Introduction-E

away. That was the only way it left. The bear stopped tampering with the outboard
motor after shots were fired, as it was really close to the shack where we were. Our
canoes were pulled up and the bear was a stone’s throw away, when it was biting the
handle of the starter. The bear would bite the starter and suddenly release it. I had heard
before that bears think like humans, but I believed it more than ever after I saw that.
The bear was probably trying to start the motor?
Pauloosie: Yes, it was trying to start it.
You weren’t supposed to talk badly of bears because they could think
like humans?
Pauloosie: Yes, it was always said that you shouldn’t talk badly about animals or make
fun of them, especially bears. We were told when we were children that if you
mistreated or made fun of animals, they could seek revenge, especially the ones that
could be fierce.
If a bear attacked, what were you advised to do?
Pauloosie: I was never told what I should do if I was ever attacked. Around
Pangniqtuuq there was never really an abundance of bears.
What about if the bear was facing a certain way?
Were you told which way you should be seeking safety?
Pauloosie: If a bear was positioned here [demonstrating] or if it was sitting, we were
told that the paws could be dangerous. We were told that it was more awkward for it to
attack something behind it.
Are bears the only animals that were referred to as tikiraaqtuq?
Pauloosie: All wildlife that comes into a camp is called tikiraaqtuq. Polar bears are often
referred to like that because they can be fierce.
Could people also be referred to as tikiraaqtut?
Pauloosie: No. Tikittut is the only term used for people.
Have you ever caught a bear?
Pauloosie: Of course. I am a man.
122 Introduction to the Oral Traditions