Description
Book SynopsisA study of the Inuit during a time of rapid change. Written shortly after the creation of Nunavut, a new province carved out of traditional Inuit homelands in the Canadian North, this book combines conclusions drawn from the authors' fourteen years of ethnographic research with the stories of Inuit women and men, told in their own words.
Trade ReviewEssential reading for those interested in Inuit culture, politics, and gender relations. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *
Inuit Women talks about how we [the Inuit] cope with surviving in modern times while maintaining the traditional ways. The people explain life from their own experiences, some of them painful and touching, so that you feel an ache in the heart when you fully understand and have been there. Moving from the land to a high-tech society in three generations is a lot to absorb and it is being done here with an openness and ingenuity that is understood by women all over the world. Much of our history is not written yet by our people and this book shows how we can begin to do just that. Our history is still oral, passed down from generation to generation, but once more we are open to a new concept. This book will be passed down as part of our history. -- Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Iqaluit, Nunavut
If we study the heroic struggle for survival by Arctic women and men too closely, we risk seeing our own reflection, as the greatest test Inuit ever face may well be invasion by our Western culture. Inuit Women is a rare and potent combination—a book that unflinchingly and painstakingly examines this clash of cultures, listening carefully all the while not to miss the subtle poetry of Inuit life lessons. -- John Houston, Arctic filmmaker, Diet of Souls
This is a beautifully written work of feminist ethnography. The authors weave the words of Inuit women into the text, creating a running narrative that gives powerful voice to the women studied while providing an extraordinary contemporary ethnography of Inuit women. The book is original, for few who study indigenous people evidence such strong concern about women and their social problems—domestic violence, depression among youth, and high rates of suicide. The authors also confront the new, unfolding Nunavut identity and the potential for redefinition of male-female relations. These themes, and many others involving women, men, and their children, are woven throughout the text, making Inuit Women a compelling read. -- Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, Rhode Island College; author of Ethics and Anthropology
Table of ContentsPart I: Introduction Chapter 1: "The People" Part II: Life Out on the Land Chapter 2: Traditional Roles: Gender and Survival Chapter 3: Traditional Power: A Delicate Balance Chapter 4: Traditional Socialization: Learning by Doing Part III: Metamorphosis Chapter 5: The Bad Times: Starvation Stalked the Land Chapter 6: Transforming Traditional Culture Part IV: Living on the Edge Chapter 7: Culture Shock and Marginality Chapter 8: The Impacts of Resettlement Chapter 9: Families Redefined Part V: Life in Town: The Changing Balance of Power Chapter 10: Contemporary Roles: The Female Advantage Chapter 11: Contemporary Power: A Reversal of Position Chapter 12: Contemporary Socialization: Passing on the Culture Part VI: The Bonds of Intimacy Chapter 13: Love and Living Together Chapter 14: Marriage and Divorce Part VII: The Challenges of Change Chapter 15: Violence against Women and Children: The Complexities of Power Part VIII: A New Century Emerges Chapter 16: The Promise and Price of Education Chapter 17: The Meaning of Work Part IX: The Road to Equality Chapter 18: Women's Rights and Political Participation Chapter 19: Nunavut: Defining a New Political Identity
