Joseph Idlout
Encyclopedia
Joseph Idlout is an Inuit
featured on the former Canadian two-dollar bill. When the High Arctic relocation
occurred in 1959, Idlout helped Inuit families adjust to their new surroundings in Resolute
, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut)
.
Idlout came to public attention after the release of the 1952 documentary Land of the Long Day. At the time Idlout was living in Pond Inlet and was known for his ability as a hunter and leader at the camps. The publicity of the film has led to him being called the "most famous Inuit" of his time.
In 1954, due to the lack of foxes in the Pond Inlet area, Idlout requested that he move to Resolute. The government was not supportive of the move but finally relented and Idlout moved in 1955.
Volume seven of the 1999 documentary series In Celebration of Nunavut - Life in the Settlements describes Idlout's life and work in the High Arctic programs. The film is a continuation of Idlout's life after the making of Land of the Long Day until his death in 1968, when he drove a snowmobile
over a cliff after drinking at the Royal Canadian Air Force
base.
He is the grandfather of rock singer Lucie Idlout
.
Idlout's daughter, Leah Idlout, has said that her father was the son of Joseph-Elzéar Bernier
. It is thought that Idlout may have been the only son of Bernier.
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
featured on the former Canadian two-dollar bill. When the High Arctic relocation
High Arctic relocation
The High Arctic relocation took place during the Cold War in the 1950s, when 87 Inuit were moved by the Government of Canada to the High Arctic....
occurred in 1959, Idlout helped Inuit families adjust to their new surroundings in Resolute
Resolute, Nunavut
Resolute or Resolute Bay is a small Inuit hamlet on Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada. It is situated at the northern end of Resolute Bay and the Northwest Passage and is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region....
, Northwest Territories (now Nunavut)
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
.
Idlout came to public attention after the release of the 1952 documentary Land of the Long Day. At the time Idlout was living in Pond Inlet and was known for his ability as a hunter and leader at the camps. The publicity of the film has led to him being called the "most famous Inuit" of his time.
In 1954, due to the lack of foxes in the Pond Inlet area, Idlout requested that he move to Resolute. The government was not supportive of the move but finally relented and Idlout moved in 1955.
Volume seven of the 1999 documentary series In Celebration of Nunavut - Life in the Settlements describes Idlout's life and work in the High Arctic programs. The film is a continuation of Idlout's life after the making of Land of the Long Day until his death in 1968, when he drove a snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
over a cliff after drinking at the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
base.
He is the grandfather of rock singer Lucie Idlout
Lucie Idlout
Lucie Idlout is a Canadian rock singer.An Inuk from Iqaluit, Nunavut, she is the daughter of Leah Idlout d'Argencourt and granddaughter of Joseph Idlout, an Inuk hunter who was the subject of a National Film Board documentary, Between Two Worlds, in 1990 and was one of the Inuit hunters depicted...
.
Idlout's daughter, Leah Idlout, has said that her father was the son of Joseph-Elzéar Bernier
Joseph-Elzéar Bernier
Joseph-Elzéar Bernier was a Quebec mariner who led expeditions into the Canadian Arctic in the early 20th century....
. It is thought that Idlout may have been the only son of Bernier.