Iqaluit

Speech notes for the 9th Lafontaine-Baldwin Lecture Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Recollections from the first high school reunion of former students of Gordon Robertson Education Center (GREC) in Iqaluit.

Looks at the high mortality rate and poor health of Inuit infants from Iqaluit over the first year of life.

RCAP 18 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Iqaluit, Northwest Territories. This sitting of the Commission contains a variety of presentations such as children's and women's rights, education and Inuit issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains an individual presentation by July Papatsie expressing frustration with government policy on research. Papatsie seeks a grant to interview elders in her community but she needs a diploma to apply. Rene Dussault, Co-Chair, states that "grassroots research" should be acknowledged as being equally useful, despite the lack of education of the researcher.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair and Mary Sillett, Commissioner, and the two Commissioners for the Day, Naki Ecko and Abraham Okpik. Dussault discusses the purpose and mandate of the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Abe Okpik. Okpik discusses the significance of midwifery to the Inuit people, and on Baffin Island in particular. He also discusses traditional knowledge and its importance in contemporary midwifery. Following the presentation are some comments on it by Commissioners Mary Sillet and Rene Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Alethea Baril, Adam Kilukishak and Tara Lindsay, Grade 7-8 students, Nanook School, Apex, Northwest Territories [Nunavut]. The students call for amending the Education Act to accept elders as qualified teachers, consultation from students and parents when building schools and planning classes, and free daycare for those students babysitting siblings during class time. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Bill Riddell and Leah Inutiq, members of Tuvvik, a committee of the Baffin Regional Council that delivers alcohol and drug counselling programs in Iqaluit. They express concern that social programs are being funded as a result of "political decisions that are popular and are likely to result in re-election." There is no longevity with social programs which ultimately harm the people they are trying to help. They also state concerns with the justice system. Following the presentation is a discussion with the commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Bryan Pearson. Pearson discusses problems faced by Inuit communities in the fields of health and education. Pearson also discusses the cultural gap between Inuit and Euro-Canadians and the problems that can cause in implementing social policy. Following this presentation the Commission's sitting for the day is officially ended with a closing prayer.

File contains a presentation by Don Couch, Vice-President, Arctic College, Nunatta Campus. He discusses language planning and implementation for Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Couch also states specifically that "promotion and protection of Inuit cultural identity through the use of Inuktitut as the language of instruction" at Arctic College is vital for preservation of the language. Couch hopes for added funding for language programs to ensure Inuktitut doesn't die out. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by George Ikaluk. Following an opening prayer for the days proceedings, Ikalkuk discusses the importance of the Inuit language to his people, and introduces the next presenter, Ineaq Korgak.

File contains a presentation by Ineaq Korgak, executive assistant for the Baffin Regional Health Board. Korgak discusses many of the social issues facing the Inuit people of Baffin Island, including high mortality rates, low life expectancy, drug abuse, AIDS, alcoholism, gambling, poor nutrition, and a lack of economic opportunities. He also discusses midwifery and makes some suggestions on how these subjects can be addressed in a productive manner. Following the presentation Korgak discusses some of these issues with Commissioner Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Leetia James of the Baffin Region Uvik Society. James descibes the history of her organization which was founded in 1984 "to provide and co-ordinate services for women who are living in violent relationships." James discusses the overall social problems she sees within her society such as drug and alcohol abuse, spousal assault and suicide. She also stresses the inability of the Canadian justice and legal system to deal properly with Inuit culture at the local level. Follownig the presentation Commissioner Dussault discusses James' group's shelter with her.

File contains a presentation by Lucassie Nutaraluk, Chairman of Kalugiak, an elders group, via translator. He is concerned with quotas for hunting and fishing and does not want Inuit people jailed for breaking laws. Nutaraluk also expresses concern that many young people do not speak Inuktitut and fears the language may die out if schools do not teach native languages.

File contains a presentation by Luzarus Arreak. Arreak asks the Commission for "Inuit to be defined separatley and individually as Inuit." She asks for a seperate definiton in the Constitution and "anywhere else." Arreak relates some of her personal history as a Inuit, as well as much of the history of her people, celebrating how they have "progressed rapidly" in 30 to 40 years, and their accomplishments in the political realm. Arreak also highlights some of the problems they have faced with regards to resource development, and adjustement to new realities while emphasizing a positive future.

