Importance Score: 73 / 100 🔴
British Adventurer’s Solo Baffin Island Expedition Draws Criticism
A British adventurer is facing backlash after claiming to be the first woman to complete a solo traverse of Baffin Island, a vast landmass in northern Canada. Camilla Hempleman-Adams’ expedition across Nunavut’s largest island has been met with strong criticism from an Inuit woman, who denounced the claim as reflecting “privilege and ignorance.”
Baffin Island Traverse: A Test of Endurance
The Journey Details
Camilla Hempleman-Adams, daughter of renowned explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, successfully concluded her 150-mile trek across Baffin Island, Nunavut, on March 27. During her challenging solo journey, the adventurer contended with extreme weather conditions, including temperatures plummeting to -40C and fierce winds gusting up to 46mph.
Expedition Timeline
Originally anticipating a 14-day duration, Hempleman-Adams completed the arduous expedition in just 13 days, showcasing resilience and efficient navigation in the harsh Arctic environment.
Controversy Erupts Over “First Woman” Claim
Initial Claim and Inuit Rebuttal
Prior to embarking on her journey, Hempleman-Adams stated that Parks Canada had no records of a previous female solo attempt from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung. However, Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, an Inuit woman based in Ottawa, challenged this assertion, asserting that her ancestors had traversed the same routes for generations. Kabloona characterized Hempleman-Adams’ claim as stemming from a “dangerous colonial attitude.”
Kabloona’s Strong Reaction
In a social media post, Kabloona expressed her strong disapproval, stating, “There is no way in hell a British colonizer is coming to Inuit Nunaat in 2025 and claiming any firsts… Every inch of this continent has indigenous history and stories like this.” She further elaborated on her concerns in an interview with the BBC, highlighting the deep sensitivity surrounding such claims within the Inuit community.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Colonialism and Indigenous History
Kabloona explained that the adventurer’s claim resonated negatively due to the historical context of Western colonialism and its impact on indigenous populations. She stated, “The article hit people really hard in a very sensitive spot, because of our history and the difficulties we face every day in combatting Western colonialism.”
She further emphasized the perceived implications of Hempleman-Adams’ statement: “This woman is coming here from such a place of privilege and ignorance that it seems dangerous. It was almost like she was bringing back news of a new continent to Europe and saying ‘There’s nobody here!’. We were and still are.”
Kabloona asserted that such claims perpetuate a harmful narrative: “It’s such a clear example of how colonialism benefits from dispossessing indigenous people of their land and writing us out of history.”
Respect for the Land and its People
Call for Responsible Adventure
While welcoming visitors to experience the Arctic region, Kabloona cautioned against making unfounded claims of achievement. “If you want to come and enjoy the outdoors, please do so,” she stated. However, she stressed the importance of responsible engagement: “The danger is going back with this colonial attitude and disseminating information like the Inuit don’t have history there.”
Kabloona underscored the insulting nature of “first person” claims in indigenous territories, urging respect for the land and its traditional custodians. “Saying you’re the ‘first person’ to do anything in an indigenous country is insulting. Show respect to the land and the people who have kept it pristine for your adventures.” She clarified that such expeditions are inherent to Inuit life, being “part of their normal life.”
Apology and Reflection
Hempleman-Adams Responds to Criticism
Following the public outcry, Hempleman-Adams issued an apology for any offense caused by her expedition’s framing. “I have deep respect for the land, its people, and their history,” she stated. “I have travelled in this region multiple times and hold immense admiration for its nature, culture and traditions. I am truly saddened that the coverage of my journey may have caused concern or upset, and I remain committed to learning from this experience and engaging with the community with the utmost respect.”
In the aftermath of the controversy, Hempleman-Adams has reportedly removed her Instagram page, reflecting the sensitivity of the situation.
Completion and Family Support
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Hempleman-Adams described her experience as: “It’s been a really tough two weeks, but an incredible two weeks. I’m feeling pretty exhausted, I have very sore feet, but it’s nice to be back in civilisation.” Her father, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, praised his daughter’s feat, stating, “What she’s achieved is quite extraordinary. Being solo, you’ve got to be really on top of your game the whole time. If you just lose concentration for five minutes, it’s a real problem. I’m immensely proud of her.”