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A Case-Study of Tourists' Spatial Practices in Pangnirtung, Nunavut

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A Case-Study of Tourists' Spatial Practices in Pangnirtung, Nunavut TOUWSM AND THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF PLACE: A case-study of tourists' spatial practices in Pangnirtung, Nunavut by Charles O'Hara, Hon. Bach. Arts & Sci. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Carleton, University Ottawa. Ontario May. 25 2000 National Library Bibliothèque nationale )*u of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliogaphiques 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON KIA ûN4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sel1 reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de rnicrofiche/filrn, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in ths thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. This paper analyses the perceptions and practices of tourists visiting Pangnirtung, Nunavut, as a way of exploring how tourkm is involved in the social construction of place. The analysis is based on qualitative interviews and six weeks of participant observation. This paper conceives of tourism as a process of social spatialisation. Central to this is an understanding of space as a dynamic social entity which is produced by, and in tum produces, social relations. Tounsm mates new spaces for people to interact. Therefore, by analysing the dynamics of this space, particularly through a focus on spatial practices, this paper shows how tounsm can both recreate and challenge dominant constructions of place. In so doing, one is able to highlight how tourists' re flexivity might be encouraged. While recognizing the limitations of tourism practice this paper rejects readings of tourisrn as an ideological practice which simply recreates the status- quo. Tourism is seen as an ongoing (re)constniction of place at the level of practice. My deepest gratitude goes to the community of Pangnirtung and the people whom 1 yot to know while I was there and who made my stay a successful and mernorable one. 1 would rspecially like to rernember Shaun Mike, a staff member at the Angrnarlik Centre who drowned in the summer of 1999, but whose spirit touched al1 visitors whom he got to know. It is such a spirit that can never be captured by theory and which reveals the potential of tourism. 1 would like to thank Rob Shields for enthusiastically supporting this project during a precious sabbatical year. His constant interest pushed me through those moments of self- doubt. I also owe much to his theoretical insights and the literature he pointed me towards opened many interesting avenues. 1 would also like to thank Nancy Doubleday for her consrant good cheer and for sharing her knowledge and love of the Nonh. My thanks also to Iain Wallace for careful editing and for encouraging me to do my MA at Carleton. I owe a debt of gratitude to many people in the Carleton community - professors. students. support staff - who have helped me and taught me over the last two years. And. of course, without family and fnends 1 could never have gotten this far. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ... Abstract ............................................................................................................... 111 Ac knowledgements ................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ......................................................................................................... vii... List of Illustrations ............................................................................................... viii C HAPTER ONE: The Importance of Perception and Practice.............................. Introduction....................................................................................................... The local context: some background to tourism in Nunavut ............................ The national context: dominant cultural representations.................................. Wilderness................................................................................................... Inuit Culture ................................................................................................ Nation .......................................................................................................... Learning. Tourism, and Ecotourism ....................... .... ................................ Tourism and Cornmodification......................................................................... Rçtlexivity and... Space....................................................................................... Social Spatialisation..................................................................................... CH APTER TWO: METHODOLOGY.................................................................. Introduction....................................................................................................... Quantitative vs Qualitative Analysis................................................................. * . The... "problem of generaliûltion .................................................................. Reliability of data......................................................................................... Approaching Pangnirtung: from participatory research to participant observation ..................................................................................................... Postitionality and participant observation.................................................... Field Techniques. ............................................................................................... Participant Observation................................................................................ Documenting Tourism Space ....................................................................... Qualitative Interviews.................................................................................. Conclusion: A tourist's interpretation of towists .............................................. CHAPTER THREE: TOURISM LITERATURE .................................................. 61 Introduction...................................................................................................... 62 Interpreting Tourism Literature......................................................................... 63 The purpose of brevity: getting caught up in the sweep of space and time . 68 Your personal adventure ........................................................................... 74 Govemment Literature: transculturation.................................................. 81 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 87 CHAPTER FOUR: GONG HIKING .................................................................... Introduction....................................................................................................... Who was interviewed? ................................................................................. Does hiking reinforce the idea of an empty wildemess .................................... Spatial Practices................................................................................................ Perceptions and Practices of Auyuittuq National Park ..................................... The Arctic Wildemess................................................................................. Interest in Natural History ............................................................................ Escape and Solitude ..................................................................................... Challenge..................................................................................................... Perceived lack of information on hiking in the park .................................... Conclusion ........................................................................................................ CHAPTER FIVE: Time in Pangnirtung................................................................ Introduction ....................................................................................................... S.. Motivations for visiting Pangnirtung................................................................ Performances ..................................................................................................... Rumours ............................................................................................................ Three issues discussed by participants ......................................................... Messy Streets .......................................................................................... Comrnents on the role and impact of tourism in Pangnirtung................ Comments on the absence of drinking in public ..................................... Interacting with local people: the final arbiter?..........................................
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