OBOF Book Discussion

Discussion Questions: Life Among the Qallunaat, by Mini Aodla Freeman:

1. The first part of the book (p. 3-66) details Mini’s first few years of moving to Ottawa to work as a translator for a government agency—her first time in a big city. Discuss these concepts as they relate to Mini’s experiences: culture shock, misconceptions, prejudice, assimilation, marginality. How do you think you would feel if you went to a culture completely unlike your own?

2. In the Ottawa section of the book, Mini talks about being photographed without really knowing why, and then having her image used to promote savings bonds, sell ginger ale, etc. What was happening there, and what did you think of it?

3. Her first months/years in the big city were eased by her friendship with a friend she called “my Qallunaat,” a young white woman who was also an outsider of sorts because she’d been raised on a farm. How were the two women’s experiences as outsiders similar? How were they different?

4. The rest of the book (p. 67-259) focuses on Mini’s ancestry and her growing-up years in the Inuit communities of James Bay. What were her Inuit culture’s values, as far as family relationships, expressing affection, marriage, work/productivity, and obedience?

5. Since Mini lost her mother at an early age, her grandmother was very important in raising her, from early childhood to womanhood. What were some of the lessons and values Grandmother taught Mini? Which lessons were most helpful to Mini? Which were most unhelpful?

6. Mini describes her experiences attending residential schools for indigenous (Inuit and Cree) children run by the Catholics or by the Anglican church. In recent years, much has come to light about children’s negative experiences in these schools, and the Canadian government has sought to make reparations. What do you know about this part of Canada’s (and the US’s) history? Have you read any books about “Indian schools”?

7. Mini talks about her experiences working as a live-in nanny for a white couple. What did she learn through this experience?

8. Discuss the meaning of these terms and their importance in the book: qallunaat, inuit, angilissiak, saniarruk, Eskimo.

9. The book begins and ends with the question “How do you like the weather?” What does this question mean in relation to Mini’s life story?

10. This book was originally published in 1978 and describes events that occurred prior to 1960. Is this book still relevant today? Why or why not?

BONUS QUESTIONS:

B1. The foreword and afterword of the book provide background re: the initial publication of this book in 1978, and its re-release in 2015. Why did interest in the 1978 edition fade quickly? How did the editors and publishers treat Mini differently, then vs. now?

B2. Did anyone (in this discussion group) research to learn more details about Mini’s life since 1960? What did you find out?