Life of Inuit activist Ingmar Egede celebrated in Nuuk

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS

Ingmar Egede, a former vice-president of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, died on Aug. 9 at the age of 73 after a long struggle against cancer.

Egede was a member of ICC’s executive council from 1989-92 and vice-president of ICC from 1992-95.

Egede, an educator, psychologist and advocate for indigenous peoples, was involved in promoting education throughout the Arctic. He spearheaded the creation of the International Training Center for Indigenous Peoples, ITCIP, in Greenland.

Egede was also a member of the board of the University of the Arctic.

“To honor his life and his memory we, the Greenlandic society and the world community, will continue the cooperation amongst the indigenous peoples in his name,” said the ICC’S vice-president, Aqqaluk Lynge.

Egede died on the United Nation’s day for the world’s Indigenous Peoples, Aug. 9. His funeral took place last Thursday in Nuuk.

“He was recognized by both Greenlanders and others around the world for his dedication to the rights of indigenous peoples. All those who knew him will mourn him dearly,” reads the ITCIP Web site. “The lives of many who did not know him, have been bettered in some way, because of him.”

Donations in his memory can be made to ITCIP, P.O. Box 901, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland.