Ituliaq, c. 1929-34. Photo by Ronald W. Stewart.

Ituliaq

(c.1901 - 1957) of Repulse Bay
Wife of Piluardjuk / Piluarjuk / Peelooayook
Oldest daughter of Tabitia Taututtiaq and Qillaq.
Biological child of George Cleveland.

Also spelled: Ittuliaq / Iktuliak / Itulliaq / Etuliak / Attuliac

Ituliaq was born about 1901, perhaps in Repulse Bay (Naujaat). She was probably the “young woman” named “Etuliak” mentioned in Archie Hunter's 1983 book, Northen Traders: Caribou Hair in the Stew, who was a regular visitor to the HBC store in Repulse Bay in the mid-1920s, and who (according to Hunter) wore vanilla extract as perfume.

According to her family, Ituliaq was an excellent seamstress and made all of the beautiful beaded amauti and other traditional clothing worn by her sisters, her mother Taututtiaq, and herself. It's also said that Capt. Cleveland was enamored by his oldest daughter Ituliaq and would bring back large supplies of beads from the south for her creative sewing.

Ituliaq (right?) at Repulse Bay (Naujaat), June 1922. Thule Expedition photo by Therkel Mathiassen.

Ituliaq married Piluarjuk (aka Piluardjuk / Peelooayook / Peelouackjug / Philuardjuk Keelawajuk?) and later separated. He was referred to as “Peelouackjug, Keedluck’s son-in-law” in Archie Hunter’s book (which also includes a photo of him.) Hunter writes of his traveling companion on one trip: “Peelouackjug was quite introverted. He never spoke unless spoken to." Piluarjuk was also mentioned in the book Cold Comfort, travelling near Repulse Bay in 1937, and may also have been the same Repulse Bay sculptor Philuardjuk Keelawajuk, born about 1901. (Disc Number: E7967.) Piluarjuk later left Ituliaq and married Akitteq, which caused bitter division within the family. He died in the 1970s in Repulse Bay.

Ituliaq and Piluarjuk raised six children, although Ituliaq's eldest child was fathered by fur trader Felix Conrad.

Ituliaq remarried and she and her new husband and children moved to Somerset Island in the mid-1940s, together with with other relatives. (Were they High Arctic Exiles?)

Ituliaq died on Somerset Island in 1957. 

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Family Gallery:

	Ituliaq's great-grandson Lott Paniyuk of Salliit, 2007.

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