Kitikmeot sees federal money for knowledge transfer project

(updated Aug. 8, 9:20 a.m.)

Ted Menzies, the federal minister of State, visited Cambridge Bay on Aug. 5, where he stopped by the Kitikmeot Inuit Association’s office to announce that Carleton University researcher Gita Ljubici will receive $209,000 for a three-year project on knowledge transfer from elders to youth.

Ljubicic’s research project on caribou, community and culture is intended to provide a greater insight into “economic, social and cultural issues specific to Inuit-caribou relationships and will explore connections between land and the Inuit in the Arctic,” said an Aug. 5 news release from Industry Canada.

‘Connecting Inuit Elders and Youth: Learning about caribou, community, and well-being,” a partnership between Carleton University, the KIA, and the community of Gjoa Haven, will focus on “Inuit-caribou relationships in the context of changing northern lifestyles, according to a project description.

“Local elders want to share their knowledge and oral history. In the eve of their lifetime they want to pass on survival and language skills, as well as cultural values and practices, to the youth of the community,” it says.

The research will also look at northern educational policy implementation, the lack of caribou research on King William Island, community health, the cultural implications of shifting Inuit-caribou relations and “culturally appropriate and respectful research and education relationships.”

Speaking to media during a teleconference, Menzies said the project would be good for the culture and language of people in the Kitikmeot region.

“Our government is investing in research to improve the quality of life of Canadians and to keep our economy growing,” said Menzies, who came to Cambridge Bay to meet with Nunavut’s finance minister Keith Peterson, also MLA for Cambridge Bay, about changes to Canada’s pension plan.

“With this investment, we are supporting partnerships that will advance research and knowledge particular to Inuit social and cultural issues.”

The money comes from a pot of $121 million announced earlier this summer, which Ottawa plans to use to support over 1,700 research projects by individual researchers, small teams or through partnerships.

The research projects address a range of topics, such as digital media and innovation, the economy, education, immigration, the environment, food security and youth.