When I was a university student, I read as many articles and books about Inuit. I was often struck by the portrayal of Inuit women being subservient to men. Later, when I was visiting my Ningiuq I asked her about the role of Inuit women and men. I wanted to know whether Inuit women were less important than men. As was her nature, she smiled and you could see the love radiate from her wrinkled face as she paused.
She then shared a beautiful analogy that I always hold close to me. A bird has two wings to fly and soar up into the sky. Whether it is the left wing or the right wing, each wing needs to work together in unison and interdependently to fly and to soar. Similarly, an Inuk woman is equally central as a man in a family, and although they may have different roles, they have to work together in unison and interdependently to thrive.
Although my Ningiuq is no longer physically here, her love lives on. Not only does she live on through her many namesakes but also through the memories of her words. Despite hardships in her life, my Ningiuq would approach life with love and determination. To this day her words warm me up and remind me to live life more lovingly, with more kindness, with more understanding and with more courage.
Share your story about an important Inuk woman in your life! #Celebrate #Inuitwomen #Nunavut #Internationalwomensday
