The Baffin Island Expedition is complete, but the lessons learned and Inuit voices are just beginning to be reflected upon and shared. We have returned to Minnesota and to a new season - May in Minnesota is green and lush; lilacs bloom and spill over back yard fences; maples, elms and birches show off their brand new leaves. Up on Baffin Island it is spring too, with snow melting off the black rocks, ice opening up on the long rivers that run down from the interior, young seals learning to swim and polar bears mating.

The Arctic, though beautiful beyond words, is an unforgiving host. Those who wish to live and thrive there must learn to adapt as a means of survival. We came to listen to the voice of the Inuit people. Of course, as in any culture, there are a million voices each one with its own unique perspective on the world. Despite differing perspectives, however, we did hear common threads.

The day has finally come, to leave the beautiful snowy north we have come to know and love so dearly. Thank you, students, teachers, friends, family, whoever you might be, for following our expedition over the past three months. We hope our stories have provided at least a small amount of insight and inspiration, and have kindled a desire to protect the unique Arctic environment while we still can. We also hope you will continue to visit globalwarming101.com for global warming solutions, action stories and updates from upcoming expeditions. Think globally and act locally! Do what you can in your own community to slow global warming.

 

Abby and Elizabeth at the airport 653.33 Kb

With great hope and determination,
Abby Fenton & Elizabeth Andre

Temperature: 10 °F/ -12 °C
Wind: 9 MPH/ 15 KPH
Cloud Cover: Clear blue skies
Sunrise: 2:46 a.m.
Sunset: 12:08 a.m.

 

The schools in Iglulik, Nunavut are full of life and energy. The walls are decorated with student artwork, bright posters, and historic photos from the community. Sprinkled throughout both schools are handmade signs welcoming the Global Warming 101 Expedition Team back home. While Iglulik isn't home for all of us, the warm welcome we continue to experience makes it feel like it could be. Students greet us with smiles and waves at every turn.

Temperature: 7 °F/ -14 °C
Wind: 8 MPH/ 13 KPH
Cloud Cover: Cloudy all day clearing in the evening
Sunrise: 2:54 a.m.
Sunset: 11:59 p.m.

Iglulik is located on a small island on the northeastern corner of Melville Peninsula, 50 miles north of Hall Beach and about 1,000 miles north, east and south if you take the Global Warming 101 Expedition route from Iqaluit. The name "Iglulik" means "there is an igloo here" in Inuktitut and its 1600 residents are known as Iglulingmiut ("people of the igloo"). Iglulik is considered the cultural capital of Nunavut by many because of the cultural continuity that has been preserved in tradition and language. It is one of the most traditional Inuit Communities in Nunavut and one of the oldest in the north with over 4,000 years of history in one place. Through an active elders group (Inullariit Society), the elders teach valuable land skills and traditional sewing techniques to the community. The Igloolik Research Center has spearheaded an oral history project aimed at preserving the elders' traditional knowledge. Iglulik is also the home of well-known stone, antler and ivory carvers as well as two video production companies, Isuma Productions, which specializes in cultural programming, and a local office of the Nunavut-wide Inuit Broadcasting Corporation.

The trick for the mushers was going to be to get the dogs to run towards the edge of the polynia and then turn right, skirting along its edge, just between Jerry and his tripod and the edge of the water. There was no path for the dogs to follow, so Stetson in the lead sled would be telling Whisper, the lead dog, which way to go using "Gee" for "right" and "Haw" for "left.

I had asked Harry, one of our Inuit friends who met us with our resupply of dog food and fuel, if the ice was thin near the edge. "Oh yes," he replied, "very very thin." When Simon and I had fallen through thin ice a few days ago, it was merely an inconvenience - it was a warm day and we were close to shore in shallow water. This polynia, however, was in the middle of a wide stretch of sea ice with deep water below it.