Nunavik’s Inuit residents show resilience in the face of persistent water shortages

Faced with persistent shortages, Nunavik's Inuit residents have developed ways of managing their reservoirs, with some labelling them as "resilient."

In Quebec’s Nunavik region, it’s not unusual to run out of drinking water at home, or to have a full wastewater tank. But the Inuit residents demonstrate an impressive resilience to water shortages, with many adapting to the situation without complaint as they go about their lives in a remote region of Quebec dominated by the unique tundra landscape.

“I’m not stressed about it,” says Joshua Nathan Kettler, when asked about the constant water shortages. “We grew up with it, so you have to adapt to it. Down south … you can run water no problem, and everyone takes a shower every day. Up north, you have to consume and think.”

The 24-year-old Inuit resident of Inukjuak says he has to pick up his daughter at school about once a month due to a lack of water, and take time off work until the interruption is resolved. Kettler acknowledged that the situation isn’t fair.

“But I feel blessed to have our municipality constantly working and trying to keep on top of their game, it’s nice,” he said, adding, “I feel happy as is.”

It’s a similar story in Puvirnituq, where 79-year-old Marilyn Simpson lives with her partner Paulusi Angiyou as well as Angiyou’s son and his partner, Siasi Padlayat, and their baby. The young couple is expecting another child this winter.

“There’s always a lack of water, it doesn’t matter if it’s run by machine or by hand,” said Angiyou, 75, who lived in tents and igloos in his youth.

“We’ve lived here when there was no running water,” added Simpson. “We adapt better than some people in town.”

Manon Rancourt, a former coordinator at the Innulitsivik Health Centre, marvels at the residents’ determination. “Resilient – I think that’s the best way to describe them,” she said.