Book Review: Naoyak by Norma Dunning
Reviewer: Yasemin Bozcaliskan
It takes spunk, and some impudence, to uproot your life and build another in the hopes it will meet your standards. Not many people have that kind of courage, strength and audacity combined. Naoyak Aupak does. She leaves Iqaluit for a better life in southern Canada–taking her and her son Andy on a journey of ups and downs, refusing to give up. And through it all, Naoyak remains loyal to her roots and the people she loves.
Tired of her repetitive life in the north, Naoyak is restless with ideas and hopes. Through her determination to give her son better opportunities in life, she makes a plan: butter up the southern researcher in the bar she works at, make him fall in love with her, and obtain tickets to southern Canada, where she believes possibilities thrive. Dropped into a world of new rules and oppressive stereotypes, quick-witted Naoyak remains bold and uncontainable, opening doors for herself through tireless resolve. Watched over by the enormous ancient guardian Kiviuk, Nao remains protected against storms she couldn’t weather alone. Love follows her in the form of her feisty anaanattiaq, keeping her in check, even if her home is far away.
“ … I learned one thing. I learned to believe in me.”
The author employs clear and simple language to examine complex subjects, including cultural preservation, community bonds, and Nao’s connection to her land, family and traditions. Dunning demonstrates how hard it is for Inuit women to thrive in predominantly white communities. Feminism, racism and their effects are alive in this book, yet the tone remains light-hearted. Readers watch Nao slowly accept different parts of herself, explore her identity, and grow throughout her journey.
“Baby Joe, go back to your house and remember that the Inuit are everywhere, and that we are who we are, no matter where we stand.”
Nao is a strong, independent woman who refuses to compromise her values, culture, or family. Sometimes her determination came across as unnecessarily confrontational. Although she grew as a character, those tendencies made her difficult to connect with at times.
The highlight of the book, was the love and care put into sharing the rich culture of the Inuit, and most importantly, how proud Nao was of it. I am so glad to have learned about Inuit clothing, ways of life, medicine, and more.
“I am learning that there is such a thing as happily ever after.”
I’d recommend this book to readers looking for a speedy, humorous and engaging lens into Inuit culture, found-family dynamics, and earned self-acceptance. Most importantly, it is a story for anyone looking for that last push of confidence to make a decision they’ve been thinking about for a long time. Someone out there is rooting for you.
DR. Norma Dunning is a Padlei Inuk writer, professor and grandmother. Tainna (The Unseen Ones) received the Governor General’s Award for Literary Fiction in 2021, and Kinauvit? (What’s Your Name?) was shortlisted for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing in 2023. Her debut, Annie Muktuk and Other Stories (2017), received the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and multiple other awards. She has also published two collections of poetry to acclaim. All her books have been translated into French. Dunning teaches at First Nations University of Canada and lives in Regina, SK.
Yasemin Bozcaliskan is a student, writer, musician, and enthusiastic reader with a passion for literary fiction, dystopian fiction, and poetry.
