File contains an individual presentation by Jimmy Ayalik focusing on his life in Cambridge Bay and how the once-plentiful hunting grounds have been damaged by area mining. He was a skilled hunter and can no longer support his extended family. His lack of education means that he must go on welfare and he can't gain employment because of that.
File contains an individual presentation by Rhoda Karetak of Rankin Inlet. Karetak discusses social and health issues facing the people of her community, including the cost of travelling to facilities in the south, problems with fatigue among elders, sniffing activity, and suicide concerns. Following her presentation Michael Kugak asks a question on childcare which Kartak answers. Following this, Facilitator Paul Kaludjak makes some comments and welcomes the next presenter.
File contains a presentation by James Panioyak that initially describes a harsh life in the bush for Inuit children pre-contact, but a fulfilling one as children learned to respect their parents, their elders and the land. By a person's late teens, survival skills had been learned and upon marriage, a man was capable of fishing and trapping to feed his family and a woman was able to make and repair clothing and to prepare and cook food. Panioyak hopes the Inuktitut language will not die out and believes that elders should be utilized to teach children and youth the old ways and language.
File contains a presentation by Jaypeetie Akpallaluk, Mayor, Pangnirtung, Northwest Territories, who begins by comparing the "qallunaaq" (European) way of life and the Inuit way of life and how the two do not work together well. He states that Inuit culture is being lost and that the wisdom and knowledge of elders is not being utilized by younger generations. He hopes that the future government of Nunavut will provide more funding to allow the creation of much-needed cultural, educational and family programs in Pangnirtung.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Kevin McCormick
Description
File contains a presentation by Kevin McCormick, representative, Inuik Fisheries, and a resident of Pangnirtung. He feels that the Canadian government should be dealing with important economic and social issues in the Baffin region and that negotiations relating to the formation of Nunavut should not take precedent over these issues. He calls for the Canadian government to subsidize airfares and hotel costs in the Eastern Arctic to create growth in the tourist industry.
File contains a presentation by Lucien Taparti who's an Elder and Chairperson of the local Elders' organization, discusses how Elder and hunters' concerns are often neglected while those of people who own businesses are addressed by government. He states that their is a knowledge gap of traditional Inuit culture among youth which should be addressed. Taparti discusses the local Elders organization, his work-related disability, and concerns with the justice system and the role Elders can play.
File contains a presentation by Luke Novoligak whose organization was established in 1959 and serves Cambridge Bay and area. The store is essential for supplies and in addition, the Co-op also runs a hotel and a commercial fishing venture. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.
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 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.