Residential school and finding her voice: Lisa Iqqalik takes the Proust Questionnaire

Lisa Iqqalik says she was born at the time when Inuit were identified as “something,” rather than humans.

She was born on the land outside Qikiqtarjuaq, but instead of a name she was given a number — E6680.

She would later be sent to a residential school in Churchill, Man., experience one of the federal government’s many Inuit relocations, and nearly lose her language and traditions.

Now a 72-year-old Qikiqtarjuaq elder and seamstress, Iqqalik took time to answer the Proust Questionnaire.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

There’s no such thing as perfect happiness. There is nothing perfect in this world.

There’s always a flaw somewhere. I’d be scared if I saw something perfect.

What is your greatest fear?

Being known. By anyone — the public.

That stems from being in residential school. We were hushed. We had no voice. They tried to kill the voice in me.

So my mentality at that time was, it’s best that I’m invisible.

I had to find my voice.

Which talent would you like to have that you don’t already have?

I already have a talent. I’m an artist. I’m a seamstress.

Which living person do you most admire?

My parents. But they are not living anymore.

They taught me. They loved me. They nurtured me. They had me.

Is there anything that you dislike about your appearance?

I’m overweight because I’m an emotional eater.

I was broken when I was sent to residential school. So it represents the residential school as well.

When and where were you the happiest?

I think my happiest time was when I discovered that I have overcome the trauma — it’s that feeling that you’ve achieve something.

What is your greatest achievement?

Recognizing myself as a person and recognizing myself as someone with a voice that can do things.

What is your greatest regret?

My greatest regret is that I didn’t recognize this soon enough.

I wish I did a long time ago, but I didn’t. I was in so much pain.

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.