Adventurer's trek claim 'ignorant', say islanders

Camilla Hempleman-Adams, an adventurer from Wiltshire, has recently faced backlash for her claims regarding her solo trek across Baffin Island, Canada. She stated that she was the first woman to traverse this vast island alone, covering a distance of 150 miles, or 241 kilometers, on foot and skis. However, her assertion has been met with criticism from the local Inuit community, who argue that her claim reflects a misunderstanding of their history and culture. They pointed out that their people have navigated these routes for generations, and they feel that her comments stem from a 'dangerous colonial attitude. ' In response to the criticism, Camilla expressed her regret, stating, 'It was never my intention to misrepresent any historical achievements or cause distress to local communities. ' Following the backlash, she deactivated her Instagram account and removed her expedition blog. Camilla's journey took her from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung, passing through Auyuittuq National Park. Before embarking on her trek, she mentioned that Parks Canada had confirmed there were no historical records of a female solo attempt on that route. However, Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, an Inuit woman living in Ottawa, countered this by explaining that traversing the terrain is a normal part of life for her people. She expressed her feelings about the situation, saying, 'The article hit people really hard in a very sensitive spot, because of our history and the difficulties we face every day in combatting Western colonialism. ' Gayle emphasized that Camilla's approach seemed to come from a place of privilege and ignorance, likening it to bringing news of a new continent to Europe and claiming, 'there's nobody here! ' In reality, the Inuit have a rich history and presence in the region. The Inuit community has faced numerous challenges due to their historical treatment, and Gayle highlighted how colonialism often benefits from dispossessing indigenous people of their land and erasing their history. According to the latest census, Baffin Island has a population of 13,148 people. In a statement, Camilla apologized for the offense her expedition coverage caused, expressing her deep respect for the land and its people. She stated, 'I have travelled in this region multiple times and hold immense admiration for its nature, culture, and traditions. ' Camilla expressed her sadness that her journey might have caused concern or upset, and she remains committed to learning from this experience and engaging with the community respectfully. Gayle Kabloona viewed the misunderstanding as a valuable learning opportunity for others. She noted that many individuals who lived traditional nomadic lifestyles have passed away, raising concerns about the loss of cultural practices over time. She is currently working on mapping out the route her family has taken for generations during their spring migrations to caribou hunting grounds. Gayle shared a personal story about her grandmother, who gave birth to her father in a tent during one of these journeys, stating, 'Two days later, she got up and carried on walking. ' This illustrates the strength and resilience of her people. While Gayle welcomes visitors to the region, she disapproves of the term 'explorer,' as it carries connotations of imperialist expansion. She encourages people to enjoy the outdoors but warns against perpetuating the idea that the Inuit lack a history in their own land. She stated, 'Saying you're the first person to do anything in an indigenous country is insulting. ' Gayle urges everyone to show respect to the land and the people who have preserved it for generations.