Saqiyuq: Stories from the Lives of Three Inuit Women (Volume 19)

by Nancy Wachowich

A grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter take us on a remarkable journey in which the cycles of life - childhood, adolescence, marriage, birthing and child rearing - are presented against the contrasting experiences of three successive generations. Their memories and reflections give us poignant insight into the history of the people of the new territory of Nunavut. Apphia Awa, who was born in 1931, experienced the traditional life on the land while Rhoda Katsak, Apphia's daughter, was part of the transitional generation who were sent to government schools. In contrast to both, Sandra Katsak, Rhoda's daughter, has grown up in the settlement of Pond Inlet among the conveniences and tensions of contemporary northern communities - video games and coffee shops but also drugs and alcohol. During the last years of Apphia's life Rhoda and Sandra began working to reconnect to their traditional culture and learn the art of making traditional skin clothing. Through the storytelling in Saqiyuq, Apphia, Rhoda, and Sandra explore the transformations that have taken place in the lives of the Inuit and chart the struggle of the Inuit to reclaim their traditional practices and integrate them into their lives. Nancy Wachowich became friends with Rhoda Katsak and her family during the early 1990s and was able to record their stories before Apphia's death in 1996. Saqiyuq will appeal to everyone interested in the Inuit, the North, family bonds, and a good story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Memoir, Feminism, Canada, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Anna Bunce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read that truly illuminated Inuit life through 3 generations as well as cultural traditions, history and changing life styles. Incredible story telling - a must read for anyone interested in Inuit culture, especially from the viewpoint of three wonderfully strong women.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. The oral history of 3 Inuit women representing different generations in the same family. Covering topics such as living off the land, marriage, childbirth, schooling, illnesses, struggling with identity, paid work, drugs and a whole lot more. Most interesting is the cross-generational analysis of moving from the land to settlements and the role of colonialism in shaping Inuit lives. Powerful. It reminded me a lot of the NFB documentary "Qallunaat: Why White People are Funny".

[Shayna June · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Not Finished* (Library title needs returning, would love to revisit)

This 3 part book shares stories from the lives of 3 generations of Inuit women living in the northernmost parts of Canada. The first half of the book makes up the first part, from the eldest woman. Aphia Awa was born on the land and over the course of her very interesting life was subject to assimilation by the Canadian government (Qualunat as white people are called), before she eventually settled in Pond Inlet. The next two parts contain stories from her daughter and granddaughter. I'm returning this book to the library while only about halfway through the second part, but I feel I have learned a lot about the culture of the North, and the way my country has endeavoured to change it. The stories shared here give a window into a very different way of life, and occasionally made me laugh or shed a tear. This is a title I look forward to revisiting.

[Puja Killa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* Fascinating account of Inuit life over three generations. From the hunting-fishing life style in early part of 20th century to forced assimilation in qallunaat (white) ways for better or for worse, the feeble resistance and the eventual submission… all at a dizzying speed over 70/80 years. Exactly what I was looking for.

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up
incredible! not only were the stories told eye opening and interesting, but it brings forth the idea of biographies, how we remember and recount our own lives, either through oral storytelling or something else. what gets lost in translation? which stories slip through the cracks?
i loved the first half, but the second half felt like it really picked up and came together then.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look into these indigenous women's experience across generations that show so many facets of their lives in the larger context.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in their own voices, the book follows three Inuit women from different generations as they share their experiences. From one living primarily "on the land" with little contact with white people until later in life to her granddaughter who is curious about the "old ways" and struggling to find her place, the stories feel both unique/authentic/personal as well as being representative of many broader experiences. Even the narrative voice and cadence shifts as more English and school-learning creep in to supplant the rhythms of oral culture.

The best part about this book is that it isn't a reflection ABOUT these women or a consideration of what their stories mean, but rather their own important stories that allow outsiders a window into a very foreign way of living while also holding a mirror up to common humanity and suffering. It doesn't feel like it needs much external commentary, and all Wachowich provides is some context at the beginning, and, and between sections.

I found that I didn't want to put it down, and I was disappointed when it was over because it felt like saying goodbye to people I cared very much for.

[Nicoleta T · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are curious about how Inuit people used to live (from the 50s and later) and live nowadays, don't overthink it and just read it. I was hoping to learn more about the old beliefs like spirituality and shamanism and if you do too, then search for another book specifically on that or set in earlier years. It's still a very good book and I learned a lot from it. Now I have a pretty good understanding of how life is there, especially from women's point of view. I would recommend it to everyone just for general knowledge!

[Brian Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As the Author indicated the is a lot of repetition by the speakers who are telling their story especially the Grandmother. Aside from that the story made me far more aware of the beliefs and culture of the Inuit people and I sympathize with them. Similar to the aboriginal people the “white man”. Wanted them to assimilate to the white man’s beliefs and culture. We should have just left the alone. If they chose to change fine but they should not have been forced to do so.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible oral history of 3 generations of Inuit women, from traditional living on the land, contact with Qallunaat (white people) and the arrival of illnesses, to government schools and religion, to modern life, struggles and reconnecting to traditional roots. Recommend listening as an audiobook to understand language patterns and pronunciations

[Audrey Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have an interest in Indigenous culture, especially Inuit culture, than this in-depth look at one family's three generation experience is a must read. Book is based on the Phd experience of author Nancy Wachowich and in collaboration with Apphia A. Awe, Rhoda K. Katsak, and Sandra P. Katsak.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story of three generations of Inuit women with real life accounts of what their life and culture are like.

[Jayson Campeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Wachowich has done us all a favour in collecting and retelling these stories. I know nothing about living in the north and so everything these short stories recount is interesting to me. It was a beautiful and raw account of life in the north. The difficult themes are dealt with but your nose isn't rubbed in it. I appreciate that. I know that taking responsibility for what white man did is part of the healing and I am not skirting that, it was just nice to have such insight into how these women felt about what happened to them and to their way of life.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to rhis book and have been urging it upon book friends since finishing. Thank you, Libro.FM, for the opportunity to listen to it for free. Thank you, Lisa, for introducing me to Libro.FM's generous program for teachers, librarians, etc. Link here: https://libro.fm/alcprogram

[averrie v · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative, enticing, and fascinating

[Neil Cochrane]

Just couldn't get into it. May come back to it someday.

[ht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite moving, especially the grandmother's stories. It's fascinating to move from one generation to the next.