Talk, chat, gab for language week

Young students across Nunavut recently got treated to free Inuktitut and Innuinnaqtun material and extra play time during the territory’s official language week.

Louis Tapardjuk, Nunavut’s minister of culture, elders, language and youth, stopped over in Igloolik to hand out books and teaching materials during the week-long celebrations, from Feb. 5-12.

While visiting Ataguttaluk School and the local daycare, Tapardjuk delivered the 2nd edition of the Uqausirmut quviasuqatigiingnirmut activity book, and flash cards illustrating animals, traditional tools, and different emotions.

The Igloolik event was one of several taking place, including a book launch of Taimaniit, a book celebrating Inuit culture, at the Iqaluit public library.

Iqaluit schools held daily activities like Inuktitut concerts, story-telling with elders, and traditional games.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. hosted its own events with staff, such as an hour of word games, finished by a feast at the end of the week.

In a press release, NTI president Paul Kaludjak encouraged parents to speak more Inuktitut and Innuinnaqtun with their children at home.

Kaludjak also noted that the territory still has no legislation to protect and promote indigenous languages, although government plans to make Inuktitut into its working language by the year 2020.