Inuunira: My Story of Survival

Brian Koonoo’s story of survival, a riveting, descriptive prose, often diary format, adventure is hard to put down. It isn’t a long story – 38 pages including sketches by Ben Shannon and a glossary – but each paragraph gives the reader something new to think about. The story is a real experience of an Inuk, an experienced hunter and a person immersed in the survival traditions of an ancient proud people. Koonoo comes from Pond Inlet or Mittimatialik, Baffin Island, and his adventure takes place on a solo hunting trip to Naujaat region where he planned to meet up with a friend to engage in finding caribou.

Koonoo’s adventure is fraught with difficulties even those beyond the extreme climate conditions. His sleeping bag fell off along the ride; his snowmobile broke down beyond repair and he was forced to walk an exhausting distance. Throughout the story, Koonoo describes how the Inuit people, his father and his ancestors, have learned to survive and how important it is that these techniques are not lost. His story is honest. He frequently describes his emotions; feelings of giving up when so many things go wrong, his tears at the worry of his wife and daughters and community, feelings of not being able to carry on. He calls out to God, he talks to animals that he sees along the way, he even sees a startling snow formation of letters that encourages him to continue. And, as the title suggests, he survives.

This short book is remarkable in many ways. The simple yet effective images give a clear sense of the author’s equipment, supply list, equipment, maps and even how to build an iglu. The story is also blunt; it tells of killing caribou and whales and rabbits, all for food or need; nothing is wasted. There is also a message of hope:

I then thought of all the people I knew who had committed suicide. Most of them were in my community, with good shelter, food, and running water. They had given up on life because of the struggles they had that they could not talk about. Suicide doesn’t take away the pain; it passes it on to the loved ones. If they had only realized that the troubles wouldn’t always be there, that the pain and struggle may become a lesson to provide strength in difficult times. Life is precious. I had to share the message with others not to give up. No matter what happens.

Koonoo’s story of survival will engage children of many ages. Educators will need to know their audience well before reading or sharing the book as there may some hard parts to read; graphic (but not overly) descriptions of killing animals, suicide, smoking. The story is well worth the read and can teach a great deal about the incredible knowledge and culture of Koonoo’s people and their life-saving traditions.