I Will Live for Both of Us: A History of Colonialism, Uranium Mining, and Inuit Resistance

Joan Scottie, born in a traditional Inuit camp, has spent decades protecting the Inuit hunting way of life. She and her community of Baker Lake successfully stopped a proposed uranium mine twice. Scottie's book, I Will Live for Both of Us, reflects on recent political and environmental history and calls for a future in which Inuit traditional laws and values are respected. It discusses gender relations, colonial oppression, residential schools, gold mining, and Inuit traditional laws.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: University of Manitoba Press

Born in a traditional Inuit camp in what is now Nunavut, Joan Scottie has dedicated decades to safeguarding the Inuit hunting way of life, most notably through her long-standing opposition to uranium mining. Twice, Scottie and her community of Baker Lake successfully thwarted proposed uranium mines. In this captivating account, Scottie, in collaboration with geographer Warren Bernauer and social scientist Jack Hicks, shares the history of her community's enduring fight against uranium mining.

Scottie's memoir, I Will Live for Both of Us, serves as a reflection on recent political and environmental history, while also advocating for a future where Inuit traditional laws and values are honored and upheld. Drawing from Scottie's remarkable life experiences, along with extensive document research by Bernauer and Hicks, their book offers a unique perspective from a hunter, Elder, grandmother, and community organizer, shedding light on significant political developments and conflicts in the Canadian Arctic since the Second World War.

In addition to recounting her community's battle against the uranium industry, I Will Live for Both of Us delves into gender relations within traditional Inuit camps, the emotional toll of colonial oppression, Inuit experiences with residential schools, the politics of gold mining, and Inuit traditional laws concerning land and animals. This collaborative work, brought forth by three dedicated activists, provides invaluable insights into Inuit history, Indigenous politics, resource management, and the nuclear industry.

Joan Scottie's unwavering dedication to preserving the Inuit hunting way of life and her relentless opposition to uranium mining have made her a true champion for Indigenous rights and environmental conservation. Her memoir, I Will Live for Both of Us, is a testament to her resilience, wisdom, and the enduring spirit of her community. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting and upholding the traditions and values of Indigenous peoples, and of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in our world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780887552717