Etiktayok

Description

‘Etiktayok’ by Agnes Nanogak Goose – Inuit Art – Ulukhaktok (Holman) 1984 presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts

Condition: No condition to report.

Description by Artist: No description by artist found.

Notes from DaVic Gallery: Agnes Nanogak was especially fascinated by fables and legends, stories of shamans, and myths, all of which she has illustrated, adding a touch of humor or mockery:

Etiktayok is about a woman walking along the river bank. In the distance she spied a bear who had not yet seen her. She knew that the bear would eventually become aware of her presence there, and that he would then give chase. She had to think of a way to escape, but there was no place to hide because she was far from her village. She was a clever woman with very special powers. She knew that if the river were between them the bear could not harm her. She quickly drank the river dry and walked across to safety.

Just as she knew it would happen, the bear arrived too late, for when he reached the spot where she had crossed, the river was again flowing. Cunningly, the bear called across in a friendly voice asking the woman how it was she had reached the other side. He asked if she would be kind enough to help him cross the river too. The woman knew it was a ruse and that the bear really wanted to capture her. She agreed to help him, but wisely she kept her secret and told him lies so that the bear was unable to cross. In this way the woman saved herself from great harm and eventually reached her home safely.