This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Beyond 49e At the same time, more and more companies are developing or consolidating activities and tourist packages thanks to the Nordic Incubator-Accelerator. The objective of the initiative: to make the enchanting territory of the Far North more accessible to wilderness adventurers while generating positive economic, social and environmental benefits. Our collaborator took part in an expedition to Lake Wolf, in Nunavik, organized by the Inuit company Nunawild and supported by the Incubator.
Thanks to a providential breakthrough in the clouds, our Twin Otter found its angle of approach to land gently on the oblong surface of Lake Wolf, from Kuujjuaq. Floatplane is the fastest — and most exciting — way to reach Allen Gordon’s Inuit camp, deep in the tundra that stretches as far as the eye can see. Three camps built on site with wood brought from the “South” complete the landscape.
When our little group had just arrived at the camp, a handful of retirees from Kuujjuaq or the North Shore, all madmen from the Far North, landed in a charter plane. Not to participate in an outdoor expedition like us, but to lend a hand for a few weeks to build a new camp. In exchange: three daily meals and miraculous fishing trips in perspective.
While they take out the two-by-fours transported from the plane, we put on our boots for our part to explore the spongy territory of Wolf Bay, to discover the Arctic fauna and flora. Thus begins our expedition organized by the Inuit company Nunawild.
Our guide takes out his binoculars. “A solitary musk ox that has probably been excluded from the herd by the dominant male,” whispers Allen Gordon, founder of Nunawild, scanning the reliefs of the tundra. This tireless entrepreneur was a municipal councilor in Kuujjuaq before founding his business and employing members of the community.
As we made our way through the brush, between crowberry, cloudberry and juniper berries, we tried to see Allen’s “muskox”, which looked more like, to our neophyte eyes, a small dark dot whose displacement blurs as we try to grasp it.
Off-trail hikes like this are part of the activities provided by Nunawild. Just like the fishing trip in a motor boat that we will also do on the Koksoak River, in search of trout weighing around ten pounds, which we put back in the water after the usual photo. Because the dinner menu is already planned by Phillis and Paul, a couple of retired Ontario employees of Nunawild, who share the tasks during the summer to welcome visitors, offer cuisine with local products.
From that first evening, we were won over by the enthusiasm of our hosts and the magic of the territory swept by a gentle breeze that repels flies — a 100% organic mosquito repellent! — while revealing the ballet of the aurora borealis.
A helping hand for the North
Nunawild is one of the companies supported by the Nordic Incubator-Accelerator (IAN), a partner of the Ministry of Tourism and the Société du Plan Nord. It aims to assist ecotourism businesses located north of 49e parallel that are in the start-up or acceleration phase. The prerequisite for benefiting from the program: develop activities in ecotourism (outfitters included) or in Aboriginal culture.
Three cohorts of approximately 37 businesses, located on the North Shore, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, in Nunavik or in Eeyou Istchee (Baie-James), have already benefited from this support, which includes an envelope of 8 million dollars spread over three years of activity as well as support. This program is administered by three organizations recognized for their commitment and authority in the outdoor community: Aventure Écotourisme Québec, Québec Aboriginal Tourism and the Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec.
“I go out into the field and see the positive spinoffs of this program wherever we work with entrepreneurs,” says Anne Lemieux, manager of the IAN, enthusiastically. Like the creation of sea kayaking packages in Baie-Comeau or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, or even a wilderness stay in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. These companies are part of an approach of fairness, safety and eco-responsibility. »
This initiative could make Northern Quebec more accessible to wilderness adventurers. “For now, this program is too recent to measure its concrete impact, but its objective is to generate, in the medium and long term, positive economic, social and environmental spinoffs,” argues Anne Lemieux. The effects of this program should seduce lovers and those curious about the Far North.
The Nunawild package at Wolf Lake camp lasts 8 days (7 nights) and is done in groups of 6 to 12 people. Price: $7,000 from Montreal, flight and meal included.
Nunavik within reach of adventures
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.