The Sunday Magazine

An unusual family finds joy, connection and love in a remote Inuit community

The Elverums have had more than the usual share of life's sadness and surprises, and their adopted community has been there for them every step of the way. Now the non-biological members of the family outnumber the biological. The Elverums’ experience is absolutely unique to the north. Jenny Kingsley's documentary is called "Meet the Elverums."
The Elverum Family (Credit: Eric Guth)

 Jenny Kingsley's documentary "Meet the Elverums" was honoured at the 2018 NYF Radio Awards. Enjoy the rebroadcast at the link above.


Most winters, there's an iceberg that freezes into the sea ice near the town of Pond Inlet, in Nunavut, at the northern tip of Baffin Island. 

It was at that iceberg — in the year 2000 — that Carey Elverum proposed to his wife Shelly. Carey's job with Parks Canada had brought them north to this community of 1,600 people, 95% of whom are Inuit. 

Shelley Elverum (Credit: Eric Guth)

Three years later, the Elverums started a family. And as their family began to grow, they learned what most of us do: that life doesn't always go the way you think it will. But the Elverums have had more than the usual share of surprises. And their experience is absolutely unique to the north, made possible by the people who live there.

Jenny Kingsley spent time with them earlier this year, when the snow was still on the ground. Here's her documentary, Meet The Elverums. 

Click 'listen' above to hear the full documentary. 

Shelley Elverum (Credit: Eric Guth)