Local Assistants: Hunters, Guides, Seamstresses etc.
(Includes people hired in the north other than sailors from
other ships, mostly Native northerners, but also some "whites" who did
then, and continued to, live in the north.)
Aiyakuk
Aiyakuk helped Jenness excavate archaeological
sites on Barter Island in June of 1914.
"Got box containing a number of bird skins from Aiyakuk,
who was working for Mr. Jenness at Barter Island during the summer of 1914, and
put up some skins for us that summer."
"Received two
notes
from him at Herschel Island; one dated Jan. 17, 1915
and one April 20, 1916..." (R.M.Anderson Diary,
3 August 1916, Kamarkak, near Herschel Island).
"Also received from Aiyakak a large box of Archaeological
specimens collected at Barter Island for D. Jenness. Paid him for these and for
skins – total lot 30 boxes, 30-30 cartridges." (R.M.Anderson Diary, Aug.
3, 1916, Arctic coast of Yukon Territory).
Ambrose Agnavigak
"New people who came in on Alaska, Mr. J.E. Hoff, shipped as engineer,
vice D.W. Blue, who died at Baillie Island May 2nd, Captain Sweeney's wife Eunice
(married in April). [Siberian] Mike's wife (name 'Sis') with two small children.
Ambrose Agnavigak Herschel Island man with his wife Unalina and little girl Annie.
Adam Ovayuak, young man from Herschel Island Mungalina – young man from Herschel
Island" (R.M.Anderson Diary, November 9, 1915, Bernard Harbour).
Ambrose Agnavigak was hired by Stefansson during the summer
of 1915 as a helper for the Southern Party, and his wife, Unalina, as a seamstress
for the Southern Party. Ambrose was from Herschel Island. Unalina was Palaiyak's
sister and the mother of Annie Fitzgerald from her former
marriage to RNWMP officer Fitzgerald who died in 1913.
Ambrose and his family arrived at Bernard Harbour on the Alaska in September 1915
and were soon involved in hunting and other Expedition work.
"Eikie and a new Eskimo named Ambrose started out with him [Ikpuk] but struck
deer, and Ambrose shot three, so they returned" (Diamond Jenness p. 547 Nov.
11, 1915).
"Ambrose's wife Unalina accompanied them. They were to bring back DJ's specimens
and cached caribou meat" (R.M. Anderson Diary, 12 Nov. 1915).
"Mike and Ambrose have nearly finished the Nome sled which
they started building a few days [ago] – a hardwood sledge about 14 ft. long.
They are using one of the large deserted Eskimo snow houses for a workshop. Heating
it by Primus stoves" (R.M. Anderson Diary, Dec. 20, 1915). Bernard Harbor,
N.W.T.
"Ambrose caught one [wolverine] in a trap on Chantry Island
today, a very prettily marked light-colored specimen" (R.M. Anderson Diary
27 Feb. 1916).
"Had Ambrose start repairing broken frame and gunwale
of umiak" (R.M. Anderson Diary 31 July 1916, Herschel Island).
"Discharged natives as follows: ... Ambrose Agnavigak
and his wife Unalina Bal. Cash $88.25." (R.M. Anderson Diary, 1 August 1916,
Herschel Island.)
"I [was] working with Ambrose Agnavigak [on the] Dew Line
in 1955. I transferred to Cambridge Bay in 1967. In 1968 back to Cape Parry, in
1969 back to Cambridge again. When back to Cambridge Bay, worked with Agnavigak
for about two years. Nice guy, lot of fun." (Edward Ruben 2002)
Avrunna
Avrunna, son of Higilaq, and his wife Milukkatuk continued hunting caribou and
trapping foxes on southwestern Victoria Island for many years after 1916. They
also carried out sealing near the Liston and Sutton Islands. Avrunna's name appears
several times in the daily Hudson's Bay Company journals in Bernard Harbour, which
he apparently visited in '29 and '30. The Hudson's Bay post at Read Island also
carries his name from 1933 to 1938. Milukkatuk died of flu in May 1949 and Avrunna
died the following March while hunting caribou inland. Several great-grandchildren
live in Kugluktuk (Coppermine). P.J. Meyok, one of the grandchildren, bears a
striking remblance to his grandfather.
Ikey Bolt (Eikie, Angatilsiak Anutisiak)
In October 1913 Ikey Bolt, from Point Hope, Alaska, was hired at Barrow, Northern
Alaska:
"we had picked up a good travelling companion in Angutitsiak, a Point Hope
native whom we found at Barrow. He served the expedition well for three years,
first with me on this trip [Barrow to Collinson Point +?] and later with Dr. Anderson
in Coronation Gulf" (Stefansson 1913).
