Agloolik
ORIGINAL STORY by ANGELA VOUDRACH
The Story of
M
y story begins with Agloolik, the spirit that lives under the sea, protecting our hunters and all creatures of the water. The first time I sensed his presence was when I was a young boy travelling on the river with Aapang and Aapiyang. I could feel Agloolik’s touch on my face as we floated in our qayaq, past the hungaaqtaaq arches of trees. I remember the feeling of his crisp breath when we waded through the fresh, cool water. Our qayaq rocked while Aapang said quyanaq to Agloolik for blessing us with fresh iqaluk. A few years later, I became an expert at hunting and fishing. I would say quyanaq to Agloolik for each iqaluk and natchiq that I captured. The breeze was warm during the summer and the branches and bushes were full of emerald, juniper and pine-coloured leaves. I could feel the
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warm rays of hiqñiq on my face, darkening my skin while the qugruq serenaded the wind. One particular summer day, I reached into the water to acquire the iqaluk in our net and saw him. Agloolik looked magical—his wrinkled eyes were squinted from his smile and his long, gray hair almost looked tunguyuqtaaq under the moving waves. Iqaluk and natchiq danced around his body, helping him swim with the waves. His dark eyes stared at me as he nodded a goodbye. Many years had passed, and I did not encounter Agloolik since that first time, but I still felt his presence. Aapang had passed on, leaving Aakang, Aapiyang and myself to live without him. I would hunt for our food and clothing, but Aapiyang enjoyed preparing the meat and our kamiks with Aakang. After I hunted, I would listen to Aakang
ART by JOLENE THRASHER
