Life on the Brink: The Struggle to Survive on a Collapsing Arctic Island
Kitsikteluk, an Arctic island in the Canadian territory of Yukon, is rapidly disintegrating due to permafrost thaw. Every year, massive chunks of earth disappear as the ground beneath it melts and collapses. For the indigenous people who call Kitsikteluk home, this phenomenon poses a dire threat to their very existence.
Inuit hunter and photographer, Kanaq Nakashib, has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of permafrost thaw on his community. "The land is tearing itself apart," he says, describing the eerie landscapes where icebergs float above the ground. "It's like living in a dream world that keeps changing."
As climate change accelerates, the impact on Kitsikteluk is becoming more pronounced. Rising temperatures and thawing permafrost are causing erosion and landslides, displacing homes and forcing residents to adapt to new environments. For many, it means abandoning traditional hunting grounds and migrating to other areas in search of safety.
Nakashib's own family is among those displaced by the melting ground. "We've had to leave our home, our hunting area," he says, shaking his head. "It's like we're losing our identity." The loss of a way of life is not just an emotional blow but also a practical one. Traditional foods are becoming scarce as the land shrinks and becomes less hospitable.
For those left behind, daily survival has become an increasing challenge. Rising temperatures are altering patterns of animal behavior, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Even basic infrastructure like roads and buildings is under threat from erosion and landslides.
As Kitsikteluk teeters on the edge of collapse, the international community is starting to take notice. Governments, scientists, and NGOs are working together to raise awareness about the devastating effects of permafrost thaw in the Arctic. However, for those living through it, time is running out.
"We're not just talking about the land," says Nakashib. "We're talking about our very way of life."
Kitsikteluk, an Arctic island in the Canadian territory of Yukon, is rapidly disintegrating due to permafrost thaw. Every year, massive chunks of earth disappear as the ground beneath it melts and collapses. For the indigenous people who call Kitsikteluk home, this phenomenon poses a dire threat to their very existence.
Inuit hunter and photographer, Kanaq Nakashib, has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of permafrost thaw on his community. "The land is tearing itself apart," he says, describing the eerie landscapes where icebergs float above the ground. "It's like living in a dream world that keeps changing."
As climate change accelerates, the impact on Kitsikteluk is becoming more pronounced. Rising temperatures and thawing permafrost are causing erosion and landslides, displacing homes and forcing residents to adapt to new environments. For many, it means abandoning traditional hunting grounds and migrating to other areas in search of safety.
Nakashib's own family is among those displaced by the melting ground. "We've had to leave our home, our hunting area," he says, shaking his head. "It's like we're losing our identity." The loss of a way of life is not just an emotional blow but also a practical one. Traditional foods are becoming scarce as the land shrinks and becomes less hospitable.
For those left behind, daily survival has become an increasing challenge. Rising temperatures are altering patterns of animal behavior, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Even basic infrastructure like roads and buildings is under threat from erosion and landslides.
As Kitsikteluk teeters on the edge of collapse, the international community is starting to take notice. Governments, scientists, and NGOs are working together to raise awareness about the devastating effects of permafrost thaw in the Arctic. However, for those living through it, time is running out.
"We're not just talking about the land," says Nakashib. "We're talking about our very way of life."
OMG, I'm literally shook by this 
news! The thought of entire communities being forced to leave their homes due to climate change is heartbreaking 
. I mean, I know we've been warning about the permafrost thaw for ages, but it's real, folks! 
The pictures of icebergs floating above the ground are straight out of a sci-fi movie 
!
), I feel like we're losing this incredible opportunity to connect with nature. It's like our planet is literally tearing itself apart 
. And for Kanaq Nakashib and his family, it's not just about physical displacement – it's about their entire identity being threatened 
to think about people having to leave their homes & way of life behind because of climate change 
. i mean, kanak nakashibs story is just one example of the devastating impact its having on indigenous communities. and its not just the loss of land & identity that's a problem, its also the loss of traditional foods & ways of survival.
. we need to acknowledge the disproportionate impact climate change is having on vulnerable communities like this one, and work towards supporting them rather than just talking about it. we need more concrete solutions & action from governments & NGOs to help these people survive.
. are we prepared for the consequences of climate change if we were living in similar conditions? its not just about the Arctic, its about what's happening all over the world & how we're gonna cope with it
this is so depressing its like theyre living on a sinking ship and theres no one to save them i feel bad for kanaq nakashibs family and community theyve lost their homes and hunting grounds what kinda future do they got left 
.
. I'm not buying it. There's something fishy going on here, mark my words 
. The real question is: who's really benefiting from this whole ordeal? Not these poor people stuck in the melting ice 
.
. They want us to accept a world where we can't even live off the land anymore 
. Wake up, sheeple! There's more to this story than meets the eye 
.
and yeah i can relate to the loss of identity and way of life it would be super tough too 
its like we're all just sitting around watching the clock tick down for these people who call it home. the thought of their way of life being completely erased because of some human activity that we can't even seem to control is just... heartbreaking 
they're just being pushed around by circumstances beyond their control. its like we're all just playing some giant game of survival, but for them there is no winning 
The photos of icebergs floating above the ground are insane - it looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie or something! 
it makes me think about our own planet and how fast we are destroying our natural resources 
gotta see more stats before i totally believe this is all on us, fam 
I'm really worried about this... like, how can we just sit back and watch an entire island disappear? 
it's heartbreaking to see their homes eroding and traditional hunting grounds disappearing 
i feel so powerless watching this unfold on news 
can't we do more to help?! 
let's get involved and make a difference for kitsikteluk community 
#SaveKitsikteluk