Oceans North produces film tribute to Lancaster Sound

An environmental group is paying tribute to the beauty and heritage of Lancaster Sound in a new short film thatmadeits debut at the Banff Mountain Film Festival this weekend.

• Scroll down for the Inuktitut version

Shot in and around Pond Inlet, the film is based on a poem byIqaluitartistLaakkulukWilliamsonBathoryand narrated byJeannieArreak-Kullualikof Pond Inlet.

The video retells part of the Inuit creation myth ofNuliajuk, goddess of the sea, in light of the profound changes facing local communities due to climate instability and industrial development.

"First and foremost, we want this piece to really resonate with people from the region," producer ChrisDebickitold CBCQulliqhost KevinKablutsiak, adding that the film was also well-received by its southern audience at the festival.

Debicki, of Oceans North Canada, madethe film to highlight the importance of establishing a national marine conservation area in Lancaster Sound.

The federal government announced proposed boundaries for the park in 2010, and set up a committee with Inuit groups, but the process remains unfinished.

Debicki hopes the new Canadian government, which he calls "a fresh start," will see the film and move the process ahead.

"They'll be a new support and new impetus behind getting this done," he said. "We're hopeful and very optimistic."