Umingmaktuuq , which isn't even connected to the rest of the world yet by telephone, is one of the last hunting communities in Nunavut to be almost completely self-sustained. By southern standards, the homes here seem to be mere cabins, but for the Inuit, they're a little more comfortable than living in snowhouses, especially during winter. The one-room school houses students from kindergarten to about Grade 8. Teacher Peter Kapolak is quite busy during school days. There's a generator that supplies electricity to the classroom and other buildings close by.
All heating is done by diesel fuel stoves and heaters, which are very quiet, compared to furnaces.
Although aided by modern hunting tools such as snowmobiles, GPS receivers, boats, motors, guns and scopes, Inuit here continue to lead traditional lives. The head of each household still harvests food for the table, most of it from the land, and the wives tend to family needs in addition to their daily chores. Most days are busily spent hunting for food and gathering pelts for trade in order to purchase gas to operate new equipment. Evenings are filled by carving life's experiences into soapstone, a commodity that is in abundance not far from the community. Families still call each other over for a cup of tea or coffee, and a chat.