The writer and historian David F. Pelly discusses his new book The Ancestors Are Happy: True Tales of the Arctic (Crossfield Publishing, 2021), with Joseph Planta.

The Ancestors Are Happy: True Tales of the Arctic by David F. Pelly (Crossfield Publishing, 2021). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Ancestors Are Happy

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

David Pelly joins me now. He recently published a new book, The Ancestors Are Happy: True Tales of the Arctic. It is a collection of personal tales, as well as from the Inuit themselves, whose lives all told, span the 20^th century. These are elders that Pelly met and befriended over his many years living in, travelling through and learning in Nunavut. It’s such an engaging book because David is an engaged listener. He learns from his friends, who tell the stories that they were told, and that were passed down generations. The book also provides insight as to what life is like in the North. It’s cold and challenging, but the people offer warmth and camaraderie, whether it’s over a cup of tea, or as they battle the elements traveling from one place to another. This brings up another point in the book that I ask David about, and that’s what we can learn from the people up there and their sense of direction. I found it fascinating to contrast that with our own, down here in the south. Royalties of the book are going to be donated to the Ayalik Foundation, an organisation that David and his wife Laurie founded to provide opportunities to Inuit youth for outdoor adventure and social-cultural exploration. David F. Pelly is a writer, researcher, historian, and photographer. He’s written extensively about the North in books and for magazine articles. Visit www.davidpelly.com for information about his life and work. This new book is from Crossfield Publishing. He joined me this past weekend from his home in small town in Quebec, just north of the Ottawa River, east of the Gatineau River. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, David Pelly; Mr. Pelly, good morning.

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