Yaaka Yaaka

Running with the Wolves Yaaka Yaaka

I taught school in the small Inuit village of Kangiqsujuaq for several years. Kangiqsujuaq is located at Quebec's Ungava's eastern entrance to the Hudson Strait. It is a jewel with its surrounding lands including the newly inaugurated Pingualuit Park and its waters, so rich with life. I feel blessed to have experienced life there. To have gotten to know The People. After I left Kangiqsujuaq I stayed in touch with Yaaka Yaaka. I'd had an airplane with me, so between that and snowmobiles I had many adventures with Yaaka. Yaaka is now a ranger on the lands he has worked so hard to protect, the lands surrounding the mystical crater called Pingualuit. Yaaka is not only a great hunter and fisherman, but he also a teacher, an artist and a photographer. I include many of Yaaka's letters and photos in telling my story. I also include some photos taken by the famous Quebec photographer, Robert Frechette. Lastly I include a short story titled Pingualuit which I wrote. Enjoy!