Tuniit: Mysterious Folk of the Arctic by R. & S. Qitsualik-Tinsley

Abstract

Qitsualik-Tinsley, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley.  Tuniit:  Mysterious Folk of the Arctic.  Iqaluit, NU:  Inhabit Media, 2014. Print.

The Tuniit, also known as the Dorset culture of the Eastern Arctic, were replaced by the Inuit.  All that is left of them are stories and a few artefacts.  Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley have done an admirable job of telling the story of the Tuniit, mixing traditional lore and scientific fact to create a well-rounded picture of these enigmatic people.  The authors’ relaxed and immediate style is refreshing.  In spite of the complexity and uncertainty surrounding the Tuniit, their presentation of the information is simple and age-appropriate for the intended upper elementary audience.  For example, they tell the reader that one “story even goes so far as to claim that their hunting tools were too big for them, dragging on the ground as they walked!” The authors introduce facts from recent scientific studies with equal simplicity and directness, “…the Tuniit, too, had once been part of a migration coming out of Alaska….In other words, Inuit and Tuniit were distant cousins.”

While there is a lot of text and a lot of detail, there are images on almost every page. Sean Bigham’s artwork is excellent.  Whether a scary green-skinned qallupiluq or the shaman in the light of the fire, Bigham is able to capture an appropriate mood and sense.  He’s done a good job of depicting the Tuniit, incorporating physical features that are known only from legend.

Over all this is a good book that fills a gap in Canadian childrens’ literature.  Highly recommended for public and school libraries.

Highly recommended:  4 stars out of 4
Reviewer:  Sandy Campbell

Sandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines.  Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.