Stories From Our Land 1.5: Nippaq
2011
3 min
Coming soon
In this short film, hunter Joshua Atagooyuk stands by a seal's breathing hole. He hunches over, silent, waiting. The sun crosses the sky, hours pass, yet Atagooyuk remains, waiting for the right moment to strike. Stories from Our Land: 1.5 gave 6 Nunavut filmmakers the opportunity to each create a 5-minute short. Each film had to be made without the use of interviews or narration while telling a northern story from a northern perspective. The project was a collaboration between the NFB and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation.
Details
In this short film, hunter Joshua Atagooyuk stands by a seal's breathing hole. He hunches over, silent, waiting. The sun crosses the sky, hours pass, yet Atagooyuk remains, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Stories from Our Land: 1.5 gave 6 Nunavut filmmakers the opportunity to each create a 5-minute short. Each film had to be made without the use of interviews or narration while telling a northern story from a northern perspective. The project was a collaboration between the NFB and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation.-
writerQajaaq Ellsworth
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directorQajaaq Ellsworth
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editorQajaaq Ellsworth
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cinematographerQajaaq EllsworthScott Parker
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director mentorScott Parker
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participantJoshua Atagooyuk
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production coordinatorGinette D'SilvaFaye Yoneda
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production supervisorMark Power
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marketing managerLeslie Stafford
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program administratorDarin Clausen
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producerDavid Christensen
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executive producerDavid Christensen
Education
Ages 9 to 17
Indigenous Studies - Identity/Society
Prior to screening, discuss the notion of patience and the feelings involved in waiting for something. Have students think of a time they waited patiently and ask whether it was worth it. After viewing the film, research the meaning of the title. (An online dictionary indicates that “nippaq” means waiting at a seal breathing hole.) Referring to materials from the Many Strong Voices program (manystrongvoices.org), research how climate change affects the community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, from the perspectives of the community’s youth.
