Nunavut to Kalaallit Nunaat 2025: Expedition Recap
This summer, 20 youth from across the North and beyond embarked on the Students on Ice (SOI) 2025 Nunavut to Kalaallit Nunaat Expedition, a transformative learning journey aboard the MV Ocean Endeavour. Together with educators, scientists, and cultural knowledge keepers, participants explored the intersections of Indigenous knowledge and Western science to better understand Arctic ecosystems, marine conservation, and the changing North.
Over 12 days, the journey—from Ottawa to Iqaluit and across to Greenland—fused hands-on science, Inuit knowledge, and powerful personal growth.
Before setting sail, participants gathered in Ottawa for team-building and reflective workshops. They braved a zipline at Camp Fortune and dove into Journaling 101 with SOI Educator Mike Jensen, forging trust and unlocking new confidence. One participant captured it:
“The zipline activity made me realize I didn’t have to be defined by my fears or lack of experience any longer.”
Learning through Two-Eyed Seeing
From the icy waters of Baffin Bay to the fjords of West Greenland, the expedition emphasized learning through Two-Eyed Seeing—combining the strengths of Indigenous and Western worldviews. After departing Iqaluit aboard the expedition vessel, youth received a warm welcome with a qulliq lighting ceremony, described by one Inuk participant as “very much a hug from my anaansiak.”
When stepping ashore in Qikiqtaaluk/Jackman Sound, participants learned land protocols for respectful exploration. They observed caribou, lemmings, ancient tent rings, and orthocone fossils, guided by team scientists. Riley Adams-Lachance, a youth from Rankin Inlet, NU shared:
“By learning about the journey of the rocks from Ellesmere Island, I gained a new appreciation of the lives of the rocks, and the crazy stories that they could tell.”
Youth took part in hands-on workshops on glaciology, iceberg dynamics, marine biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change. They applied scientific tools like thermal cameras and telemetry, and contributed to fieldwork alongside specialists in marine biology, botany, and marine protected areas.
Climate change was a constant thread woven through these workshops and daily experiences. At Jackman Sound, smoke from tundra fires drifted across the landscape, echoing the devastating forest fires taking place farther south—“a stark reminder of the changing climate in the North.” A river hike in Panniqtuuq revealed visible permafrost thaw alarmingly close to the community’s water source, underscoring the vulnerability of Arctic infrastructure. Onboard, a climate change presentation with scientists J. Sherman Boates and Gwen Freeze helped frame youth observations of wildlife, glaciers, and shifting ecosystems within the broader context of a warming Arctic. These lessons culminated in the final days with a polar dip in the icy waters of Greenland and reflective letters written to participants’ future selves—a personal reckoning with resilience and responsibility.
Equally important were the cultural exchanges that deepened participants’ appreciation for Inuit knowledge systems and ways of life. On a Zodiac cruise near Baffin Island’s Qikiqtarjuaq, participants encountered bowhead whales, polar bear tracks, and a young ringed seal. These adventures paired with a biodiversity workshop, demonstrate how vital tradition and ecological awareness are intertwined in Arctic contexts. As one youth, David Aglukark from Iqaluit, NU, reflected:
“This expedition has allowed me to have a deeper connection with the land I come from.”
A Journey of Culture and Identity
Throughout the voyage, youth connected through shared stories, music, language, and traditions. These moments created lasting bonds and strengthened cultural pride. Several youth spoke about how the experience expanded their sense of identity and belonging. Jordan Brown from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, said:
“I grew up feeling like I knew the North and what it held… but to see the North in this way has been indescribable. It has expanded my eyes, heart and mind much further than we’ve travelled over our journey – and more than l could’ve ever expected.”
During free time aboard the ship, youth engaged in Inuktitut language workshops led by Myna (an Inuk educator). Tiki Stefure from Tuktoyaktuk, NT, learned how to introduce herself—“Tunngasugit uvanga Tiki – Welcome, I am Tiki”—and reflected on dialect nuances, particularly between Inuktitut and Sallirmiutun. Others, like Ijeoma Nwafor, expanded her linguistic horizons by practicing multiple languages—Inuktitut, Malaysian, Indonesian, Serbian, and French—fostering rich cultural exchange onboard.
Inuit youth fully embraced their roles as cultural ambassadors, generously sharing knowledge and traditions with the group. Highlights included an engaging presentation on dog sledding by SOI educator and Resolute, NU resident Devon Manik; Inuit games and throat singing demonstrations; and the sharing of traditional foods—moments offered with pride and received with respect and gratitude. Non-Inuit participants also shared stories and customs from their own cultures, adding to the rich tapestry of exchange. In Ilulissat, Jordan and Byron made connections to their culture and history as they observed the towering ice. They saw the ice not only as breathtaking landscapes, but as a “portal through time,” with glacial striations resembling traditional tattoo patterns—a powerful reminder of continuity between past and present.
Ocean Stewardship and Personal Growth
A central theme of the expedition was ocean conservation and the Sustainable Blue Economy. Youth compared marine management strategies from their home regions, bringing perspectives from across Inuit Nunaat and beyond. This peer-to-peer exchange enriched the conversation and highlighted the importance of international collaboration in protecting the ocean. As Malou Platou Johansen from Nuuk, Greenland, shared:
“I had the opportunity to meet youth from Nunavut and compare the similarities and differences in our cultures. It was nice to meet people who care about the ocean with an Arctic focus.”
For many, the expedition was not only about science and conservation, but also about personal growth, leadership, and self-discovery. Participants spoke of pushing beyond comfort zones, strengthening their voices, and building friendships that will last a lifetime. Melissa Denniston of Nain, NL, reflected:
“This expedition has been amazing, it has helped me grow in ways I never expected and has helped me get out of my comfort zone to use my voice to express my thoughts and concerns about the North (my home).”
And for others, the landscapes themselves left a lasting impression. Sazida Marzia of New York City, USA, said:
“While on expedition, I have seen vast and open skies and seas, sunsets unlike any other, and glaciers the size of mountains. I have been reminded of how much world and life there is outside of my city bubble.”
Looking Ahead
As the Ocean Endeavour journeyed from Nunavut to Greenland, it carried more than people across the Davis Strait—it carried stories, knowledge, and hope for the future. The 2025 expedition empowered youth with the tools, perspectives, and confidence to return to their communities as leaders, ready to contribute to a more sustainable and connected Arctic future. In Tiki’s words:
“The people I met and the things I have learned will forever have an impact on my life.”