Taissumani: May 7, 1901 – First Inuk Baptism at Blacklead Island

KENN HARPER

Reverend Edmund James Peck established the first permanent Christian mission to the Inuit of present-day Nunavut at Blacklead Island in 1894. He arrived fluent in Inuktitut, having previously spent many years on the Quebec coast of Hudson Bay.

The Inuit population at Blacklead was 171, a huge number of Inuit to find congregated at any one spot, but they were there because of the presence of a Scottish whaling station and the seasonal employment that it brought. With that also came crowded conditions in tents and wooden shacks, exploitation at the hands of some unscrupulous whalers, and disease, including tuberculosis – or “consumption” as it was known at the time.

Peck set to work to bring Christianity to the Inuit of Cumberland Sound. He translated portions of the scriptures, established a school and even a small “hospital.” And he looked forward to the day when he would baptize his first convert. But he took his time. He would not baptize for the sake of numbers. Those who would be baptized had to be sincere believers in the teachings Peck brought to them. The first baptism did not take place for seven years.

In April of 1901, a young woman named Atungauyaq makes her first appearance in Peck’s diary. She had taken the name Annie. On April 8, Atungaujaq was sick, and Peck visited her in her home. He thought that she seemed to be wasting away from consumption. He was impressed with the young lady. She had learned a great deal about the gospel, and she listened with rapt attention as the missionary exhorted her to “trust wholly in the Saviour.”

Almost a month later, her condition having deteriorated, she told Peck that she wished to be baptized. Peck wrote, “I see no reason why the rite should be withheld from her. We claim this poor creature for Christ. I have been and am much helped in prayer concerning her.” That same day she had a violent attack of bleeding from the lungs. Peck succeeded in checking it, and later he baptized her privately. He noted that “she was pleased; but said that if spared she would like to be received publicly.” There were other female candidates for baptism and he spoke with them about her, and was satisfied to learn that one of the women visited her regularly and prayed with her.

He decided to publicly baptize her. Atungaujaq was too weak to be taken to the tiny church that Peck had constructed on the island, so the service was conducted outside, behind a windbreak of snow, at the entrance to her dwelling. On May 7th Peck’s congregation gathered there with Annie Atungaujaq and “dedicated her again to God.” He described her as “the first fruits of what we trust will be a mighty harvest of souls.”

Spring came slowly to the wind-swept island. On June 12th Peck wrote in his journal, “Four beautiful little flowers seen today.” The following day, Annie Atungaujaq finally succumbed to her illness. Peck noted, “Annie A. fell asleep today.” The missionary had visited her regularly until the end. “I was with her when she passed away,” he wrote. “She was quite conscious, but a calm and peaceful look spread over her face as the Spirit returned to Him who gave it.”

Peck wanted to provide a proper burial. The books he had provided the Inuit contained the Burial Service in Inuktitut, and his congregation followed as he read from it in the church. Then they went to the gravesite that her relatives had selected. “I do not mean that a grave was dug,” he wrote. “This we cannot do. There is no soil here deep enough… Our burial places must therefore be on the rocks.”

Peck’s fellow missionary, Julian Bilby, had constructed a coffin, stones were placed on top of it, and Peck concluded the service with “a few solemn words to those assembled.” He noted the difference between this Christian burial and “the awful way in which some of the dead have been buried – no covering but the snow and the carcass torn to pieces by the dogs as soon as they could reach it.”

Peck and Bilby had not yet succeeded in bringing the whole population of Blacklead to Christianity, however. Three days later he noted in his journal, “An old woman died today, the heathen carrying on their incantations till the last. So the battle rages between the powers of light and darkness.”

Taissumani: A Day in Arctic History recounts a specific event of historic interest, whose anniversary is in the coming week. Kenn Harper is a historian, writer and linguist who lives in Iqaluit. Feedback? Send your comments and questions to kennharper@hotmail.com.