Arctic sea ice cancer trek begins

A group of women in Nunavut will begin a long walk in the Arctic today.

The five women, including Nunavut commissioner Edna Elias, have been preparing for the trek for months.

The group flew to the tiny outpost village of Umingmaktok Sunday. This morning, they had a hot breakfast and are raring to go.

"I thought it was a really worthwhile cause and I soon realized many people were supportive and I've always sort of been cared about health and wellbeing and it made sense to do it so, I just stepped the the plate and wanted to be in support of her and many many people that are real heroes struggling or looking for cure for cancer," said Donna Olsen-Hakongak, who is one of the women walking.

Elias was the driving force behind the walk, which is called 'Women in Action Steps of Hope'.

She was emotional this morning as the day had finally come - Elias said she had been training since October.

The walkers expect to cover 35 kilometres today over the sea ice.

The whole journey is more than 200-kilometres. The women hope to make it to Cambridge Bay on May 18.