Esquimo Playmates

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 5

Esquimo Playmates

Only White Child Born Within Arctic Circle “Dominion” Special Service—By Air Mail. Loudon, March 5. only white child to be born with- • in the Arctic Circle is paying her first visit to England. Six-year-old June Victoria Pasley arrived at Southamp- j ton this week on the Queen Mary with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pasley, for six weeks’ holiday. Then she will return to her lonely home in the little settlement at Cambridge Bay, Victorialand, Canada, which is 300 miles from the next settlement. There are only eight white people at Cambridge Bay, and June's playmates are Esquimo children. The nearest doctor is 1000 miles away. When June was born her father acted as doctor and .midwife. A native of Sheffield, Mr. Pasley served for several years in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before be be- ■ came skipper of a 200-ton ship which receives supplies of skins from Esquimaux. His wife has not been in England for 24 years. “Of course, it’s very lonely,” said Mrs. Pasley, “but I’d sooner live there - than here.” Her husband said, “I wouldn’t change it for any other life.” June just nursed a large doll and said nothing at all.