I never thought that raw narwhal (toothed whale) would taste like coconut or be so hard to chew.
Narwhal is a traditional Inuit country food, which I had the opportunity to try at the Arctic Youth Ambassador Caucus 150 in Iqaluit.
Global Vision’s Junior Team Canada brought together 25 youth from southern Canada and 25 youth from northern Canada for the AYAC 150 to encourage north/south dialogue. I submitted a video application and was fortunate to be selected as the sole delegate from B.C. to travel to Iqaluit March 8-12.
We attended roundtables on climate change, food security, health care and education and learned from guest speakers and our northern peers. It was an amazing opportunity to explore Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut, during Canada’s sesquicentennial.
We saw the northern lights and experienced wind chill of -50 C. We also met the Honourable Paul Quassa, one of the last Inuit who grew up in an igloo. He is now the minister of education for the legislative assembly of Nunavut. We also heard how climate change is personally affecting Northerners’ lives and culture.
As the permafrost melts, people’s homes are cracking. It is unsafe to hunt on thinning ice, and imported supermarket food costs are twice that of the rest of Canada.
I’m used to the closeness of the Deep Cove community, but I was surprised that in Iqaluit almost everyone knew each other.
Traditionally the Inuit have connections in different communities in case the food source was low in one community so that they could help each other out. I was also surprised to meet teens originally from the Philippines and Hong Kong now living in Iqaluit with their families.
Attending the Arctic Youth Ambassador Caucus was an eye-opening experience. I am grateful for North Vancouver community’s support helping me fundraise $2,750 which represents 40 per cent of my participation costs. Local businesses and CISV Vancouver, a global friendship program to which I belong, also helped me fill three suitcases of groceries and toiletries to donate to the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank.
AYAC 150 alumni from across the country are currently writing a report of their mission to share with sponsors and their communities. I know that not everyone will get the chance to visit Canada’s Arctic. I look forward to being an Arctic ambassador and sharing with residents of Deep Cove.
Linnea Goh is a Grade 10 French immersion student at Windsor secondary. She was selected to represent B.C. at the Arctic Youth Ambassador Caucus 150 in Iqaluit March 8-12.
Every month we ask a Seymour or Deep Cove student to send us their musings on life and what they are learning in their elementary or high school. If you know a student who would like to participate, please email editor Maria Spitale-Leisk at [email protected].
