Montreal (Apr 10/06) - The first Inuit Writers' Conference has led to the creation of the first Inuit Writer's Society.

"It's a chance to write Inuit history the Inuit way," said former Nunavut Commissioner and new head of the society Peter Irniq.

The conference was held at Concordia University in Montreal and attended by a hand-picked group selected by Nunavik's Avataq Cultural Institute.

Taqralik Partridge, director of communications for Avataq and the organizer of the event, said the conference came together marvellously with only a few weeks' notice.

She said participants included children's author Michael Kusugak, filmmaker Zacharius Kunuk, author and elder Minnie Freeman and many others. Participants led workshops and discussions on writing, publishing opportunities and funding.

"The goal was to get something going for Inuit writers," she said. "To get Inuit writers and storytellers together to share their experiences."

She said the participants decided to form an Inuit Writer's Society to expand on the themes of the conference. One of their first initiatives will be the creation of an anthology of Inuit writing. She said they would put out a call for submissions soon.

"There are a lot of talented Inuit writers," said Irniq. "We just don't know where they are."

He and Partridge both emphasized the need to involve Inuit youth in the society to expand and preserve Inuit culture.

"We need to persuade young people to write about culture while the elders are still around," Irniq said. This is important to document the move from the "iglu to the microwave."

Irniq served as a facilitator at the conference, while Partridge performed spoken word, aside from her duties as organizer.

Irniq said the society will follow the example of the Kalaallitt Atuakkiortut, the Greenland Writer's Association, which has operated since 1976.

"We can learn a lot from them," he said of the group, which runs regular workshops, conferences and festivals.