Markoosie Patsauq facts for kids
Markoosie Patsauq (ᒫᑯᓯ ᐸᑦᓴᐅᖅ, 1941/42 - 2020) was an Inuk writer from Inukjuak in Nunavik, Quebec. He is famous for writing Harpoon of the Hunter (ᐊᖑᓇᓱᑦᑎᐅᑉ ᓇᐅᒃᑯᑎᖓ). This book was the very first novel ever published in the Inuktitut language. Even though another book called Sanaaq was written earlier by Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk, Harpoon of the Hunter was published first in 1970.
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Markoosie Patsauq's Early Life
Markoosie Patsauq was born near Inukjuak, Quebec. When he was young, in 1953, his family was part of a group of Inuit people who were moved by the government. This event is known as the High Arctic relocation. His family was moved far away to Resolute in the Northwest Territories, a very cold place in the Arctic. Later, Markoosie went to high school in Yellowknife.
About Harpoon of the Hunter
Markoosie Patsauq wrote his famous story, Harpoon of the Hunter, in 1969. At that time, he was working as a pilot. He was actually the first Inuk pilot in all of Canada! He got the ideas for his book from stories he heard from his family members.
The story was first shared in parts in an Inuit magazine called Inuttituut. Then, in 1970, it was published as a full book in English. Later, in 1974, it was even published in Ukrainian. Many years later, in 2013, a French version came out. In 2015, the book was translated into Hindi and Marathi too.
Markoosie also wrote other short stories and non-fiction pieces. However, none of his other works became as well-known as Harpoon of the Hunter.
The Book's Journey Through Translations
In 2016, a smart person named Valerie Henitiuk studied Harpoon of the Hunter. She wanted to see if the meaning of the original story, written in Inuktitut, changed when it was translated into English. This was important because many of the later translations into other languages were based on that English version.
Markoosie Patsauq's Legacy
Markoosie Patsauq passed away in March 2020. He was at his home in Inukjuak. His work, especially Harpoon of the Hunter, remains an important part of Canadian and Inuit literature.
