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Eunicey Shytoo Muckpah
Inuit Artist
Eunicey Shytoo Muckpah
was born on November 15, 1956, on a beach Northwest of Pond Inlet on
Baffin Island. For the next ten years, she lived in tents during the
summer and in igloos during the winter traveling by sled and dogs. This
was the nomadic life style that Inuit's of Baffin Island have lived
for hundreds of years. Pond Inlet was an area rich in seals, narwhales
and fish, and many families came to this area over the years. Eunice's
family lived off the land, hunting and fishing, moving constantly in
search of food and plants. The family traveled to the trading post in
Pond Inlet twice a year. Although it was a peaceful life, winter was
harsh, often without food for weeks. The land was in darkness almost
all winter. This was when Eunicey learned to carve by the light of the
Kudluk, watching her father Jimmy carve from soapstone. Eunicey often
helped with oiling the carvings with sea oil, sanding and finishing.
At one point, Eunicey
came close to losing her life. A bad tent fire burnt most of her upper
body around the neck and head area. Her father patted her out and threw
her into the ocean. There were no doctors or drug stores, Eunicey healed
on her own. Eunicey lost two of her little sisters. One was killed by
the Huskies; the other sister died of an unknown illness. Eunice's own
health was not good.
When her life was in
question, she was moved to Vancouver, B.C. Life changed dramatically.
Eunicey had never seen cars or buildings larger than shacks. She was
not able to speak English. She could not tell the difference between
men and women. It was a big change. She eventually married a farmer
from Ontario and had two children. During this time, Eunicey lost contact
with her family in the north. Then one day while reading a book from
the library, she came across a picture of her mother and father. By
calling the author of the book, she was able to contact her family.
A trip north quickly followed. Eunicey and family moved to the north
and lived with her parents, Jimmy and Elisabeth, for one year.
Her father, who was still
carving, inspired Eunicey to create her own work and she has continued
to this day becoming well known for her unique style and depiction of
people and animals from her native north.
Soapstone Carver
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