Episode 1 — Aseena Mablik

Iqaluit, Nunavut – Aseena Arreak-Mablik was born in Pond Inlet and moved to different communities in Nunavut. Aseena made new friends in each of the communities she moved to. Her family first moved to Craig Harbour, near Grise Fiord. This was during the relocation of the Inuit in Northern Quebec. They lived there for one year and moved to Sanannguarvik (Near Greenland). They lived there for five years then moved to Cape Christian (near Clyde River), and Igloolik. Her family finally settled in Pond Inlet. Aseena remembers becoming a teenager once they moved to Igloolik. She appreciates her own experience. Aseena talks about her many happy childhood memories. Aseena became a teacher and has been a radio host for many years.

Episode 2 — Karliin Aariak

Iqaluit, Nunavut – Karliin was born on August 28, 1978, in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Where she currently lives with her husband James Shirley, their daughter Tasiana Kautaq, and their son Aliguq James Shirley. Karliin spent her childhood years in the North Baffin communities of Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet where she became strongly grounded in her Inuktitut language and culture.

Episode 3 — Apitak Enurak

Pond Inlet, Nunavut – Appitak Enuaraq was born on October 17, 1957, in ‘Piniraq’ outside of Clyde River. His mother was Nuviya, and his father was Elisha. His father passed away while he was still very young. His mother later married to Josie Enuaraq. Appitak’s great grandfather is Captain James Bannerman, a Scottish whaler of the arctic expedition of 1875. His mother is well known around north Baffin. Appitak has witnessed many changes in the arctic. He remembers living a traditional life and growing up to a modernized life. He has witnessed changes within Inuit culture, including the Inukshuk project, which helped open up and define communication in the north. He has seen the positive and negative outcomes of those changes. Appitak knows many traditional stories. He remembers hearing stories told by his mother. He has also heard many stories told by Inuit elders. He highly respects traditional knowledge especially on hunting animals and for survival. Appitak currently lives in Pond Inlet with his family. He works as an Economic Development Officer for the Government of Nunavut.

Episode 4 — David Qamaniq

Pond Inlet, Nunavut – David Qamaniq was born on February 27, 1961. Nalluat , also known as ‘Low Point’, near Pond Inlet, Nunavut. His mother was named Angiliq and his father was Qamaniq. David grew up and has lived most of his life in Pond Inlet. He has many memories of his life, growing up. As a young adult, he found a passion in acting, which he has enjoyed for many years. He has travelled extensively with the Tununiq Theatre Group and was featured in the films ‘Glory and Honor’, ‘Frost Fire’ and ‘White Archer’.

David is an environmental activist. He has acknowledged that environmental issues are an ongoing concern for Nunavummiut. He often says “Inuit hunters are concerned about exploration companies wanting to conduct seismic testing in the Baffin Bay area,” he said. “This would have a negative impact on wildlife and I want to ensure that Inuit concerns are addressed and reach a compromise with these companies.” David works hard to keep the land natural and untouched. He also works hard to serve his community. He served two terms as mayor of Pond Inlet in 2007 and 2010. David is a father of four and lives in Pond Inlet. He is currently working as an Inuit Impacts Benefits Agreement negotiator.

Episode 5 — Ely Panipakoocho

Pond Inlet, Nunavut – Ely talks about his experiences growing up in a small community. Ely works as a counselor for the high school students in Pond Inlet. Ely uses traditional healing methods with the young people. Ely shares a story when he had a heart attack and his heart stopped for 17 minutes. He is thought of as a minor miracle because he came back without any loss of brain function and abilities.

Episode 6 — Jimmy Manning

Cape Dorset, Nunavut – Jimmy Manning was born in 1951, in Kimmirut, Nunavut. Manning’s parents moved to Cape Dorset when he was still an infant, where he has resided since then. He began taking pictures with an Instamatic in 1968. His grandfather, Peter Pitseolak, was an early influence for him. At that time it amazed Jimmy, because he noticed his grandfather used to carry something in his hand that clicked, which happened to be a camera. His grandfather showed him the photos he took after a few days. It got Jimmy thinking how great it was to document what was going on in the area. Since then, Jimmy has taken thousands of photos, usually black and white. He has documented the daily lives of the artists at work in its studios since the early 1970s.

Episode 7 — Annie Manning Lampron

Cape Dorset, Nunavut – Annie Manning was born around Cape Dorset in 1949. She is a lifelong resident of Cape Dorset. She is a renowned artist. She is known for her art of sewing and doll making. She was also the first Inuit in Cape Dorset to become a teacher. She was also one of the first female justices of the peace on Baffin Island. Her son Joanasie Manning is also a renowned artist, he is known for his drawings. Annie Manning’s father was Osuitok Ipeelee (1922-2005), was a famous master carver who collaborated with John Houston. Annie has many memories of her childhood. Her father was her inspiration for her work. Annie loves to go out camping and going fishing. She has 5 children and many grandchildren. She enjoys living in Cape Dorset with her family. Annie loves to cook for her family. She is now an interpreter translator. She makes dolls and sews for extra income.

