Latest news with #Kabloona
National Observer
25-04-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Opponents, knives and blood in Nunavut
A New Democrat, a Liberal, a Conservative. Knives, raw fish and blood. The table is set for the debate between the candidates for the Nunavut riding — incumbent Lori Idlout (New Democratic Party), Kilikvak Kabloona (Liberal Party of Canada) and James T. Arreak (Conservative Party of Canada). The three aspiring parliamentarians cut small pieces of fresh fish with one of the ulus on the table — "a knife used by Inuit women,' whispers an Inuit woman to Le Devoir 's reporter — then listen attentively to the 30 or so voters who have come to ask them questions at the invitation of the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre. Judging by the topics discussed, the cost of living overshadows all other issues on Baffin Island. In Nunavut, a quarter of people aged 18 to 64 — 'working age' — suffer from food insecurity, the facilitator points out. 'Hear, hear!' shouts a virtual spectator through the speakers of one of the laptops broadcasting the discussion on Facebook and Google Meet. First, the three candidates for the single seat representing Nunavut in the House of Commons agree to review the Nutrition North Canada program, which the Harper government launched in 2011 to make food more accessible in the region. Many Inuit suspect that retailers are pocketing some of Ottawa's financial assistance, which would limit the reduction in the retail price of essential products on Nunavut grocery store shelves. The New Democrat specifically accuses the Northwest Company of making excessive profits through the program. 'We need to make sure that Nutrition North is supporting people, not for-profit companies like the Northwest Company,' said the lawyer, who is seeking a second term in Ottawa. Last February, the Trudeau government appointed Innu leader Aluki Kotierk to review the program. A good move, said Kabloona, after the only microphone was pointed at her again. The Nutrition North Canada program was a key focus during a debate between Nunavut's candidates for its only seat in Parliament. Two-way race Nunavut was once Liberal red (1997-2008, 2015-2016) and Conservative blue (2008-2015) before turning New Democratic orange (since 2019). Canada's largest riding is now the scene of a two-way race between the NDP and the Liberals, according to poll aggregator 338Canada. Kabloona says she agreed to run under the Liberal banner on condition that Mark Carney's team also commit to continuing the government's Inuit Children First Initiative, which aims to guarantee Inuit children access to health care (speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy), social services (programs focused on land or cultural beliefs and practices) and education (screening tests, technical and electronic assistance). 'This is just the start' of the Liberal plan to address food insecurity, which is hitting Inuit communities in Nunavut hard, she said. 'We need small harbours, we need ports. Those are the things that will reduce the cost of food in the long term. We also need immediate support, such as food banks and food centers in other communities. We need full-time hunters so that there is local food and jobs, not just roaming food,' she said calmly. 'There are opportunities in Nunavut for us to feed ourselves and for us to export food. All of that will allow people to eat and work.' Kabloona also makes this an issue of land tenure — and Canadian sovereignty in the Far North. Idlout argues that the Liberals are 'not keeping their promises,' either in the South or in the North. 'Liberals have promised that the Inuit Children First Initiative would be extended, but they have cut staff,' she says. 'Feeding their families' Idlout is not content with simply urging Ottawa to strengthen its existing programs. She is calling on Nunavut employers to end the blanket requirement for a university degree to get a job. 'Inuit are experts in land management, wildlife management and their arts and skills. We need to recognize and make sure that it's easier for them to earn an income so they can feed their families,' she repeats, keeping an eye on her remaining speaking time on her phone screen. On his side of the table, Arreak points out that the CPC is proposing a cut of '15% of the lowest income bracket, which will put an extra $900 in the pockets of those that deeply need this,' before acknowledging that many Inuit do not file income tax returns. He then called Carney a spender, 'more than Trudeau,' and denounced the new gun restrictions and carbon tax imposed by the Liberals. 'Every liter of jet fuel used to bring food up has been charged with the carbon tax,' he said, before being called to order by his New Democratic opponent. Planes carrying essential goods for Nunavut were exempt from the carbon tax, Idlout pointed out, regretting that her Conservative friend was spreading 'fake news to confuse voters.'
