Nain

After a rough night for the ship’s crew with high winds and waves, we awoke on the morning of our landing ready to explore the administrative capital of the Nunatsiavut government. Our expedition leader was especially excited, as Nain was home for Jason and his family. A group of Nain’s elders and community leaders joined us onboard for a welcoming message and breakfast before we set out on zodiacs toward town. There to greet us at the boat launch site were members of Nain’s brass band, playing hymns as we stepped out of the boats and removed our life jackets and boots. The old Moravian church stands at the immediate entrance into town, and we were able to take a peek inside and listen to the church’s minister speak about its history. We then set off on a tour of the town and the local radio station, which brings a variety of Inuit radio and television programming to the area.

Another Nain highlight was interacting with the community’s artists, especially its carvers and jewelry-makers. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit the home of well-known Inuit carver John Terriak, where I bought two pieces of rough labradorite that his grandson had collected nearby. The pieces shine green and blue when angled just right, almost mimicking the movement of the aurora we witnessed early on in the trip.

The final treat before leaving Nain was a short concert at the church; members of the Nain choir as well as our very own Ocean Endeavour choir group (arranged only a few days before), came together to sing a few hymns in the Inuktitut language.