Nunavut

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen becomes first to traverse the Arctic’s Northwest Passage

By Peter Schulte / July 25, 1906

For centuries, European explorers sought a navigable passage as a possible trade route to Asia. An ice-bound northern route was discovered in 1850 by the Irish explorer Robert McClure.

Sea ice fisherman checking the sea ice if it is safe

Inuit culture emerges in the Arctic

By Peter Schulte / July 24, 1050

The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting Inuit Nunangat, the regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska

Dorset carving of a polar bear found on Igloolik Island

Dorset culture emerges in modern-day Canada and Alaska

By Peter Schulte / July 28, 1002

The Dorset was a Paleo-Eskimo culture, lasting from 500 B.C.E. to between 1000 and 1500 C.E., that followed the Pre-Dorset and preceded the Inuit in the Arctic of North America.