Tusaayaksat Winter 2013 - 2014

Tusaayaksat magazine / Winter 2013–2014 / $5

Nunamin Illihakvia: Learning from the land

stories that need to be heard

Seasons Greetings Language Games

Eating traditional & healthy!

The Year of Reconciliation Northern Games Series:

One Foot High Kick!

tusaayaksat.ca

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On the Cover:

Mary and Andy Akoakhion, respected elders from Ulukhaktok in traditional drum dance dress.

Tusaayaksat means “stories and voices that need to be heard”. We celebrate the Inuvialuit People, Culture and Heritage.

Our Mission: On the Back Cover:

A drawing by Bill Nasogaluak, renowned Inuvialuit artist of his father Joe Nasogaluak.

To empower, celebrate, communicate, heal and bond. To bring you the best coverage of our news, vibrant culture and perspectives.

Contents

Published quarterly by ICS at Box 1704, 292 Mackenzie Rd, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, X0E 0T0.

Contact us at +1 867 777 2320 or ics@northwestel.net Publisher Inuvialuit Communications Society Managing Editor Zoe Ho Art Creative Director Zoe Ho Art Director/Designer Marten Sims Editorial Team Writer/Photographer Zoe Ho Writer/Photographer David Stewart Inuvialuktun translator Albert Elias, Marie Jacobson & Emily Kudlak.

Contributors Peggy Jay, Chuck Arnold, Dan Slavic, Patrick Illasiak and Johnny Kumman Ruben.

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Sending love all over the ISR!

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Learn how to make things from the land!

Special Feature 4 Inuvialuit Christmas, Memories and Greetings 8 Nunamin Illihakvia: Learning from the Land 26 From the Land to your plate

34 Local Ingredients Festive Recipes 40 Truth and Reconciliation in Vancouver

Proofreader Marie Jacobson Special Thanks to Northern Games Society, IRC, all our contributors, impromptu translators, elders and interviewees from all over the ISR! Business Office Inuvialuit Communications Society Board of Directors: President, Inuvik Lucy Kuptana Vice President, Sachs Harbour Donna Keogak Aklavik Director Colin Gordon Uklukhaktok Director Joseph Haluksit Treasurer, Tuktoyaktuk, Director Debbie Raddi Paulatuk Director Millie Thrasher Executive Director Tony Devlin Office Manager Roseanne Rogers Finance officer Cheryl Williams Advertising Zoe Ho

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Where does your food come from and how do you make it?

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Language game

36 Christmas/ New Year’s word games Northern Games Series 46 One Foot High Kick

Subscriptions Roseanne Rogers Email subscriptions to icsfinance@northwestel.net +1-867-777-2320 Funding made possible by Canadian Heritage – Aboriginal Peoples Program Inuvialuit Regional Corporation GNWT (Education, Culture and Employment) Get social Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Tusaayaksat.ca

This has been a long time coming, but it’s finally here!

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Feeling springy? check out how to jump northern games style!

News 19 ICC preparations 62 Inuvialuit History Timeline Website Live 66 Justin Memogana 16 Emily Kudlak 23 INUVIALUIT Women in Business 18, 39, 80 News Blurb

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Language/ Culture feature 63 ICC Sewing Classes 76 Traditional Ulus by youth in Paulatuk

Learn Inuvialuktun the fun way, by playing games!

Elder Story 52 Bill Nasogaluak – Elder story 59 Tribute to Edward Ruben

60 Freda and Angus Alunik Our voices 24 Howie McLeod 54 Hester Inuaslurak 78 Lauren Green 22 Susan Kaodloak – Mayor of Ulukhaktok

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do you Wanna dance (and drum)?

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Read all about artist Bill nasogaluak, in two languages.

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what has our culture & heritage Youth Speak Up award-winner has been up to?

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78 Ulukhaktok Youth Center

preparing for the 12th ICC general assembly in inuvik.

Tusaayaksat in the winter Nutaami Ukiumi Quviahugluhi!

Happy New Year!

There is much to celebrate as we complete another circle around the sun, especially in the North, this is the time when the sun finally returns, after a long period of darkness. In this issue, we celebrate the bright and amazing accomplishments of Inuvialuit over the past year – successful initiatives like Nunamin Illihakvia (pg 8) where generations come together to rediscover and bond over unique Inuvialuit culture, advances in selfdetermination, education (National Strategy on Inuit Education, 24; Lauren Green, 78), going beyond boundaries of Inuit art (Bill Nasogaluak, 52) and entrepreneurship (Howie McLeod, 24; Hester Inuaslurak, 54.)

