Survival in the Arctic: How the Franklin Expedition Perished So Quickly While the Netsilik Have Survived There for Centuries

In 1845, the Franklin Expedition embarked on their journey to discover the Northwest Passage. By 1848, everyone on the expedition had perished. However, the Netsilik, the Inuit in the area, have lived and thrived in the Arctic for centuries. So how is it that the men of the expedition died in the Arctic within a few years while the Netsilik have survived there for generations? When the Franklin Expedition arrived in the Arctic, they had little knowledge of the climate and the skills needed to survive. Their focus was also on destination, not survival. On the other hand, the Netsilik ensured their survival through generations by passing down vital knowledge through oral histories, like which animals were most abundant in which seasons, where to travel to find food, how to make warm clothing, and the importance of living in close family groups. Even when the Franklin Expedition encountered Netsilik who were willing to help them by providing food and shelter, they refused the help. Franklin’s men were unwilling to adopt Netsilik survival practices, because they believed themselves to be the superior race, and as a result did not need the help of the Netsilik to survive. Ultimately, their perceived superiority is what cost them their lives.