A group of Baker Lake hunters made history on Aug. 15 by harvesting the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 first-ever bowhead whale. The hunters set out from the inland community on July 27, making stops in Chesterfield Inlet and Naujaat along the way. After more than three weeks on the land and on sea, the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 mayor Richard Aksawnee made a Facebook post on August 16 announcing the hunters had successfully harvested a 46-foot bowhead.

SA国际影视传媒淎 historic day for Baker Lake,SA国际影视传媒� Aksawnee wrote. SA国际影视传媒淎 group of hunters left Baker Lake on the 27th of July in hopes of harvesting something that inlanders arenSA国际影视传媒檛 familiar harvesting. A bowhead whale. Today is that day.SA国际影视传媒�

According to Philip Putumiraqtuq, the huntSA国际影视传媒檚 captain, the hunters had been stuck camping out on the land near Naujaat for nearly three weeks due to bad weather when they started to think about giving up and heading home. The conditions were so bad that they had hardly been able to get out on the water.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was getting pretty frustrating with weather, not being able to get out. A lot of the crew was getting home-sick,SA国际影视传媒� Putumiraqtuq said.

Then on the morning of Aug. 15 the waters calmed down. Three crew members had narwhal tags so the hunters decided to try and hunt some to take their mind off the bowhead.

SA国际影视传媒淎t the same time we said weSA国际影视传媒檇 keep an eye and ear out for a bowhead. Later on that day, a few hours later, we were spread out. Then we got the call that a bowhead was spotted so we got together and started to harvest,SA国际影视传媒� Putumiraqtuq said.

Putumiraqtuq said he was amazed by how big the whale was when they finally came head to head with it.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen we started going after it, boy that fish was ever fast. I was wondering how are we going to keep up with it,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

By the time they finally got the first harpoon in the seas had started to pick up again. The crew stayed focused on the hunt and eventually Putumiraqtuq was able to hit it with the grenade gun.

Although that slowed the whale down, the seas were getting dangerous so Putumiraqtuq called off the hunt and suggested they come back in the morning to try and find the carcass. When they finally located the whale the next day it was about 30 kilometres from Harbour Island.

SA国际影视传媒淭he co-captain saw the buoys floating. On arrival we knew it was dead and floating. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 when we announced that we had harvested it,SA国际影视传媒� Putumiraqtuq said.

By the time they got back to shore, news had spread to Naujaat and the hunters were greated with a heroSA国际影视传媒檚 celebration by Naujaatmiut who came on land and on boats to celebrate with them.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was as if the ocean went alive with cheers that day,SA国际影视传媒� Putumiraqtuq said.

It took a few days to butcher the meat of the whale. Some of it was given out to Naujaatmiut, some to the hunters. A large portion was packed up to be shipped to Baker Lake by plane.

When they finally arrived back to Baker late at night Aug. 20, the hunters were greeted by a fireworks display and a procession of trucks flashing their headlights toward the water. A parade around town ensued and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 end until shortly before midnight.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a warm welcoming arrival. I thank that the lord to have made it back safely with all the crew.SA国际影视传媒�

Bake Lake is now awaiting the delivery of the maktak from Naujaat so they can have a community feast. After having several days to rest at home, Putumiraqtuq extended his thanks to all the people and communities that helped make the hunt possible.

SA国际影视传媒淲e will never forget them, everyone who followed us since that day we left Baker.SA国际影视传媒