THE FIRST AMERICANS

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 16

THE FIRST AMERICANS

By

RAPHAEL J. MacLOUGHLIN

Simek has left the igloo, the whispered remarks of his mother obviously having made him extremely sad. In his absence, our host’s wife assists the aged Eskimo to dress. Kabelaw and Sigokow watch as their granny, attired in her finest furs, sits awaiting the return of her son. As far as we can see, she is dressed for a journey. Perhaps Simek’s mother is going to stay with relations in another Eskimo band? We shall soon know the answer, for here comes Simek. Though still looking sad, he is no longer crying. From his hand hangs a length of rawhide. At one end of it, a noose has been fashioned. A smile creases the old woman’s worn features as she rubs nose with her daug h t e r-in-law, her grandchildren, and lastly with her son. She is obviously proud and pleased with thim.

Their goodbyes said. Simek goes behind his mother and tenderly places the rawhide noose around her neck and pulls with all his strength. Her body sags; it is done. He has fulfilled his last earthly obligation to her. Wrapping the remains in furs, he takes the pathetic bundle out of the igloo. Before we denounce Simek as a cruel, murderous son, it is only fair to state that as with most native mercy killings (if one accepts that concept) the death had been directed by the victim herself in compliance with Eskimo custom which demanded that the aged and helpless be done away with lest their unproductive presence proved an unbearable burden on the active members of the tribe. How did the Eskimo come to terms with and accept this act? The answer is — they were fatalists. The thought of death did not frighten Simek; even the threat of

execution by law was not a deterrent to the Eskimo. Nor, indeed, were Eskimos sentenced to severe prison sentences for they were not physical!'.' or emotionally equipped to survive such imprisonment. However, if Simek could see his people today he would be amazed and dismayed. They are a changing race. Caught by the forces of progress, they stand at a cultural crossroads. Many have lost their culture and succumbed to the questionable blessing of “civilisation” foisted on them without stint or measure. As a result of these influences, physical and social ills, previously unknown, increase daily. Even their dog, the kingmik, like tine buffalo of the Plains, has been on the verge of extinction because of the introduction of snowmobiles. Yet, these machines have many drawbacks, as the Eskimo has found to his cost. Thev tend to run

out of fuel in the course of a hunt: when the weather drops you cannot snuggle up to them to keep from freezing to death; and they do not sense the danger of thin ice. But Simek returns. He has buried his mother well: she will not be disturbed by bear or wolf. Seeing the sad look on his children’s faces. Simek says that it is a good day for them all to visit their friends, the Norraks. Nuna smiles at her husband; she knows his reasons for suggesting the unexpected trip. As the voices of the children rise in excitement, recent sorrow is forgotten for Simek and his family — life goes on. At last, all are ready. Simek lifts the sledge’s anchor rope and the dogs move forward (see drawing). As our host and his family recede into the dis-, lance, it seems to me that we are saying goodbye to the last true Eskimo . . .