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Jesse Jimenez

Dr. Jim Reed

COM263

May 1, 2017

Trail at Fortitude bay

1. In the movie Trail at Fortitude Bay the main characters Gina, Daniel and

Lambert displayed communication skills that can be categorized with

communication models. Gina displayed an unconscious incompetence when she

first arrived to the Inuits land. This is apparent when she first meets Paloosie

greeting him with a handshake but without a response. Daniel also shared an

unconscious incompetence. This is evident when the white police officer lies in

court but the Inuit victims had trouble sticking with a narrative .This is important

because since Daniel and the police officer come from a culture were honesty

isnt as valued its possible that Daniel had problems with creating a tight story

with the Inuit victims because it would be considered lie .Unlike the attorneys

Judge Lambert seems to display conscious competence. Which isnt at all

surprising since Lambert admitted to loving living with Inuit culture and is known

be progressive when giving sentences. This is shown when Judge Lambert ends

the trial early so the Inuit community can go out and hunt for food.

2. Gina and her rival Daniel demonstrate culture shock when they arrive to

fortitude bay. Gina and Daniel complained about the lack of wine but Daniel was

able sneak a bottle on his cabin. Gina has also expressed some culture shock

when she was surprised to learn that her client, Paloosie, was out hunting. And

judging by her unwillingness to have a local lead her to Paloosie, it shows her
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lack of trust of the Inuits. Gina even took out some of her frustration out on the

village elder Methusala. When Gina told Paloosie to not speak when on trial the

elder objected to this believing that not admitting to sexual intercourse would be

considered a lie. And so Gina responds that if Paloosie admits to sexually

intercourse than its a guaranteed that Paloosie will lose. And that Methusala

should not intervene in this case but should instead stick to hunting.

Other than complaining about the lack of alcohol in the area, Daniel

expressed symptoms of cultural shock throughout the movie. One example of

this is during the trial the intuit spectators suddenly get out of the court room

(gym for that matter) to go out hunting. And with Daniels bewilderment Judge

Lambert cancels the trial for the evening. This event exemplifies Daniels culture

shock due to his lack of understanding of the Inuit culture. This event also

illustrate his lack of desire to learn more about the culture when he refuses to go

participate in the hunt.

3. Throughout the movie Methusala constantly expressed the importance of

harmony and reconciliation in Inuit culture. This emphasis on harmony is roughly

attributed from the Inuits worldview. Using the Kluckholn and Strodtbecks Value

Orientation, the Inuits view human nature as inherently good. This is empathized

by Methusala wanting Paloosie to be rehabilitated through community service

unlike in English-Canadian culture were they punish them by sending them to

prison. This inherent goodness value is also complemented by the Inuits value

on honesty as Simon states, Truth makes you who you are and lying kills you.
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The Inuit culture also seem to believe that nature reigns supreme in their

relationship. This relationship is exemplified through their way of life and their

spiritual beliefs. Despite living in a world were super markets run rampant. The

Inuits seem to rely on their food source through hunting despite posing dangers

whether that be predators or the dangerous tundra environment. Which is

probably why hunters are especially held in high honor in this culture. And with

Inuits relying their food source from nature its probably why their beliefs are also

attached to nature. This connection with nature and humans is roughly explained

when Simon was talking about the Inuits religion. Simon states that Inuits believe

that there are animal spirits and that Inuits have spiritual connection with nature.

And that newborns are with the soul of a dead relative. And in order for the Inuits

to sustain their soul they must keep their hunting skills sharp.

4. Throughout the trial the Inuits collective orientation clashes with Canadians

individualistic orientation. This clash is apparent when Methusala took the stand

and went on a diatribe on white culture. Methusala criticizes how in English-

Canadian culture people dont deal with problems directly (referring to prisoners)

being sent away to prisons. And Methusala points out that Paloosie was a trouble

maker because he didnt have a father to lead him. And without a father to take

care him this also severed Paloosie from learning how to act like an Inuit man.

This is important because Methusala doesnt solely blame Paloosie for his

actions and he feels that its the responsibility of the community to help

rehabilitate him. And this type of collective save face culture morphs the angle

of what Inuits perceive to be justice.

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5. After returning back from the south, after 15 years Simon experiences what

could be described as an existential crisis. This is apparent with his continue

frustrations with how the Canadian justice system doesnt honor the customs of

the Inuits. Such as valuing punishment over reconciliation and the court

simultaneously enabling lies over truth. And Simon becomes increasingly

distress throughout the trial such as when Simon shares his frustration to Gina

because she doesnt understand the Inuits. Simons alienation soon becomes

apparent when the Inuit hunters casted him aside because he wasnt recognized

as a hunter. And its later revealed that he was supposed to become a hunter but

had to move to the south due to his parents divorcing. Despite Simon receiving

an education and generally better opportunities than other Inuits it came with a

price, his spirit. So when Gina asks Methusala why Simon committed suicide

Methusala responds, Simon died a long time ago. In other words Simons soul

died 15 years ago, when he left Fortitude Bay.

6. Three values the People at Fortitude Bay hold are integrity, responsibility

and personal initiative. Integrity plays a major role in Inuit culture, so much so

that the truth defines who you are. When Paloosie is pressured by Methusala to

tell the truth. Paloosie not only shows his integrity but also taking responsibility

for his actions. And later after being sentenced to community service he is given

a personal initiative to serve the community and to live up staying out trouble.

Otherwise not only will Paloosie shame himself but damage the reputation of the

Inuit people.
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7. Inuits and English-Canadian culture deal with conflict differently due to their

drastically different world-views on the justice system. Unlike the Inuits the

English-Canadian tend to be more individualistic and more likely to punish the

individual than rehabilitate them. The Inuits are more collective and are more

forgiving to criminals in order to rehabilitate into part of a productive member of

the collective society. This collective perspective very much influences

Methusalas analogy that when a fire burns down a forest its not the fire to

blame. He means that the community is also to blame for not taking responsibility

over him. And so when Paloosie was sentenced to community service. It

demonstrated the Inuits belief in not casting criminals away but to turn them back

to productive members of society.