Uqaluraq/Uqannguat

Indigenous Knowledge

Uqalurait ᐅᖃᓗᕋᐃᑦ
'In the early fall, heavy snowfall makes large, soft, rounded drifts called uluangnait, so named because they look like cheeks. Later, the uluangnait are shaped by winds, especially the Uangnaq wind into drifts called uqalurait. These drifts are tongue shaped. Uangnaq also creates another kind of drift known as qimugjuk, meaning "ridged", because it forms on the lee side of an obstacle, such as a rock or raised piece of sea ice exposed to the wind.' (Iglulik, North Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut Arctic College Media. 2020. Anijaarniq: Inuit landskills and wayfinding. Retrieved from: https://www.anijaarniq.com/snow.)

Uqannguat ᐅᖃᙳᐊᑦ
'A type of snowdrift created by strong winds. They create tongue-like formations on the ground. Some part of the snowdrift will be hanging and has a little piece under it, holding it off the ground, that makes it looks like a tongue [uqaq 'tongue'].' (Charlie Takatak, Sanikiluaq. Elicited by Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk, March 2026.)

Primary photo credit: "Uqannguat, Sanikiluaq" by Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk, 2026. Used with permission.

Second photo credit: "Uqannguat, Sanikiluaq (2)" by Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk, 2026. Used with permission.

Third photo credit: "Uqannguat, Sanikiluaq (2)" by Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk, 2026. Used with permission.

Fourth photo credit: "Uqannguat, Sanikiluaq (4)" by Lisi Kavik-Mickiyuk, 2026. Used with permission.