ARVIAT/QIKIQTAALUK
The spirit of Christmas giving is alive and well in Nunavut.
Johnny Mamgark and his grandson Paniyuk Kinak had a bountiful hunt outside Arviat the weekend of Dec. 3.
Johnny Mamgark of Arviat, whose grandson Paniyuk Kinak is seen here butchering one of seven caribou the pair harvested, was overwhelmed when he offered one caribou for a lucky Baffin elder. More than 600 people submitted names and photos for the Facebook draw. - photo courtesy of Johnny Mamgark |
Mamgark thought he might sell a bit of meat from the catch of seven tuktu to help his own family around the Christmas season.
"On Monday night, I went down to my porch and I was going to try to sell a bit of meat on Iqaluit Sell/Swap (Facebook page). So I took a picture of my catch and posted it," said Mamgark, adding he doesn't usually sell his meat but he is unemployed.
"Just a few minutes later, an elder called me from Arctic Bay and he wanted caribou meat but couldn't afford it. I kind of felt guilty that an elder called me and actually asked for meat. I don't usually sell caribou meat."
It was the elder's request that made him realize others on Baffin were without caribou. He changed his post to sell caribou to 'free.'
Mamgark began by offering one caribou for one elder. The response on his Facebook thread on Iqaluit Sell/Swap overwhelmed him. Between Monday and Wednesday he received 857 "likes" and 694 comments - with hundreds submitting images and names of elders who would appreciate tuktu.
Mamgark was also throwing in the cost of freight.
"It just grew. And I actually got an extra two from two other harvesters from Arviat. So the total was three," said Mamgark.
Kelly Owlijoot and Tony Uluadluak are the two who also offered tuktu.
Joannie and Annie Ikkidluak of Kimmirut, Simeonie Qaunirq of Iqaluit, and Elaiya Mangitak of Cape Dorset were the lucky three announced Dec. 7.
"And I would like to thank some generous ladies that donated money for the freight, so I don't even have to pay for the freight. They were so generous," said Mamgark.
It all happened quickly on Facebook.
"Johnny, this is such a generous act that you are making," Rosemary Boyd wrote to Mamgark. "I would be happy to make a donation to shipping, and since I like to fill my life with good people. Could I meet you to give you a donation and shake your hand? It would be my privilege."
Stephanie Briscoe Autut was the second.
"Would you accept a donation to help cover freight charges? I would be happy to EMT a small cash donation. What you are doing is a wonderful thing ... nice to see," she wrote.
Then, another development: a fourth caribou was offered for Pond Inlet
widow Nina Kautuq.
"She's the one who lost her husband and kids in a tent fire. She will also get a free caribou," said Mamgark. "That freight is paid for by Susan Savikataaq."
On Facebook, when Kautuq learned of the gift, she responded with many hearts and exclamation marks and many thanks.
"I'm crying!!!!!!!!!" she wrote.
The thread announcing the original three recipients received a similar outpouring of gratitude and blessings for Mamgark and the others from people who were following the thread.
The unfolding of events was unexpected for Mamgark.
"I thought I was going to get maybe 100 elders. I didn't know there were that many on Baffin," he said, chuckling. "I kind of felt bad. I was going to give away one caribou and there were 600 elders or so. I wondered, 'What did I do?'"
He says in the Kivalliq they are so blessed with caribou, he feels for the Baffin.
Mamgark says a hunter in Whale Cove is also sending out some meat to an elder in Iqaluit.
Into Dec. 8, the two threads on Iqaluit Sell and Swap started by Mamgark continued to receive comments, with many thanks and blessing for the kind giving.
