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The transfer of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in Nunavut

Report of the workshop held in Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay), Nunavut, June 20-27, 2004

From June 20-27, 2004, Frédéric Laugrand of Laval University, Quebec and we had the privilege of facilitating the third of a series of workshops organized by Inuit Elders Associations in Nunavut in co-operation with Laval University.

This workshop was held in Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay), Nunavut and was financed financed by the Department of Language, Culture, Elders and Youths of the Nunavut government, by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada through its Program on International Research Linkages (P.I.R.L.) and by the Universities of Leiden and Nijmegen.

Like the earlier ones in Kangirliniq (Rankin Inlet) and Arviat (Eskimo Point), the Kugaaruk workshop focused on the recording of qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) of Inuit elders, on creating a suitable context of communication and interaction between Inuit elders and youths, and on teaching through practice. This format may assist Inuit youths to re-connect with their culture, and enable elders to resume their roles as leaders in community life that has so long been dominated by external agencies.

The Kugaaruk community

Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay) is a small arctic community situated about 250 km north of the arctic circle. It is the home of some 650 people who call themselves Netsilingmiut, people of the seal, their staple food. Kugaaruk developed around a mission post of the Oblate Fathers, established there in 1935. It was the last arctic community in Canada to get permanent housing that brought an end to the nomadic hunting way of life of these people. Even though they are settlement dwellers now, hunting and fishing still makes up an important part of their daily existence.

At the time of the workshop, many families were preparing for spring sealing on the sea ice, for caribou and musk ox hunting inland, and for the fishing of arctic char and lake trout in rivers and lakes.

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The Kugaaruk workshop

The workshop was hosted by José Angutinngurniq, chair of the Kugaaruk Elders Society. Initially eight elders participated in the workshop: Ollie Itinnuaq from Kangir&liniq, Felix Kupaq from Naujaat (Repulse Bay), Luke Nuliajuk from Ursurtuuq (Gjoa haven), Josie Angutinngurniq, Levi Illuittuq, Otto Apsaqtaun, Mary Anguti and Christian Naalungiaq from Kugaaruk. Later on four more elders joind the meeting: Niviuvaq and Nilaulaq from Tallurjuaq (Spence Bay) and Agnes Irquqaqtuq and Guy Karkiarniut from Kugaaruk.

Elders and facilitators developed together an agenda of topics of Inuit qaujimajatuqangit to be discussed. All sessions were recorded on audiotape and videotape. Mary Thompson of Arviat (Eskimo Point) took care of the simultaneous translation. She did an excellent job and considerable time was devoted to the discussion of key terms used by the elders.

On June 23, elders gave a demonstration of qilaniq (head lifting). This shamanic practice of invoking the apirsait (helping spirits) and questioning them is used as a means to cure the sick and to provide guidance and assistance to people facing difficult times and circumstances.

Elders as well as youths participated in the demonstrations which turned out to be highly instructive. They were highly appreciated by both elders and youths. The elders greatly enjoyed the openness of the discussions and the involvement of young people. The qilaniq demonstrations were video and audio-taped completely and their process, content and meanings were discussed at great length and in minute detail.

In the context of the workshop an evening of mumirniq (drum dancing) was also organized. Various other initiatives were taken by the community to welcome the elders from other communities and make them feel comfortable. Thus John Ningak, former MLA for the Kitikmeot riding, invited workshop participants for a country food dinner, and the Kugaaruk Ilinniarvik (school) as well as the local Co-op organized two evening excursions out on the land for the elders. The workshop ended with a traditional community feast which constisted of a meal of traditional country food and a drum dance that lasted for hours.

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Results

All meetings as well as the qilaniq session and the mumirniit (drum dances) were video taped. The results will be edited on a DVD that is designed to present teaching materials for the schools in Inuktitut and will be distributed to all Nunavut communities. The DVD is a more suitable medium than a book for oral tradition and allows the young people so hear and see their elders. The elders themselves have suggested the use for this medium. The results of the workshop will also be published in a book in English that can be made available to universities, colleges and libraries.

For us the Kugaaruk workshop was a unique experience, professionally as well as personally. We sincerely thank our Inuit hosts for sharing their knowledge and experience with us. We are greatly indebted to them and feel deeply committed to making the workshop's results available to Inuit youths.

Cornelius Remie and Jarich Oosten
Nijmegen/Leiden, July 2004
All pictures by C. Remie.