In the remote town of Churchill, Manitoba—often hailed as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”—something truly special unfolded this Thanksgiving—Canadian Thanksgiving that is, which took place on October 14. Amid the bustling polar bear season, Natural Habitat Adventures’ Polar Bear Team paused their busy schedules to host a community Thanksgiving feast.
“Writing from the North with some heartwarming content,” shared Alexis Campbell, Canada Field Operations Manager. “This year, our team up in Churchill hosted our annual free Thanksgiving meal for the community. We started with a local Indigenous Elder blessing our food, and a Land Acknowledgment and appreciation speech from myself to the community.”
A celebration of the fall harvest and giving thanks before the fast-approaching winter, our free Canadian Thanksgiving feast fosters connection and unity.
Feeding 300 people is no small feat, especially during one of the busiest times of the year. The team orchestrated a seamless event, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share in the spirit of gratitude and togetherness. “Everyone was incredibly thankful, and it was very inspiring to see folks from a multitude of backgrounds gather together to share a meal,” Alexis reflected. “This was the best meal we have ever put on; everything ran smoothly (even when we ran out of plates), the food was outstanding, and we were even able to support a local baker by having her cater the dessert.” On the menu? Turkey, roast potatoes, squash, green beans, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, and of course, pumpkin pie.
The success of the event was a collective effort. “We had 7 chefs, 6 Churchill Field Operations Staff, 1 Winnipeg driver, 1 Winnipeg FOS, 1 Boulder Operations Coordinator, a local Expedition Leader and one very special 3-year-old help us pull this off,” said Alexis. “I am extremely grateful for the ability to facilitate this meal for the community and to work with these incredible individuals day in and day out.”
Kate Shew, Senior Adventure Director—Canada, echoed this sentiment: “I just have to say…It’s truly inspiring and downright impressive how our team manages to feed 300 (!!!) people in the midst of polar bear season, all while gracefully navigating the demands of everyday polar bear logistics. I really can’t express the amount of work they put into this community event—the planning, ordering, cooking, prep, dishwashing and serving. (Just try to imagine what cooking for 300 people looks like!)”
Kate added, “A HUGE thank you and kudos to Alexis for organizing such an important event that is central to our mission, and for the entire team for executing it!
Supporting local communities is central to Nat Hab’s mission of conservation through exploration, and this Thanksgiving feast was more than just a meal; it was a celebration of community, collaboration and the spirit of giving.
Meanwhile, amid a dusting of snow, Nat Hab travelers were in the midst of the action as polar bears ambled across the tundra, and there were sightings of many cold-weather friends: Arctic hare, red foxes, snow buntings, short-eared owls, northern pintails, snow buntings and ptarmigan.
As polar bears roam the snowy landscapes outside, the warm spirits inside the community center remind us all of the power of coming together. Here’s to many more years of shared meals, shared stories and shared gratitude in Churchill.
