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18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Nukagpianguak hunting in the mountains

Siorapaluk is the northernmost village of Greenland, and of the planet. Forty people live there, most of them hunters and families. In Siorapaluk, hunting is still the main occupation. Life is communal and based on sharing and mutual aid, harmonious with nature. Proud of their culture residents try to keep their lifestyle alive, as it stays threatened by the Western world : global warming, melting ice, natural disasters, Pollution. Government adopted a policy of closing small villages to gather the population in big city. My neighbors warmly welcomed me into their family and bright universe. Nukagpianguak hunting in the mountains. He explains to me that there aren't many fish here. Fishing is not practiced, (apart from the summer arctic char fishing.) All the fishermen are in Qaanaaq where halibut is abundant. At this time of year, the arctic hare is mostly hunted. Nukagpianguak takes me hare hunting. After having traveled an hour by sled on the ice at -30 °, we climb the mountain in search of footprints and excrements to spot the hares. The hare is called ukaleq in Greenlandic.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Siorapaluk, Greenland
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © camille michel