Book the date: Authors event returns to Iqaluit Feb. 25
Inhabit Media event allows public to meet, hear from writers covering wide range of genres
Attendees get together at the 2020 Inhabit Media authors event. It was held virtually over the past two years due to COVID-19 and is returning in-person in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Inhabit Media)
Louise Flaherty, co-owner of Inhabit Media, said the organization’s annual authors event will help children who don’t always see themselves reflected in literature. (Photo courtesy of Inhabit Media)
Inhabit Media’s annual authors event is returning to Iqaluit on Feb. 25, the first time it has been held in-person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the aim of bringing together 18 writers and the general community, the event will take place at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre, says Inhabit Media co-owner Louise Flaherty.
She said those attending will get to meet Inuit authors from across genres, such as up-and-coming horror writer Jamesie Fournier, Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa who has written on several North-related topics such as igloo-building and narwhals, and children’s book writer Ceporah Mearns.
Flaherty said it will also be an opportunity for young readers in Iqaluit to learn more about literature for Inuit, by Inuit.
That’s important, she said, because it contributes to culture awareness and literacy in the territory.
“[The event] is always a great hit with the children, because they get to meet their favourite authors,” she told Nunatsiaq News.
“All the books are in Inuktitut as well, so the children can converse with their favourite authors, they can enjoy games. There’s also going to be a draw, there’s going to be some goodies.”
Flaherty said the event will help all children who, like herself when she was younger, don’t always see themselves reflected in literature.
“Growing up as an Inuk child, I didn’t always see myself in books,” Flaherty said.
Inhabit Media’s annual authors event will take place at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre on Feb. 25. It aims to bring together 18 writers and the community, according to the organization’s co-owner Louise Flaherty. (Photo courtesy of Inhabit Media)
“[Today] children can relate to a lot of the stories, they can see the images of the books and identify with themselves … they can identify with the books and relate with them.”
Flaherty said she hopes those attending the authors event are able to experience “the joy that we have been sharing in our northern stories with our worldwide audience.”
The Nunavut authors event is being hosted by Inhabit Media in partnership with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Literacy Council.
It runs from 1 to 4 p.m., and visitors can drop in throughout the afternoon.
The event will be live-streamed on Inhabit’s social media channels, including Facebook for Nunavummiut beyond Iqaluit who would like to attend.
it always good to see people do great educational stuff especially the imagination that became reality and not many of had that opportunity.
keep up the good work Lousie!