One Ocean Expeditions Encourages Passengers To Become Ambassadors For The Remote Regions They Visit
Destinations such as the Canadian Arctic are in demand, with numerous OOE voyages exploring this region through July and August each year. Although OOE does not operate voyages in the Canadian Arctic during the month of December, ambassadors for the area are impassioned to share their message that this remote destination is truly remarkable, even during the darkest days of the year.
“There is always something going on – dances, game nights, parades, feasts – and it left me with the impression that this is when the community is at its strongest,” says Eric Solomon, Director of Arctic Programs at Ocean Wise, who recently returned from the region. “I once had it described to me as ‘The warmest time of the year’ in the Arctic. It’s the time when everyone is home in the community—other times of year, people are out hunting or at their cabins.”
With an unwavering sense of community, groups of people will gather to partake in meals together, sitting in circles on the ground so there is no hierarchy. Here, doors are never locked and every person in need of food or warmth is welcome. Though Christmas trees are not usually seen, colourful lights still twinkle on houses in this remote corner of the world that sits in darkness 24 hours a day in December.
The holiday season is a time of year when people celebrate the important things in life – spending time with family and friends, cherishing those moments together and enjoying the season of giving. This is much the same in the Arctic, perhaps even more so. Giving isn’t always about material items. Giving can be about many things – giving time, giving love and giving experiences that create memories to last a lifetime. There is no place that embraces that spirit quite like the communities in the Canadian Arctic.
Since its establishment in 2007, One Ocean Expeditions has been contributing to programs in Arctic communities aligned with the company’s core values of education, exploration, science, socioeconomic development, and sustainable tourism. With a long term aim to connect the far North with the South of Canada and the rest of the world, OOE supports community engagement and leadership through its voyages, striving to continually deepen this relationship.
Considering a visit to these Arctic communities on board a voyage with One Ocean Expeditions allows further ambassadors to be created, building added awareness of these fascinating towns and their people worldwide. Celebrating the traditions, culture, history, art, music and nature that are the pride of these destinations is one of the best ways to ensure they continue to thrive.
