Thank you to our ancestors

I’ve been comparing thoughts between two worlds: our great-grandparents, who lived in igloos and tents, and today’s families who now live in modern homes.

I give great thanks to our ancestors for surviving the harsh winters, and hunting for survival like it was an employment, using tools to hunt from our land.

Today we have jobs to feed our families or to buy motors to go out on the land for spring-time hunting and camping. We are now accustomed to using rifles, boats, ski-doos, and quads.

Storytelling was done without books or pictures.

When I think about my ancestors and how much hardship they went through, like starvation, especially their little babies or children, I get a big lump in my throat, because they did not have any other source of food, when it wasn’t available.

Today most babies are bottle-fed, even if the infant is with the natural parent. Our ancestors fed the infants broth when they adopted them.

They survived. That is why we are here today. Thank you to my anaana and ataata.

Haikilaq
Gjoa Haven