Sanaaq by Salomé Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk Read Free Book Online Page A

stretched a mangittaq on which they laid the kujapiit as well as the utjuk heart and some pieces of blubber. Sanaaq shouted to her camp mates, “Come and get some kujapiit! ”
    â€œYes!” agreed Aqiarulaaq, adding, “but where’s my ulu?”
    â€œBehind your oil lamp,” replied Jiimialuk.
    â€œThere it is!” she said. “I’m going to get my ulutoo and join in the feast!”
    When she entered the tent, Sanaaqsaid, “Ai! Come and eat some kujapiit. Ai! Qatannguuk! ”
    â€œGo ahead!” she replied.
    Aqiarulaaq tried to cut one of them off, slicing away at the tendons holding them together. This was no easy job, as she admitted good-naturedly. “I’m a big liar because I can’t cut through these joints... Ia ia ia! ” she laughed.
    She began to eat, holding a kujapik with blubber in one hand and her ulu in the other. As she ate, Aqiarulaaq talked about her plans.
    â€œBy the way, I’m planning to visit Ningiukuluk tomorrow to adopt her daughter, the middle one...Ningiukuluk once told me in so many words that I could have her... I’ll go tomorrow. We’ll both go, my old man and I.”
    â€œIf you’re going,” replied Arnatuinnaq, “I’ll go too... And I’ll sew something to the soles of my boots. I might wear holes through both of them, while we’re walking tomorrow... Qumaq and I will follow if it doesn’t rain... Little niece! I’ll get what you’ll need for your trip tomorrow. We’ll take something to carry you on my back with and a strap to hold you in place.”
    She was busy sewing patches to her soles and heels... She was soon done. As dusk darkened the sky, large snowflakes started to come down. The freshly fallen snow was wet. Arnatuinnaq exclaimed, “It’s snowing big snowflakes and here I was planning to go on a visit tomorrow... Our things are too close to the side of the tent. They’re going to get ruined!”
    Night had fallen. They undressed for bed and, knowing they had to leave early the next day, went to sleep.

10
A DAUGHTER IS ADOPTED
    They awoke with the rising sun, had some tea, and prepared to leave. Aqiarulaaq came in and said, “ Qatannguuk ai! I’m going to look for a girl to adopt and I’m not coming back empty-handed.”
    â€œGood for you!” said Sanaaq. “You’re lucky she was promised to you!”
    They set off, all three of them. A few dogs tagged along, the same ones. On the way they saw some ukpiit. A male and its mate came very close... One of the two sank its claws into a dog while letting out a shriek.
    â€œ Au! ”
    It swooped down on the women several times. They were terrified, not having even a rifle. Seeing it prepare to dive again, they flipped their hoods over their heads... Arnatuinnaq tried her best to hit it with a stone but missed. Qumaqclung to her aunt’s skirt for dear life, so much so that she ripped it off.
    â€œQumaq!” exclaimed Arnatuinnaq. “You’ve made a big rip in my skirt by hanging on so tightly! It’s torn to pieces now and we’re almost at our hosts’ place!”
    Just then, the two snowy owls dive-bombed the dogs again. One even stripped some fur off one of them. The Inuit started walking again to get away from the owls. As they walked, Arnatuinnaq said to Aqiarulaaq, “Look at the rip that Qumaq made. When one of the owls went after us, she clung to me for protection, even though I too was very afraid...”
    They came within sight of Ningiukuluk’s home. The oldest of Ningiukuluk’s daughters spotted them and cried out, “Over there I can see people coming. They’ve got a child with them. It’s probably Qumaq!”
    â€œ Ai! ” shouted back Ningiukuluk .
    â€œThey’re close. They’re arriving. They’re coming in.”
    Aqiarulaaq entered first and said, “We’re paying a visit, Ningiukuluk! Ai!