Everything is interconnected. Our shadow side has to be reconciled in order for light to emerge, and resolution support workers report hope and healing of those impacted by the dark days of the residential school system (Truth and Reconciliation in Vancouver, 40). We are

Faith Gordon, Evelyn Wilson and Carol D. Arey by the Mackenzie River in Aklavik in their traditional dress, filming for the IRC Drum Dancer Project this fall. (Peggy Jay photo)

raising healthier younger generations by opening up about the past and letting the light in. How we nourish our bodies impacts our ability to heal and grow, so in From the Land to Your Plate (pg 26) we explore the cultural significance of subsistence harvesting, and how Inuvialuit are using traditional ingredients to self-nourish.

What a pleasure it has been to receive your overwhelmingly positive response to the last issue of Tusaayaksat, quyanainni! In this issue, the spotlight is on the beautiful people of Ulukhaktok. The vastness of the ISR imposes certain limitations on the scope we can cover, we will continue to report voices from every part of the ISR in upcoming issues!

Quyanainni Thank You, Zoe Ho Managing Editor

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On behalf of the IRC Board of Directors and Staff, we extend to all Inuvialuit beneficiaries – wherever you may be this Christmas – a safe and happy holiday. A productive and healthy 2014! Season’s greetings to the many board members and staff of the Inuvialuit organizations – you are very much appreciated for your work and contributions.

Nellie Cournoyea, Chair and CEO, IRC

2014

On behalf of the Sachs Harbour Community Corporation Board of Directors and Staff, we would like to extend Season’s Greetings to all our members in Sachs Harbour and to everyone in the ISR. We hope you take delight in this holiday season and cherish all the special moments and relationships we have in our lives. May our events in the New Year strengthen us, and bring us all closer together. Happy holidays and we wish you enjoy your next trip around the sun.

Manny Kudlak, Corporate Manager, Sachs Harbour Community Corporation

Greetings The Ulukhaktok Community Corporation board, staff and members would like to wish all the Inuvialuit beneficiaries, Inuvialuit Corporate Group Board and staff a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Namakpakluhi tamaphi. Kuviahukluhi. Koana.

Chairperson Laverna Klengenberg, Ulukhaktok Community Corporation

MY INUVIALUIT CHRISTMAS What is an Inuvialuit Christmas? How do people celebrate, traditionally or otherwise? There are families who travel to visit around the communities, others who spend time out on the land, enjoying turkey dinner by candlelight... We asked you to share your favourite memories...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to one & all in the ISR. We hope that this Christmas season is a joyous one. Take Care. From the Staff, Chair & Board of Directors of the Inuvik Community Corporation.

Claudine Kisoun, Corporate Manager, Inuvik Community Corporation

Agnes and Robert Kuptana

There’s really no special events, or jamborees back then in the late 70s, 80s, it started as a sports day. People would gather outside the old, tiny little school. People would play baseball, cook, tea boiling and bannock making. That was in Springtime, Easter events.

For Christmas, it was the dog team races in the dark. In December... just about everybody in town joined. They would race to the small island or around shore and back. Big long distance races were by Pituutaq by Uyahaktok and come down by over here. Lots of square dancing, hardly any indoor games, and drum dancing. It was more of Inuit Games.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to the surrounding communities, the IRC and its Corporate Group, all the Beneficiaries outside the ISR and especially to the members of the Paulatuk Community Corporation. Wishing you all the best during the holidays and throughout the New Year!!!! Prayers for all and God Bless.

Qititchiiraaqqilinnapta uvani uukkiuk 2013mi, illuatun avluuqrualigitguptigu quyannagayaligitpa qaanuttun.

Innulimmaaq quviahuqpauragumauq Qititchirvingmi, uukkiutchiamilu.

Naakkuaqutiptingnit tuyuugiffii.

Aklavium Uttuqqannaangnitnin…

Aklavik Elder’s Committee

Paulatuk Community Corporation (Lawrence Ruben, Chairperson; Bill Stephen Ruben, Vice-Chairperson; Andy Thrasher, Secretary Treasurer; David Ruben, Director; Tony Green, Director; Bobby Ruben, Director; Jonah Nakimayak, Director; Fred Kuptana, Corporate Manager; Albert Ruben Sr. CDF Self Government).

On behalf of the Chair, Board Members and Staff of the Aklavik Community Corporation, we would like to wish our beneficiaries in Aklavik, Board and Staff of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and communities within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your Holiday season be blessed and safe.

Agnes Tardiff, Corporate Manager Aklavik Community Corporation

The Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation Board and Staff would like to extend well wishes and holiday cheer to all the Inuvialuit Beneficiaries in the ISR. Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2014.

Darlene Gruben, Acting Corporate Manager, Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation

Colin Okheena, David Kuptana and Joseph Kitekudlak

The square dances, Isaac Aleekuk was really good at calling out the square dances, the hall was just about as big as the Arctic Char Inn dining room, and it was packed!

