In August, St. Louis Chapter member Gretchen Freund returned to the northwest corner of Greenland to accompany a Polar Inuit hunter, named Ilannquag, on a narwhal whale hunt. This social whale is known for the very long tooth that grows through the upper lip of the male, in the form of a tusk. The tusk of an adult male can be 1/3 or more as long as the total body and can weigh up to 10 kilos.

It was an incredible privilege to be allowed to accompany the hunters and their families. Gretchen spent two weeks traveling on the fjords in a small boat with the hunters and camped at a different site each night. The narwhal is hunted from handmade kayaks with harpoons – a job that is both difficult and dangerous. She was able to observe a successful narwhal hunt. This fascinating experience allowed her an appreciation for the Polar Inuit culture and traditions. Every part of the narwhal is used for one purpose or another. One narwhal will provide a family of four enough food for half a year.

She has posted the images on her website www.gretchenfreund.com under the Greenland section.