Nunavut language authority seeks nominations for annual award

Nominations are open for Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit’s annual language award.

Nunavut’s language authority is looking for “someone who has demonstrated a high level of dedication to protecting and promoting Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun,” a news release announcing the nominations said.

Last year 15 people were nominated for the award, said Solomon Awa, the manager of language marketing for IUT. He said they’re looking for people who use their language publicly on a regular basis, like community leaders, teachers, or people on the radio or TV.

He also said they’re looking to honour Inuit who aren’t afraid to tell others how to speak the language, to correct them if they make mistakes, or teach them words that aren’t spoken as much anymore. The aim should not be to criticize, but to teach, Awa said.

Another thing that stands out to the IUT board when they’re going through nominations is when people develop their own initiatives that help to keep Inuktut in use.

The award is geared towards preserving Inuit language, he said.

“In order to keep it alive we need to have a pride,” Awa said, comparing the language award to the Stanley Cup, in that an award gives young people a reason to develop skills in hockey, or a language.

Past recipients include Annie Ford for 30 years of speaking Inuktut on CBC Radio, and Betty Brewster for her work interpreting and translating.

“I know we might be losing the language,” Awa said, “but we have to keep on trying.”

He encourages people to learn if they want to, saying that it’s hard in Iqaluit because there is so much English.

Nominations are open until 5 p.m. on August 28.

For more information and for nomination forms, get in touch with IUT by phone at 1-855-232-1852 or (867) 975-5545, fax at (867) 975-5539, or email at  IUT@gov.nu.ca or visit the IUT website.