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Private Notes
Introduction to Baffin Island:
Explorers like Martin Frobisher and John Davis could not have imagined the scope of this massive landmass. Beautiful aerial photography shows the geography and geology of this remote northern area of Canada.
Pond Inlet:
This predominantly Inuit community in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut is located in northern Baffin Island, one of the world's most northern communities. Pond Inlet was been home the Dorset people some 3,000 years ago, then 1500 years ago the Thule people arrived, ancestors to the modern Inuit. Philippa Ootoowak and elders in the area work on preserving local history.
Narwhals of Milne Inlet: Unicorns of the Sea:
Narwhals are medium sized whales, but they are best known for the massive tusks displayed by mature, adult males. This sword-like tooth can reach nearly three metres.
Sirmilik National Park: "Place of Glaciers":
Sirmilik National Park includes the Northern Eastern Arctic Lowlands Natural Region and portions of the Lancaster Sound Marine Region. The park has incredible terrestrial and marine diversity, and there is also a crucial cultural element. Inuit hunters have sustained their families for centuries in this area.
The Sealift: Getting Food and Supplies to Arctic Bay:
Ikpiarjuk ("The Pocket" in Inuktitut) is on a beach surrounded by incredible hills. The Nunavut Sealink & Supply's annual summer visit is crucial for the survival of this Inuit community. Roma Laframboise coordinates operations on the ground, moving winter supplies from a cargo ship to smaller barges, and then to shore. Communities throughout the eastern Arctic eagerly await oil tanks, televisions, even trucks purchased from the south.
Geology of the High Arctic:
The geology and geography of Arctic Bay includes the St. George's Society Cliffs, hoodoo structures and fjords, protected inlets, rivers and streams. This area is a remote, scenic wonder with amazing geological structures carved over millions of years.
Lancaster Sound National Marine Protected Area:
Lancaster Sound is an area of ecological importance to marine mammals, such as seals, narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales, walrus and polar bears, and has important seabird breeding colonies. In 2010, the government proposed a national marine conservation area here, encompassing more than 40,000 km2. This confirms Canada's commitment to protect Lancaster Sound's unique marine waters and wildlife.
Stone Carvers of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut:
Residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, on the Boothia Peninsula at the Northwest Passage, are descendants of the ancient Thule peoples. Many still spend months each year on the land, continuing and developing local traditions. Charlie Oopik is a stone carver whose specialty is carving exotic faces, a trademark of Gjoa Haven carvers.
Throat Singers of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut:
Gjoa Haven is located just north of the 68th parallel, one degree above the Arctic Circle. The hamlet was officially established in 1961, with the opening of a Hudson’s Bay trading post. Today it is home to 1100 Inuit people know as the Netsilimmiut, translated "People of the Place Where There is Sea." Kathy Keknek and Janet Aglukkaq are throat singers from Gjoa Haven. Throat singing, a vocal technique used by cultures globally, is one of the world's oldest forms of music.
The Northwest Passage:
Gjoa Haven was visited by early European explorers like John Ross, Roald Amundsen and John Franklin, seeking a maritime route through the Arctic Ocean, the Northwest Passage. Amundsen spent two winters there, 1903-5. Jacob Keanik, Chairperson for the Nattilik Heritage Society explains how knowledge from the Inuit people helped explorers survive.
Victoria Strait: Heart of the Northwest Passage:
The European quest to find a Northwest Passage began when Parry's 1819 mission ventured north into uncharted waters. Others followed, and finally, in 1903, Roald Amundsen, in a converted herring vessel called "Gjoa", became the first explorer to complete the Northwest Passage. Jesse Osborn is now on a modern expedition on the Empiricus, attempting to traverse the Northwest Passage from west to east.
Inuit Culture and Tradition:
The Victoria Island and Cambridge Bay area in Nunavut, home to Arctic plants and mammals, also has a rich cultural tradition. The Kitikmeot Heritage Society is working to integrate traditional knowledge and language into society, and elders share their knowledge with children. Julia Ogina discusses the traditional Inuit drum dance.
