The Land was Always Used,
Nattilik Heritage Centre and Parks Canada
For this project, Know History collaborated with Knowledge Holders in Nunavut to share Inuit knowledge and stories about the disastrous 1845 Franklin Expedition, as well as the land and sea surrounding the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.
Know History worked with Parks Canada, Inuit Knowledge Holders, and community members to share the history of Inuit knowledge about the 1845 Franklin Expedition and the land and sea where the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror lie. The project not only showcased these intricate histories but also gave Inuit youth and adults the opportunity to develop skills for collecting and sharing oral histories within their own communities. Know History completed fieldwork and research, interviewing 19 Knowledge Holders in Gjoa Haven, Ugjulik, and Terror Bay.
We worked with local community liaisons and interviewers to ensure that all participants could give the interview in the language and dialect of their choice. We created captivating interpretive materials such as audio clips, archival quotes, and video clips to be used for the Franklin exhibition at the Nattilik Heritage Centre and regional airports. We wrote a book that was published in late 2024, that focuses on Inuit voices and includes incredible images by Canadian Geographic photographer Michelle Valberg. Know History values sharing important stories and increasing accessibility to Indigenous history across Canada. All of the final products have been translated into English, French, and Inuktitut.
Order your copy of the book at www.thelandwasalwaysused.ca. All proceeds from book sales go back to the Nattilik Heritage Centre and the community of Gjoa Haven.
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These Inuit are the co-authors of this book. The Knowledge Holders in Uqsuqtuuq today bring not only their own but also their ancestors’ experiences to life. In speaking with us, they voiced their wish that this book would give family members a sense of their history and connect future generations with the wisdom of the past.
– Excerpt from The Land Was Always Used: An Inuit Oral History of the Franklin Expedition, by Connie Wren-Gunn.
Lead Author, Connie Wren-Gunn, is Know History’s Director of Content and Interpretive Products, and was honoured to spend five years working with Knowledge Holders and community members in Gjoa Haven to bring their knowledge, history, and words to the page.
