Way, way down south

Jesse Tungilik made history last month. As part of Ottawa-based Students on Ice, the 17-year-old from Arctic Bay became the first Inuk to plant the Nunavut flag on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Though not the first to travel to the fifth-largest continent (an Inuk pilot was probably the first person of Inuit descent to visit the region), 17-year-old Tungilik is certainly the youngest Inuk to set foot on the 14-million-square-kilometre land mass covered in ice.

“Next time I’d take more pictures,” he says of his experience.

Tungilik was one of 47 teens from around the world who travelled with Students on Ice from Dec. 15 to 30. The group, led by two dozen scientists and educators, is only the third Students on Ice expedition. This summer, a similar trip will take a group of students around the Arctic.

The Antarctica expedition converged in Miami and flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17. The group left Argentina only days before the country’s economy collapsed and protesters took to the streets.

Students boarded the Finnish icebreaker M/V Polar Star the following day and spent two days crossing the treacherous Drake Passage — a stretch of water known for its powerful circumpolar current.

However, seasickness, known as the “Drake flu,” was never a problem for Tungilik, who moved to Campbell River, B.C., two years ago to pursue a career with the Canadian Coast Guard. “I love being on the sea,” he says. “A lot of places reminded me of the Arctic.” he says.

Bright skies, sharp eyes

It’s summer in the southern hemisphere, which meant mild temperatures and long days. The extra sunlight helped students spot fin whales and penguins.

Tungilik was singled out for his ability to spot animals and landmarks before teachers or other students. He spied the first iceberg after two days at sea, and won a T-shirt for his efforts. “I was just in the right place at the right time,” he says.

Rounding Cape Horn, South America’s most southern point, on the return trip was a memorable part of the journey. “Few people get to see it,” he says. “I’ve read so much about it. It’s a legendary place.”

On Dec. 21, the longest day of the year, students piled into inflatable, motorized boats and headed for shore. A colony of several thousand penguins was waiting for them on the ice.

Classroom lectures aboard the ship focused on climate, politics, plants, mammals, birds and explorers. Historian Jonathan Shackleton, a descendant of noted Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, was one of the speakers.

The group celebrated Christmas with a turkey dinner, gift exchange, and a penguin dip — the Antarctic version of a Polar dip — followed by a soak in volcano-warmed hot springs.

Tungilik went tobogganing, but unlike his Irish counterparts who stripped down to their underwear, he kept his clothes on. The final night on the ship included a dance and talent show.

It’s about feeling alive

Chris Ralph, operations manger for Students on Ice in Ottawa, has high hopes for the participants. “It’s about feeling alive while learning about the world you live in,” he says. “We connect students who share a love of life and a desire to visit faraway places. We hope students leave with a new understanding and respect for our planet.”

A satellite connection on board the ship allowed students to post daily journal entries on the Students on Ice Web site (www.studentsonice.com) during their two-week adventure.

Tungilik’s only regret was not using the connection to e-mail family and friends. “I meant to, but typing in 25-foot waves is not easy,” he says. “The trip was an incredible, humbling experience. I’d do it all again in a second.”

It was Jesse’s father Marius Tungilik of Iqaluit, who hatched the plan to send a Nunavut flag with his son. “I knew it would be the first Nunavut flag to fly down there,” Marius says. “I’m very proud of my son. It’s an excellent opportunity for him. It will certainly broaden his horizons.”

Tungilik’s former teacher Ron Elliott got the teen involved with the program. Elliott, who lives in Arctic Bay, heard about a last-minute seat with Students on Ice in early December. Within weeks, Elliott raised the $10,000 program fee from government and Inuit organizations.

Back home in Campbell River, Tungilik is finishing high school math and physics courses before applying to college.

“I also want to do more travelling,” he says. “I’m keeping my options open.”