While the family is on seal hunt, the children are playing with their self-built toys on the ice, mirroring the fathers job. Seal hunting (mainly on abundant ring seals) is an important part of life for the Inuit of Pond Inlet (Inuktitut: Mittimatalik). As this depends on the existence of sea ice as the habitat of ring seals and surface to drive on, threats of earlier melting of the ice are not welcomed by the local people and makes their life more risky. Pond Inlet (Inuktitut: Mittimatalik) is a small, predominantly Inuit community in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada and is located at the top of Baffin Island. Its economy is largely service based with government as the largest employer. Small businesses that serve the community, tourism, and art work are also found. As a tourist destination, Pond Inlet is considered one of Canada's "jewels of the North". It is one of the most picturesque communities with mountain ranges visible from all directions. Icebergs are most often accessible from the community within walking distance or a short snowmobile ride in winter. Pond Inlet boasts a nearby floe edge, several dozen glaciers, explorable ice caves, and many grand and picturesque inlets. Barren-ground Caribou, Ringed Seal, Narwhals and Polar Bears are just some of the wildlife that can be encountered while traveling out on the land. Nunavut also boasts one of Canada's newest national parks named after the glaciers that can be seen north of the community on Bylot Island; Sirmilik National Park.

Year: 2013

From album: Canada and the Arctic Council

Photographer: Peter Prokosch