Ottawa prepares International Inuit Day celebration
Community feast, performances planned for Sunday at Annie Pootoogook Park
Ottawa’s International Inuit Day celebrations will take place at Annie Pootoogook Park on Sunday, with performances, games and a community feast planned. Pictured here is drummer Ernie Kadloo of the Tununiq-miut Theatre performing at the park on International Inuit Day in 2021. That year’s ceremony also marked the unveiling of the park’s new name in honour of the late Inuk artist. (Photo by Madalyn Howitt)
Ottawa is gearing up for International Inuit Day celebrations this Sunday.
The Isaruit Inuit Arts group and the City of Ottawa are partnering to host an afternoon of activities at Annie Pootoogook Park, in the city’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood, marking International Inuit Day, an annual celebration of Inuit culture.
The observation officially takes place on Nov. 7, but this year’s events in Ottawa will happen one day before on Nov. 6 at the downtown park at 250 Somerset St. East.
Isaruit coordinator Beverly Illauq said in an email there will be a showcase of Inuit culture with speakers, performances, a craft and vendor show, Inuit games and a country food feast.
A poster for the event lists students from Ottawa’s Nunavut Sivuniksavut school as some of the performers.
The activities start at 1 p.m. and are open to the public.
The events come one year after a ceremony on International Inuit Day changed the name of the park to honour of the renowned Inuk artist Annie Pootogook who died in Ottawa in 2016.
Why on that day when they passed away?
It’s like celebrating for their death.