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Sunday, August 23rd - Rose Island
The first night in Torngat mountains base camp is now behind us; our adventure in the Torngat Mountains started with observing a black bear enjoying the sweetest berries around the camp! Accompanied by Gary’s team from Parks Canada and three bear guards, we started our adventure to Rose Island (Sallikuluk). On our way to the island, a polar bear, whales, and seals were welcoming us.
Rose Island, the island known for the numerous Inuit’ graves, is also an island covered by various kinds of berries. I will not forget the sweetness of the blueberries! One of the first sites we visited was a grave that hosted 113 Inuit whose individual graves had been excavated between 1969 and 1971. The individual graves were excavated without any permission from the community and the remains were kept away from their home for more than 24 years. One elder and two young Inuit from the Torngat Mountains built this large grave in 1995 when the remains were returned back to their original place. Now, they are sleeping in peace at the grave surrounded by the most beautiful scenery: the magnificent mountain on the one side and the breathtaking beauty of the ocean on the other side.
A 20 minute walk away from the grave, we saw a turf house. The house would have been framed by whale bone when it was used by the families. We learned from Gary, with big surprise, that more than 15 Inuit had lived in this little house. While thinking about what we had learned and enjoying the hike around the island, I choked by the violent use of pure curiosity. The archeologists were extremely curious about the graves and excavated them before thinking how disrespectful their actions were. I, as a student, learned the importance of paying attention to others’ perspectives and considering every aspect before taking any action.
The day finished with the small hike to the beautiful water fall behind the base camp.
Yukie Hata
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Rose Island, the island known for the numerous Inuit’ graves, is also an island covered by various kinds of berries. I will not forget the sweetness of the blueberries! One of the first sites we visited was a grave that hosted 113 Inuit whose individual graves had been excavated between 1969 and 1971. The individual graves were excavated without any permission from the community and the remains were kept away from their home for more than 24 years. One elder and two young Inuit from the Torngat Mountains built this large grave in 1995 when the remains were returned back to their original place. Now, they are sleeping in peace at the grave surrounded by the most beautiful scenery: the magnificent mountain on the one side and the breathtaking beauty of the ocean on the other side.
A 20 minute walk away from the grave, we saw a turf house. The house would have been framed by whale bone when it was used by the families. We learned from Gary, with big surprise, that more than 15 Inuit had lived in this little house. While thinking about what we had learned and enjoying the hike around the island, I choked by the violent use of pure curiosity. The archeologists were extremely curious about the graves and excavated them before thinking how disrespectful their actions were. I, as a student, learned the importance of paying attention to others’ perspectives and considering every aspect before taking any action.
The day finished with the small hike to the beautiful water fall behind the base camp.
Yukie Hata
Back to main page
On Rose Island.
A curious polar bear.