RCAP 25 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories [Nunavut]. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations by on a variety of subjects such as land claims and self-government, Inuit education, employment, pollution, and the arts. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
File contains an individual presentation by Jonah Kilabuk, who attended school in Winnipeg to become an interpreter. He states that "I am still not recognized by my own people because I was never taught how to hunt. He hopes that culture-preserving programs will soon be available for younger generations
File contains a brief individual presentation by Looie Nowdla, young citizen of Pangnirtung, expressing concern for the youth in her community who use alcohol and drugs. Despite the ban on both, usage of alcohol and drugs is responsible for youth crime and high dropout rates from school. Nowdla calls for more recreational facilities for the youth of Pangmirtung.
File contains an individual presentation by Rosie Joamie, who is an educator and teacher of Inuktitut. Ironically, when Joamie began teaching in the 1970s, she consulted community elders for information on Inuit culture and traditiona because she had not been taught them as a child. Joamie calls for more funding to continue the teaching of Inuit culture. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Meeka Arnagia, Chairman, Mental Health Association, Pangnirtung, who gives a brief history of mental health services in the Pangnirtung area. The lease agreement on their building is up in 1993 and the group also lacks a shelter for family violence victims. Arnagia calls for considerably more funding to need the need for mental health services. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Saqiasi Sauluapik
Description
File contains a presentation by Saqiasi Sauluapik, Education Council, Pangnirtung. He provides a history of education in Pangnirtung and notes that only until the 1980s that the emphasis was on Inuit language and culture. In 1986, the hamlet was the first Inuit community outside Northern city centres with a high school program. He cites the Baffin Division Board of Education study that set a goal of more Inuit teachers, principals and school administrators by the year 2000. He calls for the Commission to ensure funding to achieve that goal.
File contains remarks by three previous presenters that were missed in their initial presentation. Issues addressed include Inuit adoption, the Goods and Services Tax, and poaching of archaeological sites in the North.