Canadian Arctic Expedition

Kaiariok and his daughter Ihumatoq at Bernard Harbour, Northwest Territories (Nunavut)

The Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-1918, was the first major scientific research study undertaken in Canada's North. Jointly organized by the Geological Survey of Canada and the Naval Service, it included specialists in anthropology, biology and the earth sciences and functioned under multiple mandates. One was to explore and map the western Arctic coast and adjacent islands, another was to record the daily life and habitat of the people encountered, and a third was to collect and document the region's plant, animal and geological resources. Traveling by ship and dogsled, the team endured unimaginable hardships, including the tragic loss of 17 of its members.

Copper Inuit camp near Tree River, Northwest Territories (Nunavut)

Nearly 4000 photographs and 9000 feet of motion picture film captured the observations and activities of the expedition. Presented here is a selection of the images in the Museum's collection. They constitute an invaluable visual record of Canada's western Arctic and its Inuit inhabitants in the early 20^th century.

To find out more about the Canadian Arctic Expedition.

Snowhouse of Uluksoak and three Copper Inuit women drying fox skins on a rack, at Bernard Harbour, Northwest Territories (Nunavut)

Three Copper Inuit men with fish near Bernard Harbour, Northwest Territories (Nunavut)

Kila Arnauyuk a Copper Inuit at Bernard Harbour, Northwest Territories (Nunavut)