In This Issue...
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Fan Mail
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F.I.D.O.: Kevin Slater
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Dog Yard Noise
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Road Food Inuit Dog Style
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Differences in Mushing: Greenland and Arctic Canada, Part III
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How Much is That Doggie in the Window?
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Product Review: MAXIGUARD® Zn7™ Derm
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IMHO: People, People, People
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Editor's/Publisher's Statement
Editor: Sue Hamilton
Webmaster: Mark Hamilton
The Fan Hitch welcomes your letters, stories, comments and suggestions. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit submissions used for publication.
Contents of The Fan Hitch are protected by international copyright laws. No photo, drawing or text may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Webmasters please note: written consent is necessary before linking this site to yours! Please forward requests to Sue Hamilton, 55 Town Line Rd., Harwinton, Connecticut 06791, USA or mail@thefanhitch.org.
This site is dedicated to the Inuit Dog as well as related Inuit culture and traditions. It is also home to The Fan Hitch, Journal of the Inuit Sled Dog.
Tradition: Passing the Torch
The Inuit Sled Dog faces many challenges if it is to have a future in arctic Canada, beyond barely surviving until a broadly receptive environment for the breed is established. Just as fragile as the dog's existence is the presence of the elders whose knowledge of the pure Inuit Dog and its traditional use has to be passed down to younger generations before the elders depart this life. This knowledge is at least as precious a resource as the dogs themselves. If this wisdom is lost, it may be lost forever, or maybe only partially rediscovered at some time in the future.
Pauloosie Koonaloosie was one such elder. For all his years, he maintained a traditional way of life, using a team of fine Inuit Sled Dogs. He was well respected in his community of Qikiqtarjuaq on the southeast coast of Baffin Island, and beyond. He was a mentor to Kevin Slater, an outfitter based in Maine, U.S.A. Kevin is introduced as the Former Inuit Dog Owner in this issue of The Fan Hitch. For twelve years Kevin took clients to Qikiqtarjuaq, where he partnered with Pauloosie Koonaloosie, who was eager to share his everyday life with visitors. Kevin and Pauloosie's relationship thrived far beyond a business arrangement. Pauloosie became Kevin's dear friend, from whom the younger man learned much about traditional travel and hunting with dog teams.
Seventy-eight-year-old Pauloosie Kunaloosie died in Qikiqtarjuaq just hours before Kevin paid tribute to his teacher in a presentation at the November 2003 Snow Walkers' Rendezvous in Fairlee, Vermont, USA.
This month, Kevin will resume offering Inuit cultural experiences as he teams up with The Fan Hitch's March, 2005 F.I.D.O. Allen Gordon of Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. Allen has sought the counsel of the elders in his community regarding the pure Inuit Sled Dog. Now together, as contemporaries, he and Kevin will pool their experiences and share their mentors’ wisdom as they look forward to nurturing new friendships and passing along to others all they have learned.
Wishing you smooth ice and narrow leads
Sue
Pauloosie and Kilabuck Koonaloosie Photo: Slater