Because he didn’t want to leave his land and wanted to keep it, he went through hardship by walking all the way to Churchill. Of course he was filled with a desire to live in his own land.

I am filled with the same desire, to be here in the land of the Inuit. When my grand-parents passed away it was a grieving moment. If I was to leave my land, never to see it again, I would think of it as my grand-parents.

When the world was created we were given a land in which to live and were given different languages by God. I do not wish to desert my land and its language.

Long ago, Inuit were very happy for the arrival of the traders to our land. I still think of their happiness. How good it is that they came. Even if we started a Co-op, I feel we should not try to do away with the H.B.C. They did a lot of good for the people and still they are helping a lot.

Donald Suluk
Eskimo Point, N.W.T.

This letter was written by the late Inuit Elder Donald Suluk of Arviat. It was originally published in the May 1972 edition of the Keewatin Echo, edited by the late Mark Kalluak of Arviat.

Read the full May 1972 issue of the Keewatin Echo (PDF).