Introduction-E

Where did you learn about being a midwife?
Saullu: When I was a young person, I used to go along with my mother when she was
assisting in a delivery.
You used to go along with her?
Saullu: I would be taught. When Moses Atagujuk’s wife was born I was to have been
the midwife and she was to have been my “arnaliaq” [for a male it’s angusiaq] but I
refused. I wanted to go berry picking instead.
What were you asked to do?
Saullu: I was asked to be behind the woman who was giving birth, Alivaqtaq. I didn’t go
to the delivery, I went berry picking instead.
When I was a young person, I used to attend many births. There are a lot of children
for whom I was the kisuliuqti [maker] or midwife. I was a maker for all my younger
sister Taina’s children.
Were the ones behind, the kisuliuqtit?
Saullu: Tunumiaq was what they were called. Only those behind the ones giving birth
were considered to be the kisuliuqtit. Nowadays, all those who see the birth are
considered kisuliuqtit, even though they have been of no use to the one in labour. If I am
of no use, I don’t want to be there. I assisted Akpa [Abigail Ootoova] in her delivery
when she went into labour at the hospital in Pangniqtuuq, because I was requested to
come. The baby was considered to be my arnaliaq although I was only present at the
birth. I have been requested more than once to assist in births in Pangniqtuuq, in the
hospital there.
When you were the kisuliuqti, would you state what qualities you wanted
them to have?
Saullu: Definitely. They are better people because of this. I was the kisuliuqti at my
arnaliaq’s son’s birth so he thus became my angusiaq. My angusiaq’s son is also my
angusiaq because I was again the kisuliuqti. That is the way it is because I don’t have
much fear. That is the person I am. [Saullu was present for the birth of three
generations.] Because I didn’t have much fear I used to enjoy doing this. Also the male
whose birth I assisted in, his son is the one I made into a male. I have given some of them
qualities so they can be helpful to others in need. They have really become better people
because of this. It seems to be useful. Maybe because it is easy for me to speak my mind,
I can do this. Nowadays, I get asked by my children, “Have you stopped enjoying
Life Stories – Saullu Nakasuk 71