Foreign Correspondence: Michael Kusugak: Reviving Tradition, Bridging Cultures
Articles » General
Author/Creator
Joanne Schwartz
Horn Book Magazine, vol. 85, no. 1, January/February 2009, pp. 65-70
Description
Looks at Kusugak's stories and books and the different structure of Inuit storytelling, with no beginning, middle and end; but once the story is over readers can see a pattern.
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 Annie Napayok on behalf of the Keewatin Legal Aid Society. She discusses justice issues in the Keewatin region, for which she is the only legal aid representative. Among her concerns are culturally insensitive applications of law, a lack of funding, and youth justice concerns. Following the presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney discuss some of these issues with Napayok.
File contains an individual presentation by Bill Gower. Gower, an active member of the community who's on the hamlet Council, discusses the problems he sees with the Education system. He stresses that unless something is done to create jobs in the area in the near future the effects of its failings will be catastrophic. Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney discuss these concerns and possible solutions with Gower.
File contains a presentation by Larry Ussak. He discusses his concerns with the way the government handles the polar bear population, specifically some of the techniques they use which he believes is contributing to the populations decline. Ussak also talks about job training, welfare, drop-out rates, suicide, the financial difficulties of life in the north, and related concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Robinson discusses employment and training issues with Ussak and Paul Kaludjak.
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.