Atanik – King of the North

Throughout the years as I have traveled up North and have often talked with Inuit friends and listened to their tales of hunting and how nothing is ever wasted from the harvest of the different animals and sea creatures that they hunt. This is especially true of the caribou, from the skin on through to the sinews which are used for sewing clothing and lashing boots, etc. Everything is used so as not to disrespect the animal, nothing is wasted.

They would often talk about the Shaman, and how they relied on these powerful beings to help them to survive in the harsh conditions of the North.

Atanik is a mystical Shaman, an elder, who was believed to interact with a spirit world through altered states of consciousness, who has developed knowledge and power over the elements, including wildlife.

In this scene I would like to say that I captured the essence of his control by the way the Polar bears would seek him out and seem to worship him, while approaching him for guidance.