Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut [Hardcover]

John Bennett (Author), Susan Rowley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mcgill-Queen's Native and Northern Series | Publication Date: June 2004

"Uqalurait" presents a comprehensive account of Inuit life on land and sea ice, in the area now called Nunavut, before extensive contact with southerners. Drawing on a broad range of oral history sources - from nineteenth-century exploration accounts to contemporary community-based projects - the book uses quotes from over three hundred Inuit elders to provide an 'inside' view of family life, social relations, hunting, the land, shamanism, health, and material culture. For the first time, the reader encounters Inuit culture and traditional knowledge through the voices of people who lived the life being described. Based on a larger research project developed under the guidance of six Inuit from across Nunavut, "Uqalurait" consists of thousands of quotations organised thematically into cohesive chapters. The book describes the seasonal rounds of four different groups, capturing the fact that while Inuit across Nunavut had much in common, there was also much to distinguish them from each other, living as they did in many small groups of people, each with its own territory and identity. Given the recent creation of Nunavut, and the current focus of attention on the Arctic due to climate change, "Uqalurait" is a timely source of insight from a people whose values of sharing and respect for the environment have helped them to live contentedly for centuries at the northern limit of the inhabitable world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Uqalurait is the most comprehensive compilation of Inuit traditional knowledge to date." TOPIA - Canadian Journal of Cultural Studies "Recuperates and preserves the dwindling knowledge of how the Inuit lived prior to moving into permanent settlements ... profound and remarkably humorous." The Walrus "In Uqalurait, the history of the Inuit is told in their own words. This thorough and comprehensive work is a formidable achievement that will allow their traditional knowledge to be handed down throughout the generations. The book's simple, logical structure enables non-Inuit to gain a solid and insightful understanding of Inuit life, thought, and society. One of the very fine attributes of this work - and of the Inuit who shared their memories - is that it covers all aspects of Inuit life with complete frankness." Ken Coates, dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, and the author of many books on Canada's north and its peoples

About the Author

John Bennett is a researcher, writer, and editor specializing in the North and a former editor of the Inuit cultural magazine Inuktitut.<br><br>Susan Rowley is associate professor of anthropology and sociology and curator of public archaeology, Museum of Anth

Product Details

• Hardcover: 473 pages
• Publisher: Mcgill Queens Univ Pr (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773523405
• ISBN-13: 978-0773523401
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,275,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An indispensable work, June 14, 2011

By 

Margaret H. McDonald (Portland, OR, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut (Mcgill-Queen's Native and Nort) (Paperback)

This marvelous work is unique in studies of Inuit history and culture in that Inuit elders get to speak for themselves rather than having their experiences reported through the interpretive lens of anthropologists, explorers, and other visitors. The editors give brief, helpful explanations for each subtopic, but they defer to elders who remember life on the land in beautiful, moving, and often humorous ways. Their recollections derive from several oral-history projects conducted in different regions of Nunavut and are divided into chapters highlighting the life cycle, the seasonal round for people living in different regions, and aspects of daily life such as hunting, tool-making and use, clothing, celebrations, and beliefs. Whether you're new to Arctic studies or not, this book is absolutely indispensable.

5.0 out of 5 stars Researching the Inuit? Be sure to add this to your library, May 9, 2009

By 

Nienor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut (Mcgill-Queen's Native and Nort) (Paperback)

Uqalurait is a collection of quotations from the Inuit elders themselves. This book is excellent for research, especially anthropology. It helps you get the "feel" of Inuit culture as well as learn about their worldview. It is the next best thing to talking to the Inuit themselves. I used it when I wrote a paper about Inuit religion, but it can be used for any topic from family structure, hunting practices, leadership in the community, music and dance, astronomy, cosmology, shamanism, death, architecture, etc. So be sure to add this to your library.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Insight to Inuit, June 9, 2007

By 

Kristy N. Barber (Mount Airy, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut (Hardcover)

I used this book for a college history class. It was very helpful in understanding the inuit culture. It gave lots of details and I would defintatly recommend this book!