The Nunavut I Knew
Paperback Book by Jim Kogelheide
At Happy Tails, we normally sell pet related items, but we made an exception for this special memoir written by local author Jim Kogelheide!
He travelled north to teach art and environmental stewardship, but the Arctic had lessons of its own waiting for him!
In 2006, London, Ontario, artist, poet, and environmental and political activist Jim Kogelheide set out on a life-changing adventure to Canada’s Arctic. His goal was to share his passion for art and environmental stewardship with the youth of Rankin Inlet by teaching his Art for Earth class.
Alongside this, he aimed to bring the community together to celebrate Earth Day, marking the occasion by granting the Nunavut portion of his national art project Canada: Glorious to Be, as a gift to the community.
Little did he realize that the journey itself would begin to challenge his expectations through a series of vivid dreams and encounters experienced both en route to Rankin as well as during his stay – leading him beyond the classroom and community events into the tundra where he would unearth mysterious totems, experience unexplainable phenomena, and be led by a seagull that prompted him to question why he had truly been called north.
What began as an artistic and environmental mission quietly transformed into a journey of personal reckoning and self-discovery.
This book includes:
- Detailed accounts of vivid dreams that manifest into reality, challenging world views and expectations, leading to personal growth.
- Inspiring stories of community events and celebrations.
- Insights into the historical and present-day culture and lifestyles of Canada's Inuit.
- A journey of life-changing introspection that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Nature and humanity's place in it.
- Understanding how art has the ability to transform perspectives, challenge authority, expose injustice, and catalyse movements by changing how people view societies and and its power structures.

