Inuit Testimonies
The recorded testimony of Inuit people is among the most valuable resources in this virtual archive. But it is spread around many types of documents, from private letters to published books and articles. For your interest and convenience, we have chosen to gather this fascinating material together here as a Special Collection of Inuit Testimony, recorded in some cases by nineteenth-century explorers like Hall and Schwatka, and in others much more recently by authors and journalists like Dorothy Eber.
Inuit Testimony in the 1850s
- Rae Reports First Signs of the Expedition in 1852
- Rae’s Dreadful Findings Described in 1854
- Dr. Rae’s Report on Franklin in Charles Dickens’ “Household Words” in 1854
- Hobson reports finding the Cairn and the Bodies in 1859
- McClintock reports finding the Cairn and Bodies in 1859
Inuit Testimony in the 1860s
- Hall meets Innookpoozhejook, interviews other Innus in April 1869
- Hall visits with Inuit in May 1869
- Hall questions Eveeshuk about cannibalism in May 1869
- Hall interviews Innookpoozhejook regarding cannibalism in May 1869
- Hall’s Summary Letter to Grinnell in June 1869
- Hall Interviews Innookpoozhejook about tents, boats, bodies in July 1869
- Hall Interviews Innookpoozhejook in July 1869
Inuit testimony 1878 - 1880
- Ikinnelikpatolek tells Shwatka about finding the ships in 1878-1880
- Ahlangyah tells Schwatka of seeing Franklin’s men alive and dead in 1878-1880
- Adelkok and Ogzenekjenwoek tell Schwatka of cairn, dead bodies in 1878-1880; Admiral Richards’ response to Cannibalism
- Inuit take Schwatka to Crozier’s camp, Irving’s Grave and find evidence of Hobson and McClintock’s visit in 1878-1880
- Peowat tells Schwatka of boats on Back’s River [as reported by Gilder] in 1878-1880
- Schwatka visits Netchillik village, interviews Seeuteetuar, Toolooah, Ooping in 1878-1880
- Ahlangyah’s Testimony to Schwatka [as reported by Gilder] in 1878-1880
- Tooktoocheer and her son Ogzeuckjeuwock tell Schwatka of finding Franklin goods and dead bodies [as reported by Gilder] in 1878-1880
- Ockarnawole tells Schwatka about more bodies and a grave [as reported by Gilder] in 1878-1880
- Schwatka’s Address to the American Geographical Society in 1881
Inuit Testimony in the early 1900s
- Testimony of Uchyuneiu regarding the Franklin Expedition
- Qaqortingneq's Map Key [reported by Knud Rasmussen]
- Arviligjuarmiut Testimony on Franklin and Others [Reported by Knud Rasmussen]
- Iggiarâjuk's Testimony on the Franklin Party [Reported by Knud Rasmussen]
Inuit testimony in the late 20th and early 21st centuries
- Interview with Frank Analok on Imnguyaaluk by Dorothy Eber [Interpretation by James Pamioyok]
- Interview with Tommy Angattitauraq by Dorothy Eber [Regarding the Nicolas Pijutinuaq Story]
- Interview with Tommy Angattitauraq by Dorothy Eber [Regarding the Nelson Takkiruq Story]
- Interview with Lena Kimiatook, Taloyoak, by Dorothy Eber, [Interpretation Tommy Angattitauraq]