File contains a brief presentation by Marge Lalonde, speaking on behalf of the elders of Iqaluit. She expresses concern for the high cost of food year-round and the difficulty of providing healthy meals for families with food often already spoiled upon shipping.

File contains a presentation by Mary Jane Litchard, Baleen Artist. Litchard, an Inuit-Comanche woman from Alaska, discusses her experiences in Canada and issues with the international border, her difficulties transporting the Baleen she works on as a medium across boundaries, language issues, midwifery, tuberculosis and other health issues, prejudice, and the value of community counselling and healing services. Following the presentation is a conversation between Litchard and Commissioners Dussault and Sillet on some of the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Meeka Kilabuk, Executive Director, Baffin Regional Council. She provides background information on the purpose of the Council and the large land base that the Council covers. Kilabuk states that the high cost of airfare is a deterrent when members of the Council, located great distances apart, attempt to meet. Kilabuk also relates a successful effort by the Baffin Regional Council to raise the quota on hunting Beluga whales from 5 to 35 and wonders why this number is always under review by the Canadian government, as the whales are essential for survival.

File contains a presentation by Okalik Curley. Curley discusses the structure of families amongst the Inuit, and the need for greater organization within their communities. Curley discusses the traditional custom of adoption with Commissioner Rene Dussault.

File contains a presentation by Roger Cousins. Cousins speaks on the topic of land claims in the Eastern arctic. He discusses Aboriginal land claims in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and then the Nunavut claim in the Eastern arctic. In answerance to Commissioner Dussault's earlier question on where the Commission should start Cousins states "a good place to start would be to make sure that the Inuit have a land base in their home communities." Following the presentation Commmissioner Dussault discusses the topic with Cousins.

File contains a presentation by Ruth Kadlutsiak, Baffin Region Inuit Association, via translator. She provides a brief history of the Association and how it works to preserve the Inuktitut language and Inuit culture.

File contains a presentation by Saalie Peter, Chairman of the Apex Education Council. Peter describes the history of his people and the challenges they have encountered, particularly the depletion of whale stocks, and the assertion of federal control over Inuit communities in the 1950s. Peter also describes the challenges faced across cultures in education and the issues his organization encounters. Following the presentation is a discussion between Peter and the Commissioners on the issues raised.

File contains a presentation by Sami Qumaraq, Inuit Women's Group. Qumaraq discusses women's issues on Baffin Island, and especially the challenges faced by youth in their communities. Qumaraq highlights the need for more counsellors and support services for people, particularly in smaller communities than Iqualuit. Following the presentation Commissioner Dussault thanks her.

File contains a presentation by Simonie Alainga, resident of Iqaluit, Northwest Territories [Nunavut], via translator. He relates his memories of Iqaluit beginning in 1938. He recalls the relocation of Inuit people to Iqaluit by 1945 and the unwillingness of his people to move.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is a presentation on model of an Aboriginal Education Initiative: Arctic College by Don Couch, Director of the Nunatta Campus, Arctic College.

This file contains a transcript of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at The Citadel Inn, Ottawa, Ontario. This is a Round Table Session on issues surrounding education reforms in northern and remote communities. Participants in the session are Elder Noel Knockwood, Don Couch, Dan Daniels, Simeonie Nalukturuk, Tim McNeil, Denise Kurszewski, Jose Kusugak, Jean-Paul Oliver, Ernie Lawton, Lena Metuq and Simona Arnatiaq-Barnes. Comments from the floor were made by Rose-Alma McDonald-Jacobs, Bob Turner and Gilbert Whiteduck.

Study finds that food insecurity is three times higher than the national average in Inuit communities.

Focuses on the launch of a campaign to raise $7 million for a major renovation to St. Jude's Cathedral in Iqaluit.

Statistical data. 4 tables.

4 data tables. Scroll through document to locate each title.

Statistical data. 5 tables.

Statistical table.

Statistical data.

Statistical data compares percentage of population increase from 2001 to 2006 in Nunavut, Canada as a whole, as well as each of the provinces and other territories. 2 tables.

Statistical data. 3 tables.

Summary of study of same name which was comprised of literature review and interviews with key informants and focus groups in eight communities in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon.

Study involved 55 semi-structured interviews, and three focus groups consisting of representatives from four sectors: justice, health, community organizations and community members. Investigated applicability of rehabilitation-oriented criminal court mental health initiatives to the Arctic context.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics.

Statistics.

Statistics.

Statistics.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.

Statistics. Includes definitions on second tab.