When O'Neil and Cox headed east in March 1916 to continue their
survey of the copper-bearing rocks in the Bathurst Inlet area, they took Ikey
Bolt and a Coronation Gulf family (Kohoktok and wife) as assistants. Ikey had
then been with the Expedition for over two years.
"Ikey Bolt (Angatitsiak) changed his mind about going
back to Point Hope, Alaska, with us. He asked to be paid off here so that he can
go east again with Klenenberg. Paid him off in stores except for $118.00 for which
I gave him two drafts on the Dept. of the Naval Service. No. 175, July 26th for
$50.00 No. 176- July 26th for $68.00" (R.M.Anderson Diary, July 26, 1916,
Cape Bathurst/Baillie Islands).
"Eikie is going to marry Patsy's sister, if he turns out
well: the Klengeberg family, including Eikie, are going to the Coppermine River
this summer to trade and trap" (Jenness 1991).
Ikey married Etna (Edna) Klengenberg in 1916 and together they
ran a trading post on Rymer Point, Victoria Island. Etna carried out a crusade
against the practice of infanticide among the Copper Inuit, and even travelled
to Ottawa to further her crusade. In the mid-1930s the couple moved to near Minto
Bay on Victoria Island; another move in the 1940s found them settled at Coppermine.
Ikey was the caretaker and interpreter for the first government school established
there. In 1953 he was awarded the Coronation Medal in recognition of his services,
and he died in Coppermine in 1981. Etna also died in 1981. Walter Bolt and his
son Frank of Kugluktuk remember Ikey as a great traveller.
Ikpukkuaq and Higilaq
"Ikpukkuaq and Higilaq fulfilled all their promises and obligations to Mr.
Jenness in a very kindly and creditable manner during the whole time he was with
them" (R.M.Anderson Diary, 1916).
Ikpukkuaq and Higilaq were the Copper Inuit couple who adopted
Diamond Jenness into their family and with whom he travelled around Victoria
Island.
After the southern party departed in 1916, Ikpukkuaq and Higilaq
stayed around Bernard Harbour and southwest Victoria Island for some years. Rasmussen
(1927) met and stayed with them in 1924 on his Fifth Thule sled journey. Higilaq
was possibly a victim of the influenza epidemic that struck the region in the
summer of 1927, but not before the marriage of her son John Avranna to Lucy Milukkatuk
in September 1926. After that, Ikpukkuaq's name appears occasionally in the daily
journal entries of the Hudson's Bay Company Manager. He married Kihak but she
died just a few years later. The photographer/journalist Richard Finnie filmed
Ikpukkuaq building a snowhouse near Lockker Point in 1931. Higilak's daughter,
Jennie Kanneyuk, also died in 1931, of tuberculosis. Ikpukkuaq is mentioned again
in the Hudson's Bay Company journal as a fisherman for Canalaska Company in 1932.
He died in the summer of 1933 near Basil Bay. His grandson, Aime Ahegona, great-grandchildren
and great-great-grandchildren now live in Kugluktuk.
Ilavinirk
Ilavinirk was an Alaskan inupiat hunter who was hired by Stefansson in 1908 and
in 1909. He was the husband of Mamayauk, and
father of Nogasak (Stefansson 1913). Palaiyak was their
adopted son.
"Ilavinirk, like most of the Western Eskimos, was not
of much account as a travelling companion because of general timidity and particular
fear of new places. He was always afraid of starvation, always afraid that if
we went into any place where none of his countrymen had been before we should
find no food animals to live on. This was his weak point – that is why we had
to set him to the work of taking care of our base camp, for which task he was
admirably adapted" (Stefansson 1913).
Ilavinirk was not mentioned by Stefansson (1921) in connection
with the CAE, but he was hired as an interpreter for Inspector La Nauze, RNWMP,
in the questioning of murder suspects in 1916 (Jenness 1991).
Patsy Klengenberg
Patsy, son of Christian Klengenberg and Kenmek, an Alaskan Inupiat woman, was
a student of Diamond Jenness while spending a year with the southern party of
the Expedition, and learned English and other skills well enough to become a successful
business man and trader. Patsy collected a number of birds and mammals for Dr.
Anderson and learned the techniques of preparing bird and mammal skins for museum
specimens.
"Patsy could neither read nor write at first, but he had
a fair conversational knowledge of English and had spoken Eskimo from his earliest
years. Although barely sixteen years of age he was strong and hardy, an excellent
traveller and a skilful and fearless hunter. Probably no better interpreter could
have been found anywhere along the Arctic coast" (Diamond Jenness 1922).