Episode 8 — Etulu Edidloie

Cape Dorset, Nunavut – Etulu was born in Cape Dorset in 1946. He is the son of the late Cape Dorset graphic artists Etidloie Etidloie and Kingmeata. Etulu talks about his memories of singing with his mother. His mother taught him how to sing. She would teach him Christian gospel songs. Etulu has travelled the north with his music playing concerts. Today, Etulu still enjoys playing the guitar. He sings occasionally when asked and continues to sell his cd’s.

Episode 9 — Joamie Tapaungai

Cape Dorset, Nunavut – Joamie manages the Cape Dorset Print Shop. He is responsible for buying carvings and prints at the Co-op Store. Joamie talks about the changes in the business of Inuit Art.

Episode 10 — Susan Enuaraq

Rankin Inlet, Nunavut – Susan Enuaraq was born on December 31, 19 in Clyde River, Nunavut. She went to school in Clyde River and later on left to Iqaluit to go to school. She also spent time living in the south going to school. She later settled in Iqaluit, with her husband and two children. Susan had an interest in law so she entered the first ever law program offered by Nunavut Arctic College and Victoria University. She graduated with a Law degree in Estate Law. She highly respects traditional Inuit Law and Elders, which she keeps to heart. She was welcomed into the Nunavut Bar a year later. She is also a member of the Nunavut Law School Society. Susan later became a professor for one of the law school program in Iqaluit. She taught for two years. She recently took on a job as the Dean of the Arctic College in Rankin Inlet. She will start her term in August 2013.

Episode 11 — Billy Kuksuk

Arviat, Nunavut – Billy Kuksuk was born on September 28, 1962. He has become one of the most interesting and innovative artists to emerge from the community of Arviat. He learned to carve by watching older people. He remembers one day, he picked up some stone and started chipping away at his first carving. He then refined his technique over the years. He has become well known in the north. Billy’s subject matter is generally figurative, often with abstracted components. He frequently portrays spirits and Sedna, the sea goddess. Billy has said, “Inuit art reflects our culture but it’s for everybody.” According to the artist, Inuit art is about “our animals or our life because it’s who we are”. According to Billy “art is art –whether it is Inuit or not. Billy most appreciates the artist Michelangelo Buonarotti. Billy loves to hunting and camping. He also loves fishing and trapping. Billy also writes songs and sings Inuktitut blues. He has release two CD’s with his own music. He is becoming a well-known musician in Nunavut. He resides in Arviat with his family.

Episode 12 — Rhoda Karetak

Arviat, Nunavut – Rhoda was born in 1933 on the northern part of South Hampton Island to Mary Tarlik and Joe Curley. As a child Rhoda was determined not to be left out amongst her male siblings and cousins. She began trapping fox when she was 9 years old and sewing kamiks at age 12. Rhoda did not attend school, as there was no opportunity to do so.
Rhoda married Harry Gibbons and had two children. 1952 found them at Maguse River where her father was helping missionaries translate a bible at the local Mission. It was during the 3 years at Maguse River many family members died from disease, including Joe Curley and her husband. Afterwards, Rhoda and her family relocated to Arviat. In 1954 Rhoda married Johnny Karetak. Rhoda’s family continued to grow. In 1963 she spent 1 1/2 years in a sanatorium for treatment for tuberculosis. There she received a basic education. Rhoda has maintained a busy lifestyle. She raised her large family and cared for other people’s children. She sewed all her children’s clothing. Rhoda has always been involved in traditional cultural activities and as such has continually promoted Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge). She is the past president of the Inuit Cultural Institute, has been cultural advisor to the Nunavut Government and has worked for the Department of Education on curriculum development to include the Inuit perspective. The common thread through Rhoda’s many achievements and awards is her desire to, ‘keep Inuit culture alive.’ With that aim, she has been a tireless advocate.

Episode 13 — Thomas Suluk

Arviat, Nunavut – Thomas Suluk is an interpreter/translator and an Entrepreneur who lives in Arviat. He was born on March 14th, 1950 in Chesterfield Inlet. In his late teens, he moved to Pangnirtung to attend the Arthur Turner Anglican Theological School. After a few years of attending the school, at age 22, he could not graduate because he was too young to go through the process of Ordination. He decided to move to Iqaluit to pursue a new passion, which became politics. This was around the time when Inuit began to become aware and learn about land claims and other civil rights. He entered into Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, which today is called Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. He later became a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Northwest Territories. He served his term from 1984 to 1988. After serving his term, he took on a job as a CBC radio announcer. He moved to Arviat where he resides today with his family. In 2007, he began a business called ‘Neevee’s Coffee Shop’, which is named after his late wife. He retired and passed down his business to one of his three children.