Introduction-E

Julia: I’m named Qiluja, after her.
Saullu: Qiluja passed away not too long ago. She was Lucassie’s wife. That tiny one. The
other Qiluja was Akisuk’s wife.
Can you tell us about what you were taught, how you were taught, that
sort of thing?
Saullu: Yes. I was taught how to sew and cut patterns. I can do them because I was
taught this. I can work better with skins than cloth. I mean it when I say that. I can work
with cloth but it is not the same. I don’t enjoy working with cloth, only with caribou and
seal skins. I can make a caribou parka in two days, even if it’s for a qallunaaq, as long as
the skins are softened. That’s how I work. I can make a caribou parka in two days. I’m
telling the truth when I say that. I only state what I can do. I only say what I can do, I
am not saying I am the best. Myna’s mother knows as she is my sister. I never had
improper clothing when I was a child, so I was often admired.
Those who didn’t come from the same camp did they have a different
style of clothing?
Saullu: Yes, they were different. But now they copy, as you can see, long parkas made
from cloth.
Were you told not to sew when your husband was away?
Saullu: No, I sewed all the time. I only feel good when I’m sewing. I only stop when I’m
about to go to bed, as it is my way of life. That is the way I am. You can only do it if it
is your way of life. You can’t do it if it’s not. It has always been my way of life.
When he came back from hunting, did you have to meet him right away?
Saullu: We would have to help when my father returned from hunting, removing
harnesses from the dogs when they were using dogteams, or putting them on when my
father prepared for hunting. My siblings and I would help our father. When he became
a widower too, we would help him, even when we were pregnant, as we loved our
father.
The need to help is part of the Inuit way.
Saullu: Yes.
Life Stories – Saullu Nakasuk 87