Inuit leaders help launch MMIWG inquiry in Nunavut

Rankin Inlet elder Monica Uqjuk lit the qulliq Feb. 19, a symbol of light in the darkness. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

“I hope that families can begin the journey of healing,” said Nunavut Commissioner Nellie Kusugak at the opening ceremony of the inquiry’s community hearing in Rankin Inlet Feb. 19. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

RANKIN INLET—Inuit leaders tried to give hope and encouragement to Nunavummiut who will share their stories of loss in Rankin Inlet this week with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The MMIWG commission held its first official event in Inuit Nunangat this week, with a three-day hearing in Rankin Inlet that begins today, on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

More than 20 participants are registered to share their stories at the event, including people from Nunavut communities outside Rankin Inlet and people living elsewhere in Canada.

To help participants, the inquiry is bringing in a nurse, interpreters, and Inuktitut- and English-speaking counsellors.

Commissioners held an opening ceremony Feb. 19 at Rankin Inlet’s Siniktarvik hotel, welcoming the public and leaders from local and territorial organizations.

The three-day hearing, which looks at systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls, is overseen by two of the inquiry’s four commissioners: Michèle Audette and Qajaq Robinson.

“Finally, we made it,” Robinson said.

She was referring to the inquiry postponing its hearings originally scheduled in Rankin Inlet last December.

“You believed in us and asked to come to you,” she said. “And we are very grateful.”

Here’s what Nunavut leaders had to say at the opening event:

Nellie Kusugak, commissioner of Nunavut

“I want [women] to feel like they matter and that they’re sacred,” she said. “I want my sons and grandsons to know that all girls are sacred.”

“I hope that families can begin the journey of healing. We must all stand together,” Kusugak said. “Women are the foundation of many families and we must protect them.”

Aluki Kotierk, president, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Kotierk acknowledged how difficult it will be for families to share painful stories, and encouraged Nunavummiut to feel free to speak—or not.

“Speak in your own style; in your culture; in your own language; in your own tradition,” she said.

Natan Obed, president, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

“The purpose of this is something that will change Canada,” he said.

“What I hope is that all of our Inuit [organizations] will come to better understanding of how they’re failing Inuit women and girls.”

Rebecca Kudloo, president, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

“We become able to help others after we travel through our own hardships,” she said. “We are here to help each other.”

Kudloo also acknowledged the commission’s efforts to host community hearings in the Inuit Nunangat.

“It’s important that you talk to use in our homeland,” she said. “We deserve support and services in our language.”

Theresie Tungilik of the Qullit Status of Women Council

Tungilik encouraged Nunavummiut to draw on a traditional Inuit approach to overcoming diversity: strength in numbers.

“If our ancestors could, so can we,” she said.

You can watch a livestream of the hearings from the commission’s Facebook page.

Nunavummiut in Rankin Inlet can still share their own stories or direct any questions or concerns they have to the commissioner’s Inuit health manager Barbara Sevigny at 343-998-9772 or liaison officer Looee Okalik at 613-762-9983.

Nunavummiut can also reach the national inquiry by phone toll-free at 1-844-348-4119.