Mandela, Einstein and ‘Hey Jude’: Larry Audlaluk takes the Proust Questionnaire

Larry Audlaluk is a person of many titles.

Writer, politician, activist, High Arctic’s unofficial ambassador and the “Holy Land’s best-known Inuk” after a 1996 visit to Israel — Audlaluk says he is a different person depending on the topic of conversation.

When talking about polar bears, Audlaluk is first and foremost a hunter. When talking about the Middle East, he’s a “worried Canadian.” Most of the time, he is one of the world’s few Inuk philosophers, he says.

The 74-year-old Grise Fiord resident, who was relocated to Canada’s northernmost community in 1953 at the age of three, took time to answer the Proust Questionnaire.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I don’t know if there’s such a thing as perfect happiness. Although, it is possible for people who feel like they finished their bucket list and have nothing more outstanding.

To me, it’s having a healthy life, with your family by your side and for them to tell you “I love you, Dad” or “I love you, Grandpa” — those make your heart warm, you feel safe and happy.

What is your greatest fear?

Not having a place to live, losing a loved one and not being able to make sound decisions.

Which living person do you most admire?

One of the people that I really admired was [Nelson] Mandela. I wanted to reach out and write to him but, unfortunately, I did not get that opportunity.

My wife is another person.

We’ve been together for quite some time, but we’re just getting to know each other.

I’m still learning how to appreciate her and the time she has given me. I admire her for that. For never giving up on me.

[Larry and Annie Audlaluk have been married for 52 years, since 1972].

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would like to have a musical band, just like the Beatles. I’ve always admired the Beatles.

Paul McCartney, I look up to him so much.

What’s your favourite song of the Beatles?

Hey Jude

Where you would like to live?

Here. I would like to spend the rest of my life here. I’ve travelled different places, but I think I’m happy where I am.

What’s your greatest regret?

That I didn’t get the proper schooling. I don’t have a university certificate — that’s one of my biggest regrets.

What degree would you have pursued?

I don’t know.

I have always had interest in many things. I would like to have become a professor. I like to think I’m one of the few Inuit philosophers. I admire people like [Albert] Einstein, [J. Robert] Oppenheimer and all those people who influenced the world deeply.

I regret I have never reached that level.

Once in front of God, what would you tell him?

I would just say, “Thank you for making me Larry Audlaluk from Grise Fiord.”

Nunatsiaq News is borrowing the old Proust Questionnaire parlour game to get to know people who are in the news. If you know someone in your community who our readers should get to know by taking this questionnaire, let us know by email: editors@nunatsiaq.com.