Kunoki - Introducing a brand new way to enjoy the land and raise smiles in the Arctic!


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Kangiqsujuaq

Picture report; Kangiqsujuaq, May 2007, Initiation Camp
	Montreal to Kangiqsujuaq, at birds-eye view

		In mid-May, spring is already starting to turn into summer in Montreal. As I was flying back to Kangiqsujuaq in a turboprop aircraft at low altitude, thanks to Air Inuit, I could see the Saint-Laurence River flowing free of ice. Over the valleys toward Scheferville, the melting rivers and lakes created interesting swirls of colour. Leaving Shefferville, going toward Kuujjuaq, the snow reappeared but the sun had already started to shrink the big white overcoat. In Kangirsuk, we saw that the Payne River was still hard packed with ice, but from the airport atop the mountain, we could see the flow edge was getting closer. Flying over the Hudson Straight, we admired Nunavik territory along its northeast coast and witnessed the thin ice on the Hudson Straight breaking-up. As we landed, I could see the effects of global warming that would prevent me from riding the tundra. The bay in front of the community, however, was in top condition for Paraski and the hills around the town looked perfect for spring skiing. more pictures...

	Local students are being taught by experienced local riders

		George Pilurtuut, the assistant town manager, asked me to bring a greater number of the smaller sails to this initiation camp in order to handle Kangiqsujuaq's powerful wind and to enable more "small" kids to participate. George along with Peter Oisiiq, one of the best hockey players in Nunavik and local team captain, were the two assistant instructors during the week. Thanks to good wind conditions and collaboration with the school teachers, we had some very good and productive lessons during both the morning and afternoon sessions. We received 20 to 25 people each day - not counting those who took the opportunity to ride as the sun rose .at 3:00 in the morning! more pictures...

	GGetting air born under spring sunset

		The Kangiqsujuaq Snow Park had five jumps aligned perpendicular to the dominant wind on the bay in front of the community. Between clinics, George and Peter took the opportunity to challenge themselves on the jumps. It was then that I discovered they had been training for the past two months. The wind was powerful and the five jumps became very busy as the competitive spirit pushed each rider to challenge his own limits. Later in the day, Peter Arngak, a local Paraskier who built a Paraski-adapted Kamutik, got the pull of the day as Peter Qisiiq flew over the bay with his crew! Eze Saggiaq, a young talented carver who had not had the chance to Paraski since my last visit in February, did not miss the chance to participate. He came out almost every day and participated in every activity including the alpine skiing special clinic. He is not only a great carver, but an avid skier with a great personality. more pictures...

	Learning alpine skiing .Step 1: Follow the beat

		With no wind on one of the days, George, Peter and Eze were eager to try alpine skiing. Yes, this time I brought three pairs of poles. With the snowmobile and Kamotik provided by the community, George and his son James gave us a ride up a low angled slope where I gave my first ski lesson in quite a while. On this occasion, I cut it short, since these guys were now excellent wind riders. They knew about carving .so the brief lesson looked something like this: "focus on one foot at a time, arms straight, and dance to the rhythm, following the beat." They are ready and mean! The first run provided some . interesting results. Next, we focused on "up - down and carry on with the beat" .we were getting there. As we went up behind the mountain, trying to follow some snow waves, the view turned out to be absolutely incredible. We saw the 1500 foot vertical wall rising out of the ice on the other side of Wake Ham Bay. Looking straight up north, we could see the flow edge and surrounding islands off the Hudson Straight coast. more pictures...

	Learning alpine skiing ... Step 2: Raise the challenge!

		After five good runs, George, Peter and Eze were aggressively carving in the steeper section of the mountain. We decided to go to the other side of town to the hill I skied last year. It has an incredible view toward the Northeast. Fifteen minutes later we were all up the other side ready for some new action, in steep conditions. more pictures...

	Learning alpine skiing . Step 3: We haven't had enough. Let's do it in the evening!

		Peter Qisiiq and Eze Saggiak were unstoppable. They couldn't get enough, they just wanted to go back up the mountain - after all, it's so nice to be able to ski at 9:00 in the evening when it's still light and clear. We couldn't wait for our lift (he was finishing his dinner), so we decided to climb the hill near the local rock mill. A large crow was defending its nest from a fox that ran off as we started to climb. As I reached the ridge the fox was heading north toward the mountain top. The guys were having just too much fun! After a whole day of trying this new sport and pretty well mastering it, they challenged each other on the way down on this snow that was quickly becoming harder and faster as the sun set on this extraordinary week. Nakurmiik to you all in Kangiqsujuaq. more pictures...

	Special Thanks

		Special Tanks to: The community of Kangiqsujuaq, for their warm welcome and participation. Jaaji Pilurtut for his dedication and belief in the program and continuous support. eter Oisiiq for his daily assistance and enthusiasm. The Arsanic School teachers for their proactive approach and participation. Air Inuit and First Air for their support and collaboration. by Guy Laflamme