Enter the Nattinnak Centre, Pond Inlet's celebrated visitor centre and cultural heart, for a private guided session with Inuit elders and master carvers — an unscripted window into Inughuit cosmology, oral history, and living Arctic artistry.
What to expect
The Nattinnak Centre's soaring windows frame the fjord and Bylot Island glaciers as your guide introduces you to the Tununirmiut people's history — from pre-contact whale hunting to the establishment of the hamlet. An elder takes the floor and narrates — through your interpreter — legends of the land, the spirits of the narwhal, and what the midnight sun means spiritually. In an adjacent workshop, a master carver shapes soapstone before your eyes; the works available here are authentic, provenance-guaranteed pieces collected nowhere else on Earth.
Good to know
The Nattinnak Centre is a 5-minute walk from the pier — easily self-navigated. Arrive early as cultural program slots fill quickly once multiple cruise ships are in port. Purchasing a soapstone carving directly from the artist at the centre ensures full authenticity and the entire sale price goes to the community. Bring CAD cash or confirm card payment availability in advance.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Pond Inlet — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.