Victoria Jason

the first woman to paddle solo through the Northwest Passage

Victoria Jason, the first woman to paddle through the North West Passage and author of Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak, travelled through Pelly Bay on a 7500 km odyssey, now part of the territory of Nunavut, the hamlet had changed its name to Kugaaruk. Kayaks were nowhere to be found. They were replaced by motorboats in the 1950's. The Inuit elders say, "Back in the old days, the kayaks were quiet, the animals weren't afraid. Now with the boat and motor, the animals are afraid. The young will not want to use a kayak to hunt." (translated from Inuktitut)

Victoria Jason watched the children waving to her from the shoreline as she embarked on another adventure in her yellow kayak. She decided then that she must help the kayak return to Pelly Bay. She found support in the community and 4 kayaks were purchased. She started with the children, teaching them that "the kayak knows what to do." The community and, most importantly, the elders quickly understood the importance of the return of the kayak and it can once again help support the Inuit community.

Victoria Jason was a "kabloona" a white stranger, who returned this legacy to the hamlet of Kugaaruk and to us all.

 

Victoria Jason

April 24, 1945 to May 24, 2000

 

More about the kayak

The Inuit gave the world the kayak. The kayak was designed for hunting. It provided a fast, maneuverable hunting platform at sea. Hunting tools could be lashed to the deck. Kayaks transported the nomadic Inuit as they moved from one hunting camp to the next.