Sanaaq

by Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk

Sanaaq is an intimate story of an Inuit family negotiating the changes brought into their community by the coming of the qallunaat, the white people, in the mid-nineteenth century.

Composed in 48 episodes, it recounts the daily life of Sanaaq, a strong and outspoken young widow, her daughter Qumaq, and their small semi-nomadic community in northern Quebec. Here they live their lives hunting seal, repairing their kayak, and gathering mussels under blue sea ice before the tide comes in. These are ordinary extraordinary lives: marriages are made and unmade, children are born and named, violence appears in the form of a fearful husband or a hungry polar bear. Here the spirit world is alive and relations with non-humans are never taken lightly. And under it all, the growing intrusion of the qallunaat and the battle for souls between the Catholic and Anglican missionaries threatens to forever change the way of life of Sanaaq and her young family.

Paperback

Published January 31, 2014

About the author

Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk (1931 – 2007) was an educator and author based in the northern Quebec territory of Nunavik.

Dedicated to preserving Inuit culture, Nappaaluk authored over twenty books, including Sanaaq, the first novel written in syllabics. Among her many accomplishments, Nappaaluk also compiled an Inuttitut encyclopedia of Inuit traditional knowledge, translated the Catholic prayer book into Inuttitut, and helped to develop curriculum materials for the Kativik School Board.

In 1999, Nappaaluk received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the Heritage and Spirituality category. In 2000, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from McGill University and in 2004 was appointed to the Order of Canada.

Reviews

[Freya Abbas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the concept very interesting as it was sort of a slice-of-life. The daily lives of a whole extended family of Inuit are covered. Even with the religious changes being brought by Qallunaat missionaries, the old spirits remain real and the Inuit sometimes have interactions with them.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to understand about daily life as an Inuit. The author explained about hunting, home life, relationships including child life. It was surprising how late Inuit language was documented. I learned a few Inuit words as I read.

[Theresa]

No rating. It was an interesting read. I don’t think this book was for me though, so it doesn’t feel right to give a rating. I’m glad I read it. It’s good to try new and unfamiliar.

[Benoit Gauthier]

Un roman difficile à noter. Le niveau d’écriture est très basique. Il s’agit toutefois d’une immersion très intéressante de la vie des inuits du milieu du 20e siècle. J’ai apprécié que le traducteur garde une bonne partie des mots en langue originale.