Judah Sarpinak steadied himself on the floor of the boat, less than 15 feet from an enormous 30-foot bowhead whale.

At such close range with the powerful animal, one mistake by Sarpinak and his uncle Andy Attagutalukutuk and theySA国际影视传媒檇 be tossed into the Arctic Ocean. But Sarpinak had supreme confidence in AttagutalukutukSA国际影视传媒檚 ability to manoeuvre the boat.

SA国际影视传媒淗e was the best,SA国际影视传媒� said Sarpinak. SA国际影视传媒淚f it was not for him, we would not get that close.SA国际影视传媒�

Sarpinak plunged his harpoon into the mighty whale.

SA国际影视传媒淵eah, it was awesomeSA国际影视传媒� quite scared but exciting,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the memorable moment.

That harpoon was followed by several others from more Iglulik hunters who were quickly on the scene with their outboard motors buzzing.

The beast was gradually vanquished. It took seven boats to tow the bowhead back to Iglulik. The 50-km journey took several hours with the bulky mammal creating drag in the water.

Iglulik hunters last landed a bowhead three years ago. That one measured 27 feet.

As the boats returned, community members dotted the coastline despite it being close to 3 a.m. More and more residents made their way to the beach. They grabbed a tow rope and dozens of them helped pull the whale onto the shore.

Then, over the next 12 hours, people took turns stripping away maktaaq to take home.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 lots of meat over there,SA国际影视传媒� said Francis Piugattuk, a member of the bowhead hunt committee.

Boiling the meat is the most common way to eat it, although some prefer it raw while others dry it.

Piuggatak said there are other options to prepare the meat, commonly used in Alaska, but some traditions in Nunavut were lost with the disruption of cultural practices.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur recent ancestors were basically banned from harvesting bowhead whales so there was no bowhead hunting for a while,SA国际影视传媒� Piugattuk said. SA国际影视传媒淪o finally we are relearning.SA国际影视传媒�

The meat and blubber proved to be a timely treat for the elders gathering Iglulik hosted last week.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were hoping the hunters would catch (a whale) while we have elders from Nunavik SA国际影视传媒� northern Quebec SA国际影视传媒� and Nunavut. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e visiting here for a week,SA国际影视传媒� Mayor Celestino Uyarak said on Aug. 13. SA国际影视传媒淲e shared it with our elder visitors. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been good the last few daysSA国际影视传媒� perfect timing.SA国际影视传媒�

Uyarak sampled the whale himself. He prefers to eat the blubber.

SA国际影视传媒淥f course I have tried it. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 really good,SA国际影视传媒� he said.