Where the Sea Kuniks the Land

A “kunik” is a traditional Inuit greeting, often given to loved ones, in which a person places their nose on another’s cheek and breathes them in. Where the Sea Kuniks the Land extends that gesture of love to the Arctic landscape, in a suite of poems that celebrates the interconnectedness of people and place, past and present.

The importance of land, culture, and identity play key roles in these poems, and the collection will move readers to think deeply about colonization, intergenerational trauma, and grief. This collection also paints beautiful pictures of Arctic landscapes, love stories, and growth. It will take readers on a journey through the seasons, from fierce snowstorms to a warm field of Labrador tea flowers.

Written by Ashely Qilavaq-Savard

Paperback (English) | ISBN: 978-1-77227-444-8 | $21.95 | 9.5″ x 7″ | 80 pages | Pantone photographs throughout | Adult poetry

Praise

“Ashley Qilavaq-Savard is writing poetry that should be written, must be written”—The Fiddlehead

“Her poetry addresses the beauty of the North and the interconnectedness of people and place, both past and present.”—Quill & Quire

“This collection widens the horizon and expands the world, transporting to places foreign, inhabiting its full complexity—to feel it deep within you, its joys, sorrows, and beauty. With a voice of sheer authenticity, the poet is clear-eyed sincere. She invites you to dance with her as the wind and snow dance in a blizzard, to feel the warm Arctic summer sun, to see her world through the eyes of her grandmother and great grandmother. The blue of her world, the sky and the ice and the sea will become yours.”—The Eric Hoffer Award

Awards

First Horizon Award, Long-listed — Eric Hoffer Book Awards, 2023

Grand Prize, Commendation — Eric Hoffer Book Awards, 2023

Nomination — Indigenous Voices Awards, English Poetry category, 2023