Survival, fear and Hanson Drive: Ann Hanson takes Proust Questionnaire
Former commissioner and Nunatsiaq News founding editor wore many hats in life, but she calls herself just a survivor
Ann Hanson takes the time to answer the Proust Questionnaire from her house in Apex. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Like many Inuit born in the 1940s, Ann Hanson was given a number instead of a last name.
To the Canadian government, she was E7-121.
“Not a very attractive name for a young girl,” she once wrote.
If you ask Wikipedia, it will tell you that Hanson is a civil servant, broadcaster, journalist and author. The Governor General’s website will add that she is a translator and community leader.
But if you ask the 78-year-old herself, she has one word — survivor.
“Survival is the basic thing that we do,” she said.
Hanson says she grew up on the land near Kimmirut, where the whole community worked together for a not-so-simple goal of survival.
Now Hanson is a member of the Order of Canada, former Commissioner of Nunavut, founding member of Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, volunteer and a passionate bread baker.
Hanson created the Inukshuk newsletter in 1973, which would become Nunatsiaq News three years later.
More than six decades after moving to a settlement that would later become Iqaluit, Hanson now lives in a house that reflects her very eclectic life, on a street that bears her last name.
“I don’t really think about it,” Hanson said of living on Hanson Drive. “Only when I have to write the address down, it feels good. It’s very respectful.”
Hanson recently talked to Nunatsiaq News from her home in Apex to answer the Proust Questionnaire.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
There’s none.
There are happy times, sad times, medium times. You’re happy when the baby is born, you’re happy when you’re eating something you like, you’re happy to be with your friends — it just comes naturally.
What is your greatest fear?
I dread fear. You have nothing to fear but fear itself, it so true.
We can create fears, which are not really there. It’s more often today, I think because we are more idle — we don’t have as much physical work like we did.
Which living person do you most admire?
My aunt. She’s 92 and she has no fear.
Which living person do you most despise?
Well, he just got elected … [U.S. President-elect Donald Trump].
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Should, should, should. I try to avoid it. It doesn’t exist in my language. If I say first thing in the morning, oh, I should do this and that, I overload.
Things go naturally.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
It would be to listen more. I tend to interrupt and ask questions and that’s rude. We grew up being told to be quiet and listen. I didn’t do that.
I was too curious and one of my uncles used to say, “Oh no, here comes that little girl with lots of questions.”
I wish I had listened more to my elders way back when our history was not written.
That’s why I started writing. I had this heat coming from my head. It was memories from when I was growing up, and it was finally coming out on paper like this.
Once in front of God, what would you tell him?
Why is there so much sadness in this beautiful world? Do we make it that way? Is it naturally like that? Why is there so much sadness when we could be happier?
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.
“Which living person do you most despise?
Well, he just got elected … [U.S. President-elect Donald Trump]”
How sad is it that
Ann Hanson, someone whom we’d like to admire and respect despires Mr Trump more than she hates murdering tyrants, mass-murderers, serial pedophiles? Goes to show that mostly we know only what we’re told to know. That is the power of indoctrination.
S,
I disagree completely with your comments. I am a little bit shocked that you would write that publicly regarding one of our elders in our community.
Ann is a wonderful person. I have had the opportunity to hear her speak on a number of occasions. She spoke about growing up on the land, the struggles faced by Inuit, hunger and food insecurity through the years, and how Inuit got through this by sharing and helping each other. She spoke on the newness of southerners arriving here in the North, and how they learned to communicate and get along as best they can. I was so engaged listening to her, share stories and pass on wisdom to others. Learning by listening to an elders stories is something I cherish very much.
The fact that Ann chose Trump as someone she despises is a testament to the fact that she has a world view. She thinks about more then just Iqaluit or Nunavut she thinks about the world. After the recent American election, many of us have been thinking about Trump and his return to office next year. Some of us are very worried about the impact he will have on this world.
His threats to put a 25% tariff on Canadian Goods, his assigning loyalist to cabinet and high profile roles, many of whom do not have the experience or judgement required for those roles. Worst yet his total disregard for the lives of other people struggling to make their way in this world and his threat of mass deportations. No need to speak about the fact that he is a convicted felon and has shown horrible treatment to others and in particular women.
I admire once again that Ann has a world view. I am sure she is applying many of her learnings through the years, and lessons learned through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, her own leadership, and her own values. If only Trump took the time to travel here, sit down and listen to Ann and other elders. Wow how things might be different. I know that will never happen.
I thought it was great that Nunatsiaq news featured Ann like this. I would encourage more of that, it was a joy to read and reflect on.
Nakurmiik / Thank You
Matthew
Thank you for your heartfelt and lengthy testimonial regarding Ann Hanson, Matthew.
How sad, though, that you were unable to parse my comment.
I totally love Ann Hanson. She has such a great personality and a true inuk spirit. She is a roe model to all of us Inuit.
Nagligijagit Ann!