The Search For Franklin’s Lost Ships:
The Martin Bergmann, a converted trawling vessel, is used in studies for the Arctic Research Foundation, gathering water samples, tracking Arctic char and collecting soapstone for local Inuit artists. The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a
Hope Bay: Gold in the Greenstone Belt:
Prospectors have been seeking precious metals from this area since the 1960's. Now, a new group believes there are more riches to be found. So far, three gold deposits have been discovered in the greenstone belt; the rocks that typically host gold and base metals are a dark green colour.
Kugluk/Bloody Falls Territorial Park, Nunavut:
Kugluk Territorial Park, bordering the banks of the Coppermine River, commemorates a dark day in Copper Inuit history; some Chipewyans crept down from upriver in 1771 and massacred a group of Inuit while they were camped at a cascade. Samuel Hearne, who was with them, reported the massacre in his travel journal. This turbulent part of the Coppermine became known as Bloody Falls. Today, residents like Allan Niptanatiak still rely on the river for Arctic char. He shows the traditional method of hanging and drying fish.
Climate Change Research in Kuglutuk:
In Kugluktuk, home to North America's northernmost golf course, signs of climate change are all around. Harsh Arctic winters and long summer days make the community an excellent base for scientific climate change research. Sarah Desrosiers discusses the impact of climate change on the ecosystem. Different plants are appearing and rampant willow growth is affecting berry productivity which in turn impacts caribou migration.
Kugluktuk: Place of Moving Water:
The Kugluktuk region, called Coppermine by English speakers until 1996, has been a natural and cultural crossroads for thousands of years. Red Pedersen, mayor of Kugluktuk, discusses the history of the community, established as a Hudson’s Bay trading post in 1928. Residents in the Kugluktuk region lived a nomadic life until the early 20th century; by Arctic standards it is a very lush area. People are now trying to expand the tourism sector.
Nunavut: Our Land:
Nunavut was officially established on April 1, 1999. It was divided from the Northwest Territories, after decades of negotiation with the Federal Government, to create a separate territory for the Inuit people. The word "Nunavut", from the Inuktitut language, means "our land".
Northwest Territories: Home of Permafrost:
The Northwest Territories is a vast expanse measuring more than 1.3 million square kilometres. One of the Arctic’s most scenic features, permafrost, is a unique phenomenon. It is soil that has been at or below 0°C for two or more years.
Tuktut Nogait National Park:
With rolling tundra, wild rivers, precipitous canyons, and a variety of unique wildlife and vegetation, Tuktut Nogait (‘young caribou’) is one of Canada’s undiscovered gems. This remote park is located 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and is home to the Bluenose West caribou herd, wolves, grizzly bears, muskoxen, arctic char, and a high density of raptors. The wildlife and land have supported aboriginal peoples for thousands of years, from the Copper and Thule cultures to contemporary Inuvialuit.
Geologic Mysteries of the Western Arctic: Brock River Canyon:
Rob Rainbird discusses the geology of the Brock River Canyon near Paulatuk, Northwest Territories which has been etched into an incredible landscape over millions of years. It was part of the supercontinent Rhodenia a billion years ago, prior to the supercontinent Pangaea. Large sedimentary basins that lay withi
The Barren Lands:
On the upper edge of the North American mainland, the Northwest Territories' Arctic coastline is one of the most remote regions on earth. It is a rugged, marine frontier, lined by scenic, rolling hills and endless, glaciated plains. The Barren Lands, more than one million square kilometres, are empty except for a hearty few who have thrived for generations. Ray Ruben, the mayor of the hamlet of Paulatuk, discusses the hunting and trapping legacy of this area.
Darnley Bay: Fishing for Survival:
Mayor Ray Ruben discusses the importance of Darnley Bay, a life-blood for generations of Paulatuk residents. The waters of the bay provide food for local families, and fishing skills are passed down through the generations.
Parry Peninsula: Trading Post:
This remote region in Canada’s north, named for Arctic explorer William Parry, served as a Hudson Bay Company trading post for fur traders, but closed due to its remote location.
