They prefer to be called INUKS. They may have come from Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Arviat, Whale Cove or other settlement besides this one. The collective term that is used however, is INUIT. They are family. Their forefathers were nomads wandering the windy and snowy deserts of this region to survive.
They followed the caribou, the fish, the seals and the bears. They hunted and fished and used what the animals gave them to live their lives. Nothing was wasted. Every thing was sacred. Their life was hard but their reward was family.
I’ve met folks this week who 20 years ago were nomads and lived that life…but no more. They may have grown old and weary but they are enjoying the fruits of their loins, their children and grandchildren. The “elders” are respected for their ways and those ways have often clashed with the modern life we have brought their way.
It seems there are no more of their people travelling this vast area along with the herds…but they do try to protect and preserve their ways and cultures. Often times their actions and reasons are misunderstood by those of us from more southern climates. Dialogue and understanding are the hope for the future of this region.
I’ve been listening to their stories and trying to appreciate the hardships of the past and their hopes for their own future. With that in mind, I’m pleased to introduce a “calendar” girl. I met Leila today at the health centre. Leila’s mom works at our travel office.
You may ask why our building would need its own travel consultant. It’s very simple we ship and receive. Yes, just like UPS, we send people out for testing and care to other centre like Churchill and Winnipeg. We also get people sent to us from smaller health facilities that do not have certain testing or procedures available to them where they live. The patients and their families have to get there. Air is the only way this time of year. Medivac is the option for serious injury or disease and the region’s base is here in town.
Well, Leila, along with her sister and brother appeared on the 2007 Arctic Co-Op calendar. The photo was taken in July 2006 when the wildflowers were abundant “on the land” as it is referred to here. The INUKs like to go back to the tundra. It’s almost spiritual to them. I’ve never photographed a calendar girl before so eat your heart out!
I talked a few days ago about the coats and the kids and their content with riding quietly along on their mother’s backs. I found a mother and daughter today along with Grandma who were willing to show me their coat and demonstrate its design and use. Enjoy the photos. They speak for themselves.
AND for those of you who didn’t have the mailing address of the health centre I found it today and it shows just how isolated we really are. KIVALLIQ HEATH CENTER, P.O. Mailbag 008, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. XOC OGO….You could pronounce the postal code “Chicago” but after the raging winds and blowing snow of the past few days this is truly the “windy city”.
They followed the caribou, the fish, the seals and the bears. They hunted and fished and used what the animals gave them to live their lives. Nothing was wasted. Every thing was sacred. Their life was hard but their reward was family.
I’ve met folks this week who 20 years ago were nomads and lived that life…but no more. They may have grown old and weary but they are enjoying the fruits of their loins, their children and grandchildren. The “elders” are respected for their ways and those ways have often clashed with the modern life we have brought their way.
It seems there are no more of their people travelling this vast area along with the herds…but they do try to protect and preserve their ways and cultures. Often times their actions and reasons are misunderstood by those of us from more southern climates. Dialogue and understanding are the hope for the future of this region.
I’ve been listening to their stories and trying to appreciate the hardships of the past and their hopes for their own future. With that in mind, I’m pleased to introduce a “calendar” girl. I met Leila today at the health centre. Leila’s mom works at our travel office.
You may ask why our building would need its own travel consultant. It’s very simple we ship and receive. Yes, just like UPS, we send people out for testing and care to other centre like Churchill and Winnipeg. We also get people sent to us from smaller health facilities that do not have certain testing or procedures available to them where they live. The patients and their families have to get there. Air is the only way this time of year. Medivac is the option for serious injury or disease and the region’s base is here in town.
Well, Leila, along with her sister and brother appeared on the 2007 Arctic Co-Op calendar. The photo was taken in July 2006 when the wildflowers were abundant “on the land” as it is referred to here. The INUKs like to go back to the tundra. It’s almost spiritual to them. I’ve never photographed a calendar girl before so eat your heart out!
I talked a few days ago about the coats and the kids and their content with riding quietly along on their mother’s backs. I found a mother and daughter today along with Grandma who were willing to show me their coat and demonstrate its design and use. Enjoy the photos. They speak for themselves.
AND for those of you who didn’t have the mailing address of the health centre I found it today and it shows just how isolated we really are. KIVALLIQ HEATH CENTER, P.O. Mailbag 008, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. XOC OGO….You could pronounce the postal code “Chicago” but after the raging winds and blowing snow of the past few days this is truly the “windy city”.
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