In a remote place like Clyde River, we YEPs enjoyed something that people all over the world enjoy: playing games. We had been invited to attend the elder games, those are the most respected members of the Inuit community. A typical game of the area was played. As we didn’t find out the name we called it “Dices for Prizes”.
We all gathered in a circle on the floor with four dices that were passed on to the person left of you. When you threw a TWO you were allowed to grab an item, that’s placed in the middle. Earlier I had put there my Wenger Swiss Army knife as a prize. Naturally it was much desired and it was exciting to see how the elders were keen to get the knife. Once there were no items left in the middle, the real fun started. In case you threw a TWO you were now allowed to steal an item from somebody else. The chaotic grabbing began and women that couldn’t even walk anymore were sliding over the floor to get the knife. When the last seconds were counted down the ladies got intense, threw the dices hard and pushed each other. Just for fun of course.
So now I want to present the person who finally could keep the Swiss item.
Marrah Qillaq, aged 65. She spoke only the native tongue Inuktitut, so her daughter translated. But what I did understand while talking to Marrah was her smiling and the excitement in her eyes.
When asked about her birth place, the plain answer was “the land”. This was a reminder of how different this unique culture is. The elder grew up in Clyde River and spent her whole life in these harsh conditions. You would think it’s boring to stay in the same place. In her case that’s more than wrong as she has nine (!) children that have kept her busy. She adopted three, which is quite normal in the Inuit- culture. It was translated to me that there has been always something to do in the house, stomachs to fill, clothes to repair and so on. The community and family play a huge role in her life. Other interests include her friends, puzzles and Outdoors.
I asked why she fought so hard for the brown knife during the game. She replied that she can use it for anything in the household. As food in the local supermarket is very expensive (a frozen pizza 17$) her family still mostly relies on hunting. Her personal favorite is caribou stew with carrots, potatoes and some salt and pepper. As the Swiss Army knife has many different features she promised to use it also to make the clothing for winter. In the cold period the Inuit still rely on traditional clothing made mostly out of seal skins and different furs as this has proven to work very well in the extreme weather. Marrah Qillaq makes the parka, the big jacket with the typical hood, herself. She either takes the skin of a hunted seal or buys the raw material, then she sews everything together. Polar fox fur is her favorite for framing the hood.
To make clothes for all her children and the husband has consumed much time and energy, but she enjoyed it. Personally I was impressed by how that petite woman managed to raise a huge family in this remote place, also I liked her dimples when smiling and wise eyes full of life experience.
I am convinced she appreciated the gift and will use it efficiently.
