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From the Tundra to the Trenches
“My name is Weetaltuk; Eddy Weetaltuk. My Eskimo tag name is E9-422.” So begins From the Tundra to the Trenches. Weetaltuk means "innocent eyes" in Inuktitut, but to the Canadian government, he was known as E9-422: E for Eskimo, 9 for his community, 422 to identify Eddy.
In 1951, Eddy decided to leave James Bay. Because Inuit weren’t allowed to leave the north, he changed his name and used this new identity to enlist in the Canadian Forces; Edward Weetaltuk, E9-422, became Eddy Vital, SC-17515, and headed off to fight in the Korean War.
In 1967, after fifteen years in the Canadian Forces, Eddy returned home. He worked with Inuit youth struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and, in 1974, started writing his life’s story. This compelling memoir traces an Inuk’s experiences of world travel and military service. Looking back on his life, Weetaltuk wanted to show young Inuit that they can do and be what they choose.
From the Tundra to the Trenches is the fourth book in the First Voices, First Texts series, which publishes lost or underappreciated texts by Indigenous writers. This new English edition of Eddy Weetaltuk’s memoir includes a foreword by Thibault Martin and an introduction by Isabelle St-Amand.
In 1951, Eddy decided to leave James Bay. Because Inuit weren’t allowed to leave the north, he changed his name and used this new identity to enlist in the Canadian Forces; Edward Weetaltuk, E9-422, became Eddy Vital, SC-17515, and headed off to fight in the Korean War.
In 1967, after fifteen years in the Canadian Forces, Eddy returned home. He worked with Inuit youth struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and, in 1974, started writing his life’s story. This compelling memoir traces an Inuk’s experiences of world travel and military service. Looking back on his life, Weetaltuk wanted to show young Inuit that they can do and be what they choose.
From the Tundra to the Trenches is the fourth book in the First Voices, First Texts series, which publishes lost or underappreciated texts by Indigenous writers. This new English edition of Eddy Weetaltuk’s memoir includes a foreword by Thibault Martin and an introduction by Isabelle St-Amand.
210 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2017
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October 9, 2018
From prairiefire.ca. Review by Mary Barnes.
“To be frank, I have to say that the mission school, even if it was tough and I hated it sometimes, it was also like a second family for me.” (59) These words belong to Eddy Weetaltuk. His memoir, From the Tundra to the Trenches, resonates with an honesty and humour that is refreshing. His voice exemplifies the author’s resilience, his determination to survive and achieve his goals; he does so by adapting to the changes in his world. It’s as if he welcomes change in the same way he would welcome a person as a member of his family.
Eddy is Eddy Weetaltuk, his surname meaning ‘innocent eyes’. To the Canadian government he is E9-422, and like his family members and the rest of the Inuit community he becomes a number. Born on Strutton Island in James Bay, Eddy begins his life in the traditional way of the Inuit, following his parents in whale hunting and fishing. But the whales become scarce with the arrival of Europeans. In their fervour for whale oil they gradually deplete the Inuit of their source of food. In the years that follow, famine strikes the community and with it the rise of diseases, especially tuberculosis. Eddy says early in the book that he and his siblings “were taught by mother, to love everyone and be compassionate.” And it is this tenet of caring which helps the family survive. (6)
When he is seven years old, Eddy converts to Roman Catholicism. The Fathers Oblate see that the boy as a bright and eager individual and suggest that he attend the St. Theresa School at Fort George to obtain a complete education. To this his father agrees. The boy has mixed feelings about the separation. Though he enjoys learning, he misses his family. And yet at the boarding school he grows and learns, and is especially interested in animal husbandry. He also learns to speak other languages and over the course of time becomes fluent in Inuit, Cree, French and English.
His life takes a turn when in 1951 he leaves James Bay for the South. He is hesitant at first as Inuit are not allowed to leave the North. Persuaded by friends, he changes his name and enlist in the Canadian Forces and serves overseas in the Korean War. During the war he fights along with others and is treated as an equal for the men are all fighting for freedom and defending their country. Unfortunately he experiences cruelty and discrimination when he finds himself in military prison. After the war he decides to re enlist and goes to Germany where he submerses himself into another culture and learns to speak German.
