For Inuktut language month, QIA targets readers and writers

The first Inhabit Media book featured by the QIA this month is Inuksiutiit, a cardboard children’s book which features drawings of traditional Inuit tools with their corresponding Inuktitut names. (INHABIT MEDIA IMAGE)

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is hosting a number of initiatives and events throughout the region this month to celebrate and promote Inuktut.

Across Nunavut, February is Inuktut-language month, Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq, and the theme of this year’s celebration is Inuit beliefs and myth.

“Inuktitut is key to preserving our culture and identity as Inuit,” QIA president P.J. Akeeagok said in a news release.

“QIA wants to celebrate our language and encourage young people to keep it alive.”

Starting Monday, Feb. 12 through to Feb. 28, the QIA will post a new Inuktut book from Nunavut’s Inhabit Media each day to its social media feeds, like Facebook and Twitter, including free digital-download links for each book.

And on Feb. 25, readers will get a chance to have some of those books signed by their authors at the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Starting this week through Feb. 23, artists can submit an original Inuktitut-language short song, or poem of up to 50 words, to the QIA’s song-poem contest.

Submissions can be posted to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #QIAinuk. The top three entries will receive between $200 and $400 in cash prizes.