Photo: SPOTlight on land safety

SPOTlight on travelling safety: with temperatures warming up across the Arctic, and the sun staying up longer in the sky, many Nunavummiut and Nunavimmiut are going out on the land and sea ice to hunt, camp and enjoy the Arctic’s bountiful landscape. Recent search and rescue operations, like the successful five-day search for MLA Pauloosie Keyootak, are a good reminder to prepare well by travelling with a partner or group, telling family and friends where you’re going and packing for at least 72 hours on the land with extra clothes, food, fuel and camping equipment. Bring a GPS unit, maps or a compass in case of GPS failure, and sign out a free SPOT locater device from your local HTO or hamlet office. SPOT devices, which send signals via GPS, can make the difference between life and death when you run into trouble out on the land. If you get lost, the GN recommends you stay with your equipment rather than wandering off and to activate your SPOT device. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)