Two Inuvik youth – Mataya Gillis and Kristi Voudrach – were among eight students from the Northwest Territories who participated in this year's two-week-long Students on Ice (SOI) Arctic Expedition.
Photo courtesy of Natta Summerky/SOI Foundation
The expedition began and ended in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland with 130 students from 20 countries joining the July 23 to August 7 journey.
Shirley Manh, expedition logistics manager for SOI, said the expedition was supposed to end in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, but they had to re-route due to weather and ice conditions.
"This year we experienced some pretty interesting ice conditions, so our itinerary was a little bit different," said Manh. "We arrived at Pond Inlet … but after that, our itinerary took a twist and a turn and we ended up crossing the Davis Strait again and headed back to Greenland due to challenging ice conditions around Resolute Bay, where the expedition was scheduled to end."
Manh said even though the expedition didn't make it to its intended destination, spirits were high.
Gillis, 14, said she's been waiting for two years to participate in the program. She first heard about the SOI expedition when she was 12, but she wasn't able to apply until this year due to age restrictions.
"I was really excited that I could finally apply, and I was so happy that I got in," said Gillis. "The idea of going to Greenland, and going there on a ship with a bunch of students, I thought was really cool."
Gillis said her mom, who worked for Parks Canada and often tells stories of her adventures, inspired her to participate in the expedition so that she could explore more of the Arctic.
"It's been amazing, they have amazing workshops for us. Going into the communities and seeing all of the happy faces and all of the performances we've see all over, it's really amazing and fun," she said. "We dance and we sing and it's great to get to know such interesting people."
Greenlandic mask dancing was one of Gillis' favourite activities.
"You really get a chance to express yourself in a way, and dance and not be that shy about it," said Gillis. "There's no music, and you paint your face, and you dance."
The expedition also included educational programming focused around ocean literacy and conservation, truth and reconciliation, sustainable development goals and youth engagement.
"I'm Inuk, so I can relate to a lot of these topics," said Gillis. "It's interesting to talk to students from all around the world who can also relate … it connects us all."
Manh said the goal of the expedition is to leave students feeling connected to themselves, each other, their teachers and to nature.
"We hope they feel inspired by the ideas and all of the new information that they've gained," said Manh. "We hope they feel empowered to take everything that they've learned to create positive change in their own lives and in their communities. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to engage in cross-cultural exchange and learning in the Arctic."