Last week marked a significant milestone for a unique project and journey. David and I have been collaborating on a unique co-management project since 2020, and have just launched Nanuk Narratives this past week to amplify Inuit perspectives on living with nanuk (polar bears).
Nanuk Narratives emerged from a collaborative dialogue initiative supported by co-management boards in Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. Recognizing the diversity of views about polar bear management in the Davis Strait, an independent and interdisciplinary team of professionals were given the time and space to brainstorm and imagine some new ideas that may have an impact. The group had Inuit from three different regions of Inuit Nunangat, social scientists, public health professionals, a lawyer, biologist, and academics. We were intentionally trying to create a dynamic that broke away some common dichotomies in this sector.
After months of in-depth discussions and collective brainstorming, the interdisciplinary working group recognized and narrowed in on a core focus to center Inuit knowledge and leadership in polar bear management discussions. They highlighted the importance of sharing Inuit perspectives with wider audiences, including policymakers, researchers, and the general public. This emergent vision led to the development of Nanuk Narratives, a project idea that leverages the power of documentary filmmaking to capture and share the connection between Inuit communities and polar bears.
This docuseries showcases the depth and richness of Inuit experiences relating to polar bear hunting practices, food preparation, cultural traditions, safety risks, and co-management. From the beginning, we wanted this series to be educational, with short, bite-sized videos under 10 minutes that share a glimpse into the diversity of connections Inuit have with polar bears. We felt that this short-form approach not only helped with a faster video-editing process, but also allowed more community filmmakers to be involved because they could work on a piece of the series without needing to commit to a long-form film.
Nanuk Narratives emerged from a collaborative dialogue initiative supported by co-management boards in Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. Recognizing the diversity of views about polar bear management in the Davis Strait, an independent and interdisciplinary team of professionals were given the time and space to brainstorm and imagine some new ideas that may have an impact. The group had Inuit from three different regions of Inuit Nunangat, social scientists, public health professionals, a lawyer, biologist, and academics. We were intentionally trying to create a dynamic that broke away some common dichotomies in this sector.
After months of in-depth discussions and collective brainstorming, the interdisciplinary working group recognized and narrowed in on a core focus to center Inuit knowledge and leadership in polar bear management discussions. They highlighted the importance of sharing Inuit perspectives with wider audiences, including policymakers, researchers, and the general public. This emergent vision led to the development of Nanuk Narratives, a project idea that leverages the power of documentary filmmaking to capture and share the connection between Inuit communities and polar bears.
This docuseries showcases the depth and richness of Inuit experiences relating to polar bear hunting practices, food preparation, cultural traditions, safety risks, and co-management. From the beginning, we wanted this series to be educational, with short, bite-sized videos under 10 minutes that share a glimpse into the diversity of connections Inuit have with polar bears. We felt that this short-form approach not only helped with a faster video-editing process, but also allowed more community filmmakers to be involved because they could work on a piece of the series without needing to commit to a long-form film.