Tuktoyaktuk: History, Geography and Sod Houses:
John Steen describes the history and geography of Tuktoyaktuk and shows us the traditional Inuit sod and driftwood houses. The Inuit of Arctic Alaska, Canada and Greenland once travelled much of year in search of game. They built different types of dwellings depending on their location, the season, and length of stay. Here, Inuit today call themselves Inuvialuit.
Tuktoyaktuk: The Community Freezer:
Kylik Kisoun Taylor shows us the "community freezer," a tunnel dug in to the permafrost prior the availability of electricity, and used by local families to preserve their food through the warm summer months. Today it is still used by hunters and trappers in the region who rely on hunting and fishing.
Pingos of the Mackenzie Delta:
Pilot George Sarantakos takes us on an aerial tour of the Mackenzie River Delta area over the disappearing tree line, the Distant Early Warning Line used during the Cold War, to the famous pingos. These Arctic and subarctic mounds of earth-covered ice can reach up to 70 metres in height. Pingos, the Inuvialuktun word for "small hill", were used by the Inuit as navigational aids and vantage points for spotting caribou and whales.
Mackenzie River Delta: An Important Watershed:
The Mackenzie Watershed stretches more than 1700 kilometres inland to Great Slave Lake, covering an area larger than the province of Quebec. Gerry Kisoun introduces us to this important source of food, shelter and transportation for the Inuvialuit people for generations.
Inuvik's Community Greenhouse:
Inuvik, a hub of the north, has a mix of long-time residents and those from away. Located just above the 68th Parallel, winter temperatures regularly drop to -40 degrees Celsius and there are 30 days with zero sunlight. Summers are warm and comfortable with 56 days of 24 hour brightness, making Inuvik's Greenhouse a very successful operation for half of the year.
Inuvik: Land of the Midnight Sun:
This is traditional territory for the Inuviluit peoples of the western Arctic and the Gwich'in peoples. Inuvik is also home to people from around the world, and it is a hub of natural resource exploration.
The Mackenzie Delta:
The Mackenzie Delta is a massive stretch of wetlands, the point where the Mackenzie River widens and divides. It is a maze of ethereal islands born of sediments carried by the river over 65 million years.
Aklavik: Home of the "Mad Trapper":
In the 1950’s, the government tried to relocate people from Aklavik to Inuvik, but some residents resisted the move. While Aklavik's is known for its abundant resources and mix of cultures, mayor Charlie Furlong says the town's top attraction is the grave of "Mad Trapper" Albert Johnson who killed an RCMP officer in the 1930's and led officials on a manhunt through nearby frozen trails.
Wally Sticks: Fishing and Trapping in Aklavik:
Aklavik resident Wally Tyrell tends his smokehouse where he produces a variety of smoked fish he calls "Wally Sticks." The waters in the community of Aklavik have sustained him for years.
Beaufort Sea, The: Home to the Mighty Moose:
On the Yukon Territory's northern coast, the frigid waters of the Beaufort Sea are an Arctic gem. Its mainland coast stretches more than 1000 kilometres from the Northwest Territories to Alaska. Despite its remote location and harsh climate, the Beaufort coast is home to resilient wildlife, including the mighty moose.
Whaling: Key to the Inuvialuit Culture:
Gerry Kissoun shows a harpoon, an important tool to the Inuvialuit in their annual beluga hunt, a part of their culture for generations. Once the whale is caught, it is brought to the beach where the meat is cut into strips, hung to dry and then smoked.
Ivvavik National Park:
Mervin Joe tours Ivvavik (Inuvialuktun meaning "a place for giving birth" National Park, one of Canada's northern wonders located at the tip of the Yukon Territor
Dempster Highway:
The Dempster Highway was started in the 1950's as an industrial corridor for oil and gas reserves in Canada's far north. When Alaska struck oil in 1968, officials sped up the project. It was completed 1979, becoming the first Canadian, all-season highway to extend north of the Arctic Circle.
