The Curse of the Shaman

by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak

Sometimes even shamans get cranky. That was baby Wolverine’s misfortune—to be cursed by an out-of-sorts shaman frustrated by his own babydaughter’s incessant crying. Not only has shaman Paaliaq forbidden the future marriage of Wolverine to Breath, Paaliaq’s beautiful but teary baby girl, he has cursed Wolverine, banishing him when he becomes a young man. And even when acontrite Paaliaq later revokes the curse, the shaman’s even crankier magicanimal will not. Now Wolverine finds himself stranded on a barren island, lockedin a life-or-death struggle to return to his home, his family and a very special young girl.

Michael Kusugak, consummate storyteller and bestselling author, conjures up an Inuit tale of adventure, perseverance and first-time love shot through with humanity and humour. This is a story perfect for its pre-teen and ’tween audience, where even the strong and the mighty have bad days, the bully gets his due and a dream can come true.

Genres: Indigenous, Canada, Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published July 24, 2006

About the author

Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak is a storyteller and a Canadian children's writer, who tells stories about Arctic and Inuit culture. He was born April 27, 1948 just north of Chesterfield Inlet, at a point of land we call Qatiktalik. That same spring of 1948 he and his family moved to Repulse Bay and in 1960 to Rankin Inlet


Inuktitut: ᐊᕐᕚᕐᓗᒃ ᑯᓱᒐᖅ

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated by Vladyana Krukorka.

There was always a moral in the stories Grandmother told...words by which they would grow, morals that would guide them in their lives. p73

So it is in this story within a story, with some practical advice thrown in that will surely benefit those who want to live lightly on the land.

And boy! do these people know how to party!

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book that shows how simple and yet majestic are the lives of Inuit. Learn how to make an igloo, how to make kayaks, and sew clothing from furs and skins using bone needles and sinew for thread. There is joy, hardship, animal mystery, and romance -- something for everyone. The author claims to have made up the information about shamans in the novel but things I have read elsewhere suggest that what he wrote was believed by most Inuit.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, simple story about two Inuit families living pre-European-contact, with tidbits of Inuit folklore and lots of descriptions about how traditional tasks were done, including igloo-building, hunting, and making clothing and tools. Two Inuit families have just has their first babies, when a sharp word spoken in anger accidentally puts a curse on one child that once he reaches marriageable age, he will never set foot on the land again. The novel is told more in a storyteller style than a book style, so characters and plot never get overly complex, but it makes it suitable to read aloud. Appropriate for older grade school students and up, I'd say.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

a book for elementary and middle school students centring on the lives of an Inuit family.

Growth will be seen in both young people and old!
A nice twist at the end helps bring some resolution.

Worth reading as a living book introducing young people to the lives of some of Canada's first peoples.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this tale of family connection, loyalty and survival.

[Sycamore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Siksik was a great character but Kusugak didn't pursue him enough. A malicious squirrel that suffers through the arctic cold, carries out curses for his shaman and can pretend not to hear the shaman's commands is not a character that should be left underdeveloped. The story was kind of rickety but the descriptions of Inuit life and details of how to make igloos, kayaks etc. and the attention given to the feeling of living in the north were fucking awesome. Can I say 'fuck' on this thing? We'll find out.

[Lynn Bornath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book that I really enjoyed. And I learned how to count to three in Inuktitut! Read the full review.

[Richard Van Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book set in the barren lands of Canada’s Nunavut. This is the story of banishment, medicine power, vengeful spirits, a longing for love and redemption. Michael Kusugak digs deep into Inuit tradition and pulls out a tale that should be a national treasure.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good