Reviews

Kinauvit?: What's Your Name? The Eskimo Disc System and a Daughter's Search for her Grandmother, by Norma Dunning

paperbackportals's review

informative

This personal exploration from Norma Dunning of the Inuit disc system implemented by the Canadian government is very informative. Dunning’s research and personal experience with the disc system exposes the tragic ways colonialism changed Inuit communities and separated them from their culture and rights. I highly recommend this book to learn more about the Inuit experience of the disc system. It also references so many influential Inuk. Through reading, it has sparked and encouraged further research and understanding of the Inuit experience and reclamation of their traditions in Canada. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation

tinamayreads's review

5.0

KINAUVIT?: What’s Your Name? The Eskimo Disc System and a Daughter’s Search for Her Grandmother by Dr. Norma Dunning was very informative! In 2001, Dunning applied to the Nunavut Beneficiary System and was asked the question “what was your disc number?” even though the then-called Eskimo Identification Tag System has been retired for decades.
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I never knew that this system was used in Canada. I found this book to be well researched and shows how this dehumanizing system still has lasting impact. I really liked the inclusion of interviews with Inuit elders who shared their personal experiences with the disc system. This is an important book that taught me about Canadian history. I’m really excited to read Dunning’s fiction now! I have her short story collection Tainna on my unread shelf.
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Thank you to Douglas & McIntyre and ZG Stories for my gifted review copy!

hootreads's review

informative slow-paced

2.0

pomoevareads's review

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Kinauvit? What’s your name? The Eskimo Disc System and a Daughter’s Search for her Grandmother is a nonfiction book by Inuk author Dr. Norma Dunning.

Norma begins the book by sharing how she had attempted to enrol herself and her sons on the Inuit Enrolment List in 2001 and ran into a roadblock when her mother who had never been documented and was now deceased couldn’t provide the necessary information required to show Norma’s Inuit heritage. This was when Norma decided to search for information about her grandmother and of the Eskimo Disc System.

Dr. Dunning presents a case for why the Eskimo Disc System was so harmful to Inuit people and how the Canadian government has not apologized to date for this poor decision born out of a laziness to learn Inuit names. She also discusses the importance of the naming of Inuit children and the tradition it is based on. 

Kinauvit? reads like a well researched thesis with well documented supporting information. I did not previously know of this numbering system and the government’s insistence on the use of both Christian names and the use of surnames. While Dr. Dunning makes note that Inuit people do not display anger and are welcoming to everyone, it was clear that she had strong (and justified) feelings about this period of history and how it has impacted future generations. 

Thank you to @zgstories and @douglasmcintyre2013 for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This book is out October 29, 2022.

emmysreading's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.75

magsisreadingagain's review

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

livslittlelibraryy's review

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Going into this book I had no idea about the Disc System. Dr. Dunning has put together an incredible book. I learned so much about Inuit history and culture in such a accessible piece. 

I highly suggest this book for everyone especially Canadians to gain some insight into the inhumane practices being covered up once again. 

Thank you Dr. Dunning for sharing this story and allowing us to read and learn from you.