In the northernmost territory of Canada, approximately 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, resides a community called Gjoa Haven. While the Nunavut hamlet has some of the most remarkable scenery in Canada, the summers are short, and the winters are long, with temperatures reaching -40°C in month-long stretches. The snow-covered land, frigid climate and icy waters are a challenging place to grow non-traditional fresh produce. But to Betty Kogvik, growing anything is possible under the right conditions.
Cultivating life one leaf at a time
Betty Kogvik and the team setting up Naurvik in 2019
Betty, a proud mother, grandmother and Inuk, has spent her whole life calling Gjoa Haven home. She has made many memories over the years, but some of her most cherished are the relationships she has built with her community members. And the feeling is mutual. Need a place to sleep, food or a simple hug? The 1,300 Gjoa Haven residents know that Betty’s doors are open 24/7. So, it came as no surprise that her caring heart and helpful nature made her the perfect fit to join the new project that was taking root in the community.
It all began in 2019.
Members of Gjoa Haven partnered with the Arctic Research Foundation, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC), the National Research Council (NRC), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to install a new off-grid, community-led plant production research facility, called Naurvik, or “the growing place” in Inuktitut. The goal was to see if it was possible to grow produce year-round in a controlled environment powered by wind and solar panels in a northern climate. What started with two sea containers that were shipped up to Gjoa Haven via sealift in September of 2019 has grown into something special.
Betty was one of the five original staff hired by the Arctic Research Foundation to help assemble the plant facility and begin growing crops including lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes. Despite her desire to help her community, she had her reservations: “When everything was set up, I thought to myself, ‘what am I doing? I have never grown plants before. I have no idea what the next steps are.’”
There was no need for Betty to worry. She wasn’t, and never would be, alone in this endeavor.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Betty Kogvik, Dr. Shawna MacKinnon and Quade Digweed in Gjoa Haven
Dr. Shawna MacKinnon, a research scientist from AAFC’s Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC), and Quade Digweed, a Junior Greenhouse Engineer from the Harrow Research and Development Centre, were two of the collaborators working closely with the team on Naurvik. Shawna and Quade were onsite to help the team set up the containers, offering their expertise in plant production and agriculture in hydroponic-controlled environments. Though their time physically working at the facility was short, they continued to be invaluable supporters for Betty and the team.
“I remember when Shawna was getting ready to leave, I told her that I would call her in a week to let her know all the plants had died,” recalls Betty with a laugh. “But then a few weeks went by, and everything grew! I was so excited. I thought, ‘oh my goodness! I can’t believe it worked! I grew romaine lettuce!’ I’ve had a green thumb ever since.”
Distance was a complicating factor, so Betty and the team continued to meet with Shawna via video conference at least once a week. With Shawna’s careful advice and guidance, the plants continued to flourish, and Betty’s confidence grew more and more every day. Something else grew as well: a profound friendship between Betty and Shawna, with Betty knowing she can always turn to Shawna for help with the plants, to provide new seed options, or even just for a friendly chat.
Betty and the team have shown that anything is possible with the right team and a shared goal. With Naurvik’s successes, the plant production facility has now grown to eight staff and expanded to six interconnected sea containers, two of which are dedicated to growing plants. The team has also grown many non-traditional plants, including mini romaine lettuce, leafy greens, broccoli, tiny tomatoes, red peppers, mint, corn shoots, carrots, strawberries, and Johnny-jump-ups (a flowering plant).
Elders and members of the community give their input to Betty as well, allowing her to experiment with the variety of traditional plants. Along with providing advice and seeds, Shawna also plays an important role from afar by simultaneously growing the plants in a similarly controlled environment that she developed at the KRDC in Nova Scotia, offering the team support and advice should challenges arise.
Growing was one thing, but sharing the produce with the community was quite another. With some members kilometers away, Betty and the Naurvik team had to find a simple way to get the fruits and veggies to the extended community.
Growing goodness and helping communities
To get food onto tables, the community came together once again.
Betty Kogvik with some plants grown in Naurvik
Every Saturday, Betty and the team prepare sandwich bags filled with the fresh produce and deliver them by truck to Elders, families and schools. Each delivery has brought the Gjoa Haven community closer and has made a huge impact on their well-being: “The smiles I see on Elders’ faces when we deliver the produce is wonderful. They’re so happy. They give us big hugs and thank us for the food we grow. There’s even one Elder who dances for joy every time she sees us coming with her fruits and vegetables,” says Betty.
Before the arrival of Naurvik, growing non-traditional fresh produce in Gjoa Haven was a difficult ask. But now, freshly grown, nutritious produce year-round has become an integral part of the community. “This job and Naurvik is so rewarding. I can provide my community with fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables,” says Betty. “Sometimes my grandson comes to Naurvik with me, and I can share my love of growing food with him. Maybe one day he can share his knowledge about growing food with his family, too.”
Through the snow and sleet and hail, Betty is happy to continue supporting the team in Naurvik and finding innovative ways to help her community. No one gets left out in the cold while she’s in charge.
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