NOMAD

“Nomad: Correcting the Narrative” sheds light on some of the psychological and cultural impacts of rapid change in the North and gives a glimpse of the resilience and determination of a people who have maintained a quiet dignity despite near annihilation by disease and rapid change.

Ms. Aglukark was born in Arviat, a small hamlet in Nunavut, the largest of Canada’s northernmost territories. Located on the western shore of Hudson Bay, Arviat is north of Churchhill, Manitoba and even north of the Arctic tree line.

Through her music, Susan Aglukark shares her experiences as an Inuk growing up in Nunavut, as well as the challenges faced by northern communities and Indigenous youth. She says, “We have an extraordinary culture and an extraordinary past. We must embrace the opportunity to learn about our very own heroes, write those culture bridges, and reframe who we are in today’s world.

“[Our young people] need to be anchored to an identity and so many of those connections are in our ancestors and their stories. We have a duty and a responsibility to engage them in the process of connecting with and helping them write those stories.”

Everyone is invited to attend the presentation on March 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Lacombe Memorial Centre. To register, visit www.burmanu.ca and click on News and Events.

A spectacular sunset viewed from the Inuit territory of Nunavut belies the harsh realities of life in the environmental extremes of the region.

Twelve years ago, Jim and Janice Clark’s neighbour asked if his 12-year-old granddaughter could live with them for a few weeks while the family sorted out an acceptable housing arrangement. The Clarks already had five children. But they agreed; their middle child, Mallory, was also 12. Six months later, the girl was still with them. So they contacted their local foster care office for advice.

After completing the required coursework, the Clarks became certified foster parents. Since then, Jim and Janice have fostered close to 40 children. Some, like the 12-year-old, stayed for years; others, for shorter periods. At times, the Clark house has been home to 12 children at once. Janice says, “We have a party with us wherever we go.” herself and her brother so that they could be “just like Daddy Jim.”