"The man who turns his back upon the comforts of civilization, to face the primordial simplicity of the North, may estimate success at an inverse ratio to the quantity and quality of his hopelessly fixed habits. He will soon discover, if he be a fit candidate, that the material habits are the less important. His pinch will come in learning properly to shape his mind's attitude toward all things, and especially toward his fellow man. For the courtesies of ordinary life, he must substitute unselfishness, forbearance and tolerance. Thus, and thus only, can he gain that pearl of great price - true companionship. He must not say "thank you"; he must mean it without opening his mouth and prove it by responding in kind. In short, he must substitute the deed for the word, the spirit for the letter." Jack London, "In A Far Country" (1899)

...if you are lucky enough to spend time in the North with Inuit, you will begin to understand that beneath some of the hardship and struggle that is all too often dwelled upon by the media, nothing much has changed since those words were written in 1899. Sharing, cooperation, mutual respect, inclusiveness and true companionship remain the cornerstones of Inuit society. This is long-term personal project about the lives of Canadian Inuit that will hopefully result in a book.