Tusaayaksat – Spring 2020

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE NATURE'S WAY OF LETTING US KNOW THAT OUR ANCESTORS ARE STILL WITH US.

It is their dance that brings inspiration to the heart and soul when those moonlike days surround us. And with that strong belief, we connect our inner selves with the sky. We create. Our traditional arts in song, dance, clothing, language, food, carving, painting, and many other forms, are our ways of keeping the qullik (lamp) inside us alive.

Our culture and our spirits have suffered from the plague that tore our parents away; the residential schools took our song, our language, our way of life, and most of all, our children. It is art and language that can connect us with our greater past. It is in our DNA to listen for the whispers of our people. It is the hands of time that have created masterpieces for our people—our artists—to interpret.

Some of us were born warriors, some seamstresses, and others hunters or providers. We have survived as Indigenous people in our desolate land, our unforgiving weather, and our dangerous waters. We are resilient. Together, near and far, we are living. But we need more to thrive. We are tasked from our previous lives to ensure the safety and song of our people. We need to bring back the understanding of the language in our stitches and our brush strokes, and of the right amount of pressure needed for our carved pieces. We need to understand the process our ancestors created.

With strong belief, I see that the art of love amongst us is unlike other cultures. It is visible in the way we dance with each other, sing together, laugh together, sew together, tell stories, and prepare food. With our eyebrows, we are able to confirm a yes or no: eyebrows up for yes, scrunching our nose for no. We use this facial language to answer—answer in peace. We used it to point where the dog team should go, when we were not always able to hear. Our freedom for each other, all one direction, moves us forward.

In this edition of Tusaayaksat Magazine, you will read and witness transformations amongst our talented Inuvialuit, whether coastal, islandic, inlanders, or far from home.

In a world where we sit amongst giants, it is a strong voice that is needed. Privilege it is—to be able to send advice, inspiration, courage, and awareness of how strong our unity is.

Sending you all prosperity and joy from this Tuktuyaaqtuuqmiut,

Brian Kowikchuk, Guest Editor