Enhancing this memoir are paintings done by Eddy depicting various adventures from his early childhood to the Korean War and his tour in Germany after the war. The paintings supply a welcome addition to an already fascinating story of a young man on his life journey. Framing this remarkable story is an appendix, a forward and an introduction that emphasize the importance of Eddy’s voice. Thibault Martin states in his forward that these experiences allowed Weetaltuk to “understand the world from different perspectives, asked himself a number of questions on human nature and on the value of supposedly universal ideals”. (xxiii)
Eddy does not forget his roots. He eventually returns to the village of White Whale (Kuujjuarapik) where he helps the youth of his community. He writes in his conclusion; “I hope my story will help the young Inuit to find inspiration to strive to maintain their heritage, because it is the only way to avoid losing one’s soul.”(110) Eddy’s story has many twists and turns and as he says, “life is full of departures and goodbyes”, but he tells it with conviction in the hopes that someone will listen, that someone will understand. (82)
“To be frank, I have to say that the mission school, even if it was tough and I hated it sometimes, it was also like a second family for me.” (59) These words belong to Eddy Weetaltuk. His memoir, From the Tundra to the Trenches, resonates with an honesty and humour that is refreshing. His voice exemplifies the author’s resilience, his determination to survive and achieve his goals; he does so by adapting to the changes in his world. It’s as if he welcomes change in the same way he would welcome a person as a member of his family.
Eddy is Eddy Weetaltuk, his surname meaning ‘innocent eyes’. To the Canadian government he is E9-422, and like his family members and the rest of the Inuit community he becomes a number. Born on Strutton Island in James Bay, Eddy begins his life in the traditional way of the Inuit, following his parents in whale hunting and fishing. But the whales become scarce with the arrival of Europeans. In their fervour for whale oil they gradually deplete the Inuit of their source of food. In the years that follow, famine strikes the community and with it the rise of diseases, especially tuberculosis. Eddy says early in the book that he and his siblings “were taught by mother, to love everyone and be compassionate.” And it is this tenet of caring which helps the family survive. (6)
When he is seven years old, Eddy converts to Roman Catholicism. The Fathers Oblate see that the boy as a bright and eager individual and suggest that he attend the St. Theresa School at Fort George to obtain a complete education. To this his father agrees. The boy has mixed feelings about the separation. Though he enjoys learning, he misses his family. And yet at the boarding school he grows and learns, and is especially interested in animal husbandry. He also learns to speak other languages and over the course of time becomes fluent in Inuit, Cree, French and English.
His life takes a turn when in 1951 he leaves James Bay for the South. He is hesitant at first as Inuit are not allowed to leave the North. Persuaded by friends, he changes his name and enlist in the Canadian Forces and serves overseas in the Korean War. During the war he fights along with others and is treated as an equal for the men are all fighting for freedom and defending their country. Unfortunately he experiences cruelty and discrimination when he finds himself in military prison. After the war he decides to re enlist and goes to Germany where he submerses himself into another culture and learns to speak German.
Enhancing this memoir are paintings done by Eddy depicting various adventures from his early childhood to the Korean War and his tour in Germany after the war. The paintings supply a welcome addition to an already fascinating story of a young man on his life journey. Framing this remarkable story is an appendix, a forward and an introduction that emphasize the importance of Eddy’s voice. Thibault Martin states in his forward that these experiences allowed Weetaltuk to “understand the world from different perspectives, asked himself a number of questions on human nature and on the value of supposedly universal ideals”. (xxiii)
Eddy does not forget his roots. He eventually returns to the village of White Whale (Kuujjuarapik) where he helps the youth of his community. He writes in his conclusion; “I hope my story will help the young Inuit to find inspiration to strive to maintain their heritage, because it is the only way to avoid losing one’s soul.”(110) Eddy’s story has many twists and turns and as he says, “life is full of departures and goodbyes”, but he tells it with conviction in the hopes that someone will listen, that someone will understand. (82)
March 2, 2022
A beautifully honest and heartfelt memoir from Eddy Weetaltuk -- a brave Inuk who changed his identity to join the army and see the world. I didn't know what to expect when I picked this off the shelf, but I soon became engrossed by Eddy's candid narration, his undying optimism, and his cheeky anecdotes about Korea, Germany, Quebec, BC -- and everywhere in between. He painted portraits that excited me about Canadian landscapes I had thought were uninspired, and incited a wonder for the country I call home.
I also really appreciate his perspective on war. He is honest about the misgivings of the culture of soldiers overseas, and does not shy away from admitting his former naivety and prejudices. He describes the joys just as much as the lows and terror, and the voracity of it all. Overall, you can understand his gratitude for the army and the opportunities it presented him to see the world and earn a living. Not only that, but in a time when the RCMP and the Canadian government heavily patrolled and corralled Inuit villages, and prejudice against Indigenous peoples was rampant (though it still is), the army offered him a place and title of respect. He was treated the same as all other soldiers and shared a sense of bonding comradery, which unfortunately didn't extend into his life as an Inuit civilian.
