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RANKIN INLET
A group of deaf Nunavummiut and their families took part in a vital Inuit sign language revitalization workshop this past week in Rankin Inlet.

Group leader James MacDougall of the Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute and the psychology department of McGill University said the initial workshop in 2006 brought deaf people and their families together from across Nunavut as the territory's new Official Languages Act loomed on the horizon.

MacDougall said Nunavut's deaf made it clear to the Government of Nunavut (GN) they wanted sign language included.

"People here have their own Inuit sign language, not just the American Sign Language from the south," said MacDougall.

"Given the movement here in Nunavut for preserving Inuit culture and Inuktitut, that really fit in, so not only do we have the spoken language being revitalized, but now we're revitalizing sign language.

"One of the recommendations was to document the language, so that's what we've been doing the past few years through video, booklets, cards, posters and so on.

"The GN has been good in supporting this project, but now we need to see interpreter training and other programs with deaf people to improve the quality of their lives and to keep on with the documentation of this particular sign language."

MacDougall said Inuit in his group are hopeful the GN will put the necessary resources into improving the quality of life for the territory's deaf people.

He said the group hopes, in addition to continuing with the documentation, to meet again this coming year to make sure they identify all the different deaf people in the various communities, including deaf children.

"The group members, mostly older deaf people and their families, are very concerned with having a greater relationship with the education of very young deaf children.

"They can provide role models, and they want to see the older and younger deaf people meet each other.

"Right now, we don't know how many deaf people there are in Nunavut.

"So, part of it is to identify people and the various sign languages they're using, but, at the same time, to establish a strong connection with early education so the parents, people who are already here, and the educators of the young kids can join to make sure young deaf people have a good future in Nunavut."

MacDougall said changing technology, such as video communication and the use of iPads, tablets and texting, is revolutionizing the lives of deaf people.

He said while the North is learning from southern technology, the south can learn a great deal from the North's social environment.

"Down south, we find deaf people are quite isolated and often stigmatized," MacDougall said.

"But, it's really quite different here because deaf people have been very well integrated.

"Friends and family members all seem to know and use sign language, and the inclusion of deaf people here is remarkable.

"This can actually serve as a model to the south, because Nunavummiut have something they can teach the south in their acceptance of deafness, sign language and communication."

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