From the Tundra to the Trenches (First Voices, First Texts, 4) - Softcover

Weetaltuk, Eddy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0887558224 ISBN 13: 9780887558221

Publisher: University of Manitoba Press, 2017

Synopsis

“My name is Weetaltuk; Eddy Weetaltuk. My Eskimo tag name is E9-422.” So begins From the "Tundra to the Trenches." Weetaltuk means “innocent eyes” in Inuktitut, but to the Canadian government, he was known as E9-422: E for Eskimo, 9 for his community, 422 to identify Eddy.

In 1951, Eddy decided to leave James Bay. Because Inuit weren’t allowed to leave the North, he changed his name and used this new identity to enlist in the Canadian Forces: Edward Weetaltuk, E9-422, became Eddy Vital, SC-17515, and headed off to fight in the Korean War. In 1967, after fifteen years in the Canadian Forces, Eddy returned home. He worked with Inuit youth struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and, in 1974, started writing his life’s story. This compelling memoir traces an Inuk’s experiences of world travel and military service. Looking back on his life, Weetaltuk wanted to show young Inuit that they can do and be what they choose.

From the Tundra to the Trenches is the fourth book in the First Voices, First Texts series, which publishes lost or underappreciated texts by Indigenous writers. This new English edition of Eddy Weetaltuk’s memoir includes a foreword and appendix by Thibault Martin and an introduction by Isabelle St-Amand.

About this title

About the Author:

Eddy Weetaltuk (1932 to 2005), was born on Strutton Island, James Bay. He enlisted in the Canadian Army and served in Korea. He left the army in 1967 and was stationed in Germany for many years.

Thibault Martin is a sociologist and Canada Research Chair, Aboriginal Governance.

Isabelle St-Amand is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated with the Department of Native Studies, University of Manitoba.

Review:

“Tundra to Trenches is a bold tale of adventure and resilience in a time of change. Journeying from James Bay mission school to the Korean War, Weetaltuk was a survivor, a trailblazer, and above all, a master storyteller.” (Keavy Martin)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Manitoba Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0887558224
• ISBN 13: 9780887558221
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 280
• Editor: Martin Thibault