Bessie Andreason shared this story of losing her parents, Ambrose Agnavigak and Lena Tammahuin, when she was fourteen years old. They were traveling on their schooner, the Nanuk, from Kugluktuk to their winter camp. When they stopped to visit friends at Wilmot Island, they found that many people were sick with the measles. Bessie’s family travelled on, but her parents had caught measles and soon died.
Little by little, the idea of being in an unknown land, in the presence of two dead people, my aappak (father) and amammak (mother), sank in. I stayed there beside my amaamak, rooted to the spot, not knowing what to do, afraid and unable to move.
When I was finally able to get control of myself I went outside. It was early morning. I remember seeing a few ubluriat (stars) shining in the sky. I looked around me, at the sea which was beginning to freeze, at the clear sky, where day was beginning to break, at the land, vague in the half-light, at anything at all to escape my gloomy thoughts, and to make me forget that I was an iliappak or orphan now, and alone. And then I noticed the qimmit (dogs). I wasn’t alone. They were there too – companions that would get me out of this situation. I felt better and was comforted by these thoughts.
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Then I heard footsteps on the deck of the umiaqpauyaq (schooner). I heard someone say, “Is anyone there?” I couldn’t say a word. The footsteps came closer. Hands opened the door, slowly, oh so slowly, and eyes looked inside, and those eyes saw me. A man asked, “Kina ilvit – who are you?” I answered, “Bessie.” He recognized me instantly, and asked where my parents were. At first I didn’t answer, but gaining courage, I answered that they were both dead, that their bodies were on shore, at the tupiq (tent).
While I was talking, other people came in and gathered around me, holding my hands and trying to comfort me. Their presence brought me back into action, and I made some niuqqaq (tea). I didn’t forget our law of hospitality – to treat all itiriaqtuqtit (visitors) well.
Dogs at dawn.
Bessie and Schooner.
