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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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