Our grandfather’s spirit still lives at campsite

Although it has been nearly 16 years since our late and beloved grandfather physically died, I finally had the chance to visit one of his favourite camp sites, called Nauligarvilaaq, this past June.

The life of all things was still there. Two caribou over here and one over there, geese,hummingbirds, bird eggs, black flies and spiders, plus the big fat silver arctic char with red meat completed the beauty of nature.

The sunset hardly comes down for the night. You could see seagulls hunting after the fish in the far distance at 11:30 at night. There were hardly any clouds in the light blue sky with the green grass beneath the horizon. The wind was perfect to protect us from mosquitos. We couldn’t ask for anything more.

If my grandfather hadn’t shown me all this, I wouldn’t have the feeling of his warmth and presence when I first stepped down to the rocks onshore. It is then I knew he was a very happy spirit to meet my two-year-old daughter, Qanna Biibi Nakkaguak, as she calls herself.

We miss you, Ataatak, with lots of memories.

Mary Nowkawalk
Inukjuak