The Guardian
10-04-2025
- The Guardian
UK adventurer apologises for record trek claim after Inuit backlash
A British adventurer has apologised after her claims to be the first woman to traverse Canada's largest island solo were dismissed by members of the Inuit population who criticised her dangerous 'privilege and ignorance'. Camilla Hempleman-Adams, 32, covered 150 miles on foot and by ski while pulling a sledge across Baffin Island, Nunavut, in temperatures as low as -40C and winds of 47mph (76km/h) during the two-week expedition last month. The trek took Hempleman-Adams, the daughter of the adventurer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung, through Auyuittuq national park. But her claims have been described as incorrect, with local people saying they had travelled the same route for generations. Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, an Inuit artist based in Ottawa, said on Instagram: 'There is no way in hell a British coloniser is coming to Inuit Nunavut in 2025 and claiming any firsts. 'My gramma walked hundreds of kilometres yearly, often pregnant, to spring fishing and winter caribou hunting grounds because that was life. Every inch of this continent has Indigenous history and stories like this. Help me call out this ignorant and racist behaviour.' Kabloona said the matter had affected the community because many people who lived traditional nomadic lifestyles had died, raising concerns that cultural practices would gradually be lost to time. 'The article hit people really hard in a very sensitive spot because of our history and the difficulties we face every day in combatting western colonialism,' she told the BBC. 'This woman is coming here from such a place of privilege and ignorance that it seems dangerous. It was almost like she was bringing back news of a new continent to Europe and saying: 'There's nobody here!' We were and still are.' She added: 'It's such a clear example of how colonialism benefits from dispossessing Indigenous people of their land and writing us out of history.' Hempleman-Adams wrote on her expedition website before departure: 'Parks Canada has confirmed there are no historical records of a female solo attempt from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung.' Kabloona said this was because crossing the terrain was considered 'a normal way of life for them'. Hempleman-Adams, a producer living in London and the youngest British woman to ski to the north pole aged 15, said: 'It was never my intention to misrepresent any historical achievements or cause distress to local communities. 'Before undertaking the expedition, I researched and verified the accuracy of my claim with Parks Canada and local outfitters in both towns who confirmed that there was no known female solo winter crossing from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung. 'However, if this information is incorrect, I apologise unreservedly for making an incorrect claim and for causing offence.' She added she was 'truly saddened' that coverage of her trek 'may have caused concern or upset … I remain committed to learning from this experience and engaging with the community with the utmost respect.'
CBC
09-04-2025
- CBC
British woman apologizes for claims she set a record in Nunavut
A British traveller has issued an apology after claiming she was the first woman to solo traverse Nunavut's – and Canada's – largest island. Camilla Hempleman-Adams completed the trek from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung, through the Akyashuk Pass, last month. Many media outlets around the world reported her as the first woman to trek solo across Baffin Island, causing outrage among some Nunavummiut. Inuit Heritage Trust said it doesn't maintain such records. Neither does Parks Canada, which pointed out that "Inuit have inhabited Inuit Nunangat since time immemorial, leaving footprints, history and knowledge across all lands, passes, and traditional places in the North, Nunavut, and Auyuittuq National Park." In a written statement to CBC News, Hempleman-Adams apologized for the offence her claims have caused. She said before the trip, she researched and verified the accuracy of her claim with Parks Canada and local outfitters in Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung. "However, if this information is incorrect, I apologize unreservedly for making an incorrect claim and for causing offence," she said. "I have deep respect for the land, its people, and their history. I have traveled in this region multiple times and hold immense admiration for its nature, culture and traditions … and I remain committed to learning from this experience and engaging with the community with the utmost respect." Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, who pushed for Hempleman-Adams to issue an apology, said it was badly needed. "She misrepresented Baffin Island as a whole and the area and just the history of people who were here before colonization," Kabloona said. Every Inuk has a story of long journeys across Nunavut, she said, and she's currently mapping out a route her family used to take from Chantrey Inlet in the Kitikmeot region to get to caribou hunting grounds. On one of those occasions, her grandmother gave birth to Kabloona's father. "And then two days later, they got up and kept walking because they had to find food," she said. "That's just what everybody's grandma did." Kabloona also believes there isn't enough education – or news coverage – about Inuit history in Canada because of colonization, so she said she isn't surprised that people abroad don't know about it either.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Adventurer's trek claim 'ignorant', say islanders
