Kiatshuk

Kiatshuk

(c.1903/1907 - after 1960)
of Cape Dorset and Iqaliut.
Wife of Nuna Noah.
Daughter of Kasugiaq and Qavavauq.
Biological child of George Cleveland.
Disc Number E7-878

Also known as: Kiatsuk / Kiatshuk / Kiakshuk / Qiatsuk /Qiatshuk / Kiatsuq / Keeatchuk / Keeatsuk /Qiashuk Noah / Kiatsu Noah

Kiatshuk was born 1903 or 1907 (sources vary) in Cape Dorset (Kinngait), and traveled widely throughout Baffin Island in her childhood.

She was married to Nuna Noah (Disc E7-877) of Cape Dorset. Known as “Noah” or “Old Noah”, he was born in 1900 near Broughton Island, the son of Nuna. He resided mostly in Iqaluit, but also lived in Pangnirtung, Lake Harbour and Ivujivik. According to several artistan websites, Noah “was one of the first carvers to have his work represented in the "South" at the guild in Montreal, as well as the National Film Board producing a film of Noah, his lifestyle and his work.” He had his first major exhibition in 1963 at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Nuna Noah was known for his polar bear carvings, and their children and grandchildren continue this tradition professionally to this day.

Kiatshuk playing the accordion.

Kiatshuk became an Iqaluit crafts artist. Dorothy Eber mentioned Kiatshuk in her book Images of Justice: “She was always helping out with parka making at the Iqaluit craftshop. … They were famous south Baffin elders.” Kiatshuk is remembered by her family for making all her own clothing from animal skins (seal, caribou, hare, etc.) and for having extremely straight teeth from chewing on the skins in the process.

Kiatshuk and Nuna Noah were living in Apex Hill (three miles from Iqaluit, then known as Frobisher Bay) in 1960, when they filed for the adoption of their daughter – the case turned out to be an important legal precedent for Inuit adoptions. In 1961 Noah worked as a janitor. By the early 1970s, Noah's health began to fail and he spent his last days in a hospital near Montreal. He died in 1975.

Kiatshuk’s granddaughter remembers that she “played the accordion and got everyone dancing in Inuktitut [and] was loved by everyone.” 

Kiatshuk and Nuna Noah had about thirteen children.

 

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