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Ippaktuq Tasseok (Harry)

Ippaktuq Tasseok, known as Harry to the whaling ship crews, worked mainly for the Americans from 1886 to 1905. According to Gillies Ross, Harry was mentioned the first time in the ship's log of the Alexander (1886-87) when he delivered caribou meat to the winter harbour at Marble Island. He was then one of the Inuit hired on the Canton while it wintered in 1893-94 at the Depot Island harbour, and in 1895-96 at Cape Fullerton. He then spent several winters with Captain Comer on board the Era (1897-99, 1900-02 and 1903-05) as an Inuit leader, a duty he also assumed on the A.T. Gifford between 1910 and 1913 (Ross 1975 : 81).

Harry received merchandise from the whalers for whom he worked, including at least two whale boats. It is said that he was one of the first Inuit to live in a wood house (Ross 1975 : 81; Eber 1989 : 95). Ippaktuq Tasseok was also recognized among the Inuit for his shamanic powers. According to the accounts collected by Eber, Ippaktuq Tasseok's powers, as with those of Angutimmarik, likely were not unrelated to employment on the ships. According to one of Eber's informants, "In those day [sic] they used to practice mind concentrations. The Shamans knew where the whales were." (Eber 1989 : 37)

Ippaktuq Tasseok, 'Harry', leader of the Aivilirmuit, Cape Fullerton, Hudson Bay 86 Ko Ippaktuq Tasseok, 'Harry', leader of the Aivilirmuit, Cape Fullerton, Hudson Bay
Ippaktuq Tasseok's wife performing a shamanistic ritual 141 Ko Ippaktuq Tasseok's wife performing a shamanistic ritual