Patsy accompanied Jenness who was sent to find Johansen and
Adam, overdue on an exploring trip to the south coast of Victoria Island in April
1916 (Jenness, 1991).
Patsy also helped Cox in his work
to map Bernard Harbour by
taking soundings (Jenness, 1991).
"Bernard Harbour, Dolphin and Union Strait N.W.T.… J.R. Cox and Patsy
Klengenberg are surveying from the Fishing Creek west" (R.M.Anderson Diary,
June 21, 1916).
"DeWitt Clinton Point, N.W.T. July 27, 1916. Reached Pierce
Point harbour; about 10.30 p.m. Found Captain Christian Klengenberg here with
his family, and Whaleboat, looking for his son Patsy, whom we had on board. Klengenberg
had with him his wife, daughter Edna, son Artie, and two or three smaller children"
(R.M. Anderson Diary).
"Paid off Patsy Klengenberg in guns, ammunition, and stores,
as near as I could filling a list of articles requested by him, in consultation
with his father. Patsy is going east again with his father. Amount of wages due,
$300.00, for 15 months. Paid in stores." (R.M. Anderson Diary, 26 July 1916,
Cape Bathurst, Baillie Island).
"Patsy's father made me a present of two white and one
blue foxskin because, he said, I had devoted much time to teaching Patsy to read
and write" (Jenness 1991).
After the CAE, Patsy served as a translator during the trials
of the two Inuit who were accused of murdering two Roman Catholic priests on the
Coppermine River in 1913. Klengenberg sailed his own boat between Coronation Gulf
and Herschel Island and for some time ran a trading post on Wilmot Island. He
married Mary Yakalun from Rymer Point area, Victoria Island, in 1924. Mary died
in 1937 but left him with two daughters, Amy and Laura Kelly. Patsy remarried
and adopted a young boy, Donald Ayallik. Patsy died when he was attempting to
swim to shore while escaping a fire on his schooner Aklavik in 1946. He
was buried in Cambridge Bay (Jenness 1991).
Kohoktok (Kohoktak, Kohoktaq, Qohoktak)
A Copper Inuk from the Tree River area, Kohoktok was the husband of Manigurin
(Munnigorina), and brother of Maffa. They visited the CAE at Bernard Harbour and
worked for the Expedition in 1916.
In January 1916, Anderson sent Mupfa and Kohoktak to haul a
quantity of provisions by sledge from Bernard Harbour to Port Epworth to serve
as base for Chipman's later survey. "These two Eskimos, with their families,
faithfully hauled and cached the goods safely, and on their return trip brought
back to Bernard harbour several boxes of specimens which had been cached at port
Epworth in the autumn" (R.M.Anderson 1917).
When O'Neil and Cox headed east in March 1916 to continue their
survey of the copper-bearing rocks in the Bathurst Inlet area they took Ikey Bolt
and Kohoktok and his wife, Manigurin, as assistants. This Coronation Gulf family
had proved very useful in working and were familiar with the Bathurst Inlet area.
Maffa (Mupfa)
A Copper Inuk from Tree River, Maffa was about 30 when he was hired in June 1915
as assistant to Cox and O'Neill of the Southern Party. Maffa was husband of Kilauluk
(age about 45), father of a 4-5 year old girl, Minguyuk (or Mingoyualuk), and
brother of Kohoktak.
Maffa, with his wife and little girl, accompanied Cox and O'Neil
on their trip to Bathurst Inlet in June 1915. He was engaged to "help in
the spring and look after our dogs during the summer at a fishing place on one
of the rivers on the south side of Coronation Gulf. The man Mupfa turned out to
be a very capable, intelligent man, and willing to learn, and carried out his
agreement for the summer very creditably, and rendered loyal service to the expedition
for the remainder of the year." Seven dogs and two sleds were left in their
care, plus a large fish cache, about five miles up the Tree River. They had "taken
good care of the dogs," and accompanied them back to Bernard Harbour (R.M.
Anderson 1917).
In January 1916, Anderson sent Maffa and Kohoktak to haul a
quantity of provisions by sledge from Bernard Harbour to Port Epworth to serve
as base for Chipman's later survey. "These two Eskimos, with their families,
faithfully hauled and cached the goods safely, and on their return trip brought
back to Bernard harbour several boxes of specimens which had been cached at port
Epworth in the autumn." (R.M. Anderson 1917)
"Copper Nugget – Photographed for O'Neill the 40-lb native
copper lump, purchased from natives.
