This is a masters project completed through the Geography and Environmental Studies program at Carleton University. Sharing stories in Inuit culture has been the foundation of knowledge transfer for generations. This is my story of learning, of research, learning through relationships, and learning from the land through the stories of Elders and youth of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, during Elder-youth land camps to learn about caribou in 2011/2012. Using the Qaggiq model, I explore how nuna (land) connects us with iliqqusiq (culture), uqausiq (language), and unipkaat (living histories). The land camps are a place for knowledge renewal, to build and strengthen the connections between generations, and a place for communities and researchers to connect. Learning on the land provides the place for strengthening inuuqatigiittiarniq (relationships), inuusiqaqttiarniq (living a good life) and allows the youth to experience how the land provides niqiqainnarniq (sustenance). Storytelling connects us with others and by listening carefully there are many lessons that can guide youth in living a good life

As a research initiative, the HERD project has co-created knowledge with Inuit about their relationship with caribou in the context of the population declines and hunting ban. We conducted video interviews that were used not only for the creation of the documentary film, but also as a form of data that could be explored through an innovative analytical approach which combines documentary film and qualitative research. Through this process, we were able to co-create journal articles published on a range of social and health science topics, including identity and cultural continuity, social connections, ecological grief and mental health, Inuit involvement in wildlife management, and our visual methodology. Below you can read more about the research we have conducted.