Stories
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Learning to Care for Others in the Inuit Way
The Inuit emphasize eight guiding principles drawn from traditional knowledge and practices. They are called Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or simply “IQ Principles.” The first principle is Inuuqatigiitsiarniq, which is about respecting others, building relationships and caring for people. Although no culture is perfect, we have seen these values lived out firsthand. For example, Inuit elders are highly respected…
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Small but Mighty – Lessons from the Land
Have you ever seen flowers in full bloom while there is still snow on the ground? It is quite a sight! Nearly shocking. In June, while the winter snow is melting and bare patches of land begin to show, small areas of bright purple appear. Its contrast against the dirty snow and rocks is breathtaking.…
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Living a Gospel Worth Observing
Over the last few years, the team living in the Arctic has begun to learn about Inuit Qaujimatuqangit (IQ) Principles. These principles, consisting of traditional Inuit knowledge and values, are foundational to community life. The principles are often posted on signs in public places such as the elders’ hall, community gathering places, and places of…
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God’s Word in the Heart-Language of the Inuit
Did you know that the Bible is translated into Inuktitut? In March we went to a funeral, and it was for someone you might find interesting. Jonas Allooloo was a quiet, older gentleman who we would sometimes see around town. He was unwell for most of our time up here, so we never got to…
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How Inuit Art Reflects the Beauty of the Creator
God, as the Creator, displays His handiwork in many ways. In the Arctic, we stand in awe of God’s physical creation. We see His glory in the beauty of a snow-covered mountain, the vibrant colours of a summer sunset, the dancing Northern Lights and the intricacies of the dainty wildflowers. Beauty begins with the Creator…
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Learning to “follow” in Arctic Canada
“Can I follow?” In our mixed world of English and Inuktitut, this is a phrase we often hear. At first it sounded strange to our ears and didn’t always make sense, but over time we have come to realize this expression reflects something beautiful in Inuktitut. There are two verb roots we know of in…
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Spiritual Hunger: Helping Our Inuk Friends Find the Bread of Life
Jesus came to earth to satisfy those who were hungry to know the truth. He said, “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry” (John 6:35). People flocked to Him because they were searching for eternal life. This is still true today. Many people are looking for true meaning…
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From Waiting List to Final Boat – Praise God, Carolyn Is Arctic-Bound!
It is with much rejoicing that we share this news — Lord willing, our teammate Carolyn Bosman will move to the Arctic before the end of the year! Please join us in praising God for all that He has done for Carolyn so that she can take this next step in ministry. We are thanking…
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How Precious Is Light in a Dark Place
Tucked in just south of the Arctic Circle, we are starting to feel the impact of our days shortening as we head into the winter season. Currently, we are losing about an hour of daylight a week. Our town will soon bask in beautiful golden hour light before the Aurora Borealis comes out to play…