Eddy acknowledges how lucky he was to have been able to leave his village and its poverty to travel beyond the north shores of Quebec, though at a heavy price of being apart from his family for much of his life. Inuit should not have had to face such sacrifices (and potential consequences, for many faced jail for traveling South) in order to prosper, but Eddy's story is one that does inspire hope and wanderlust. Oh and I LOVED his illustrations!! Beautiful coloured renderings of precious moments in his personal history. Highly recommend this book for all Canadians!! Rest in peace, Eddy Weetaltuk.
I also really appreciate his perspective on war. He is honest about the misgivings of the culture of soldiers overseas, and does not shy away from admitting his former naivety and prejudices. He describes the joys just as much as the lows and terror, and the voracity of it all. Overall, you can understand his gratitude for the army and the opportunities it presented him to see the world and earn a living. Not only that, but in a time when the RCMP and the Canadian government heavily patrolled and corralled Inuit villages, and prejudice against Indigenous peoples was rampant (though it still is), the army offered him a place and title of respect. He was treated the same as all other soldiers and shared a sense of bonding comradery, which unfortunately didn't extend into his life as an Inuit civilian.
Eddy acknowledges how lucky he was to have been able to leave his village and its poverty to travel beyond the north shores of Quebec, though at a heavy price of being apart from his family for much of his life. Inuit should not have had to face such sacrifices (and potential consequences, for many faced jail for traveling South) in order to prosper, but Eddy's story is one that does inspire hope and wanderlust. Oh and I LOVED his illustrations!! Beautiful coloured renderings of precious moments in his personal history. Highly recommend this book for all Canadians!! Rest in peace, Eddy Weetaltuk.
March 2, 2025
Eddy Weetaltuk est fidèle à ce qu’il prévoit faire : rendre un portrait juste et honnête de la vie d’un inuk au parcours unique de façon « entertainante ».
Ma seule critique du livre : une trop grande place est prise d’abord par le préface, puis par l’appendice qui, individuellement, cherchent à ajouter du contexte à ce magnifique ouvrage mais qui, mis ensemble, viennent occuper la majorité des pages du livre, comme un étouffant sandwich colonialiste.
10 out of 10 would read it again, still.
Ma seule critique du livre : une trop grande place est prise d’abord par le préface, puis par l’appendice qui, individuellement, cherchent à ajouter du contexte à ce magnifique ouvrage mais qui, mis ensemble, viennent occuper la majorité des pages du livre, comme un étouffant sandwich colonialiste.
10 out of 10 would read it again, still.
April 16, 2018
A very interesting account of an Inuit man's experiences of the 30s and 40s in Northern Canada, the Korean war, under a false identity because Inuit were not allowed to leave the North, and post Second World War Japan and Germany. He spoke from a very unique position by going against the laws of the Canadian government and the challenges and changes to the Canadian North. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2018
Edward Weetaltuk est un Inuit qui est né en 1932 au milieu de la Baie James, sur une île,
à Strutton Islands. Ses parents sont inuit et vivent comme ils peuvent de la pêche et de la
chasse. Ils sont très pauvres, ont souvent faim et ils cherchent avant tout à survivre. Eddy
va quitter le foyer de Vieux Comptoir pour recevoir une éducation religieuse en pensionnat
à Fort George, chez les oblats et les Soeurs Grises. Il ne parle que l'inuktitut mais il va
très vite apprendre le français, l’anglais et le Cri avec ses amis. La vie est très difficile en
pensionnat pour lui qui avait l’habitude des grands espaces et de son milieu familial mais
il va s’adapter. Le temps passe, il finit par partir dans le Sud. Il désire s’engager dans
l’armée mais il pense, non sans raison, que le gouvernement fédéral interdit aux Inuit
de rentrer dans l’armée, et tout simplement de quitter l’Arctique. Il va donc s’inventer
une nouvelle identité, Eddy Vital, francophone, né de père Blanc et de mère Inuit. Et ça
marche. Il parvient à entrer dans l’armée du Canada et se retrouve comme opérateur
de mortier, en 1953, en pleine guerre de Corée. Son récit de la guerre est forcément
saisissant. Quelques camarades meurent, lui, il survit. Il rentre ensuite au Canada après
des escales au Japon. Il effectuera ensuite deux séjours en Allemagne après avoir
été muté en Colombie Britannique, puis il abandonnera la vie militaire pour retourner
vivre à Grande Baleine, en Arctique.
