NUNAVUT
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association"s release of a two-book history of life in Nunavut"s Baffin region from 1950 to 1975 signals another step in the healing journey of the Inuit.

Paul Amogoalik of Resolute Bay, left, and Joanna Inualuk of Pond Inlet, peruse a copy of a book titled Qikiqtani Truth Commission: Community Histories 1950 to 1975 before it was officially unveiled Oct. 9 at the Anglican parish hall in Iqaluit. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

"We don"t want to just be angry anymore," said QIA president Okalik Eegeesiak in Inuktitut on Oct. 9.

"My hope for today and the future is for Inuit to be seen as no longer carrying bad things."

The two books contain histories of the 13 communities in the Qikiqtaaluk region and detail cultural changes imposed on Inuit by the Government of Canada in a 25-year period.

The nearly 1,000 page work, written from the Inuit perspective, was compiled using testimony and documents collected by the Qikiqtani Truth Commission.

It builds on the QTC Final Report, which was released in 2010.

The commission was started to conduct a public inquiry into the killing of Inuit sled dogs between 1950 and 1975.

But its focus broadened and grew to include a range of issues experienced during the time.

"These reports offer a deeper understanding of the motivations driving government decisions and the effects of those decisions on the lives of Inuit - effects that are still felt today," writes Eegeesiak in the books" foreword.

About 100 people, including Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, were in attendance to witness the official unveiling at the Anglican parish hall in Iqaluit on Oct. 9.

For many, it was an emotional experience, with tears running as Eegeesiak spoke of healing, forgiving and reconciling with "past opponents."

"We would like acknowledgment from the federal government that Inuit (went through) these experiences that we shared and an apology," said Eegeesiak after the event, adding the government"s presence at the unveiling is a good start.

The QIA, she added, will not be seeking financial compensation, but individuals can use the materials to help them down that road.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt sent a letter congratulating the QIA for its work.

He further expressed a desire to work with the organization on the 25 recommendations set out in the QTC"s final report, said Eegeesiak.

The recommendations relate to healing, education, housing, training and travel.

"It is hoped that these efforts will promote healing and improve the lives of those negatively impacted by government policies and decisions," states a QIA release.

One of the recommendations is that the federal and territorial governments provide enough social programming to meet the needs of Nunavummuit.

"We would like more funds for healing, more funds for housing, more funds for education, so that"s part of our forward looking thought," said Eegeesiak.

"Those community groups that need the support from us, they will be the first people we go to, to determine what exactly is out there and what else we need."

Another suggestion from the report is for the GN"s Department of Education to include historical information from the books in the school curriculum.

So far the QIA and GN have had preliminary discussions on the topic, Eegeesiak said.

Eventually, the QIA would like the history to be introduced to schools across Canada.

In the meantime, there are plans to set up a working group with the GN, the federal government and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to address the recommendations.

"Today was the first step," said Eegeesiak.

"I think all parties are really interested."

Qikiqtani Inuit association priority recommendations

• The QIA should formally present the Qikiqtani Truth Commission report to the Government of Canada and request formal acknowledgment of the report's findings
• QIA and the RCMP should formally recognize the contributions of Inuit special constables and their families to the work of the RCMP in the region
• The Government of Canada should formally acknowledge that the levels of suicide, addiction, incarceration and social dysfunction found in the Qikiqtani region are in part symptoms of inter-generational trauma from historical wrongdoings.
• The QTC historical collection (reports, databases and testimonies) should be made accessible to all participants and anyone interested in understanding and presenting an accurate picture of the Qikiqtani region's history.
• The Government of Nunavut's Department of Education should include historical material from the QTC reports in the Nunavut education curriculum.

Source: Qikiqtani Inuit Association

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