animals of the arctic

Living With Polar Bears in Pangnirtung

As people hunt, fish, and trap on the land, they no longer feel the same sense of safety they once did. Bears are breaking into cabins, making experiences on the land more uncertain. In this video we hear from knowledge holders from Pangnirtung as they share their experiences with bears.

Nippaq - The Seal Hole

The millennia-old relationship between Inuit and polar bears is cinematically explored through a shared source of food: seals. Bear and human hunters both wait patiently by the tiny breathing holes seals have carved into the frozen icescape. Through bears, Inuit have learned to be still, waiting for the rare moment to strike to eat and survive.

Observations of Polar Bears Around Makkovik

What do the changing ice conditions mean for polar bears? Knowledge holders in Makkovik share their views, and their experiences with changing bear behaviour. They also reflect on the importance of hunter education and connection to culture for sustained relationships with bears.

The Making of Nanuk Narratives

The co-creation process of Nanuk Narratives involved a collaborative effort between Inuit communities, wildlife co-management boards, local filmmakers, and interdisciplinary experts. This video celebrates some of the many people who were behind this work.

How Inuit Co-Exist With Wildlife

What do polar bears mean for Inuit?

Ikimaliq Pikilak, an artist, filmmaker, and cultural knowledge holder based in Nuuk, Greenland, shares a unique perspective on the deep emotional connections between Inuit and polar bears. She describes a reciprocal connection, and how hunters have learnt much from bears over many generations.

A polar bear broke into his cabin!

In 2021, a bear broke into Tony Andersen's cabin outside of Makkovik, Nunatsiavut. Many people within Makkovik and other communities across the Davis Strait range have experienced similar issues, with bears causing damage to property.

Growing Up in Polar Bear Country!… En savoir plus