Ce récit d’une vie est exceptionnel car nous avons le point de vue d’un inuk qui a refusé
de se plier aux lois racistes du gouvernement fédéral afin de vivre sa vie à lui, loin
de se communauté, envers et contre tous. Eddy raconte en toute franchise sa vie au
pensionnat, sa famille qui lui manque, sa vie routinière de militaire, l’entraînement,
la formation, les séjours humiliants en prison, la bière, la visite des bordels, les escales
au Japon occupé par les vainqueurs de la seconde guerre mondiale, les combats en
Corée, ses deux périodes en Allemagne. Dans l’armée, il est traité d’égal à égal,
mais dans la vie civile, il ressent durement de racisme. Il jette un regard lucide
sur la situation des Inuit qui encore dans les années soixante vivent dans une
grande misère alors que le Canada est devenu un pays riche. Lui qui vient
d’une tradition orale, il a tenu à laisser un témoignage écrit d’espoir aux jeunes
générations.
Mais ce n’est pas tout.
À la fin de l’ouvrage, Thibault Martin raconte les conditions d’écriture
de cet ouvrage et l’histoire du manuscrit. Cet auteur, d’une manière limpide,
raconte également... <
aux guerres canadiennes>>, et explique comment les membres des différentes
nations sont passés d’alliés de la Couronne britannique à membre de minorités
du gouvernement fédéral avec tout ce que cela comprend de spoliation,
d’acculturation, de traitement injuste, de vol, d’injustice et de racisme.
Un très beau livre!
à Strutton Islands. Ses parents sont inuit et vivent comme ils peuvent de la pêche et de la
chasse. Ils sont très pauvres, ont souvent faim et ils cherchent avant tout à survivre. Eddy
va quitter le foyer de Vieux Comptoir pour recevoir une éducation religieuse en pensionnat
à Fort George, chez les oblats et les Soeurs Grises. Il ne parle que l'inuktitut mais il va
très vite apprendre le français, l’anglais et le Cri avec ses amis. La vie est très difficile en
pensionnat pour lui qui avait l’habitude des grands espaces et de son milieu familial mais
il va s’adapter. Le temps passe, il finit par partir dans le Sud. Il désire s’engager dans
l’armée mais il pense, non sans raison, que le gouvernement fédéral interdit aux Inuit
de rentrer dans l’armée, et tout simplement de quitter l’Arctique. Il va donc s’inventer
une nouvelle identité, Eddy Vital, francophone, né de père Blanc et de mère Inuit. Et ça
marche. Il parvient à entrer dans l’armée du Canada et se retrouve comme opérateur
de mortier, en 1953, en pleine guerre de Corée. Son récit de la guerre est forcément
saisissant. Quelques camarades meurent, lui, il survit. Il rentre ensuite au Canada après
des escales au Japon. Il effectuera ensuite deux séjours en Allemagne après avoir
été muté en Colombie Britannique, puis il abandonnera la vie militaire pour retourner
vivre à Grande Baleine, en Arctique.
Ce récit d’une vie est exceptionnel car nous avons le point de vue d’un inuk qui a refusé
de se plier aux lois racistes du gouvernement fédéral afin de vivre sa vie à lui, loin
de se communauté, envers et contre tous. Eddy raconte en toute franchise sa vie au
pensionnat, sa famille qui lui manque, sa vie routinière de militaire, l’entraînement,
la formation, les séjours humiliants en prison, la bière, la visite des bordels, les escales
au Japon occupé par les vainqueurs de la seconde guerre mondiale, les combats en
Corée, ses deux périodes en Allemagne. Dans l’armée, il est traité d’égal à égal,
mais dans la vie civile, il ressent durement de racisme. Il jette un regard lucide
sur la situation des Inuit qui encore dans les années soixante vivent dans une
grande misère alors que le Canada est devenu un pays riche. Lui qui vient
d’une tradition orale, il a tenu à laisser un témoignage écrit d’espoir aux jeunes
générations.
Mais ce n’est pas tout.
À la fin de l’ouvrage, Thibault Martin raconte les conditions d’écriture
de cet ouvrage et l’histoire du manuscrit. Cet auteur, d’une manière limpide,
raconte également... <
aux guerres canadiennes>>, et explique comment les membres des différentes
nations sont passés d’alliés de la Couronne britannique à membre de minorités
du gouvernement fédéral avec tout ce que cela comprend de spoliation,
d’acculturation, de traitement injuste, de vol, d’injustice et de racisme.
Un très beau livre!
May 21, 2017
Powerful book. Reading it I mostly feel shame as a Canadian
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews