(Briggs 1970: 49) The Utku Eskimos were converted from pagans to Christians in the 1930's or 1940's by Christian Eskimo's that they met on long trading trips. The previous pagan shamans had been banished by the Utku people and were believed to be in hell or in hiding. .
When Pala said about Inuttiaq, "He loves (naklik) his children deeply; he is never angry (ningaq, urulu) with them." And Allaq says, "Inuttiaq is the only parent who is never angry with his children." (Briggs 1970: 69) The first statement shows that anger does exist in most Eskimo familys. Inuttiaq on the other hand says he has too much love for Saarak. The Utku feel that too much love is not a good thing. It is looked down upon because if a child is loved, "too much," then if they become ill or get married and move in with another family it will make the parents sad, and people would rather be happy than sad. That is why most Utku try to show minimal love to there children. Sometimes the adults would be mean to children to humor themselves. It is not necessarily anger but, it would on the occasion demoralize the children. Often a way to try and quiet a child would be to tell them that kapluna's (non-Eskimos) would come and adopt them. Allaq would say, "Shh," "your elder sister over there will hear you and adopt you." (Briggs 1970: 148) By saying elder sister Allaq meant the author, Jean Briggs. .
One Utku family that caused problems in the camp was that of Nilak. Nilak's family which composed of his wife Niqi and his daughter Tiguaq, was very much disliked in the camp. People would often make negative comments behind there backs. Though they spared Tiguaq from these remarks, it still affected her. Niqi was disliked for her bad temper. The neighbors would say, "She seems a child (nutaraqpaluktuq)" and "She hasn't much sense (ihumakittuq)." (Briggs 1970: 195) Allaq said that the Utku did not dislike people because they had little sense.