17 September 2013 Day 10: Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) Nunavut

Pond Inlet Visit - Day 10 August 20, 2013

The sign welcoming us into Pond Inlet says, "Friendly People." It was very true. We spent the day learning about Inuit culture and wandering through this small community of approximately 1500 people. Our host spoke about climate change affecting them. Pond Inlet, also known as Mittimatalik in Inukitut, is the land of many glaciers. The residents are watching them melt nearby. Some of them are no longer visible from their community, and our host said it is because of global warming. This community is only ice-free for 3.5 months per year and they receive 3 months of darkness in the winter. While we were there a ship was anchored nearby, delivering fuel oil to the community for the long winter.

They have seen other rapid changes in their lives. Regular phone service began in 1975 and the Inuit have had to adjust rapidly to changing technology. Now they have cell phones. There is a blending of the new with the traditional culture throughout their lives.

Like many indigenous people, they were forced to lose their culture and assimilate. Shamanism was taboo and drumming was considered part of that. The elders in the community kept drumming and singing alive, but shamanism is no longer practiced. Today we were treated to many of their traditions. In the video you will see Inuit games of skill. These various challenges are used to create strength, endurance and the discipline needed for hunting. The throat singing is practiced among young Inuit women. It was a way to pass the time while the men were out hunting and to soothe the baby and small children. The singers pair up and respond to each other while including many sounds from their environment.

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One of my favorite demonstrations involved the young men hooking a finger into each other's lip and then pulling. It reminded me of some of the antics of my brothers when we were growing up.

In the visitor center, "Nattinnak," there were more people and presentations to learn from. I especially liked my young guide who gave me a personalized tour around the museum exhibit.

As we were walking back towards the beach, the school bus was dropping children off to go home and eat lunch. Two young girls, Susie and Amanda, were more interested in visiting with us, than eating. They loved seeing my pictures of cactus in the desert and my dogs and kids. The people in Pond Inlet were so gracious to have us visit. It was a wonderful day.