Hunters celebrate season in Iqaluit

Hunters and their families gathered at the Nakasuk Elementary School grounds Saturday to share country food and listen to live music as the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association celebrated the Iqaluit-based organization’s 50th seasonal gathering.

Formed in 1973 and officially established with an elected board in 1983, the association has held an annual gathering in Iqaluit 50 times, interrupted by a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Beautiful weather,” said Jimmy Akavak, the association’s chairperson. 

Hundreds of people of all ages attended the gathering, which ran throughout the afternoon.

Live music included a set by Johnny Saunders of Kuujjuaq, backed by Iqaluit’s Norbert Poitras on drums.

A wagon piled high with seal, ptarmigan, geese and goose eggs was the main attraction as the association doled out stew and raw country food for participants to take home.

With young people learning to hunt early in their lives, the future is bright for the association, said Akavak.

“A lot of young people — 85 per cent —  still go out [hunting] with the elders, their family, mother and father,” he said.

“They’re still learning as they watch.”

The association holds approximately five small gatherings throughout the year, during which hunters share country food with the community.