Geographical society welcomes its first Inuk explorer

Actor and Inuit games athlete Johnny Issaluk has been named explorer-in-residence with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

The society’s explorer-in-residence program aims to draw attention to work being done by Canada’s top scientists and conservationists to promote the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

Chesterfield Inlet-born Issaluk has 20 years’ experience competing in and coaching traditional Inuit games. He’s a motivational speaker and mentor to Inuit youth.

Issaluk has an impressive resume as a film and stage actor, too, with recent roles in Stratford’s The Breathing Hole and AMC’s television show The Terror.

The self-described “man of the outdoors” is also the first Indigenous person to serve in the role.

“I felt very honoured and humbled that some people had recognized the work I’ve done for my land and my people,” Issaluk said. “This is a great opportunity for Inuit.”

Issaluk was welcomed to the new role at a May 15 ceremony at the RCGS’s new headquarters in Ottawa.

Issaluk said the new role won’t change his focus for now; he still plans to lead a handful of excursions in Nunavut this summer and fall.

The most important aspect of the role will be the exposure this new platform will bring to conservation in the Arctic and the preservation of Inuit culture, Issaluk said.

“Johnny Issaluk is a man of many talents. He’s a global ambassador for Inuit culture,” the RCGS said in an email to Nunatsiaq News last week.

“He is also an explorer who has been to many of the most remote corners of Nunavut. He is all of these things and much more.”

Issaluk’s fellow RCGS explorers-in-residence include cave diver Jill Heinerth, stormchaser George Kouronis, rower and canoe racer Mylène Maquette, along with survival instructor and writer Adam Shoalts.