Taqialuk Temela

  1. QTKM17EN
  • Taqialuk Temela
  • Kimmirut

Taqialuk Temela was born in 1935 near Kimmirut. His testimony was recorded by QIA in 2004 and is presented to the Qikiqtani Truth Commission by the person who interviewed him at that time. After being repeatedly asked by the RCMP to move from his camp to the community, Taqialuk finally decided to do so in 1968 because his children were required to attend school. He talks about the importance of dogs for the community, and about the dogs’ character and demeanor. He remembers one child being attacked by dogs. He was assigned to kill the dogs with rabies. He was asked by the RCMP to kill his own dogs, and was told that they would be replaced with skidoos. The RCMP shot his dogs in 1969. When he lost his dogs, his ability to hunt was greatly impaired.