Published 7:18 am Thursday, August 20, 2026 HALUUQARIT. INNUIN NAMAINNAQTUT IQALUKTUUTIAMI. TATKIKHIUT QILAMINNUAQ ATULIKMIJAVUN. AUJAMI INNUIN AUDLAJUKTUT QAJAKKUT HAANTAKKUTLU. UMIAQJUAT TIKIQATALIQMIJUT IQALUKTUUTIAMUT. PULAAQTUT INNUINLU PIHUJAKPAKHUTIKLU TAKUJAKTUKTUT IQALUKTUUTIAK. INNUIN IQALIQIVAKTUT PIFFILIUQHUTIK QUANAA. TUKTUHIUKTUTLU QUANAA. QUANATAKPIAQ PAYUKTUT NIQIMIK. NAAMAINNAQTUT. NIPALUKTUKHAK PANITAKTUK NUNA. QINIQPAKLURIT ILANNUATIT NUATQATITITLU TAPKUATLU AANIAQTUT AVALIITUTLU QINIQPAKLURIT. NAAMAKLUHI. Welcome to beautiful Cambridge Bay, land of the Inuinnait. Summer is here, and this year in and around Cambridge Bay it’s very dry and badly needs rain, rain, rain. Some ponds, lakes and rivers are drying up, and in town also. The campers notice so much change in the weather, and they have to just adjust and make the best of it all. This year, many fishers notice more whitefish (kapihilik), more trout and less Arctic char when checking their nets. This has not happened before. Campers out on the land have been caribou hunting and stocking up their freezers and making dried caribou meat for food and snacks. Long ago, our ancestors harvested daily for food when most of our diet consisted only of country food, with no junk food. Today, we have stores that supply and sell food, a completely different type of food. But our dear Elders continue to eat the food from the land, as long as it is provided to them and it is always appreciated very much. Today, a few hospitals down south and in Yellowknife provide country food, not sure if they serve quaq (koak) also. With today’s new ways of living in communities, it’s most vital that we take care of our Elders to ensure they have traditional foods, otherwise they seem to get sick — not only Elders, but Innuit in general. It is the same in other countries where Innuit live. It is most important that each community works with hunter organizations, Innuit organizations and government to plan together to have a good supply of country foods available. Innuit have always shared their harvest and distributed it to other families and members of their camps. Now it is share with communities. Keep going and look after each other. Our first cruise ship for this summer has arrived already. National Geographic’s ‘Resolution’ cruise ship sailed into Cambridge Bay on Tuesday, Aug. 11. One hundred and fifty passengers and crew enjoyed their visit to beautiful Cambridge Bay harbour. On board was our very own Brandon Langan and other Innuit from Greenland and Nunavut. This year, we have fewer cruise ships sailing through the Northwest Passage, not sure why, maybe due to the high price of fuel. It is was great to see Innuit as cultural specialists sailing and teaching passengers about the land and life of Innuit. Happy sailing, everyone. School will soon begin a new year. Kindergarten kids just starting school, adult education at the colleges, new high students joining other high school students, new teachers, new friends. I wish you all a good school year and to be happy and safe. We are all proud of you as you continue your education, no matter where you are. Enjoy school and do well. God Be With You Son. You have beautiful Grandchildren.
Cambridge Bay Tea Talk: Extremely dry weather and fishing oddities
