Orphan Boy, Kaujjakjuk

The second set in a series of Canadian Folklore stamps will be issued on October 1, 1991 featuring folktales. These four colourful and entertaining stamps will launch October as Stamp Month in Canada. The Orphan Boy is a tale of violence and intrigue told by the Inuit of Labrador. Young Kaujjakjuk is separated from his parents while hunting and the ice flow takes him to a strange land. The residents took him in but abused him, treated him like a slave and made him sleep over with the dogs. Finally his older brother, a powerful shaman visible only to him, visits at night and teaches him feats of strength and powerful magic. Kaujjakjuk was told to hide himself from three huge polar bears which would invade the camp. After emerging from hiding he tossed his oppressors to the bears. Four remained, two women who had helped him and two who had abused him. His brother married the former and he the latter. The orphan boy beat them to death after amply returning their ill treatment. The Inuit use this tale to warn children to treat other with respect, especially the less fortunate. Designer Ralph Tibbles teamed up with illustrators Allan Cormack and Deborah Drew-Brook to create this year's Folktales stamps, as well as last year's Legendary Creatures stamps.