Introduction-E

Yesterday, it was said that they used to adopt only from their relatives.
Is that how you adopted too?
Paniaq: No, not at all. Well, they are related to my wife. We never really asked for any
of them except for one that I asked to adopt. We never asked for the rest of them, but we
were given them. Do you understand what I mean by asking?
Yes. When you were a little boy, do you recall when you started
remembering? Can you tell us a story?
Paniaq: I recall a lot of things, when I was on my mother’s back and we were going
inland to go caribou hunting. I recall them walking when I was on my mother’s back
and I had to urinate. After that, I would have to reverse the events to talk about them.
The ones I remember. Even though I could venture outside I did not, as I got scared
easily. I didn’t have much sense and I got scared easily.
Did you have any siblings?
Paniaq: Of course, but I was not with any of my siblings. My oldest brother was raised
by my grandparents, Ittuksaarjuat (and Ataguttaaluk); the next one was raised by my
grandparents, Inuaraq (and Ilupaalik); the third one was raised by Kalluk (Ittuksaarjuat’s
second wife); my older sister was raised by my grandmother (Ataguttaaluk). I was the
first one raised by my parents. I had two younger sisters but they both died. I remember
one of them, but I do not remember the other one. And after that a boy was born. I
remember that, and another sister. Another sister was born, but she was adopted. She is
no longer alive. We had another sister and we had another brother, but he died just after
birth. The last one is our youngest brother who runs for election when it’s election time.
Who’s the youngest one?
Paniaq: John Ilupaalik. He is on television from time to time.
So he’s the youngest sibling?
Paniaq: Yes.
You said earlier that you used to live in Avvajja? Can you tell us a story
that you remember about it?
Paniaq: Yes, of course. I was born and raised in Avvajja, and they used to trap fox over
there. When springtime came, we would go to a place called Iglulik by dogteam, and
when fall came, we would return and live in the same huts during the winter. That’s
what I remember.
Life Stories – Hervé Paniaq 45