Mupfa said he got it when he was a very young man,
on the west side of Coppermine River, somewhere on the road to Dismal Lake.
It had been then hauled across to Victoria Island, and kept in reserve, chunks
being chopped off when needed " (RMA Diary, June 8, 1916).
Manilenna (Mungalina)
Manilenna was a young Mackenzie River Inuk who was hired by Stefansson at Herschel
Island, in August 1915, to work for the Southern Party of the C.A.E. Along with
Ikey Bolt, Adam Ovayuak, and Palaiyak, he was known as one of the "Southern
Party Boys."
"Much delighted to find our own boys here – Eikie, Palaiyak,
Manilenna, and Adam" (Jenness 1991).
"Paid off Mungalina today. Amount due $202.75, after deducting
advances made. Paid him in full in stores. He is going to stay here with Taulona,
a relative of his" (RMA Diary, 26 July 1916, Cape Bathurst).
Roxy Memoganna
Roxy Memoganna was hired by the CAE as a general assistant and pilot for the CAE
launch during the surveys of the Mackenzie Delta in the summer of 1914.
Adam Ovayuak (Uvoiyuaq)
Adam Ovayuak was a young Mackenzie River Inuk from Herschel Island hired in August
1915 by Stefansson to work for the CAE at Bernard Harbour. "New people who
came in on Alaska … Adam Ovayuak, young man from Herschel Island" (R.M.
Anderson Diary, November 9, 1915, Bernard Harbour).
Adam, Ambrose, and Ikey all accompanied Anderson on the Coppermine
River trip in February 1916. "Ambrose, Adam and Ikey went over the hills
to the south, for several miles, between camp and the escape Rapid and saw one
herd of 21 caribou. They shot six – five females (all with small embryos), and
one young bull, all with antlers. They said they saw some bulls that had shed
their antlers. Adam found a long copper arrow-head inbedded in the throat of one
of the caribou" (R.M. Anderson Diary, February 12, 1916).
Adam Ovayuak also accompanied the Expedition's marine biologist,
Fritz Johansen, along the south shore of Victoria Island in March and April 1916,
helping in the collection of botanical, zoological and geological specimens, particularly
fossil corals.
In late April 1916 Adam again went with Anderson as assistant,
this time to the east toward Bathurst Inlet.
Shortly after Adam left the Expedition at Herschel Island at
the beginning of August 1916, with $109.00 in cash and the remainder of his wages
paid in stores, Anderson received a letter from the RNWMP post telling of Adam's
death.
"There has been a lot of pneumonia here & there have been four deaths.
Your ex-employee 'Adam' died of it a week ago. He got a relapse" (Letter
from La Nauze to Anderson from Herschel Island, 26 August 1916.
Canadian Museum of Nature Archives).
"Of the native employees of your party I'm sorry to say that Adam died of
Pneumonia a few days after the 'Alaska' sailed" (Letter from W.V.
Bruce. R.N.W.M. Police, Herschel Island, January 10, 1917 to RMA.
Canadian Museum of Nature Archives).
Silas Palaiyak
Palaiyak, a young Mackenzie River Inuk who worked with Stefansson and Dr. Anderson
during their 1908-1912 expedition, was the adopted son of Ilavinirk
and Mamayuak. He had been with "white"
men a good deal at Herschel Island and even as a boy half grown, had been with
Stefansson through about half of the 1908-1912 expedition (Stefansson 1913).
During the CAE, he was hired by Dr. Anderson at Herschel Island
in 1914. "Palaiyak promises to be a valuable adjunct to the Expedition. He
is a nice lad and a good hunter, though not so good as the other two Eskimos (Auntisiak
[Eikie] and Mike) on a boat." (Jenness Diary, 13 September 1914).
In April 1915, Palaiyak accompanied Anderson on a trip from
Bernard Harbour back west to meet Chipman and O'Neil, then went on with Ikey Bolt
taking the mail to the Alaska at Ballie Island and then travelling as crew west
to Herschel Island.
Anderson paid Palaiyak at Herschel Island in August 1916 when
Alaska arrived there on her way out to Nome. "Discharged natives as
follows: ... Silas Palaiyak, in full for services with both northern Party in
1915-1916, and Southern Party in 1914-1915.
Draft 178 (July 31) $200.00 Bal. wages
Draft 179 (July 31) $188.00 Bal. wages"
(R.M.Anderson Diary, August 1, 1916, Herschel Island).
"Silas Palaiyak was one of three brothers. Levi was the
older, Raddi Quiksuk was the youngest.
