The Northern Copper Inuit: A History (Civilization of the American Indian Series)

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent History of a Tiny Arctic Community
Review: The late Richard G. Condon was an anthropologist at the University of Arkansas and had a long association with the community of Holman in the Western Arctic. In this book, he and his local assistant Julia Ogina have given us an authoritative history of the Ulukhaktomiut (people of the Holman area) from prehistoric times to the present day.

What makes this book unique is the extensive interviews which Rick and Julia conducted with the Holman elders, in an attempt to record their memories and stories of long ago. Many of these interviews have been recorded in this book, with the result that we get a unique view of the development of the Holman area 'from both sides'; that is to say, utilising not only the records of European explorers but also the memories of the local inhabitants.

The book includes many photographs covering a time period from the days of Stefannson and Diamond Jenness (in the early years of the 20th century) through to the mid-1990's. Every effort has been made to identify the Inuit who are the subjects of these photographs.

As a former resident of Holman (I served as its Anglican minister from 1988-91), I found this book both accurate and enjoyable to read. My only regret is that Rick Condon's untimely death has brought his research in the area to an end.