THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Among the Inuit, hunting a polar bear is a big deal.  The bears have huge territories – to actually see one around Tiniteqilaaq was rare.   And because of their size and ferocity, they’re not easy to kill.  It’s usually group effort, so according to tradition, the first four people to shoot it share the meat and the glory.  That day, Pele shot the polar bear.  And he was so happy.  That evening, Pele went out drinking to celebrate.  The next morning, he was dead.  He had killed himself.  He was 22.

Hersher/npr, 2016