The Spirit of the Sea

By Rebecca Hainnu and Hwei Lim

The creation story of one of the central figures in Inuit mythology This illustrated picture book tells the story of the spirit of the sea, known by many Inuktitut names including Nuliajuq, Sedna, and Takannaaluk, who is a key figure from the pantheon of Inuit lore. Sedna was once a young woman who refused to marry, but the lies and deception of a treacherous bird and her own father’s cowardice lead her to a life of solitude at the bottom of the ocean as the powerful, and at times vengeful, spirit of the sea. Steeped in Inuit traditional values and lifestyle, this book serves as an ideal introduction to the mythology of the first peoples to inhabit North America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inhabit Media
• Release date: Jul 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781772271751

Rebecca Hainnu

Rebecca Hainnu lives in Clyde River, Nunavut, with her daughters, Katelyn and Nikita. Rebecca believes it is important to teach Inuit traditional knowledge about the land, animals, people, history, and philosophies. Her family is usually on the land throughout the seasons. She hopes to pass on some knowledge through her writing. Her work includes Edible and Medicinal Arctic Plants: An Inuit Elder’s Perspective, The Spirit of the Sea, A Walk on the Shoreline, Math Activities for Nunavut Classrooms, and Classifying Vertebrates. Rebecca is an educator in a K–12 school. She was the recipient of the 2016 NTA Award for Teaching Excellence.

Reviews for The Spirit of the Sea

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Retelling of an Inuit creation myth about the "Spirit of the Sea."

[Monique Sherman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would read this book a thousand times. It's a beautiful myth, wonderfully illustrated!