Interviews with  Arviat Elders

Helen Konek
Helen was born in Sanningajurjuaq and raised in that very same area. There were six people in her family and they were: her mom Paallak, her dad Pipqanaaq, her brothers Nanauk, Pukirluk, Kiinaalik and herself. Her family spent the summer at Sanningajurjuit, kiggarjualik, and with the Asiarmiut. Most of the time, it was she and her family alone.

Her family was brought here to Arviat in 1960. She never thought that her lifestyle would change, she was so used to living in tents and iglu’s. She said that her lifestyle started changing when the white men came to the north and started relocating everyone.

Helen’s father was very good at making mouth harps. Helen got her first mouth harp when she was a kid. He taught Helen how to play the harp. Now Helen is very good at playing the harp. She was even asked to travel to Thompson to perform with some other elders. She and the other elders went from school to school performing their talents.
 

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