Introduction-E

asked to join. I declined because of my lack of ability to speak English. Since there were
many that could speak English, I thought, why should I be chosen? That was one of my
reasons for declining the offer. Then later that year, the one I called Quinijuq was there,
and we cast our votes. Quinijuq always liked to sit beside me. When we were sitting
together he spoke to me. He was always friendly to me. He turned to me and said,
“Pauloosie, you received less votes since you didn’t want to be elected.” I haven’t
forgotten. I remember it well. I remember that when he said that to me, he wasn’t
smiling as he looked at me. It wasn’t funny then, but now it is.
Where were you when you were asked if you wanted to study for
the ministry? Were you still living in the outpost camp?
Pauloosie: In Pangniqtuuq.
After you had been made to move?
Pauloosie: Yes, after we had just been made to move to Pangniqtuuq we started being
taught by the ministers. I wasn’t trying to get chosen for this myself, but the minister
asked me. Maybe Kisaq told the bishop about my Christianity. That was when I became
a student to be a minister. Then afterwards, after we had cast our votes, the one who
went to study for the ministry in Pangniqtuuq, was from Qikiqtarjuaq. He got sent back
home because he was not showing up enough for school. Quinijuq then again said to
me, “The bishop doesn’t mind if someone wants to study for the ministry even if they
don’t speak English and even if they are getting elderly.” I think he was trying to talk
me into going to the school. He was telling me this saying, “He doesn’t mind even if
someone can’t speak English or even if someone is getting elderly.” I think he was trying
to persuade me. I regretted only afterward, when the one we had chosen did not finish.
I thought he would have followed through with his studies, which was one of the
reasons why I had not wanted to run for election. There were many votes cast to decide
who would go to Pangniqtuuq to study to become a minister. I would tell them
beforehand not to vote for me because I couldn’t speak English, as the letters that the
bishop sent to the communities seemed to indicate that they wanted people who could
speak English. Because I couldn’t speak English I had said that I didn’t want anybody
to vote for me, but I received the second most votes. If I had said that I wanted to be
elected almost everyone would have voted for me, I’m sure. This was my only
disobedience, due to the fact that I couldn’t speak English. As it turned out, it would
have been all right even if I couldn’t speak English like Elaijah.
108 Introduction to the Oral Traditions