Checking Seal Dens

Although you have spent some time with George on the land by now, and understand that he holds a deep knowledge of how the animals, seasons and ice move alongside each other around King William Island - you have not recorded any of this knowledge yet.

George has agreed to take you along the seal breathing holes that he is monitoring, to explain how he navigates the land and ice, on the way.

He agreed to a short interview before this trip, and a short interview afterwards.

Packing the Qamutiq (photograph by author)

George checking a seal den (photograph by author)

This is an opportunity to ask him about some of the things you have observed while spending time with him on the land, and the things you have read in the academic literature about navigation and wayfinding in the Arctic. It in particular provides an opportunity to understand how he makes his decisions when he is out on the land.

Collecting Ice

Before you leave for Coral Harbour, George has asked to drive him out to the lake with the truck. He would like to collect some ice for this tea.

When asked about why he prefers ice from the lake over the water from the water trucks he says it just tastes better- that the color of his tea looks better when he makes it with the lake-ice.

George breaking the ice surface (photograph by author)

George and Jimmy (George's grandson), collecting ice in a pan (Photograph by author)

Jimmy dropping ice in the pan (photograph by author)

Community elders, in particular, enjoy ice from the lake to drink. Return to Cut 3 to travel to co-PI Leonard Netser in Coral Harbour.

Return to Cut 3: Travel to Coral Harbour