The People of the Sea

Told by Donald Uluadluak

Illustrated by Mike Motz

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-138-6

28 pp.

Ages 5-8

April 2017

The supernatural can be frightening but all the more when based in a true story.  This is a true story.  It is the story that was told by Nunavut Elder Donald Uluadluak of a childhood encounter that revealed a bridge between the world of his Inuit life and the myths of his people.

From The People of the Sea 

told by Donald Uluadluak 

illus. by Mike Motz

Donald Uluadluak recalled playing with two friends on the beach and in the water near Arviat, Nunavut in 1940.  When a woman with long dark hair like seaweed and pale skin appeared in the water, watching the trio but never speaking, the boys ran away, back to their camp.  It wasn’t until much later that they shared with their families what they’d seen and were told they’d seen an arnajuinnaq, one of the sea-dwellers of Inuit myths.

From The People of the Sea 

told by Donald Uluadluak 

illus. by Mike Motz

Imagine seeing a supernatural creature. Donald Uluadluak and his friends must have been stunned to learn what they had seen.  Startlingly, he reveals that “Our parents told us that, in the past, people of the sea were easy to spot.  But by the time I was a boy, they had become rare and were not often seen.” (pg. 26) I don’t know why these creatures revealed themselves to the Inuit and specifically to Donald Uluadluak and his friends but The People of the Sea gives us a first-hand account like no other.  Whether the reader believes Donald Uluadluak's account or not, there is an honesty to his story, perhaps because of the playful innocence of the children and the earnestness with which they share the story with their families.  Still Mike Motz's illustrations convey a cool creepiness to the story and makes the reader think about the possibility that a supernatural creature visited three boys that day.

Inhabit Media co-founder Neil Christopher provides notes about his interactions and work with storyteller Donald Uluadluak, having helped put the Elder's stories, including Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story (Inhabit Media, 2012), to paper so that all might share in their knowledge and cultural importance.  Though Donald Uluadluak passed in 2014, his daughter Elizabeth Issakiark ensured his tales would not be lost.  Like Neil Christopher does in his introduction, I would like to thank Elizabeth Issakiark for her dedication to helping share her father’s stories and to Donald Uluadluak for revealing so much personal history and heritage for those of us ignorant of much but interested in learning.  I hope that The People of the Sea is but the first of more Donald Uluadluak’s stories that will be shared with the world.

Donald Uluadluak and daughter Elizabeth Issakiark 

from preface to The People of the Sea

Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story

by Donald Uluadluak

Illustrated by Qin Leng

Inhabit Media

32 pp.

Ages 4-9

2012

Though Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story is based on an Inuit boy, his dog and his grandfather, the expectations of a young boy for his new pup and the wisdom that an older family member shares could be from any household.

Jake seems frustrated with his restless new puppy, Kamik, who is distracted by new sights, sounds and things upon which to chew.  Jake's declarations that, "He never listens, no matter how loud I yell" or "Get back here!" or "Stop it" has his grandfather, Ataatasiaq, chuckling before sharing with Jake his reminiscences of raising puppies, with the help of his own grandmother and the other women.  While sharing anecdotes with Jake about hunting with his dog team and the many times the dogs helped him out, his grandfather imparts the traditions of communicating with and appreciating one's dogs.  From the naming of pups to cherishing them as if children, his grandfather makes it clear that Kamik will be what Jake makes of him by his relationship with the husky puppy.

Depending on the book cover, author Donald Uluadluak's name may be preceded by the qualifier, "Adapted from the memories of", sharing the credit of Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story with those who shared their wisdom of raising dogs with him. The idea that knowledge is continuously built upon from past generations, perhaps with each new generation taking what works and leaving behind what doesn't, is heartening.  Whether used for raising pups or children or for guiding one's choices, experience is an invaluable teaching tool.  Without taking over Jake's learning, his grandfather steers him with kindness and humility and good old-fashioned common sense to ensure that Kamik is treated well and appreciated wholly for his goodness.  The illustrations by Qin Leng, artist of A Flock of Shoes (Sarah Tsiang, Annick Press, 2010 ) and Dear Baobab (Cheryl Foggo, Second Story Press, 2011), have the perfect light touch for a story that has as strong message about the right way to do something and with compassion to ensure that the reader, and Jake, never feel chastized.