their working hands, their golden words

Their Working Hands, Their Golden Words

I N U I T E L D E R S T O I N U I T Y O U T H

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Their Working Hands, Their Golden Words

I N U I T E L D E R S T O I N U I T Y O U T H

Printed in Canada by Rhino Print Solutions Copyright © 2015

cover photo: Ocean Lane back cover photo: Megan Dicker

photos: Rodd Laing, Mandy Arnold, Ocean Lane, Megan Dicker, Kim Pilgrim, Sally Morgan and Wendy Morton

graphic design: Rhonda Ganz, reganz.com

Their Working Hands, Their Golden Words We are truly grateful for the opportunity to return to the Torngat Mountains of Labrador for our eighth summer of programming. With twelve incredible youth from Nunatsiavut and Nunavik—and the Torngat Mountains

Base Camp and Research Station as our home base—we spent another three amazing weeks on the land, sharing, learning, and exploring together with Inuit Elders, musicians, researchers, international travellers, artists, and writers.

The poems and images in this book are a unique reflection of our time together, and the meaningful connections and self-discovery that ensued. With Wendy Morton’s guidance, the youth have written poems that share the resilience, integrity, and life stories of their Elders. Wendy then offers us a glimpse into the lives, aspirations, and perspectives of the youth themselves.

The time the youth spend with the Elders in the Torngats is very special. Thank you to Annie Lidd, Amos Onalik, Eli Merkuratsuk, Willie Etok, Susie Morgan, Sammy Unatweenuk, and Kenny Assivak for sharing your wisdom, skills, and stories with us this summer.

Thank you Wendy for sharing your craft, and for inspiring us to create, dream big, and believe in ourselves! This project has been a highlight of our program for the past two summers.

MANDY ARNOLDExecutive Director, kANGIDLUASUk Student Program [email protected]

Thank you to Parks Canada for their generous support of our program since its inception, and for funding the second edition of this project. We’re excited to be able to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Torngat Mountains National Park through this special initiative.

Thank you to Torngat Mountains National Park Co-operative Management Board and the Nunatsiavut Government for the Inuktitut translations of this book. Thanks also to the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies for supporting Elder involvement in our 2014 program.

THEIR WORKING HANDS, THEIR GOLDEN WORDS | 3 | THEIR WORKING HANDS, THEIR GOLDEN WORDS 2

A Year Later I am on the spine of the world for a second time.

I am grateful.I am here with 12 Inuit youthfrom Nunavik and Nunatsiavut,from Nain and Rigolet, from Postville, Hopedale and Kangiqsualujjuaq.

After three weeks, we are a family.No blood, no law bonds us;only the Torngat Mountains.

My heart is full:so many memories,our adventures, our laughter.

Tomorrow we add tears and say, “see you later.”Our bond will never break.

I sit here in awe of what they can do:how brave, hopeful, and confident they’ve become.

They will change the world.They will paint the sky purple.

BY OCEAN LANE, MAKKOVIK


M Y E L D E RAnnie Lidd, NainI was born in Ramah.My parents Joseph and Naimee raised me well.

My hardest times were when we relocated from Hebron.My parents didn’t like the new place.There were not enough animals, not enough to eat.

I’ve had the chance to go back to Hebron.In the church there are ghosts.They call your name.You can hear soft noises and wood being chopped.

I was close to my grandparents and the Elders.They were always there for me, taught me a lot.

BY KIM PILGRIM, ST. JOHN’S AND SETH TUGLAVINA, HOPEDALE

Once while my husband and I were travelling by skidoo,we fell down 30 feet.

We saw four angels come down from the sky to help us.We survived.

Growing up, I had four sisters, one brother.Two of my sisters were born in Makkovik.I have five children, 14 grandchildren.

Something I learned from my grandfather was not to forget our language, our culture.I didn’t forget.


M Y E L D E RKenny Assivak, Kangiqsualujjuaq My name is Kenny Assivak.I was born in Killiniq. I am the youngest of three.

My sisters: Kitty and Hulda.My parents: Matthew and Penina Assivak. They taught me to read the land, live off the land.

Growing up, I played Inuit games,chased birds on the beach.

In winter, we took shelter in igloos when hunting.For the rest of the seasons, we moved from place to place.We left the food in caches near the shore.

BY CHAIM ANDERSEN, NAIN

We would return during winter; the food frozenand easier to travel with back to Killiniq.

At family gatherings there was food and happiness,every kind of traditional food:seal meat, partridges, char, mussels, clams.

Killiniq was our home. It was taken from us.When I was 27, I was relocated to Kangiqsualujjuaq.It was a time of hardship that is too hard to talk about.

But this is a new time.Now I have a wife, four sons and four daughters.I am living a happy life and I appreciate everything.

