This trip was like none other.  After one week in town there was a major wind/rain storm that caused the Duval River to flood, leading to severe erosion along the river banks, and compromising the stability and utility of the bridges that connect two parts of town.  The bridge closer to the Fiord had just recently been built to replace the old bridge, but hadn’t yet been put into use.  A week after this storm, erosion enhanced by permafrost melt had left both bridges without sufficient support and the older one was literally falling into the river.  Elders around town had never seen anything like this - although spring flooding is common they attributed this severe erosion to warmer spring temperatures and disturbance from the storm that caused enhanced melting of permafrost.  So, although I was in town to follow up on our ongoing sea ice project, to verify previously drawn maps of sea ice features and uses, and to conduct a few new interviews, much of the town’s energies were understandably focused on the formal “state of emergency” that had been declared.  These bridges provided access for all municipal services, so this was the first challenge to restore (which they did very quickly!), but even so peoples’ access to work, stores, transportation, etc. will be affected for weeks and probably months to come.

Due to many emergency Hamlet meetings, and full time job commitments, I was unable to work with Eric this trip, but met a new interpreter Eena who was very helpful in setting up interviews, interpreting, and helping with the HTA map verification meeting.  I also had a lot of help from the HTA throughout, with their generous provision of meeting and interview space, and lending of a survival suit for a boat trip.  So, we managed to have several important meetings related to the sea ice mapping and terminology, as well as several related projects with the High School and Parks Canada.  We also managed eight new interviews, with some folks we hadn’t been able to interview for the past few trips, so that was wonderful! 

Other unique experiences during this trip included attending the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans community hearings, and watching the Federal Government’s formal apology to residential school survivors on TV.  For both, it was fascinating to witness community member responses to these events, and I felt very fortunate to be a part of them as well.

It was also amazing to be in Pang at this time of year, to watch the progression of sea ice break-up, although it made it difficult to get out by skidoo or boat for nearly the whole trip.  So on top of the bad weather, it was that spring transition time where most people are stuck in town.  I did get the chance to go on a wonderful hike with Donald and his dog Akulik up the Duval River though, with an amazing view of town and Pangnirtung Fiord.  I was also fortunate to get out on a bit of a boat trip on my last day in town, which was just gorgeous, although we couldn’t get into Cumberland Sound because of all the ice that had been blown together at the mouth of the Fiord.