Inuit Ancestral Stories Come to Life As Historian Louie Kamookak Follows In The Footsteps of the Ill-Fated Franklin Expedition

April 14th, London – Louie Kamookak, an Inuit historian who played a significant role in the 2014 discovery of HMS Erebus, the long-lost vessel of British Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, is to lead a ground search using oral traditions to find the remains of that ill-fated expedition of 1845.

In collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), polar cruise specialist, One Ocean Expeditions (OOE), is honoring Mr Kamookak’s enormous and continuing contribution to Canadian history by sponsoring the Humahuk Expedition in the summer of 2016, which will walk across the Arctic in the footsteps of his great grandmother’s stories, in search of the remains of Sir John Franklin.

For more than three decades, Kamookak, from Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, has been researching the Franklin expedition by spending time interviewing elders and collecting stories passed down through generations of Inuit about the location of the perilous and tragic expedition.  These compelling ancestral stories are now calling Kamookak back to the land to lead an expedition of his own.  The story is chilling yet inspiring as it reinforces the importance of Inuit oral traditions and their essential historic contribution for generations to come.

Louie Kamookak explains:  “For well over 30 years, I have been fascinated by the mystery of Sir John Franklin, and his fated expedition. This fascination, which has led to over a dozen expeditions in and around King William Island, was inspired by a story told to me by my late, great grandmother.  In her younger years, she shared with me that she had come upon artifacts and a grave, which she believed to be connected to the Franklin Expedition.  The drive to find these artifacts and grave, and connect my great grandmother’s story with an answer to the great Canadian mystery, has since guided my work, and will serve as the inspiration for this expedition”.

One Ocean Expeditions’ Managing Director, Andrew Prossin, comments:  “OOEs’ contribution to this historic land-based Humahuk Expedition this summer, in collaboration with the RCGS, is something we take great pride in.  It demonstrates our commitment to the Arctic and the preservation and sharing of Inuit culture”.

He continues:  “OOE’s support and involvement of cultural, environmental and scientific educational programmes is what we are all about.  The diversity of our programmes, our experience navigating the Arctic, combined with our staff knowledge and support of special initiatives, is what sets us apart”.

One Ocean Expeditions’ Canadian Arctic Expedition cruise season starts August 1^st, 2016 with varied itineraries exploring Baffin Island, and the Northwest Passage.  Prices start at US$5195 per person.

For more information on One Ocean Expeditions’ Arctic 2016/17 cruises please visit:

http://www.oneoceanexpeditions.com/arctic/dates_and_prices.php

For more information on the Humahuk Expeditions please visit:

http://www.rcgs.org/programs/expeditions/2016-humahuk-expedition-one-ocean.asp

For pictures please visit:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p3aqdvcbnqryflt/AACED8C5YwyhG3PvpkaM1PJea?dl=0

Media Enquiries:  Debra Taylor, tel: 01308 485668, mob: 07956 852197, email:  debra@toucanmoon.com

About One Ocean Expeditions

One Ocean Expeditions is a Canadian expedition vessel operator founded in 2007. The company operates two purpose-built ships, each with a high ice-class and carrying less than 98 guests.  The vessels are specifically designed for polar exploration and combine modern comforts and superb amenities with first-class safety features.  Offering a range of innovative expedition cruise itineraries in Antarctica, Spitsbergen and the Canadian Arctic, OOE has developed a reputation for exceptional quality, customer service and great value.