The Last Reindeer
GFX Challenge Grant Program 2022 Global Grant Award recipient Katie Orlinsky documents the revitalization of North America’s caribou population
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF110mmF2 R LM WR, 1/80 sec at F8, ISO 500
There’s no doubt that the effects of our changing climate have been felt by people from locations, surroundings, and lifestyles all around the world. But the tragic irony is that it’s usually those who have the closest relationship with their environment – and the greatest respect for it – that are hit the hardest.
Many communities, often remote, who rely directly on the land for their very existence have found themselves on the front line of climate change, fighting to prevent its devastating impact on the intricately sustainable systems, methods, and cultures they have honed over countless generations.
Communities taking the initiative and making positive steps towards the reversal of climate issues forms the foundation of GFX Challenge Grant Program 2022 Global Grant Award recipient Katie Orlinsky’s work.
“I’m drawn to people who live connected to the land – and to animals,” Katie begins. “These are the folks that know this planet the best, and have the solutions.”
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF110mmF2 R LM WR, 1/80 sec at F8, ISO 500
Her latest project, The Last Reindeer, highlights the sharp decline of North America’s caribou population and the measures the indigenous Inuvialuit community is taking to save it.
“It’s the culmination of what’s been three or four years of work about Arctic caribou, which are like the wild North American cousins of reindeer,” Katie explains.
“There used to be caribou all across North America – even as far south as Maine,” she continues. “But over time they’ve been slowly pushed up into the Arctic.”
Katie tells us that, despite this displacement, caribou populations remained strong in Canada and Alaska right into the eighties. However, recent years have shown a sharp decline in numbers.
“Scientists don’t really know why,” says Katie. “It is a species that experiences natural oscillations in population, but over the past 20 years the drop has been incredibly drastic. Climate change is a huge theory, along with increased development, mining, and building of roads. Other theories include disease and predation.”
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/3200 sec at F6.4, ISO 200
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/3200 sec at F6.4, ISO 200
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/220 sec at F10, ISO 800
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/220 sec at F10, ISO 800
“That was a huge turning point, and a highlight of my career,” she recalls. “Seeing the beauty of those places, while hearing people’s stories about how everything was melting, the roads were closed, and they couldn’t keep their food cold; it really hit me, and led me on the path I’ve been on for almost eight years now.”
When asked why she was drawn specifically to Arctic caribou as a subject, Katie says there are two sides to the story: “One is that I care a lot about caribou. Not only is it this incredibly iconic species people don’t know a lot about, but so much of the rest of the Arctic depends on it.
“Of course, predators like bears and wolves need caribou for food, but their epic migrations are important for the landscape itself. For example, their hooves help till the soil to make things grow, and the way they forage helps keep the shrubs down, which is good for preventing the permafrost from melting.
“It’s this cycle – an interconnectedness of the Arctic landscape – that the caribou are a big part of. They’re crucial to it, but they’re disappearing. Raising awareness of that is essential.”
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/320 sec at F32, ISO 500
Katie continues: “The other side is that, when searching for answers about what to do, it is important to look to the people who best know the land of these animals. Anytime I can highlight the activity of indigenous communities, it’s a good thing. I’m just so inspired by them.”
This, combined with a naturally sociable disposition, meant that while Katie’s fondness for the caribou is clear, some of her best memories from the project are from living within the Inuvialuit community.
“I loved spending time with the herders. They’re these incredibly impressive guys who are living in super difficult conditions. It’s grueling, taxing work, but they know the landscape and the animals so well,” says Katie.
“Also, they’re not showy folks, so when I could get a portrait of one of them in their space, it meant a lot to me.”
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/320 sec at F32, ISO 500
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF45mmF2.8 R WR, 1/680 sec at F8, ISO 500
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF45mmF2.8 R WR, 1/680 sec at F8, ISO 500
Katie spent much of her time on snowmobiles, often as a passenger, so using a camera like FUJIFILM GFX100S, which provided both portability and quality, was a great benefit.
“I feel like I lost ten pounds on this trip because I was basically doing ab exercises the entire time,” she laughs. “I would be holding the camera in one hand and holding on with the other, but it worked great – GFX100S really held up in the extreme cold.”
While the cold was challenging, it was also the reason Katie could achieve some of her favorite images from the project.
“It was around -30°F (-34°C) most of the time and, in that level of cold, the caribou’s breath sort of crystallizes in the air so you get this beautiful layer of fog over the herd. I’ve only ever seen it in documentaries before, so it was amazing to see it for myself,” she beams.
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/110 sec at F4, ISO 800
Looking to the future, Katie would like to expand the project by running photography workshops with the local community, empowering them to tell their own stories through image making.
“Lots of my work before this has involved working in indigenous communities on the front lines of climate change, exploring how they’re adapting and how their relationship with hunting and animals is being challenged.
“Whenever I go, I’m always impressed by how dialed in the kids and communities are when it comes to smartphones and social media. They’re already taking awesome photos. I want to build on that so the next generation of folks telling me stories are from those communities themselves.”
She concludes by highlighting the importance of being awarded the GFX Challenge Grant Program 2022 Global Grant Award.
“There was no other way I could have properly done this project,” she claims.
“I am just thrilled to be able to tell this story. The community is thrilled I could tell this story. It’s such an important part of this larger body of work that has been meaningful to me for the last three years.”
To explore more of Katie’s work, visit her website. Learn more about FUJIFILM GFX100S and read the full specifications here.
Photo 2023 © Katie Orlinsky | FUJIFILM GFX100S and FUJINON GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/110 sec at F4, ISO 800
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