Subscribe and save!
magazine / jf09

January/February 2009 issue


FEATURE
Nunavut — Videos

Get a glimpse of life in Nunavut through videos of the people and places.
By Sheri Gagnon
Nunavut
Territory of unrequited dreams
Sidebar: Project Naming
Map: Explore Nunavut
Photos: Life in Nunavut
Videos: Pond Inlet
  Throat-singing teens
Info: 10th Anniversary Celebration
Library and Archives Canada


Pond Inlet
Pond Inlet is a small hamlet, located on the northeastern coast of Baffin Island in Nunavut. Nestled in a scenic area of mountains and glaciers, this community of approximately 1,300 is 95 percent Inuit and five percent non-Inuit. The Inuit have lived in the area for over 1,000 years, although the initial settlement was called "Ponds  Bay" and located about five kilometres east of where the community is today. Inuit refer this land as Mittimatalik - "the landing place."

The community is a tapestry that combines threads of both modern and traditional ways of life. Between the office buildings, elementary and high schools, hotels, residents watch satellite TV, use high-speed internet and travel by Qamutiq's pulled by snow machines or dog teams. The community is growing from tourism and the potential of natural resource development.


The throat-singing teens
Throat-singing is an Inuit tradition - a breathing game the women would play as a form of entertainment while the men were out hunting. Although four or more women can participate, usually two will face each other and grasp arms. The leader will begin to make low, rhythmic sounds and the other will repeat the sounds and fill in the gaps with her own rhythm. The women will continue on, sometimes swaying back and forth, until the first person runs out of breath, loses the rhythm or starts to laugh which ends the game.

When Christian priests inhabited the area years ago, they banned throat-singing - it was over a hundred years before the ban was lifted. Today, throat-singing is making a comeback among the younger generations. It's a way for young girls to connect with roots and strengthen their identities.


Search our sites: , , , , ,



Comments on this articleLeave a comment

Most limits for people occur between their own two ears. Let's encourage our children to dream and tell them they can succeed! Inspire change in the youth, a worthy goal.

Submitted by Cheryl Wood on Monday, March 05, 2012


Leafs will win Stanley Cup YA I learned a lot and leafs represent Nunavut. Yes Leafs you are important to me.

Submitted by Henry on Tuesday, February 01, 2011


Has it been thought that project naming also be extended to Nunavik, that is arctic Quebec? I'd also wish to contact Earl Larden who wrote a comment last year. I'd appreciate help. Thank you.

Submitted by Putulik Ilisituk on Friday, January 29, 2010


i loved this article, i was only six when Nunavut became a territory but i still remember that day. i don't live in Nunavut now but i love going back and wish to live there again one day. This article reminds me that i need to keep my dreams alive, I want Nunavut to prosper.

Submitted by Priscilla on Wednesday, February 04, 2009


It has been forty years since we taught in the eastern arctic in Sugluk now Salluit but hearing the throat singing again has brought a flood of memories. Well done girls

Submitted by Earl Larden on Sunday, January 18, 2009


grise fiord. an eye opener. much enjoyed. thank you Lise. who shares my married name.

Submitted by maureen gregoire on Friday, January 16, 2009


This was a fascinating article. I live in the UK and have a subscription to Canadian Geographic given me by a Canadian friend. This was an intriguing voyage into the very northern limits of human settlement - thank you.

Submitted by Maureen on Thursday, January 15, 2009


Lisa brought me into the dreams, the reality and the richness of a peoples spirit flourishing in the midst of change.

Submitted by Dr. Maggie Hodgson on Wednesday, January 14, 2009


Lisa Gregoire Has done a marvelous overview of a subject dear to my heart. The Inuit people . Thank You

Submitted by raymond frank on Saturday, January 10, 2009


if the people believe,it will happen.

Submitted by bruce on Tuesday, December 30, 2008








Canadian Geographic on Facebook

Canadian Geographic on YouTube

Canadian Geographic on Twitter

Canadian Geographic Magazine | Canadian Geographic Travel Magazine
Canadian Atlas Online | Canadian Travel | Mapping & Cartography | Canadian Geographic Photo Club | Kids | Canadian Contests | Canadian Lesson Plans | Blog

Royal Canadian Geographical Society | Canadian Council for Geographic Education | Geography Challenge | Canadian Award for Environmental Innovation

Jobs | Internships | Submission Guidelines
© 2012 Canadian Geographic Enterprises