THEIR WORKING HANDS, THEIR GOLDEN WORDS | 9 | THEIR WORKING HANDS, THEIR GOLDEN WORDS 8 BY RUTH KOHLMEISTER, NAIN

M Y E L D E R Eli Merkuratsuk, NainI was born in Kaittukuluk on August 14, 1954.My childhood was really good: I went fishing,hunting, had handmade toys.

We gathered in Tasiujak, Hebron and Cutthroat.We played Inuit games.

We travelled by dog team. There were 12 dogs in the team.We hunted harp seals, arctic hares, geese, caribou.We kept warm by moving around.

My family gathered for Christmas.We used to eat all wild foods.

My father taught me how to hunt, how to make igloos.From my grandparents,I learned the hard way.

Our traditional ways and knowledge about the landis disappearing.

I know how to survive because of my culture.

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M Y E L D E RWillie Etok, KangiqsualujjuaqI was born in Tasikallak,grew up in the Nunatsiavut area.

My parents raised me.I have four younger sisters, four younger brothers.

We played soccer, and games with caribou bones.My father and grandparents taught me how to hunt, make tools.

BY SIMEONIE MERKURATSUK, NAIN AND SILAS ANNANACK, KANGIQSUALUJJUAQ

I was taught to help others, to be kind and respect others.I learned by watching others work.My best memory is hunting.I know hunting, fishing.

The hardest time in my life was starvation.I know I will not starve again.My journey has come.

THEIR WORKING HANDS, THEIR GOLDEN WORDS | 13 | THEIR WORKING HANDS, THEIR GOLDEN WORDS 12 BY SALLY MORGAN, KANGIQSUALUJJUAQ

M Y E L D E RSusie Morgan, Kangiqsualujjuaq I was born in Nakvâk.My parents and my uncles raised me.We were nine people in our family.

I only know how to speak Inuktitut.I never learned how to speak English.

Our food was fish, seals, caribou and other animals.We had no matches to light the fire.We used stones.

I learned everything from our Elders back then:how to sew, make clothes, how to cook, be kind.

I loved to hunt with my grandfather.We walked together all the time.

We started walking a long way,my grandfather carrying me, a dog carrying our things.

We had caribou skin clothes.We had food, but if the food was gone,we had to find it.


M Y E L D E R Sammy Unatweenuk, Kangiqsualujjuaq I was born in Tuttutuuk, between George River and Kuujjuaq. We moved to Killiniq. Father, mother, five sisters and four brothers.

Every spring we’d camp for three months in Labrador. We ate caribou, beluga, seal, geese, mussels, and clams. The Elders taught us how to hunt, how to clean skin and learn the names of the land. We played throwing rocks, played hide and seek.

When we were camping, my parents said not to walk far because of polar bears.

When I was a kid, hunters would have about 15 seals a day and tie them to the shore.At the end of the day,the seals would be pulled by dog teams.I used to get up on top of the seals and go for a ride.

Now, I am a search and rescue coordinator. I am a board member for Torngat Mountains National Parkand for our local marine and wildlife board.

When we lost our daughter, that was the hardest time. My happiest feeling was when my son was born.

BY HARRIET ONALIK, KANGIQSUALUJJUAQ

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M Y E L D E RKenny Assivak, KangiqsualujjuaqI was born in Killiniq, 1951.I was raised by my parents.My grandparents passed away shortly after I was born.

We lived a nomadic life,following the season and the animals.

As we hunted, my parents and the Elders would teach me skills to live on the land.During winter, we hunted by dog team,in summer, by kayak.

BY GAGE NOCHASAK, MARY’S HARBOUR

Eventually, the government came and set up stores,started hiring people from our area.

After the government left, we moved into their homes.

Then we had to relocate.


M Y E L D E R Eli Merkuratsuk, NainMy grandparents raised me.They spoiled me.

I lived along the coast: tents in summer,igloos in the winter.My family followed the animals to survive.

My father was born in Hebron.My mother was born in PitukKik.She lived in a sod house.

My father taught me independence.He said, “Don’t wait for someone to get a caribou,go get it for yourself.”

I did it myself. It is the best way to learn.My grandfather taught me how to build an igloo,how to survive.

I was stuck in bad weatherfor a week and a half when I was 18.My grandfather’s words saved me:“As long as you have a caribou skin, a snow knife and knowledge of how to build an igloo,you will survive.”

My wife and I have six children.Now, I teach them.

BY MEGAN DICKER, NAIN


M Y E L D E R Amos Onalik, HopedaleI was five years old when I was relocated from Hebron to Hopedale. I still live in Hopedale.

My father was born far up north in Killiniq, He taught me to live in the world. He was a community Elder.

I quit school after grade seven. I didn’t want to leave home to continue with school.I felt guilty for quitting.

It was hard to get a job without an education. I got lucky. I got a job and training. I was a weather observer, labourer, fisherman.

I was taught that I had to control myself. That was hard. I tried not to follow the same path as some of my family members.

One of my happiest memories: my wedding day. I have nine children, 15 grandchildren.

