ARTS , CULTURE & EDUCATION
capturing its beauty, its history and its spirit. Elder gatherings, Inuit inmates in penal/halfway institutions, milestone events leading up to the establishment of Nunavut, highway construction, to name just a few, are all events immortalized by Hans’s lens. His book The Voices of the Natives: The Canadian North and Alaska, which includes essays from Northerners along with a selection of his photographs, is a testimony of his love and respect for the land and its people. As Peter Irniq, then Commissioner of Nunavut,
summarized it so well in a 2001 letter, “Hans is a true ‘Ambassador’. He is our voice in southern Canada and the world. He has also become a good friend of us Northerners — we trust him”.
Paths Cross Now, back in Nuuk, Greenland, July 1, 2010. Early afternoon. The official conference procedures are underway. In the centre of the u-shape conference installation, where all delegates can see it, the traditional qulliq is burning. Aaju is sitting in the audience when she notices that the qulliq needs to be tended to. Unfortunately, she cannot interrupt the conference. Her anxiety level goes up one notch and she starts asking around for some- one to go tend it. The president of Greenland who lit it earlier in the day is not available and no one present knows how to do it. She has no choice but must do it herself. But first, out of respect for the Inuit culture and the qulliq itself, she needs to put on a traditional outfit. Luckily, it is also time for a recess in the proceedings. As soon as she can, Aaju walks towards the qulliq, takes the tending stick and proceeds with the traditional gestures of
making the flame more contained. At the same time, she sings a traditional song reminding us all how we need to care for the environ- ment and how important wildlife and seal are. Without their fat, the qulliq could not be lit. “I felt intimidated because it was not my
place to tend the lamp as I had not been invited to do so. But, at the same time, I felt honoured to have received the call to tend the lamp. It is such a fundamental part of our culture,” Aaju remembers. Shortly after Aaju finishes her song, Hans
walks by. With his trained eye always on the lookout for a special moment to immortalize, Hans notices her. Over the last four days, he has photographed and has been by the qulliq at various occasions. “But this time, I noticed something totally different happening and it fascinated me! I moved right in, close to get some shots of the very interesting human being whom I didn’t know who she was nor where she came from. But what fascinated me was her personality, the tattoos on her and the way she responded to me. I feel some- times I was perhaps a bit too pushy but I saw some possibilities and she reacted to me. This is why we have the reflections of her hands in the oil. I had to move freely and I’m not afraid to do that under those circumstances and I’m very happy about it,” he recalls. The photo session goes rather swiftly as Hans does not want to be in the way of other photographers nor does he want to interfere in any way with the procedure of the conference. All communications between the two of them is done through their eyes. Seven minutes later, they part but both quickly inquire who the
other person is. Aaju knew of Hans but she had no clue he was the person standing in front of her a few minutes ago. As soon as he returns home in Ottawa, Hans hurries to send some of the photos to Aaju. She is delighted and feels honoured that Hans felt compelled to take photos of that very meaningful moment for her. In hindsight, Hans immensely regrets not
having taken the opportunity to speak with Aaju. Undoubtedly, when their paths cross once again at Rideau Hall, they will have much to say to one another. This ceremony will also bear a very special meaning for Hans who was one of the few accredited photographers to attend the very first Order of Canada ceremony on November 24, 1967. Congratulations Aaju! Congratulations Hans! May your paths cross again many more times!
France Rivet
France Rivet lives in Gatineau, QC. She loves sharing her passion for the North through her photos, writings and presentations. You can follow her adventures and see more of her work at
polarhorizons.com.
March/April 2012
above & beyond
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© BOB DAVIS
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