Qajartalik, Nunavik, Quebec

SIGNIFICANCE This Arctic site includes approximately 180 petroglyphs that are engraved on steatite rocks and represent a graphical telling of the spiritual world of the Dorset people, who lived along the coasts of Nunavik some 2,200-1,000 years ago and disappeared before the arrival of Thule Inuit, approximately 800 years ago. SIZE 130 metres long LOCATION On Nunavik’s Qikertaaluk Island, about 15 kilometres southeast of Kangiqsujuaq

CURRENT OFFICIAL PROTECTION None. The Avataq Cultural Institute is part of a study working on protection of the Qajartalik petroglyph site. RARITY FACTOR Qajartalik provides a new perspective on a missing cultural tradition of the Dorset people, and is the most northerly rock site of its kind in North America. Fateema Sayani (@fateemasayani) is the managing editor at Future of Good and writes regularly for Canadian Geographic, Canadian Geographic Travel and Ottawa Magazine.