Stephen Angulalik facts for kids

Stephen Angulalik (born around 1898, died 1980) was a famous Inuit leader from northern Canada. He was known as a successful fur trader and manager of a trading post in Kuugjuaq (Perry River), Northwest Territories. His life story and photos were shared in magazines and newspapers all over the world.

Early Life and Learning to Trade

Angulalik was born near the Ellice River on the Queen Maud Gulf. His parents, Oakoak and Okalitaaknahik, were part of the Caribou Inuit people.

In 1923, Angulalik lived near a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) trading post. This post was on the Kent Peninsula. It had opened three years earlier and was very far north in the Canadian Arctic. Angulalik learned a lot about the fur trading business from the post manager, Hugh Clarke.

In 1926, Clarke and George Porter opened another trading post. It was for a company called Canalaska in Perry River. They likely chose this spot because many Ahiarmiut people were moving there. Clarke even built a home for Angulalik. This helped make sure the Ahiarmiut people traded with Canalaska.

Angulalik's Trading Career

In 1928, new rules made both trading posts close. But Angulalik kept working as an independent trader. Canalaska continued to supply him with goods. Later, when Canalaska sold its business to the HBC, they made sure Angulalik could still get supplies. The HBC post in Cambridge Bay kept sending him trade goods.

In 1929, Angulalik bought a large boat called the "Tudlik." He used this schooner throughout his career. It helped him bring goods from Cambridge Bay or Herschel Island to his trading post. His store had interesting items, like parasols and umbrellas. Inuit hunters found a clever new use for them. They covered them with white cloth to make shields. These shields helped them sneak up on seals sleeping on the spring ice.

Angulalik traded with many different Inuit groups. This included the Hanningajurmiut from Garry Lake. He also traded with the Illuilirmiut from Adelaide Peninsula. These groups were located between Angulalik's Perry River post and the HBC post in Gjoa Haven. To make it easier for them to trade, Angulalik set up a smaller outpost. This outpost was closer to them at Sherman Inlet. His adopted son, George Oakoak, managed it from 1948 to 1955.

Angulalik was a very successful trader. This was amazing because he could not speak or write English. He would get help from others or copy words from the boxes he received. One time, this led him to order "5 cases of This Side Up"!

A difficult event happened in Angulalik's life on New Year's Eve 1956. He defended himself in a situation, and another person, Otoetok, was hurt. Sadly, Otoetok later passed away on January 4, 1957. After this, Angulalik sold his Perry River trading business to the HBC that same year. A court case was held in Cambridge Bay, and Angulalik was found not guilty. He then returned to the Perry River post. He worked with the new young manager, Red Pedersen, who became a close friend. Angulalik stayed at the post until it closed in 1967.

Family Life and Hobbies

Angulalik had several wives during his life. His first wife was Kuptana, who passed away in 1939. His second wife was Koloahok, who died in 1938. In 1938, Angulalik was baptized and given the name "Stephen." In 1941, he married Mabel Ekvana, who was about 16 years old. Together, they raised 11 children.

Mabel Ekvana Angulalik shared memories of their life. She said, "Inuit had used this area to trap foxes. I have gone trapping with Angulalik when we were just married. A long time ago on this river, Perry River we would set traps all along the shores of this river. When he ran the post, he enjoyed travelling and setting traps... we would travel up river not very far and set up traps with help from young men. He would always have someone helping him all the time. We would set traps along the coast by Sherman Inlet."

In 1967, Angulalik and Ekvana moved to Cambridge Bay. They sent their children to the local school there. They lived a settled life for most of the year. But every summer, they would return to Perry River. Unlike many adults, Angulalik could not read or write in Inuktitut. However, he really enjoyed photography. He owned cameras and photographic equipment. His photos are now part of a special collection at the heritage center in Yellowknife.

See also

• Notable Aboriginal people of Canada

Awards

• 1935, King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
• 1953, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal