Iqaluit hunters head out for first bowhead whale hunt in years

At Iqaluit's breakwater Friday morning, the fleet assembled. An armada, about half a dozen boats strong, mustering to catch a bowhead whale. The hunters in their orange flotation suits looked almost in uniform, embarking on a mission to help feed their community. A CBC crew followed them as best we could. Shortly after pulling away from the breakwater, the boat scattered to cover the Frobisher Bay waters in search of the whale. Hunters spoke before the pursuit of staying out on the water all day if they had to, but only about three hours in, the radio channel squawked with excitement. A sighting. The boat sped to where the animal was spotted, but after waiting about 30 minutes, they fanned out once more, the prey having eluded them. By 2.30, some decided to give clam digging a try, with plans to set up camp and resume the chase later. The bowhead hunt is a tightly regulated affair. Iqaluit hunters haven't got the okay from Fisheries and Oceans Canada for one since 2022. Some spoke of this as their first time, and they called it an exciting chance. In a community that has long grappled with sky-high grocery prices, country food can fill many plates, and a bowhead may yield meals for people across the region, promising an incredible bounty for Inuit, and to fulfill that promise, the hunt will continue. Liam Britton, CBC News, Iqaluit.