Dr. D. R. Fraser Taylor is the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre’s Director.
The Kitikmeot Heritage Society in cooperation with Carleton’s Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre is developing a cybercartographic atlas of the Fifth Thule Expedition led by Knud Rasmussen between 1921 and 1924.
Although not well known to many Canadians, Rasmussen is a Danish national hero and an outstanding observer of Arctic Canada. Most of the extensive documents and artifacts relating to this Expedition are in the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen.
A SSHRC Connection grant enabled Fraser Taylor and Amos Hayes of GCRC together with Brendan Griebel, Pam Gross and Darren Keith of the Kitikmeot Heritage Society to visit the Museum from November 8th to 13th, 2015 to discuss the virtual return of some of the artifacts from the expedition so that they could be included in the atlas and made available to Inuit communities.
Some Inuit elders still remember the Rasmussen visit and have many stories to tell which will enrich the understanding of the Expedition record. These will be included in the planned atlas. Agreement to share the information in the museum was reached and the digital technology required to achieve this was explored.
Joint funding applications will be made in both Denmark and Canada to implement the project.
Embassy reception where Inuit elders made a presentation of 2 seal skins in appreciation of the hospitality given during the visit to Denmark. From L to R: Fraser Taylor, Director, GCRC; Christian Pedersen, National Museum of Denmark; Martin Appelt, National Museum of Denmark; Darren Keith, Kitikmeot Heritage society, Brendan Griebel, Kitikmeot Heritage Society; Pamela Gross, Kitikmeot Heritage Society; Andre-Francois Giroux, Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark. Photo: Hasse Ferrold.