9. Nunabox - Moving Mountains 🌄 Part I

Now that we’re all caught up to the part where I ended up back home, let’s dive into Nunabox — because we can’t know where we’re going if we don’t know where we’ve been.

Nunabox began after my time working in business development at an NGO, helping Inuit prepare applications and funding packages. It was an incredible experience — connecting with people, seeing ideas turn into opportunities. I had housing, purpose, and a front-row seat to community innovation. But, as they say, all good things come to an end.

When my contract ended, I noticed a clear gap: there were so few Inuit women in business. The stars aligned, and I was accepted into an SME cohort — many thanks to the Squamish Nation in B.C. for making that possible.

And just like that, Nunabox was born. The fun (and chaos) began. ✨💫

At first, it was rough. I must’ve spent six months sending proposals to anyone who would read them. Nothing landed. The frustration grew, and the couch-surfing began. One night, after another long day of writing, I lay flat on the kitchen floor — totally defeated. My friend walked in, saw me, and without a word, lay down beside me. No judgment. Just quiet solidarity.

It’s almost mystical how every time I finally let go — every time I truly surrender — that’s when the door opens.

The next day, it did. 👯

The email came in: Cancode Nunavut — our very first contract. I was over the moon.

Suddenly my life became airports, communities, unpredictable Nunavut flight schedules — and pure joy. I was literally being paid to play, to hang out with youth who thought I was the coolest person alive. Those moments, those connections, became the foundation of everything that followed.

At the same time, I joined the ISPARX Project — bridging communities with university researchers and helping to build connections on the ground. ISPARX combined the two things that mattered most to me: life promotion and youth programming, paired with the strategic, logistical side of travel and relationship-building.

That was the heartbeat of Nunabox — community, movement, and meaning.

And that’s where I learned that my work can move mountains.

Fewf — that was a long one. 😂

Check out Part II: Nunabox – Planting a Forest, for more tea 🫖 ☕️

Come for the art, stay for the tea, betcha it’ll make your day a lil’ brighter. 🙂

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Chelsea Singoorie
ᓯᐅᓯ ᓯᖒᕆᖅ
Founder & Artist, The Qujanaq Project by Nunabox