Turkey on the Tundra: Thanksgiving in Iqaluit

Living in a remote arctic community means that getting home for the holidays costs you at least $2000 (if you’re not from Nunavut); it also means you start developing new festive traditions with your Iqaluit companions. One of Iqaluit’s biggest holiday rituals (at least for us) is the party-size potluck, a half-day of feasting on foodstuffs brought in by 20 or more guests. This is what we did for Canadian Thanksgiving in Iqaluit this weekend, only this time, one of our friends suggested we up the ante by renting out the pavilion at Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park (pictured below). Thus, on Sunday, October 13th, we gave thanks with a few of our nearest and dearest by pairing our never-ending turkey buffet with a view of the never-ending tundra.

The Sylvia Grinnell Park Pavilion – our fantastic venue for turkey on the tundra.

Giving Thanks

Anubha is grateful for friends who are great cooks and even better company, Iqaluit sunsets, and family that remains close despite the distance.

Sara is thankful that the northern retailers stocked all the grocery necessities for Thanksgiving dinner. She is also grateful that her intermittent internet connection finally allowed for a surprise Skype call from her mom, dad, and brother.

Pictures!

Scroll down for more photos from our Thanksgiving potluck at Sylvia Grinnell Park.

Our Thanksgiving view of Sylvia Grinnell River and Frobisher Bay.

Who needs a microwave when you’ve got a wood burning stove?!

Cold and crisp outside; warm and cozy inside.

Hands up!

Group silhouette against the sunset.

What did you do for Thanksgiving in Iqaluit? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @FindTrueN. Happy Thanksgiving from us both!

• # food
• # holidays
• # iqaluit
• # life
• # tundra