Inuktitut

Amaruq: The Wolf was one of the first full-length novels ever written in Inuktitut. Out of print for over twenty years, this groundbreaking novel has been re-transcribed, translated, and meticulously edited to produce a commercially available bilingual version for the first time.

Written by Inuit Elder Uvinik Qamaniq, this sweeping novel oscillates between time and place. Alternating between a modern Arctic community, where a teen lives with his family and navigates the challenges of family life, to the world of Inuit stories woven by the teen's grandfather, who tells the boy of the epic coming-of-age journey of Amaruq, a young shaman, this book highlights the power of stories to teach and inform everyday experiences. With a cover illustrated by renowned Inuit artist Germaine Arnattaujuq

Educator Information
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut.

Additional Information
208 pages | 7.00" x 9.00" | 11 b&w line drawings | Paperback

In this complex, at times dark, poetry collection from Inuk author Jamesie Fournier, readers are taken through the recesses of a character struggling with inner demons whispering into his mind.

As he attempts to overcome his inner turmoil within a Colonial and contemporary system that oppresses him, the speaker guides readers through verse both ethereal and imagistic. Echoing artists as varied as Margaret Laurence and The Velvet Underground, this sweeping collection of bilingual verse deals with erasure, resilience, and—above all—resistance through the voice of one complex protagonist.

Educator Information
Bilingual Verse in English and Inuktitut 

Additional Information
132 pages | 7.00" x 9.25" | 10 b&w Photos | Paperback

Massive, elusive, and always deserving of respect, the walrus is one of the Arctic’s most recognizable animals. For thousands of years, Arctic residents have shared the coastlines and waters of the Arctic with these huge beasts. Often misunderstood by people who have not had first-hand encounters with them, walruses are known to those who share their habitat as somewhat unpredictable creatures, always deserving of caution when encountered. From close encounters with angry walruses, bent on destroying boats and chasing off humans to witnessing the attentive care of a walrus mother with its calf, this book gives readers from outside the Arctic a first-hand look at what life alongside walruses is really like.

Aiviq: Life with Walruses features stunning wildlife photography by acclaimed photographer Paul Souders accompanied by first-hand accounts from people living alongside this enormous sea mammal.

Educator Information
This book is entirely in Inuktitut.

Additional Information

Alego is a beautifully simple story, written in Inuktitut and English, about a young Inuit girl who goes to the shore with her grandmother to collect clams for supper. Along the way she discovers tide pools brimming with life -- a bright orange starfish, a creepy-crawly thing with many legs called an ugjunnaq, a hornshaped sea snail and a sculpin.

Written and illustrated by Ningeokuluk Teevee, one of the most interesting young artists in Cape Dorset, home to the great tradition of Inuit art, this is an enchanting and utterly authentic introduction to the life of an Inuit child and her world.

Educator Information
Alego includes an illustrated glossary of sea creatures as well as a map of Baffin Island. Ages 4-7.

This book is delivered in a dual-language format, written in Inuktitut and English.

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, Science, Visual Arts.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.63" x 9.63"

Learn about the southernmost community of Nunavut in this educational picture book.

Did you know that Sanikiluaq, Nunavut is named after a great hunter and leader? Or that it is the most southern community in Nunavut? You can even see wildlife like polar bears, eider ducks, foxes, and more nearby. Discover the many reasons that people in Sanikiluaq love their home in this bilingual picture book.

Reviews
"This book is written in Inuktitut and English, explaining Sanikiluaq, the southernmost community in Nunavut. It describes the history of the community, the animals that live in the area and introduces Inuit food acquisition practices such as whaling, fishing, hunting, and gathering. Cultural activities such as making carvings, baskets, and clothing are also explored. For younger students, the information is helpful for learning about Inuit culture as well as the importance of the Inuit and places before the land was settled and given non-Inuktitut names, such as the Belcher Islands." - Alethea S., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Dual-language: English and Inuktitut

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

This title is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC as a recommended resource for K to 5 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. 

Additional Information
21 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

A bilingual story in Inuktitut and English, Angutiup ânguanga / Anguti’s Amulet is a story based on an Inuit archaeological site located along the central coast of Labrador that was occupied sometime between AD 1720 and AD 1750.

Itjasualigijet KamajiKatlutik Prâvinsiup suliaKaffinganit – Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, ikajuttiKatlutik Prâvinsiup PitaKautinginnit Neofulâmi Labrador-imilu, pitsiaKujitlutik itjasuattuligijinik piulitsisiaKujitlutik Kinguvatta Kimiggujatsagimmait.

