Nunavik community looks forward to new cultural centre

From left, Kativik Regional Government vice-chair Lucie Kumarluk, Aboriginal Affairs minister Geoff Kelley, Kuujjuaraapik mayor Lucassie Inukpuk, Ungava MNA Jean Boucher and Makivik Corp. treasurer Andy Pirti attend the ground-breaking ceremony for Kuujjuaraapik’s new cultural centre June 14. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GOV. OF QUEBEC)

Nunavik’s southernmost community is getting a new cultural centre thanks to $3.5 million in funding from the Quebec government.

Quebec’s Aboriginal affairs minister, Geoff Kelley, and Ungava MNA Jean Boucher landed in Kuujjuaraapik June 14 to announce the money and attend a ground-breaking ceremony at the site where the new multi-purpose centre will be constructed beginning this summer.

“This kind of infrastructure is extremely important in ensuring the vitality of a nation’s culture, and we believe the Katittavik Hall will quickly become a major gathering place for the region, a venue where all generations can come together to enjoy life’s beautiful moments,” Kelley said in a June 15 release.

The new multi-purpose centre will be called Katittavik, which means “gathering place” in Inuktitut, the same name used for Kuujjuaq’s town hall.

The centre will be located in the centre of the community of 700, and offer space for local artists to showcase their work.

There’s potential to create a gallery space in the new building and for rental space for functions to generate revenue for the northern village.

“Congratulations to Kuujjuaraapimmiut, who will soon enjoy a state-of-the-art venue to celebrate Nunavimmiut’s most important richness, their cultural heritage,” said Jennifer Munick, chair of the Kativik Regional Government, in the same release.

The Northern Village hasn’t said yet when the centre is expected to be completed.

Quebec’s $3.5 million contribution comes from the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund II.