(ThePoles.com) Brit Antony Jinman spent 6 weeks on Baffin Island in support of his school outreach project to produce a short film on life in the arctic, the Inuit and how climate change is affecting the environment and the Inuit themselves, he told ExplorersWeb. His project also involved a solo ski traverse for 2 weeks in the Auyuittug National Park.

Travel in the Arctic

Antony explained why he likes to travel and live in the Arctic environment, “because it really is an art. To be able to navigate by the sun, to read the weather and snow conditions. To learn what equipment works and in what conditions, to make sure you’re eating enough calories and of course knowing how to over come obstacles safely.” And, he said, days are physically and mentally challenging.

Auyuittuq National Park

Antony arrived in Qikiqtarjuag on Baffin Island via Iqaluit, the main town on the Island. “I started the day with my introduction and orientation of the Akshayuk Pass and Auyuittug National Park, ironically called the land that never melts.”

“Auyuittuq National Park is found on Baffin Island’s Cumberland Peninsula in Nunavut, Canada. It features the many terrains of Arctic wilderness including fjords, glaciers, and the Penny Ice Cap. Auyuittuq was made a national park in 2000.”

Traditional skills

He met with several locals and learned about their traditional skills. “The ancient Inuit had a special bond with the sea. It provided them with most things needed for survival; meat for food, blubber for fuel, bones and ivory for tools and skins for clothing and shelter. To obtain these gifts, they perfected the skills of hunting whales, seals and walrus in open water and from the sea ice.”

He also learned how to treat and prepare sealskins before they can be made into clothing. “Two of the village elders were busy teaching this lengthy process to the younger women on the course. Once the skins have been scrapped and treated they can be dried and made into different items of clothing, from gloves to kamiks (traditional boots).”

Antony explained about the traditional transport of the Inuit. “With highly effective means of travel over sea ice and through open water, the Inuit quickly mastered the Canadian Arctic.”

“The invention of the qamutik (dog sled) and umiak (women’s boat) allowed them to cover great distances in search of game and to ferry large quantities of food and gear. The kayak, which was used to hunt game along the coasts in summer and at the sea ice edge in winter, however, was the cornerstone of the Inuit hunting economy.”

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