Dicker

Hailey Dyson

 

Tracking Makkovik

How to Cook Polar Bear Meat

Polar bears hold a central place in Inuit diets and food traditions, providing sustenance and cultural value. Traditionally, polar bear meat is an important source of nutrition, offering high levels of protein and fat that can help for surviving in the Arctic climate. This video shares the process of cooking polar bear meat, highlighting its cultural significance and unique preparation methods. 

Location

Iqaluit

Clyde River

Knowledge Holders

Igah Sanguya

Martha Jaw

Cooking

How to Use Polar Bear Fur

This video features the voices of women from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, as they share their experiences with preparing polar bear fur. They offer insights into the cultural significance and techniques involved in working with polar bear fur, an important material for clothing and other items in Arctic life.

Location

Pangnirtung

Knowledge Holders

Taukie Qappik

Geetee Maniapik

Taina Nowdlak 

Malaya Mosesee

Additional Resources

Fur
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