Spence Bay (Dec 08/03) - Arnauyuk Aiyout, 58, knows basic English words, but never did learn how to speak English.

Arnauyuk Aiyout has been helping people her whole life. - photo courtesy of Theresa Hendricks

"She was going to go to school in Inuvik like my dad, but her dad said no," said Arnauyuk's son, Jonah, 27, who translated for her last week from their Taloyoak home. "She would like to be able to speak to you. But she doesn't speak English. But she gets along."

Arnauyuk has spent her life in the Taloyoak area. Born on the land, from a young age, she was always helping those in need - something she continues to this day with elders in Taloyoak.

As a girl, Arnauyuk helped her father trap, and her mother sew.

"He was mostly out on the land sticking traps," said Jonah of his grandfather. "He was blind, and couldn't hear well. So she was his eyes and his ears."

The family used dog teams, lived in an iglu, then a tent in the summer, living a traditional lifestyle, much different than today.

"Today it's snowmobiles," said Jonah as his mother laughed in the background.

Arnauyuk laments the decline in Inuktitut use in her community. It bothers Arnauyuk to hear little five year olds in Taloyoak speaking English, Jonah explained.

Arnauyuk and her husband, Inuk, have three sons, two adopted daughters, and many grandchildren.

Jonah, a proud hunter, said his parents taught him respect for the land, and his Inuit culture.

When Arnauyuk is not helping elders, she sews traditional clothing, and makes delicious bannock, Jonah said.

"She is very into sewing. Mitts, she made her parka. She sews a lot," Jonah said.

"She is very thankful there is going to be an elders centre," he continued. "She likes to work with elders. She learns a lot from elders."

Arnauyuk was 13 when she learned sewing from her mother.

She had a happy upbringing, she recalled. And each day she prays, and attends church every Sunday.

"Some people get up on the wrong side of the bed," said Jonah. "Not her. She gets up early, she prays to have a good day, and she starts doing something. She is always very busy."