Hello! My name is Atak Quiniaq. I am 8 years old. I have one brother, Akak; he's my twin. He's two minutes older than me. I also have three sisters: Miniq, Parmiak, and Quiniq, who are 6, 4, and 1 1/2. We live with our parents in Nunavut, in Canada.
We are Inuit, otherwise known as Eskimos, but we hate that term, as it's very insulting. We prefer to be called Inuit.
Where we ilve it is cold like 9 months out of the year and dark for three months (December through February) and light for three months (June through August). Then it starts getting cold again and by September, the first flakes of snow start flying.
Now in January it is dark, dark, even in daytime. We have the northern lights to guide our way. The northern lights are beautiful, but when they turn red, they scare us because that means the spirits are angry and something bad is about to happen. One never wants to see an all-red aurora. I know I don't!
I am in the 3rd grade; my brother is in a different class. My teacher is Mrs. Newton; she is not Native.
When I grow up, I want to be a hunter like Father and Grandfather.
Akak:
My name is Akak Quiniaq. I am 8 years old and am in third grade. My teacher is Mrs. Eegeesiak. I have a twin brother, Atak, and 3 younger sisters who are six, four, and 1 1/2. I am older than Atak by two minutes.
We are Inuit. We live the way our ancestors did long ago, but now we have electricity and no longer live in igloos: we have a small house here in Nunavut. I was born here; so were my brother and my sisters. My parents were born in Greenland, but they came here before any of us kids were born, something like ten years ago, I'm told.
I love to play with my brother and sisters, as well as my friends, watch the northern lights, hunt, fish, and go on rides on our sled with Father and Grandfather, and draw pictures. I also love to play video games and write stories. Father and Mother both say we are creative; that means we like to think of stories or think about pictures to draw. We also love to sing and are learning to play the drums like our ancestors did long ago.
When I grow up, I want to be a hockey player. I love to play hockey. Hockey is very big here in Canada; both boys and girls play, and I'm no different.
Well, I hate to run, but Mother wants us to eat; it is time for breakfast. I will write in here again, as will Atak. Take care and may the spirits bless you!
Happy to see those in the south finally realize that the Inuit are not still in Igloo's. When I lived in Southern Ont it was funny learning from the border guards how many where coming from the south expecting to ski in the summer time....... Interesting info on the Northern lights. There is many tales about them.
What a Tale is told in this delightful story of Didge the wayward little Roo.
Catch up with him as he turns the Billabong from a Dull everyday water hole, to a lively, fun place, through many adventures and conquests.