We’d wear mukluks instead of cowboy boots, but cowboy boots made a nicer sound.

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MY INUVIALUIT CHRISTMAS Beverly Amos

The Christmas concert is eagerly looked forward to in the community of Sachs Harbour. I was a teacher at Inualthuyak School and helped to organize the concert, it was very popular. The Kindergarten to Grade 4 students would perform 12 Days of Christmas in Inuvialuktun. It’s an hour and half play, with acting and songs. 80% is performed in the language. We even did a play, Goldilocks and the three bears.

Tanya Gruben

It all starts Christmas Eve around 10 pm. My Nanny Helen and Dadak Willie Gruben’s kids and grandchildren all dress up nicely to go to the Anglican church, as my Nan helps a lot with their services. We sit reverently listening to the sermon. Someone volunteers to do an offering and a fur hat goes around for collection. We wait excitedly for the service to end at midnight, then – my favorite part … – shake hands and wish Merry Christmas and hugging everyone in church and outside.

Then, for every year for as long as I remember, we go to Nan’s for cabbage rolls, snacks and story-telling. The unprepared would attempt last minute gift wrapping.

Before I was 12, Michelle and I would try to wake up Mom Winnie and Dad Roger around 5 am, LOL. Dad put a stop to that. All my Nan and Dadak’s kids would open their stockings in the morning at their own houses, then head to Nan’s in pjs, where we would open family presents. Someone assigned to be “Santa” would read tags and deliver precious parcels to the happy recipient.

We spent Christmas in the same house for over 30 years. As the years went by, we went from about 10 people to maybe 30, but we still managed to fit in there! Afterwards, everyone went home to finish cooking up their contribution to Christmas supper and to change into nice clothes. We gathered at Nan’s for dinner. We all bowed our heads and Nan said grace, giving thanks for the year’s blessings. All of us ate, no matter how big the family got; we made it work. Then we relaxed, let our stomachs settle, and had desserts. When everyone was full and comfortable, the family would start the story-telling and laughter ensued. Memories were conjured up of some hunting adventure or some wayward crib game from decades ago...

Sometimes a day or two after Christmas my Nan would hide money in the tree and not tell us, and whoever saw it first would signal the rest. We would look all over the tree or the house for a five or ten dollar bill. If you got close, she would say “hot” and if you got too far away she would say “cold!” Uncle Dang was pretty successful in that, LOL.

Me (Tanya) at age 2 with my Dadak Willie and my sister Michelle, my auntie Paula and my uncle Robert (Bigman) at my Nan and Dadak’s house circa 1974.

Trisha Ogina during Christmas in Ulu.

Cassandra Fraydee Fred & Karla

Merry Christmas to everyone and a joyful new year!

Most importantly, my nan taught us to be charitable and kind by example. Even now, I still hear stories of how she would give someone a gift, “just because”. She especially loved her nephews Buddy and Freddy, and always made sure to get them something special.

Christmas with my Gruben family has always been my favorite time of the year. That’s why I have only ever spent about 4 Christmases outside of Tuk. I love my family and I am thankful to my Nan and Dadak for instilling that in me. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Nanny Helen with her boys Roger, Lloyd, Robert (Bigman), William and Patrick (Dang).

TrudyAnne Kuptana during christmas with family.

Mark and Ada Ekootak

This was a first for my family, all of us, my hubby, daughter and my late son, Mike, decorated the family home with Christmas lights.

Elder’s Beauty Contest 1998 Ulukhaktok – (R-L) Agnes Goose, Jean Kagyut, Mary Kudlak, Mary Akoahion, Annie Ovayuak, Jane Kimiksana and Walter Olifie.

Janice McNutt

My favorite Christmas memory would be the first Christmas as a mother. My son who is now two and a half was 6 months old at the time. We drove to Truro that Christmas eve for a family dinner, and on Christmas day my mother, brother and uncle drove to where we were living in Dartmouth to see us. Out of all the Christmases I had so far, the ones with my kids are my favorites. This year I had a baby girl on July 9th, she will be experiencing her first Christmas this year.

Mary Kudlak

Traditional Christmases in Ulukhaktok, we had country food feasts. Back in the day, Agnes and Robert Kuptana, Morris Nigiyok, Simon Kataoyak, they organized the games. Hauling competitions, in sled. Anybody put prizes for anything (prize donations from their home.) One day daddy won Cluedo, and one time he went to Tuk. They had turkey shooting contests in the dark. You could see the light behind it, not really bright, but you can see the string. On the ice in front of the house. While you wait for the dog teams to come back, we would play prisoner’s base on the ice. No turkey shooting anymore today. There was drum dancing, square dancing.

