Introduction-E

Life Stories
Elisapee Ootoova
Interviewers: Aaju Peter and Jeannie Shaimaiyuk
Translation: Maaki Kakkik
Frédéric Laugrand
Elisapee: I was born on January 6, 1931 where it’s constantly dark near Qausuittuq.
They returned to Mittimatalik when I was a year old.
Who was your mother, and where did she come from?
Elisapee: We call the Mittimatalik area Tununiq. She was originally from Tununiq and
her name was Ataguttiaq. Her father was Qamaniq, and her mother was Makpainnuk.
My father’s father was Kipumii Qaaqiuq. His mother was Kautaq, who died when he
was only a young boy. He ended up having a stepmother.
You’ve always lived in the High Arctic?
Elisapee: Yes, we’ve always lived in the Tununiq area.
Do we have to ask you questions? Do you want to tell us about
your early years?
Elisapee: If my experiences will be used as an example, yes, I would like to be able to
contribute.
Life Stories – Elisapee Ootoova 13