The Three Hunters

This story has many authors. It was the result of a year’s worth of learning at Leo Ussak School in Kangiqliniq (Rankin Inlet), Nunavut. The grade four class had completed a social studies unit about Inuit traditions and was reading a variety of fairy tales and noticed a number of retellings of the “Three Little Pigs.” The class decided to write their own version set in Nunavut in the past. Every day after lunch for several weeks the class wrote, read, and edited their story. Raymond Gianfrancesco lived and worked in Rankin Inlet for seven years as an elementary school teacher with the students. Also important to this story are the contributions of the school counsellor, Noah Tiktak and learning coach Trudi Bruce. Noah and Trudi led a session on traditional tools that sparked the students’ imagination. Noah also helped with the translation and spelling of Inuktitut terms as well as provided his encouragement and support.

Akagaq, the youngest brother of three, is confident but forgetful. When he gets caught in a blizzard he makes a tent, but it is no match for the powerful winds. Trapped in the cold, Akagaq is helped by his brother Tiriaq. Tiriaq digs into a snowdrift for shelter, but the wind is still too strong and blows out their lamp. Akkiutaq, the eldest brother, arrives to save them, and brings them to the iglu he has carefully built. The wind threatens to destroy the iglu as well, but the shelter proves strong, and the brothers are safe. The brothers learn an important lesson about paying attention to their Elders, and taking care in what they do.

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