An adventurer who claimed to be the first woman to solo traverse Canada's largest island has been criticised for her "privilege and ignorance". Camilla Hempleman-Adams, from Wiltshire, covered 150 miles (241km) on foot and by ski across Baffin Island, Nunavut, completing the journey on 27 March. However, members of the native Inuit population said her claim was incorrect and came from a "dangerous colonial attitude", with people there having travelled the same route for generations. Ms Hempleman-Adams has since apologised, adding: "It was never my intention to misrepresent any historical achievements or cause distress to local communities." The solo trek across Baffin Island took Ms Hempleman-Adams from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung, crossing through Auyuittuq National Park. Ahead of departure, she wrote on her expedition website: "Parks Canada has confirmed that there are no historical records of a female solo attempt from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung." But Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, based in Ottawa, said this was because crossing the terrain is considered "a normal way of life" for Inuit people. 'The article hit people really hard in a very sensitive spot, because of our history and the difficulties we face every day in combatting Western colonialism," she said. "This woman is coming here from such a place of privilege and ignorance that it seems dangerous. "It was almost like she was bringing back news of a new continent to Europe and saying 'there's nobody here!' We were and still are. "It's such a clear example of how colonialism benefits from dispossessing indigenous people of their land and writing us out of history." In a statement, Ms Hempleman-Adams apologised for the offence caused by her expedition coverage. "I have deep respect for the land, its people, and their history," she said. "I have travelled in this region multiple times and hold immense admiration for its nature, culture and traditions. "I am truly saddened that the coverage of my journey may have caused concern or upset, and I remain committed to learning from this experience and engaging with the community with the utmost respect." Ms Kabloona said the matter had affected the community because many people who lived traditional nomadic lifestyles had now passed away - raising concerns that cultural practices will gradually be lost to time. She is now in the process of mapping out the route her family has taken for generations while migrating south in spring, towards the caribou hunting grounds. On one of these annual 186-mile (300km) journeys, Ms Kabloona's grandmother went into labour and gave birth to her father in a tent along the way. "Two days later, she got up and carried on walking," Ms Kabloona said. "She did that in every single one of her pregnancies, traversed our land, because that is our way of life and always has been." Ms Kabloona said she welcomed visitors to the region but disapproved of the "outdated" term "explorer", as it carried with it connotations of imperialist expansion. "If you want to come and enjoy the outdoors, please do so," she said. "The danger is going back with this colonial attitude and disseminating information like the Inuit don't have history there. "Saying you're the 'first person' to do anything in an indigenous country is insulting. "Show respect to the land and the people who have kept it pristine for your adventures." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Woman aims to complete solo Canadian trek Explorer completes solo Canadian island traverse
BBC News
09-04-2025
- BBC News
Camilla Hempleman-Adams faces Inuit backlash for "privilege and ignorance"
An adventurer who claimed to be the first woman to solo traverse Canada's largest island has been criticised for her "privilege and ignorance".Camilla Hempleman-Adams, from Wiltshire, covered 150 miles (241km) on foot and by ski across Baffin Island, Nunavut, completing the journey on 27 members of the native Inuit population said her claim was incorrect and came from a "dangerous colonial attitude", with people there having travelled the same route for Hempleman-Adams has since apologised, adding: "It was never my intention to misrepresent any historical achievements or cause distress to local communities." The solo trek across Baffin Island took Ms Hempleman-Adams from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung, crossing through Auyuittuq National of departure, she wrote on her expedition website: "Parks Canada has confirmed that there are no historical records of a female solo attempt from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung."But Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, based in Ottawa, said this was because crossing the terrain is considered "a normal way of life" for Inuit people. 'The article hit people really hard in a very sensitive spot, because of our history and the difficulties we face every day in combatting Western colonialism," she said."This woman is coming here from such a place of privilege and ignorance that it seems dangerous. "It was almost like she was bringing back news of a new continent to Europe and saying 'there's nobody here!' We were and still are."It's such a clear example of how colonialism benefits from dispossessing indigenous people of their land and writing us out of history." In a statement, Ms Hempleman-Adams apologised for the offence caused by her expedition coverage. "I have deep respect for the land, its people, and their history," she said."I have travelled in this region multiple times and hold immense admiration for its nature, culture and traditions. "I am truly saddened that the coverage of my journey may have caused concern or upset, and I remain committed to learning from this experience and engaging with the community with the utmost respect." Ms Kabloona said the matter had affected the community because many people who lived traditional nomadic lifestyles had now passed away - raising concerns that cultural practices will gradually be lost to time. She is now in the process of mapping out the route her family has taken for generations while migrating south in spring, towards the caribou hunting one of these annual 186-mile (300km) journeys, Ms Kabloona's grandmother went into labour and gave birth to her father in a tent along the way. "Two days later, she got up and carried on walking," Ms Kabloona said."She did that in every single one of her pregnancies, traversed our land, because that is our way of life and always has been." Ms Kabloona said she welcomed visitors to the region but disapproved of the "outdated" term "explorer", as it carried with it connotations of imperialist expansion. "If you want to come and enjoy the outdoors, please do so," she said."The danger is going back with this colonial attitude and disseminating information like the Inuit don't have history there. "Saying you're the 'first person' to do anything in an indigenous country is insulting. "Show respect to the land and the people who have kept it pristine for your adventures."