Canadian Reindeer Project: Gwich'in Territorial Park:
The Gwich'in, translated "people of the flat lands", are one of the northernmost aboriginal peoples in North America. As caribou numbers dwindled in the 1920's, the Inuvialuit of the Mackenzie Delta thought Alaskan reindeer could potentially fill the gap. So, in 1929, a few men and a huge herd began the long and arduous trek east. It was more than they bargained for.
Gwich'in Culture:
Gwich'in elder Robert Alexie believes it is crucial to keep the history and culture of their people alive. The Midway Lake Festival features a variety of cultural activities; traditional song, dance and music is kept alive and food like smoked caribou and smoked fish is served.
The Klondike Gold Rush:
Dawson City is famous for the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. Janice Cliff, Parks Canada, discusses the history of the gold discovery. Relics remain today from the era when 40,000 prospectors sought their fortune here.
Dawson City: Dredging for Gold:
When the Klondike Gold Rush occurred in 1897, Jo LeDoux knew they needed a service and supply centre. Instead of staking a gold claim, he staked the town site of Dawson, a tent city in a swamp, and sold off lots. Today, reminders of the gold rush still stand. Just outside of town you can visit Dredge Number Four, 8 stories high, which dug deep beneath Bonanza Creek in search of gold for decades.
Building the Railway: Whitehorse to Skagway:
By 1897, campsites lined the banks of the Yukon River, full of prospectors eager to reach Dawson City. In 1900, Whitehorse changed forever with the completion of the railroad, connecting Whitehorse to Skagway. Steven Caulfield, a brakeman for the railway discusses its origin. Building it was no simple task.
The Chilkoot Trail:
Well before the gold rush of 1897, the First Nations were trading from the coast with interior First Nations. The Chilkoot Trail goes from the Pacific Ocean, over the Coast Mountains, and into the Yukon border, and it quickly became popular in the outside world with rumours of gold.
Whitehorse: The Boreal Forest:
Whitehorse, the "Wilderness City", is the major population centre in the Yukon Territory; it has become a destination for food foragers. Michele Genest, author of "The Boreal Feast" encourages people to learn about their own local wild and foraged foods.
Carcross: The World’s Smallest Desert:
Carcross, once known as Caribou Crossing, has been home to the Tlingit and Tagish people for more than 4000 years. Southern Yukon’s Carcross Desert, the world’s smallest desert, originated when ancient glacial action created dunes, now home to a unique ecosystem and some rare plants.
Yukon Wildlife Preserve:
Maria Hallock discusses the wildlife that is found in this harsh climate, from tiny hares to the mighty muskox. Here is found the only northern centre for injured and orphaned wildlife; a high tech operation provides examining areas and incubators for eggs that will ultimately feed injured animals.
Artist Libby Dulac:
Yukon artist Libby Dulac shares her paintings and the inspiration she finds in Haines Junction.
Long Ago People’s Place: Southern Tutchone Culture:
Harold Johnson operates of the Crow Clan's Kwaday Dan Kenji, or "Long Ago People's Place". The southern Tutchone homeland goes all the way from Kluane Lake, past Lake Laberge to Whitehorse. Harold and his wife, Meta show traditional cooking, trapping and how the southern Tutchone people survived in the harsh Yukon winters in their bark houses.
Musher: Yukon Sled Dogs:
Dogs have been integral in the Yukon from the First Nations to the Gold Rush. Stacy Zaychuk races more than a dozen dogs and is co-founder of the Yukon’s Dog Powered Sports Association.
Kluane National Preserve: Spruce Tree Recovery:
Kluane National Park and Reserve is 22,000 square kilometres of ice fields and glaciers. Its St. Elias Range includes Mount Logan, Canada's tallest mountain. Carmen Wong and her team are studying the health of the park’s spruce trees after the spruce bark beetle infestation of 1995 to the mid-2000s.
Kluane National Park: Healing Broken Connections:
Craig McKinnon discusses the negotiated treaties or agreements that were made with Champagne and Kluane First Nations. Kluane National Park hopes to re-connect the First Nation peoples to this land from which they were removed 50 years ago. McKinnon shows a njal, a traditional moss and pole house.
