 |
Interviews
with
Arviat
Elders |
David
Iblauk
David
was born near Arviat, and grew up around Arviat. He says the best part
about the past is living in iglus. Though he lived in tents and sod houses,
the best one was living in iglus. About 10 people could fit in one iglu,
so the iglu was built pretty big. His mom’s name was Ijaak, and his dad’s
name was Qaunnatjuaq. David had a very close relationship with his brother.
He said that he’s the one who taught him everything about life and growing
up, passing down the information from the previous generation. David remembers
travelling with other families. He remembers how easy it was back then.
No abuse, no drugs and alcohol, and no money. They didn’t need money to
live well, all they needed was a life and little things to know about land
survival. He never thought his lifestyle would change. That’s what every
elder says. He feels that it’s changed a lot since he moved here to Arviat.
They went from not needing money to needing it all. In the old days, fox
skins used to cost so little, now, they cost more.
David
moved to his home, Arviat, 59 years ago, when he was 6 years old. He and
his family brought themselves here by kayaks in 1940. David would love
to go back to the past, to living in iglus, he feels that “living in iglus
was most comfortable only because they were warm”, he says with a smile.
He remembers the feeling of just being there, with his mom and dad, and
brother. Baking, playing, talking, and working hard to stay alive, he wishes
he could go back.
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