Kiawak was born September 16, 1933 and is the son of renowned Cape Dorset artist, Pitseolak Ashoona. His brothers are, from oldest to youngest, Namoonai, Qaqaq, Koomwartok and Ottochie Ashoona, all of whom are well-known Cape Dorset sculptors. Kiawak’s younger sister, Napatchie Pootoogook, married to printmaker Eegyvudluk Pootoogook, is a well-known graphic artist.