Philip Nungaq – His Story

Play Part 1 | Part 2
Download the transcript

In 1955, four year old Philip Nungaq was relocated with his parents; Levi and Alacee Nungaq and his three sisters from Inukjuak to Resolute Bay.

I only remember the ship ride which was very long. I kept telling my mom every time we came to a settlement: « Oh mum we are finally here, we’re finally here! » But no, we just kept on sailing up to Resolute Bay. And we got there on the fall 1955.”

“I only understand that they were told that there was a better hunting and more animals up there. And that they would be provided with all the things they need to live up there. And that is why they agreed to move up there. And they were told that they could go back to Inukjuak when they want to. Perhaps in two years time. But myself, I was pretty young at that time. I didn’t go through the terror and the hardship like the adult people.”

“And Inukjuak, I liked the land, the rivers, the lakes, blueberries, blackberries, cloudberries, the warm weather, the green grass. I had no plan to come here, but I just loved the land. So I had to come back here to do a bit of fishing, camping, and see the people and meet the people, the kind of people we left behind. I’m glad I came back and got to meet my distant cousins and relatives and aunts and uncles, nieces and second cousins and all that.”

Philip Nungaq – Inukjuak, 2011