Qaunaq Mikkigak

Qaunaq Mikkigak (alternatively spelled Qaunak, Haunak) (November15, 1932 – 2020) was a Canadian artist and author. She was known primarily for sculpting but also created jewelry, story telling, drawing and performed throat singing. As an artist she was interested in arts and crafts and built works that were inspired by her imagination and emotions. She co-authored the children's books The Legend of the Fog and Grandmother Ptarmigan based on traditional Inuit stories. She was featured in the book Inuit Women Artists: Voices from Cape Dorset for her artwork and in Cape Dorset Sculpture. She died in 2020.

Early life Qaunaq was the daughter of Mary Kudjuakjuk, a graphic artist. She lived her entire life in the area of and around Cape Dorset. When Qaunaq was a very young child (about three or four) she was temporarily adopted by a family in another camp (the reasons for this adoption are unknown). During this time she was mistreated and beaten by her adoptive parents. She found refuge with her eldest adopted brother and his wife, who would feed her when they were alone. After a visit from her father, she was returned to her family in the spring. the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. According to the Canadian Heritage Information Network, Qaunaq has over a thousand works listed. Some of her most notable works include Reaching for Fish (1987), Weird Creature (1988), and Selfish Hunter (1988).

Personal life Qaunaq had a younger brother and ties to four formerly adoptive siblings. She was married to Inuk artist, Ohotaq (Oqutaq) Mikkigak, and they lived the traditional Inuit lifestyle in Nuvujuak together. She had eight children, one of her own and seven adoptive children. When Qaunaq's mother and stepfather returned to Cape Dorset for Quppapik, her stepfather, to become a custodian at the school, the Mikkigak family also moved into the settlement to enroll their two young children into the school. Later both she and her husband followed in Quppapik's footsteps and became employed as custodians. Both Qaunaq and her husband produced art work for their own enjoyment, and Qaunaq took pride in helping to support her family.