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Nunavut Animation Lab: Lumaajuuq

This animated short by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril tells a tragic and twisted story about the dangers of revenge. A cruel mother mistreats her son, feeding him dog meat and forcing him to sleep in the cold. A loon, who tells the boy that his mother blinded him, helps the child regain his eyesight. Then the boy seeks revenge, releasing his mother's lifeline as she harpoons a whale and watching her drown. Based on a portion of the epic Inuit legend "The Blind Boy and the Loon."
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This animated short by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril tells a tragic and twisted story about the dangers of revenge. A cruel mother mistreats her son, feeding him dog meat and forcing him to sleep in the cold. A loon, who tells the boy that his mother blinded him, helps the child regain his eyesight. Then the boy seeks revenge, releasing his mother's lifeline as she harpoons a whale and watching her drown. Based on a portion of the epic Inuit legend "The Blind Boy and the Loon."

Literature and Language Literature and Language - Canada Indigenous Peoples in Canada (Inuit) All subjects
Indigenous Cinema
  • director
    Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
  • writer
    Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
  • animator
    Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
    Daniel Gies
  • narration
    Rachelle White Wind
  • soundscape
    Daniel Gies
    Alexis O'Hara
  • digital paint
    Daniel Gies
  • effects
    Daniel Gies
  • compositing
    Daniel Gies
  • sound design
    Daniel Gies
  • sound edit
    Daniel Gies
  • sound mix
    Serge Boivin
  • online editor
    Denis Pilon
  • digital imaging consultation
    Susan Gourley
  • production coordinator
    Rolande Petit
    Melanie Legault
  • program administrator
    Cyndi Forcand
  • marketing manager
    Julie Armstrong-Boileau
  • technical coordinator
    Pitseolak Kilabuk
  • production supervisor
    Scott Collins
  • post-production co-ordinator
    Emily Paige
  • producer
    Debbie Brisebois
    Derek Mazur
  • associate producer
    Stephanie Scott
  • executive producer
    Derek Mazur
    Debbie Brisebois

Education

Ages 8 to 11

Notes

Inuit culture places great significance on animals and their spiritual powers. What does the loon represent to Inuit people and why would it be an appropriate animal to give back the boy’s sight? Ask students whether they agree with the boy’s decision to trick his mother. Is he punished for this? Why or why not? Have students research stories from other cultures in which a human is changed into an animal as punishment or reward.

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Nunavut Animation Lab: Lumaajuuq
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