Record Details
Book cover

From the tundra to the trenches

Weetaltuk, Eddy, 1932-2005 (Author). Martin, Thibault, 1963- (writer of foreword.). St-Amand, Isabelle, (writer of introduction.).

'My name is Weetaltuk; Eddy Weetaltuk. My Eskimo tag name is E9-422.' So begins From the 'Tundra to the Trenches.' Weetaltuk means 'innocent eyes' in Inuktitut, but to the Canadian government, he was known as E9-422: E for Eskimo, 9 for his community, 422 to identify Eddy. In 1951, Eddy decided to leave James Bay. Because Inuit weren't allowed to leave the North, he changed his name and used this new identity to enlist in the Canadian Forces: Edward Weetaltuk, E9-422, became Eddy Vital, SC-17515, and headed off to fight in the Korean War. In 1967, after fifteen years in the Canadian Forces, Eddy returned home. He worked with Inuit youth struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and, in 1974, started writing his life's story. This compelling memoir traces an Inuk's experiences of world travel and military service. Looking back on his life, Weetaltuk wanted to show young Inuit that they can do and be what they choose. From the Tundra to the Trenches is the fourth book in the First Voices, First Texts series, which publishes lost or underappreciated texts by Indigenous writers. This new English edition of Eddy Weetaltuk's memoir includes a foreword and appendix by Thibault Martin and an introduction by Isabelle St-Amand.

Book  - 2016
  • ISBN: 9780887558221
  • ISBN: 0887558224
  • Physical Description xlviii, 210 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 22 cm.
  • Edition [New English edition].
  • Publisher Winnipeg, Manitoba : University of Manitoba Press, [2016]

Content descriptions

General Note:
NFPL Indigenous Collection.
Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references.
Formatted Contents Note:
Weetaltuk, or the times of innocence -- At the boarding school -- How Eddy Weetaltuk (E9-422) became Eddy Vital, Canadian Private (SC-17515) -- Training to become a soldier -- From the Island of Pleasure to the inferno -- Culture clash -- Life goes on -- In prison and in love.
Additional Physical Form available Note:
Issued also in electronic formats.