Mahahaa
A bilingual (English and Inuktitut) traditional Inuit story from the North Baffin region. Aulaja must stay alone in camp with only her dog to protect her. She has heard about dangerous land spirits from her father, but she has no idea she will soon encounter one–Mahahaa the Tickler, a being from Inuit mythology who can tickle you to death.
Jeela Palluq-Cloutier’s passion is to promote high quality standards of Inuktut, in spelling, grammar, and usage. She obtained her Bachelor of Education in 1994 (McGill University) and Master of Education, with thesis, in 2014 (Prince Edward Island University). As a teacher, she taught Inuktut in elementary and high schools in Iqaluit and Igloolik, including and in post-secondary programs in Ottawa (Nunavut Sivuniksavut and Carleton University). She also worked for Pirurvik Centre, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Inuit Uqausinngik Taiguusiliuqtiit, where she led work on documenting traditional and modern terminology, developing language training programs and materials, localizing modern technology interfaces, and establishing reference materials on standard orthography, grammar, and affixes. She further contributes to the development of literature for children and adults in Inuktut, through Inhabit Media and Inhabit Education Books, including authoring her own children’s books to promote naming practices and family terms.
Neil Christopher is an educator, author, and filmmaker. He first moved to the North many years ago to help start a high school program in Resolute Bay, Nunavut. It was those students who first introduced Neil to the mythical inhabitants from Inuit traditional stories. Together with his colleague, Louise Flaherty, and his brother, Danny Christopher, Neil started a small publishing company in Nunavut called Inhabit Media Inc., and has since been working to promote Northern stories and authors.
Babah Kalluk is an Inuk artist, writer, and filmmaker based in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.
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