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Truth Commission reports to be submitted this month

Lauren McKeon
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 5, 2009

IQALUIT - The Qikiqtani Truth Commission is set to release a slew of reports stemming from its two-year investigation into Inuit and non-Inuit relations during the 1950s, '60s and '70s.

There are 10 reports, each focusing on a hot-button issue from the era including housing, health care, education, relocation, the dog slaughter and policing - to name a few.

Another three ancillary reports will look at the "official mind" of the time, inter-cultural communication and Inuit culture.

The commission expects to have the report summaries ready by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association's annual general meeting on Oct. 19.

The reports are "a summary of what Inuit testified to at the hearings, spoke to with the commissioner in private sessions and also what we learned from the archival research," said Madeleine Redfern, the commission's executive director.

To date, the commission has completed interviews and hearings in each of the QIA communities; held private sessions between community members and QTC commissioner Jim Igloliorte; and pored over more than 20,000 pages of archival material.

Needless to say, the '50s, '60s and '70s were a busy time.

"It wasn't just that transition period for Inuit, but it's also that transition period for Canada. A lot of things were happening on the national front," said Redfern.

In addition to the written reports, the QTC is also working to create a video report that will be part documentary, part read-aloud report. The idea is to reach people who may not be likely to read a written report and those who may have literacy issues.

"At the end of the day what we expect is to create a legacy of historical information which belongs to the people but is now accessible," said Redfern.

With this spirit in mind, the commission will also be setting up a website of information, including online links to reports and a listing of where the commission has visited and where it will go next.

After the reports are released, Redfern said Igloliorte will go back into the communities to share what's been learned so far, then start developing of community-specific recommendations to promote reconciliation.

"Different communities have different histories," she said, and, as such they will also have different approaches to reconciliation.

For example, in Sanikiluaq, camp relocation is at the forefront, whereas in Hall Beach it's the relocation of deceased community members to a new cemetery site.

Community-specific recommendations will be part of the final commissioner's report due May 2010.

Ultimately, the report will focus on what the commissioner believes "will assist in promoting reconciliation between the Inuit and the government that serves them," said Redfern.

"I think it's incredible work and valuable work that we're doing," she added. "Especially giving not only Inuit but Canada an opportunity to learn more about that period of time and what Inuit experienced and the consequences sometimes of even well-intentioned government policies."

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