STORY TELLERS

For many generations of Inuit, storytelling was an important source of entertainment and a means of reinforcing values and beliefs. Aside from stories based on real experiences, many stories describe the adventures of people and animals with extraordinary abilities and strengths. As with all folklore, there is typically a crossover between the natural and supernatural worlds. The outcome of many of these stories may seem brutal, but their lessons were important for survival. Many stories were aimed at children, teaching them by example instead of by punishment or scolding.

At the end of a story, the protagonist often warns children to behave. For example, the story of Qalupijuk refers to a ghoulish, monster-like creature who steals children when they stray too close to ice-floes, a theme addressing real-life concerns in the Arctic.

This will be my storytelling. I hope to put up a few stories every now and then. Some stories may be regarding the race itself and other stories may be about my experiences preparing for this event. And some stories may be about the land and the people of the Far North. A race is always so much more than just the physical running.

" I knew a girl, who tried to walk across the lake. Of course it was winter... "

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