Eskimo Point, Sept 1977 – April 1978. On June 1st 1989 this Arctic settlement was renamed Arviat. This Inuktituk name means ‘place of the bow headed whale’ referring to the shape of the Hudson Bay inlet where the settlement is based.
Lying 200k north of Churchill, Manitoba the 2,000 strong Inuit band were caribou, beluga whale and seal hunters. Following a 3 day basic Arctic survival course I was flown to Eskimo Point. 1 of 2 nurses based in the comfortable, well equipped Nursing Station Dorothy and I were responsible for ante natal and post natal care, deliveries, the care of mothers and babies; schools health, vaccinations and first aid. The station had X ray, lab and pharmacy which we were responsible for.
Radio contact with the base hospital for support and advice which was reassuring.
Above the tree line, this is the land of tundra, a perma frozen desert reaching out endlessly toward the distant horizon
The traditional hunting of caribou, beluga whale and seal formed the staple diet, rich in Vitamin D with clothing made from caribou skins. The men hunted, the women butchered. Skilled hunters were respected and had status within the community.
Regularly when I visited homes, several women would likely be sitting in a circle, laughing and chattering together, surrounded by mounds of intestines in one corner, livers in another, hearts in another, the floor wet with blood as they deftly carved up the caribou carcasses with the curved blade of the traditional ulu. Grinning broadly, I was offered a slice of raw liver by the women on many an occasion, but always told them I was trying to give it up! This excuse always made them roar laughing.
