Iqaluit trio invited to replicate traditional kayak shown in Kangiqsujuaq

In what’s planned as a month-long process, a trio of young men from Iqaluit are preparing to replicate a kayak that is currently being exhibited at the Pingualuit National Park interpretation centre in Kangiqsujuaq.

Izaac Wilman, Robert Comeau and Aasivak Arnaquq Baril make up the Qajakkut Society, a program that is part of the Inuit Heritage Trust. Established in 2016, Qajakkut Society aims to revive the art of building kayaks.

Their expertise in building kayaks was called upon by Nunavik Parks, which is organizing the event as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. Nunavik Parks also invited kayak expert and replica builder Harvey Golden to help out.

“When they reached out to us, we were really excited about it,” said Arnaquq Baril, president of Qajakkut, in an interview during the group’s layover in Kuujjuaq.

The original seven-metre kayak was built by Maasiu Ipuaraapik Ningiuruvik in the late 1950s and is composed of bearded seal skin, beluga tendons, wood and metal.

The group will use wood and nylon to build their replica. They intend to create two kayaks, one that is covered and the other just the bare frame so that others may analyze the interior and remake a traditional kayak for themselves.

Previously, the group has built traditional kayaks in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay and Coral Harbour, with only the available knowledge on how it was built.

Replicating Ningiuruvik’s build is a whole different process, said Comeau.

“There are few really technical aspects to this build,” he said, describing this type of kayak as the Eastern Arctic regional style akin to what the group has seen on Baffin Island.

The knowledge to build this style is not as well preserved as some other traditional kayak types, so Comeau said the group is going to document as much as possible about the process.

Wilman added that the group can write down their own techniques and what they discover along the way.

“We eventually contribute to a more widely known method and technique,” he said.

Robert Comeau, left, Aasivak Arnaquq Baril and Izaac Wilman comprise the Qayakkut Society. Here they stand on the beach in Kuujjuaq before their month-long trip to Kangiqsujuaq. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)

Arnaquq Baril said his grandfather might have been one of the last in his family to make kayaks traditionally.

“They are beautiful pieces of art, they are practical, it is engineering,” he said. “That technology was lost when our ways of life were changed.”

This is the group’s first time travelling outside of Nunavut to share their expertise. Comeau said it’s “cool” to be acknowledged outside the territory and have their work speak for them.

The trio will build the kayak at the Nunavik Parks garage in Kangiqsujuaq. At around the halfway mark of their build, there will be traditional tents set up where people can come and discuss with Qayakkut over tea and bannock.

“It is going to be a watershed moment,” said Comeau, “because we are going to strengthen our ability to build our own style of kayak.”

The group is stationed in Kangiqsujuaq until the beginning of October. When the kayak is built, the community will be invited to come see the fruits of their efforts.