I was always told to listen to the Elders. If you listen to them, you can grow up to be a great, honest person.

BY CHESLEY SEMIGAK AND JADE HOLWELL, NAIN


Our Elders, Our FutureI can see it in their eyes:what the Elders went through.

It was hard.

Hunger. Danger. Travelling. Relocation.

Their hard working hands,their golden hearts.

They were once young like us.They’ve reached toward us, their future.

BY SIMEONIE MERKURATSUK, NAIN

We are teenagers, kids, babies.The future for us is slowly coming.

We will be Elders one day.

Think positive.Love one other.Respect others.

Be strong like our Elders.


I wrote poems for the youth in the kANGIDLUASUk Student Program

because I sat with them in the dining hall and heard their stories.

I wrote poems for them because I watched them kick and fly on Inuit Games Night.

I wrote poems for them because I danced with them.

I wrote poems for them because I got to know their shining spirits, their long dreams.

WENDY MORTON


Simeonie, 15In 2004 we moved to Nain from Nunavik.I didn’t speak good English.When I was eight, I started dancing.Now I teach my friends.If there is accordion music, I’m there.I want to play.I want a band.I want to make music.Dance.Sing.


Kimberly, 15 My mom is Inuit.My dad was raised Inuit.I used to go hunting with my dad.Fishing too.

My grandmother told me storiesabout being relocatedand how she survived starvationand cultural starvation.

I’m thinking about being a lawyeror a helicopter pilot,maybe a scientist.I want a cool job,with joy.


Harriet, 15What I loved best about being herewas seeing happy people.

My favourite place was Hebron,because my father lived there, andthis was where his ancestors walked.He was exiled to Makkovik,then came to George River.

I know I’m all Inuk.


Ruth, 17I loved going to Hebronbecause my grandparents used to live there.

The church, the houses that are still there;everything crumbling and sad.It hit me in my heartand I thought of my grandparents.

Their pain.So much to understand.


Megan, 15I came to this programto get out of my comfort zone.I’m shy. But here, I’m not.Everyone feels like my family.I loved learning about plants on the land.

I saw a polar bear,learned from the Elders,hiked to new places.

It’s so beautiful,waking up and seeing the Torngat Mountains,the waterfalls.

I want to come back.

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Chesley, 16These have been the three best weeks of my life.Every day, we were doing something interesting.

I played guitar and taught Gage and Kim.We travelled to places I’d never been.I caught fish.

All the learning. Like a new life.

Magic, I’d say.

Clara, 19 I came to learn new things, make new friends.When we went to Hebron, saw the church,saw the crumbling buildings, heard the stories,I learned more about who I am.I know more about being Inuit.This makes me proud.


Gage, 16I want to compete in the Labrador Winter Games.I can kick 6 feet 6 inches.

Last night I flew.

And the other things these weeks:cleaning the seal skins;the stories of the Elders.

This place feels like home.


Chaim, 16This summer I was a Parks Canada intern,and part of Students on Ice.We started in Nunavik,came around the tip of Labrador.

We stopped in Killiniq.Everything crumbling. Abandoned.Once there were Inuit there.Now, ghosts.

Then to the Button Islands.Then to Eclipse Channel.We found a waterfall.A seal popped up.

Jade, 16I live in Nain. I came here because I wanted to go to the wild placeswhere the Inuit lived before.I feel connected to them.

And so, for these weeks, I was in the wild places.Connected.

We saw a polar bear in Ryan’s Bay,he was watching us.

Then kumattovik fiord.We sailed all night.We hiked the ridge,took a polar dip.

Then to base camp.A brass band met us.Magic.


AcknowledgmentsTheir Working Hands, Their Golden Words is the second book from the kANGIDLUASUk Student Program at Torngat Mountains National Park. When I met the youth in the program, they had spent the previous two weeks with their Elders: learning how to carve, how to walk the land, and how to prepare a seal skin. Later, they would learn to throat sing, to drum. When I sat with them on the first day, they were eager to learn how to write a poem. I saw their imaginations leap, and soon, they had the skills to write those poems. Then the Elders arrived and the youth turned the stories the Elders told them into poems. This book is the result.

I want to thank Mandy Arnold for organizing my time with the youth. And thanks to Ocean Lane, Sarah Karpik and Kelly Nochasak McLean for their invaluable help.

Thank you to Rhonda Ganz for designing this book, and thanks to all who provided photographs used in this book: Mandy Arnold, Rodd Laing, Ocean Lane, Kim Pilgrim, Sally Morgan and Megan Dicker.

I’d like to thank Parks Canada and Judy Rowell, superintendent of the Park, for supporting the production of this book, which brings the world of these Inuit youth and their Elders to the world in a new way.

My eyes aren’t big enough to see everything here: my heart isn’t big enough to love all the people here.

— SIMEONIE MERKURATSUK

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their working hands, their golden words

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