Rynee Flaherty – Her Story

In 1955, Rynee Flaherty, her husband Josephie and their children; Martha, Mary and baby Peter were relocated from Inukjuak to Grise Fiord.

Those that were leaving by dog team didn’t know the land up there in Aujuittuq. They didn’t know the ways, how the wind blows… So, we would worry about them. On top of it, they were hungry too. Then when we were living in Aujuittuq, I would sometimes say: « I wish those who are making us stay in Aujuittuq would spend time here and pick ice where there is no moon and see if they would give up.

I was mad at those who relocated us all the way to Aujuittuq. It was joyous when the sun never went down in the summer but there was always hunger. It didn’t make any sense.

Rynee Flaherty – Iqaluit, 2011