Through gritty characters facing harsh realities, the collection delves into the complexities of northern life and Inuit identity. Norma Dunning draws from her own experiences of racism and colonialism, offering a powerful exploration of her Inukness. The stories challenge misconceptions about Inuit culture, incorporating Inuktitut language and symbolism to provide a nuanced perspective. Echoing the works of Alootook Ipellie, this collection brings contemporary Inuit experiences to the forefront, highlighting resilience and authenticity in the face of adversity.
From the winner of the 2021 Governor General's Award for literature, this work offers a revealing exploration of the Eskimo Identification Tag System, a colonial institution that affected many Inuit lives. In 2001, Dr. Norma Dunning sought enrollment in the Nunavut Beneficiary program to affirm her identity as an Inuk woman. However, she encountered an unsettling question: “What was your disc number?” This inquiry, tied to a bureaucratic legacy, haunted her for years. Dunning decided to connect with Inuit community members who had firsthand experiences with the system, shedding light on a topic often overlooked in historical records. With meticulous detail and passion, she examines a government bureaucracy that persisted for over thirty years, illustrating its dehumanizing impact on the smallest Indigenous population in Canada. Despite the profound consequences of the E-number system, no government has yet taken responsibility or issued an apology. This work serves as a crucial record and response to a significant chapter in Canadian history, compiling years of research, interviews, and personal narratives from a vital voice in Canadian literature. It is a necessary and timely contribution to the understanding of Indigenous experiences in Canada.
The collection pays tribute to the Inuit community, honoring those lost to unmarked graves and those yet to come. It addresses the injustices faced by Inuit individuals, particularly the neglect from Canadian authorities regarding the deaths and burials of their people. Through poignant poetry, the author envisions a future liberated from colonialism, advocating for a deeper recognition of Inuit lives and histories, and emphasizing the importance of returning their stories and bodies to their families.
