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Christmas in the Big Igloo: True Stories from the Canadian Arctic
Witty and sometimes harrowing, these stories of holidays spent in the Arctic range from the early nineteenth century to the present. Explorers, traders, whalers and the Inuit describe the festive season in this chilly, unforgiving land.
55 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1996
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January 15, 2023
Eskimo* Christmas Tree by George Inglis
“Some years ago, at a lonely outpost on Canada’s treeless Arctic coast, next door to Santa Claus land, one of the few white residents, homesick for Christmas festivities, decided to brighten things up with a Christmas tree. It was easier to think of than to accomplish.
Hearing of an Eskimo hunter about to travel South in search of caribou, the white man, through an interpreter, made his wish known to the Eskimo, who promised to bring him back a tree.
Just before Christmas day, the smiling hunter returned across the snow with his sled loaded with caribou meat, and a fine, tall tree. Proudly, he pulled up before the waiting white man, who stared in speechless disappointment at the long, thick pole tied to the side of the sled.
To make things easier, and expedite his quick return with the promised tree, the Eskimo had lopped off all the branches.”
* "Editor’s Note: Over the years, different terms have been used to describe the native people of the North. Today, we say Inuit instead of Eskimos, and many selections reflect this.
However, it did not seem right to correct the language of people who were writing long before this usage became accepted. Therefore both terms occur in the book."
This collection was not what I imagined when I began my reading. I was hopeful to read some true tales of the Inuit people and how they celebrated Christmas, perhaps how (or even if) they had celebrated before Colonization, to learn of their customs and traditions. This collection was not quite that and what we do get is VERY short, first-person accounts, by (mostly) white men. The final two stories were told by Inuk authors – one woman and one man. The title does not reflect the content.
“Some years ago, at a lonely outpost on Canada’s treeless Arctic coast, next door to Santa Claus land, one of the few white residents, homesick for Christmas festivities, decided to brighten things up with a Christmas tree. It was easier to think of than to accomplish.
Hearing of an Eskimo hunter about to travel South in search of caribou, the white man, through an interpreter, made his wish known to the Eskimo, who promised to bring him back a tree.
Just before Christmas day, the smiling hunter returned across the snow with his sled loaded with caribou meat, and a fine, tall tree. Proudly, he pulled up before the waiting white man, who stared in speechless disappointment at the long, thick pole tied to the side of the sled.
To make things easier, and expedite his quick return with the promised tree, the Eskimo had lopped off all the branches.”
* "Editor’s Note: Over the years, different terms have been used to describe the native people of the North. Today, we say Inuit instead of Eskimos, and many selections reflect this.
However, it did not seem right to correct the language of people who were writing long before this usage became accepted. Therefore both terms occur in the book."
This collection was not what I imagined when I began my reading. I was hopeful to read some true tales of the Inuit people and how they celebrated Christmas, perhaps how (or even if) they had celebrated before Colonization, to learn of their customs and traditions. This collection was not quite that and what we do get is VERY short, first-person accounts, by (mostly) white men. The final two stories were told by Inuk authors – one woman and one man. The title does not reflect the content.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review