When people think of the Arctic, often the words ‘barren’, ‘harsh’, and ‘hostile’ come to mind.

1. When people think of the Arctic, often the words
‘barren’, ‘harsh’, and ‘hostile’ come to mind.

2. But in fact, the Arctic is a beautiful, vibrant place that is full of life and always changing. We DO
get summers, believe it or not! It may not be very warm, but the snow does melt. The land and
environment shape us as Inuit. Our clothing, our food, our traditions and customs are all shaped
by our land and environment. Inuit have always had a connection to the land. It is a connection
based on knowledge and respect.

3. Inuit know the land. Inuit have an in-depth, intimate knowledge of our homelands that is not yet
fully recognized. Take the example of the search for the Franklin Expedition ships – the HMS
Erebus and HMS Terror. This search occurred every summer for years. In 2016, the Terror was
“discovered” only when Inuit testimony about the location was taken into account and Inuit
knowledge was recognized.

4. I grew up in Iqaluit, Nunavut, which is about 2100KM north of Ottawa. Just a little over 4 years ago
I moved to Cambridge Bay, which is about 1800KM north of Edmonton. Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit
are quite different. Actually, all regions and communities across the Arctic are very different from
one another…all unique, all beautiful. I grew up camping and hunting with my family. For weeks at
a time, we would be off with our tents and boats to go clam digging, berry picking, caribou
hunting, and do lots of fishing!

5. At a young age I experienced the healing powers that the land provides us, especially considering
the history of Inuit being taken from the land and forced to live in what we now call towns. I came
to better understand this as I grew up and learned our history and spent more time on the land.

6. I love to go hunting - hunting is an important part of my life. Being on the land is what I spend my
time and energy on. Whether it’s going off on my snowmobile or All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), out
hunting or fishing, or just going out for the sake of being on the land. I love to hear the birds
between spring and fall, it brings me peace.

7. Hunting on the land is also my right. Article 5 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement recognizes
our rights to harvest and for wildlife management. Inuit fought very hard for the Nunavut Land
Claims Agreement. I will always use my voice and exercise my rights to protect our Arctic
landscape and ensure future generations can enjoy hunting and being on the land as I do.

8. Candice Pedersen