Despite last weekend’s rain, the Kuujjuaq Sivulirtisait Youth Committee held the community’s first-ever soapbox derby on Saturday, Sept. 28. The category for 11–13-year-olds was won by Aiva Lingard, who drove the Green Thunder soapbox made by Larry Cain; Madison York came in second, driving the Little Grey go-kart made by her dad, Patrick York; and Jackie Jones (on the left) came in third, not too far behind. (Photo by Isabelle Dubois)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his children step off their plane as they arrive in Iqaluit. Today Trudeau is scheduled to give remarks about climate change and environmental protection and to visit with elders. See more later at Nunatsiaq.com. (Photo by Bill Williams)
The future of Arctic marine transportation could hang on innovation and regulation
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Liberal leader will hold media availability, meet with elders
Ovide Alakannuark, one of Nunavut’s first MLAs, has died at the age of 81 after a long illness. “Mr. Alakannuark, who was a well-respected elder in the community of Kugaaruk, was a strong voice for Inuit culture, language and values throughout his career,” said Speaker Simeon Mikkungwak in a news release today. “On behalf of all members of the legislative assembly, we extend our condolences to his family and former constituents.” The flag for Kugaaruk is flying at half-mast at Nunavut’s legislative assembly in honour of his passing. (File photo)
“Much healing must happen, public acknowledgement and apology, and a reorganization of power. Give back to Inuit what belongs to Inuit.”
ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕋᓛᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᓂᒃ ᐱᑲᑕᖕᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᐅᓇ ᑎᑭᓪᓗᒍ 5 ᐅᓐᓄᓴᒃᑯᑦ ᐅᒃᑑᐱᕆ 11
“Part of my healing journey has been, the more I learn about my ancestors, the more I realize, that’s the story we must invest in”
Puvirnituq-born Lisa Koperqualuk, who is currently vice-president of international affairs for the Inuit Circumpolar Council–Canada (ICC Canada) and a life-long advocate for Inuit culture, rights and self-determination, listens to a question from the audience after delivering the first keynote address on Thursday, Oct. 3, at this year’s Inuit Studies Conference in Montreal. Education is key, she told the packed auditorium, which included many Inuit from around Inuit Nunangat. But education must respect Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, must be taught in Inuktut, must reflect Inuit values and culture, must incorporate traditional skills and must, as its goal, empower Inuit self-determination. “Give back to Inuit what belongs to Inuit,” she said, to rousing applause. The conference wrapped up on Sunday at the Université de Québec à Montréal. See stories later on nunatsiaq.com. (Photo by Lisa Gregoire)
“It’s super ambitious”
“It’s not just another performing arts facility”
“This is his absolute right under Canadian law”
John Taipana and George Hapanaq stand at a friend’s cabin near Rankin Inlet after a successful caribou hunt on Sept. 15. (Photo by Noel Kaludjak)
The fifth annual Puttautiit suicide prevention, healing and grieving conference gets underway in Salluit, Nunavik. The conference, which began on Sept. 29 and wrapped up today, opened with the lighting of a qulliq, a moment of silence and a candle-lighting ceremony, as well as speeches. Musical performances followed, entertaining the 87 attendees from across Nunavik. The conference is held in a different community every year, helping delegates work through the grief and trauma caused by suicide, and giving them a means of managing it. The theme of this year’s conference is “Inuugumaniq—Promoting Life.” (Photo courtesy of Reach Out Nunavik)
Resolution calls for environmental assessment to prioritize “the aspirations, views and knowledge of Inuit”
“ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐊᕋᑦᑕ ᐊᔪᙱᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᖓᓕᖁᓗᒍ ᓇᓐᓄᒐᓱᖕᓇᓚᐅᙱᓐᓂᖓᓂᒃ”
Nunavik Sivunitsavut students from the 2019 intake perform for the first time on Thursday, Oct. 3, in a packed auditorium at Concordia University in downtown Montreal during opening ceremonies for the 21st annual Inuit Studies Conference. Bridget Grist, approaching the microphone on the right, served as the group’s MC, introducing songs and explaining the stories behind them for a very lively and appreciative crowd. The conference continues until Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Université de Québec à Montréal. (Photo by Lisa Gregoire)
Pilot program aimed at keeping people out of jail and back on a better track
“A restructuring effort … continues to this day,” says Kitikmeot Corp. president
Oolayou Shoo barricaded himself and two children inside residence, police say
Qajaq Robinson, right, one of four commissioners in the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, addresses a crowded conference room of mostly women on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the 21st annual Inuit Studies Conference in Montreal. Robinson spoke about how the inquiry’s challenges included trying to fulfill a huge mandate without inflicting further harm on traumatized participants and their families. One way was to deny lawyers cross-examination of those who testified—an unprecedented move for official inquiries in Canada. “We pissed a lot of people off and said ‘No.’ But that was our prerogative,” she said. Joining her, from left, are inquiry grief support worker Looee Okalik, inquiry researcher Lisa Koperqualuk and inquiry lawyer Violet Ford-Roy. The Inuit Studies conference continues over the next four days. See stories later on Nunatsiaq.com. (Photo by Lisa Gregoire)
MLAs discuss student-educator ratio, department vacancies at committee meeting
“Early detection can save lives”
Kitikmeot Inuit Association president seeks direct Cambridge Bay–Iqaluit connection
