Day 4: Iqaluit

This is a painting of an Inuit hunter

This is a carving out of ivory of either a walrus or other marine animal in the shape of bears.


We woke up this morning in the high school and ate a hearty breakfast in the school cafeteria. After meeting up with the principal Mr. Johnson decided that since the mining symposium was being held at the school it would be better if we simply explored the town and worked on the blogs for the time being.
This is a painting of the seasons

We decided to visit the visitor center in Iqualuit for a while so we were able to learn many new things.We found out information on the seasons and the weather and cultural changes associated with them. The spring in the arctic is called, “Upingaaq” which roughly translates as “the time of moving ice”. This time period is met with the ice break up and a shift from fishing and jigging to hunting for geese and duck. The warmest season in the Arctic is called, “Auyarq” or “when the sun never leaves the sky” this season is traditionally time to travel and meet relatives, hunt for caribou, whales and fish. The next season is “Ukiaksaaq” or the “time of shorter days” is considered autumn where berries, caribou and arctic char make up the diet. The last season is “Ukiaq” or the “return of ice” this season is the moving and traveling season where people prepare to move to the floe’s edge. The making of winter clothes and preparation of sleds takes up most of the time. "Ukiuq" or the "season of the great bear" is a "Upingarqsaaq" or "time to travel to the floe edge" are the last of the seasons in the arctic and both are times of travel and hunting.


Iqaluit seems to be a town of cultural mixing, a melting pot of the Canadian north and the Inuit. The town itself has the modern conveniences; electricity, I-pods, Internet, myspace and face book. Yet the feel is so uniquely Inuit, the northern peoples and the northern land, a sense of belonging resides in this place. These people belong to the land; they have always been here and will always “own” it.
Inkshuk (we made on top of the hill overlooking the town)

The rest of the day was spent walking around town and learning of the mining symposium that was taking place. After posting blogs and climbing a giant hill overlooking the town Jeff, Allison and I were tired. So, we headed back into town and checked out the local museums and art galleries. After a quick lunch of cold cuts and chips we headed out to explore once again.

After making an Inkshuk, or stone man, that marks trails and communities we headed back in and relaxed for a while. Soon, we will have dinner and relax for the rest of the night. So until tomorrow,

Tagvawutit. “Good-Bye”



-Dalen & Jeff out