Expedition 2002

On May 27th, 2002 a preliminary field study was conducted to establish a methodology for completing work that would follow in subsequent years. A research description was prepared and translated into Inuktitut for presentation to the Pond Inlet Hamlet Council for approval.

Contact with the Hunters and Trappers Organization of Pond Inlet was established through Jake Anaviapik and an Inuit guide, David Angnatsiak agreed to lead the expedition team in 2003. During this visit, I met and traveled to the ice floe edge with David for several days to observe and prepare for the study's field expedition.

Building ice bridges:

Journal entry June 1, 2003. We have traveled for 6 hours on the ice by a snowmobile pulling an ice sledge and have now followed a lead for several miles in both directions attempting to find a place to cross. Finally, we have arrived to a section that stretches nearly 30 feet and David takes out a pole with a hook that is roughly 20 feet long and begins to hook a freely moveable piece of ice pushing it to the far edge of the lead. He then grabs subsequent pieces eventually building an ice bridge which he examines. The snowmobile is unhooked from the ice sledge and he backs up for 50 feet and runs his engine at full throttle going straight across the ice bridge. Ha makes it successfully to the other side and in the wake pieces of the ice bridge have broken preventing any further crossing.

Without any conversation I pick up the pole and resume trying to build a new ice bridge despite any experience other than watching his initial attempt. After a long sequence of finding the right pieces to fit together I place the pole down and look up at him. Expressionless, he tells me to throw the rope of the ice sledge to the other side and he begins to attach the rope to the snowmobile. He then instructs me to get on top of the ice sledge and hold on. The ice sledge is successfully brought to the other side and again the ice bridge breaks. We continue on.

Several months after returning from the Expedition I read a description of how Inuit parents teach their children survival skills. There is very little instruction as children learn more by example and doing than by talk. After reading the segment I was pleased to discover that my lack of questions and conversation and merely picking up the pole and hook to build the ice bridge fit the Inuit tradition.