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Nunatsiavut to Nunavut Expedition 2024
Overview
SOI’s 2024 Nunatsiavut to Nunavut Expedition will be a transformative journey that brings together 44 diverse international youth aged 14-24 with scientists, Indigenous Elders, artists, educators, and experts aboard the expedition icebreaker Oqwatnukewey Eleke’wi’ji’jit (Polar Prince). The journey spans two regions of Inuit Nunangat starting in Nain, Nunatsiavut, sailing north through the Torngat Mountains, and concluding in Iqaluit, Nunavut. This expedition offers a unique hands-on learning experience that will connect youth with the history, culture, policies, and ecology of the lands and ocean in the Nunatsiavut and Nunavut regions of the Canadian North.
Throughout the journey, our floating classroom will be a hive of activity every day! Participants will engage in activities such as environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of marine biodiversity and insight into conservation efforts. They will explore coastal areas, participate in on-the-land activities connecting with nature, go on hikes, zodiac cruises amongst icebergs, engage in on-shore workshops with experts and Indigenous Elders, and so much more. These immersive experiences delve into the interplay between marine protection and coastal ecosystems, showcasing the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of protecting these environments.
Key Information
Route / Location
The expedition will begin in Nain, Nunatsiavut, and travel to key locations such as the Torngat Mountains National Park, through Imappivut, across the Hudson Strait, to Hantzsch and Resolution Islands, before concluding in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Dates
July 22 - August 6, 2024
Theme / Focus
Regional culture, history, biodiversity, ocean conservation, and the interplay between marine protection and coastal ecosystems.
Number of Participants
44 international youth aged 14-24, along with scientists, Indigenous Elders, artists, and experts.
The Journey
Beginning on July 22, youth gather in Ottawa and travel as a group to Happy-Valley Goose Bay, Labrador before proceeding on to Nain, home to the largest community in Nunatsiavut. The team will board the MV Polar Prince in Nain and head north towards Torngat Mountains National Park, one of the few national parks managed through an Indigenous-led approach. We will also sail through Imappivut, a proposed marine conservation area, before setting across the Hudson Strait towards Hantzsch and Resolution Islands. The journey will turn north into Frobisher Bay before reaching its conclusion in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Purpose
- Provide immersive educational experiences about the rich social, cultural, and natural history of these regions
- Foster understanding of the biodiversity of these regions
- See and experience the interplay between marine protection and coastal ecosystems
- Foster cultural exchange and collaboration between diverse youth, Indigenous Elders, scientists, educators, and experts.
Impact for Youth
- Gain a deep understanding of the Arctic’s social, cultural, and natural history
- Inspired to become ambassadors for environmental stewardship and cultural preservation
- Understand first-hand the interconnectedness of life on the land and in the water
- Develop leadership skills, critical thinking, and a sense of global citizenship
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