Inukrock, climbing in Nunavik | The Press

Daniel Samisack’s eyes light up when he talks about climbing. Joined by Zoom In his village of Inukjuak, Nunavik, the 17-year-old says that these days, he is logging on a particularly difficult path. With his hands, he mimics the dynamic movement he will have to succeed in order to reach a tiny hold.

Mary Tison
The Press

“For now, I’m not able, but it’s a project I’m working on,” he says. It’s really fun. »

Daniel Samisack is one of the young leaders of Inukrock, the Inukjuak climbing club, along with Blade Oweetaluktuk, Sandy Williams and Samwillie Tullaugak.

They have access to a modest interior wall at the Inukjuak community center, but also, and above all, to a beautiful rock wall that stands on the tundra near Hudson Bay.

The instigator of the program, Audrey Hachey, is very proud to see these young people participating in this way. “I was a spark because climbing was not known here. But there, the fire, it burns! »

Audrey Hachey, a social worker, came to Inukjuak with her climbing shoes in 2019.

“I told them as a joke that I had chosen Inukjuak because there was a climbing wall, but they know that deep down it’s somewhat true. The wall was practically abandoned, but she began to climb it and invite young people to get on it.

While exploring the surroundings of Inukjuak, Audrey Hachey noticed a particularly promising cliff for climbing. Looking closely, she saw that there were already anchors for four lanes: someone in the past had seen the same potential.

Funding

A local community organization, Sirivik, donated $2,000 to purchase materials. “With that, I was able to bring mini-groups to the cliff. »

But more money was needed to develop the place. “I told the young people that it had to come from them. Three of them came with me to see the mayor. We asked for $10,000. A few hours later, there was a council meeting and they accepted. »

Audrey Hachey immediately contacted veteran Paul Laperrière, who, since the early 1970s, opened approximately 800 routes in Quebec and Cuba. A few days later, he was at the top of the wall in Inukjuak to install anchors and introduce young people to route setting. It’s demanding work, which notably requires rigorous brushing of the rock, but it pays off: the cliff now has 23 routes, of varying degrees of difficulty.

Paul Laperrière took the opportunity to train the young leaders in belaying.

“For young people, climbing is stimulating, it’s a challenge. And then they can go and see if there are other walls elsewhere. There is exploration to be done,” he adds.

The Inukrock club organized a first major climbing initiation day for the community on September 10, on the occasion of International Suicide Prevention Day. Thirty people showed up, a great success for the club.

Other projects

Inukrock still has projects, such as a refurbishment of the interior wall, which is in great need. The club hopes to receive donations to help it achieve its dreams.

At the end of the summer, Audrey Hachey left for several weeks. Then the oldest leaders, Blade Oweetaluktuk and Sandy William, went south to study at John Abbott College. Daniel Samisack and Samwillie Tullaugak then took matters into their own hands. Much to Audrey’s delight. “They took on autonomy. If you want to create leaders, you can’t be there all the time. They are beautiful, I love them! »