The mobility of Inuit peoples around the circumpolar world is a remarkable episode in human history. New light has been shed on the migration histories and the interrelationships of Inuit groups by a research project headed by Dr. Gisli Palsson of the University of Iceland/University of Oslo.

The project is aimed at understanding the genetic history of Inuit populations, and their possible relationship to the Norse and Icelanders who lived amongst them. Communities which are likely to have trace of Norse heritage have been identified to participate in the project. The data collected for this study is an opportunity to study genetic connections between Inuit groups within Greenland, and between Greenland and Canada.

The first stage of research involves collection of genetic samples from Inuit in Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit, Canada. In Greenland, Dr. Henning Sloth Petersen, a physician at the hospital in Nuuk, conducted the sampling. Oral histories of the grandparents of participants were recorded. All participants were informed of the purposes of the study, and consented to become involved.

In Nunavut, Canada, the communities of Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay were involved. The study in Nunavut is being carried out in collaboration with the Heritage Society and the Wellness Centre in Cambridge Bay. Dr. Palsson visited Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit in April 2002, and discussed with community leaders the possible ways of sampling DNA material. As well, Dr. Palsson explored the oral traditions about Inuit non-Inuit (qabluunaq) interaction