Norma Dunning Book order

From the winner of the 2021 Governor General's Award for literature, a revelatory look into an obscured piece of Canadian what was then called the Eskimo Identification Tag System In 2001, Dr. Norma Dunning applied to the Nunavut Beneficiary program, requesting enrolment to legally solidify her existence as an Inuk woman. But in the process, she was faced with a question she could not answer, tied to a colonial institution retired decades “What was your disc number?” Still haunted by this question years later, Dunning took it upon herself to reach out to Inuit community members who experienced the Eskimo Identification Tag System first-hand, providing vital perspective and nuance to the scant records available on the subject. Written with incisive detail and passion, Dunning provides readers with a comprehensive look into a bureaucracy sustained by the Canadian government for over thirty years, neglected by history books but with lasting echoes revealed in Dunning’s intimate interviews with affected community members. Not one government has taken responsibility or apologized for the E-number system to date ― a symbol of the blatant dehumanizing treatment of the smallest Indigenous population in Canada. A necessary and timely offering, Kinauvit? provides a critical record and response to a significant piece of Canadian history, collecting years of research, interviews and personal stories from an important voice in Canadian literature.

Through gritty characters facing harsh realities, the collection delves into the complexities of northern life and Inuit identity. Norma Dunning draws from her own experiences of racism and colonialism, offering a powerful exploration of her Inukness. The stories challenge misconceptions about Inuit culture, incorporating Inuktitut language and symbolism to provide a nuanced perspective. Echoing the works of Alootook Ipellie, this collection brings contemporary Inuit experiences to the forefront, highlighting resilience and authenticity in the face of adversity.

The collection pays tribute to the Inuit community, honoring those lost to unmarked graves and those yet to come. It addresses the injustices faced by Inuit individuals, particularly the neglect from Canadian authorities regarding the deaths and burials of their people. Through poignant poetry, the author envisions a future liberated from colonialism, advocating for a deeper recognition of Inuit lives and histories, and emphasizing the importance of returning their stories and bodies to their families.

A new collection of short stories that illuminate Inuit experience in the Canadian South.