High Arctic communities in Nunavut, Canada, and in Northwestern Greenland have long been familiar with narwhals. For centuries, the narwhal has been part of the Inuit diet, providing food and nourishment. Although the Arctic is home to many unique animals, it is the narwhal's long, protruding tusk that has inspired legends and stumped scientists for centuries. Scientists have partnered with various Arctic communities to understand the purpose of the narwhal’s tusk. By combining scientific research with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or Inuit knowledge, researchers hope to learn why narwhals have tusks and how they use them.

Interviews were conducted in several dialects of both Inuktitut and Greenlandic, and were conducted with the aid of an English translator.