Archaeological fieldwork is conducted under the auspices of the Provincial Archaeology Office, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, which, with the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, ensures that sites and collections are protected for future generations.

Educator Information
A bilingual story in Inuktitut and English.

Recommended Ages: 5-10.

Additional Information
38 pages | 9.00" x 8.00" | Written by The Central Coast of Labrador Community Archaeology Partnership, illustrated by Cynthia Colosimo, and Inuktitut translation by Sophie Tuglavina, an Inuk educator.

What animals live in the Arctic?

This book features high-contrast images of familiar animals found in the North, like the polar bear, narwhal, and ringed seal.

Educator & Series Information
This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

This book features high-contrast images.  These books engage an infant's interest in pictures and books while helping to support their visual development.

Recommended Ages: 0 to 3

Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

Additional Information
12 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | b&w illustrations

This poetic journey through Inuit oral history gives a glimpse of traditional beliefs surrounding the creation of the world. From the creation of day and night and the Sun and the Moon, to the origin of Death, this collection of simple retellings is richly supported by the artwork of acclaimed artist Germaine Arnattaujuq.

Featuring a foreword by the artist about her work illustrating Inuit myths and legends, this introduction to traditional Inuit stories is based on the animated film Arctic Song, which was co-produced and co-directed by Germaine Arnattaujuq and Neil Christopher.

Educator Information
Dual-language: English and Inuktitut

Additional Information
72 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover

Let’s go berry picking!

Follow a family as they go berry picking on a fall day in Nunavut.

Educator Information
Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills. 

Additional Information
16 pages | 18.50" x 18.50"

Enookie is learning how to sort things. He has four animals he needs to sort by their size. Can you help Enookie sort the animals from biggest to smallest?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Dual-language: English and Inuktitut

Keywords / Themes: Math (Concepts: Size and Shape); Inuktitut; Animals 

Additional Information
28 pages | 7.00" x 9.00" | Board Book

Clyde River, Nunavut is a great place to live! In this bilingual picture book, Louise tells us about all the things she and her family like to do. With the annual fishing derby in the spring and Hamlet Day in the summer, there are lots of fun things to do throughout the year. Winter brings plenty of time to connect with people in the community and support each other. Learn about the different activities people do in each season in Clyde River, its landmarks, and the amazing wildlife you can see there, like bowhead whales.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Dual-Language: English & Inuktitut 

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

Additional Information
27 pages | 8.00" x 10.00" | Paperback

Tuktu and his friends are exploring their feelings!

In this interactive book, children follow along as the animal characters experience different emotions, such as sad, happy, scared, and excited. As they go through the book, children are encouraged to talk about the feelings and practise making faces that express them.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

This book helps young children identify and express their emotions.

This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Bilingual: English and Inuktitut

Additional Information
20 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Board Book

Let’s go fishing!

This wordless picture book follows a child and his father as they go fishing, catch fish, and make pitsi.

Educator & Series Information
This is an Arvaaq Book. Books in this series are intended for infants and very young children and are designed to help children develop physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

This is a Sequence Book. These wordless picture books help young children develop early book-handling behaviours and use vocabulary as they interact with the book. Developing sequencing skills can also help children recognize patterns that make the world around them more predictable.  

Recommended Ages: 3 and under

Additional Information
23 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

Authenticity Note: This book has received the Authentic Indigenous Text label as the author of this wordless story is Indigenous and the story, although containing no words, reflects Indigenous topics/themes.

“As we anchored in the cove where the glacier touched the sea, I had this funny feeling that I had to have a pee!”

Gunner the dog can’t wait to go fishing with his family. But on their way, he starts to feel a familiar urge. He has to go pee! Gunner’s mom rushes him to shore, but as they get closer, they encounter a scary surprise. Can Gunner make it to land before it’s too late?

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Bilingual: Inuktitut and English

F&P Level: L

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

The iglu, a traditional winter shelter built in the Arctic for centuries, is a vital part of Inuit culture. The qamutiik, a traditional sled used for hunting, is an essential tool whose versatility and dependability have allowed it to endure over time.

In How to Build an Iglu & a Qamutiik, Solomon Awa provides thorough how-to instructions on building iglus and qamutiiks, along with general background information on their construction and importance to survival. Complete with detailed, clear illustrations, this valuable resource will teach readers to build these structures that are so central to Inuit culture and tradition.

Educator Information
Delivered in a dual-language format of English and Ikutitut.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 7.00" | b&w illustrations, colour photographs