 |
Interviews
with
Arviat
Elders |
Eva
Mukjunik
Eva
was born in very cold weather near Ennadai Lake called Qijuittutnaaq. She
grew up around that area, with her family and other families. She mentioned
that their tent was so big, her whole family could all fit in her living
room. That is how big the tent was. Her mom’s name was Attaluk and her
stepdad’s name was Arnarjuinnaq. Her biological dad was Aaijaut. The only
brother she knew was Charlie Atqat. Though her mother had over ten children,
she only knows Charlie. She spent the summer around Ennadai Lake, the land
that she knows very well now. She spent the winter around Siuralik, Saningajurjuaq,
Siuqat, and Nungujisuittuq. These land areas are located around Ennadai
Lake. Her family sometimes travelled alone, but most of the time, they
travelled with other families. There were a lot of people travelling with
them but cannot say them all for there are too many.
Eva
moved to Arviat in 1957 brought by the police. She never thought her life
style would change. She feels that there are too many people and too many
things going on at the same time. Being an adult has changed a lot. Her
mother had to work hard. She always thought that she would be like her
mom, but when she was moved far to a new place, she was taught new things
like skinning seal skins, and sometimes she feels that she has to teach
people how to live well. "There is hardly anything happening concerning
the past. We have to find our own turns and directions." That is what she
feels has changed. "Some lives are bad and some aren’t, so all we have
to do is teach and learn."
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