Silas [was] staying at Booth Island for years. His wife was Anna Iguana but they
had no kids... Brothers Levi and Silas had no kids, but Raddi was a big father"
(Edward Ruben 2002).
"Silas and brother bought schooners from Pederson, same
size, little one-master. Had for long time. It's [brother's boat?] name was Nunik
which means "egg." Silas bought a bigger boat from Patsy Wein "Munigaluk."
When Silas buy bigger boat, sold smaller one to Nap Verville [in 1931]. Smaller
one was Cora. Silas always stay [at] Booth Island. After few years he and
his wife passed away" (Edward Ruben 2002).
Mike Siberia
"A Siberian Eskimo named Mike has been engaged for the Alaska. He is said
to be a good boy. He is married to a Kittigariut woman and has two children; but
he is leaving these to the care of the police at Herschel Island. I issued her
a number of clothes on the Dr.'s instructions, and the police are supplying her
with food until we return" (Jenness Diary, August 10, 1914).
Ciss (Sis) was the "Eskimo wife of Mike and mother of
two small children (Mike and Ikey)" DJ.
Mike was paid $30 per month, more than the other Inuit with
the Southern Party because of his greater efficiency. Mike was crew on Alaska
with Blue and Sweeney for the winter of 1914-1915. On one day he shot four
polar bears in one day (Jenness Diary,
December 1914).
"Mike and Ambrose have nearly finished the Nome sled which
they started building a few days – a hardwood sledge about 14 ft. long. They are
using one of the large deserted Eskimo snow houses for aworkshop. Heating it by
Primus stoves." RMA Dec. 20, 1915 – Monday – Bernard Harbor, N.W.T
Mike went with Chipman, Anderson, and missionary Merritt on
their trip to explore the Inman and Croker Rivers and Mt Davey in March 1916.
"Mike went over to the old house ruins on east bank of Inman River (the most
easterly wood-and-sod houses) and found fragments of a broken stone pot."
(RMA March 12, 1916)
In late April 1916 Mike and Hoff took a sled east to bring
back the launch engine and Evinrude motor from Tree River. "The engineer
[Hoff] refused to take Mike back into the engine room – he was taken from him
a week or so ago because Hoff had struck him in a fit of temper – so runs the
engine alone" (Jenness Diary, July 13, 1916).
Mike and his wife were paid at Herschel Island when Alaska
left for Nome: "Discharged natives as follows: Mike (Ass't Engineer) and
his wife (named Sis). Bal. due Draft 177 for $507.00 Remainder in goods at approx.
cost" (Anderson Diary, August 1, 1916).
After the departure of the CAE, Mike worked for the RNWMP at
Herschel Island. Sadly, his wife Sis was "terribly burned by her artike taking
fire" and died from the injuries. "Of the native employees of your party
I'm sorry to say that... Mike's wife 'Sis' got badly burnt & died from the
effects in September. Mike is working for us" (Letter from Bruce, R.N.W.M.
Police, Herschel Island to R.M. Anderson. January 10, 1917. Canadian Museum
of Nature Archives).
Nellie Cournoyea tells of her grandfather Mike's later years.
Mike re-married after leaving the western Arctic and travelling to Gjoa Haven.
Nellie's father was Pat and her mother Maggie.
Long after the end of the CAE, Mike Siberia was working for
the Hudson's Bay Company as an interpreter. There was "a lot of good talk
about him in there... They talk about him quite a bit" (David Bernhardt Interview,
Kugluktuk. September 2002). David also tells of how Mike Siberia got into trouble
and why he committed suicide:
Mike Siberia was hired by the Hudson's Bay Company as a cook in the early 1930s.
He got to be a great sourdough pancake maker. Unfortunately he began to drink
the alcohol that was formed from the rising sourdough overnight. From there he
began to make "brew" in a big washtub. After a drinking party one winter
night, Mike fought with his best friend and locked him outside. Overcome by remorse
after his friend froze both feet, Mike rigged up a rifle and shot himself. Not
long after, David and Patsy Klengenberg stayed in Mike's cabin (at Douglas Bay
70 km west of Gjoa Haven) and had to wash Mike's blood from the floor (David Bernhardt
Interview, Kugluktuk. September 2002).
Fritz Wolki
Fritz Wolki was the owner and captain of the sailing ship Rosie H, a trader
and collector in Franklin Bay region in 1914. Although he was never part of the
CAE, he sold the small schooner Gladiator to Stefansson and collected a
large number of birds for Dr. Anderson.
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