Janice McNutt’s children and santa.

News Stories

HTCs and WWF launch Clean Camps, Clean Coasts In September 2013, community members of Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk took to the shores of the Beaufort Sea for the first ever “Clean Camps, Clean Coasts” event.

The result of the week-long project was the collection of up to 7,000 lbs of waste and debris from almost 30km of shoreline along the coast and near camps. Another important result was a renewed sense of pride in the beautiful lands and waters of the Beaufort coast.

“Clean Camps, Clean Coasts” is a collaborative initiative between WWFCanada and the Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committees (HTCs). It is funded by a number of partners, including Environment Canada.

As the crew works at Fred Matthews Lake west of Paulatuk, coordinator Ken Ruben says “We have a great, hard-working crew that even worked through the rain.”

The Paulatuk HTC commented that “the community takes pride in our land and our subsistence traditions, and see this program as securing our lands, animals, and habitats for future generations.”

Stay tuned for the Spring issue of Tusaayaksat to learn more about this

project, see pictures of the results, and get an 11” x 17” poster to put up on your fridge or your cabin, with Mary Green (Paulatuk)’s wise reminder: “Misiqilugo Nuna Pagpanaqtuk (Watch over our land because it is beautiful).”

(Lawrence Ruben Photo).

Words by Dan Slavic (WWF) & THTC, PHTC.

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“ I feel great to accomplish something that is a challenge, that I’ve never made before.”

– Denise Taptuna-Okheena

Denise Taptuna-Okheena with her sealskin mitts and fur hat.

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t is November, and Ulukhaktok is on blizzard warning tonight. Visibility is low as we trudge against winds up to 70km/hr and hard bits of snow whips into our eyes, we arrive at the youth center where Nunamin Illihakvia: Learning from the Land sewing classes are held. The door opens onto a scene that warms our hearts immediately – there is laughter in the room, and elder Margaret Notaina is sitting on the floor with young mothers Susie Nigiyok and Denise Okheena, between them a sewing machine and a scatter of wolfskins. Avery, Denise’s two year

old daughter is imitating the elder and her mother, using her hands to press gently down the hairs on a wolf pelt for the amaruq that Denise is making. An amaruq is the sunburst wolf fur trim on the hood of an Inuvialuit parka, and Denise is looking forward to making her first one for her baby.

Annie Inuktalik, instructor and elder known for her exquisite sewing dips a straight teeth comb into water, gently taming the strands of wolf fur that are astray. “You comb it like this, to make sure that the length of the hairs are even,” she shares.

“The amaruq is made of 3 layers of fur, with a canvas base. We use wolf furs with dark tips on outside layer, the middle layer is lighter, and the back layer too. If the skin is not straight but it’s already dry we need to scrape it so it’s easier to work with. We fold the wolfskin right down the middle. We cut the long hair right by the edges and use that. We use a measuring piece to cut little pieces of the same size, and we cut off the ends so it should be all even.

You can make two ruffs with one skin.”

In the room, there are other young mothers, most of them learning this skill for the first time.

Annie remembers, “All my life I’ve seen my mother sewing, with different kinds of skins for

Sewing class is a great way to enjoy time together.

Patient sewing teacher Margaret Notaina.

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each season. She does a really fine job. That’s why I like to do it really slowly and patiently so they turn out good, that makes me happy.”

“The skill is dying off, not a lot of girls do it any more, so we thought we could help out young people, and keep our culture alive, that makes me happy too.”

“ The skill is dying off, not a lot of girls do it any more, so we thought we could help out young people, and keep our culture alive, that makes me happy too.”

– Annie Inuktalik

Youth Kendra Kudalk and Koral Marie Kudlak wearing seal skin hats they made. They took part in the seal hunting, skin tanning and hat making class.

“Nunamin Illihakvia: Learning from the Land” is an Ulukhaktok Community Corporation (UCC) cultural education project funded by Health Canada, dedicated to the transfer of traditional knowledge to younger generations.

It brings together youth and experienced hunters and sewers to gain subsistence skills for winter hunting.

“Thank goodness the elders are here, we are totally clueless as to how to start,” giggles Lisa Alikamik, a young mother who has packed her baby to class in her parka’s hood. “We cut the skin into 101 pieces and then sew them back together. I had thought you just cut a strip out of the wolfskin. The instructors are really helpful and very patient with us, the generation that doesn’t really sew.”

Susan Kaodloak, mayor of Ulukhaktok and coordinator of Nunamin Illihakvia tells us more about the program, “We want to revive the tradition of hunting seal in winter. We were a community that was built on seal hunting.”

The young Inuit adults come together with

Elder Mary Kudlak wearing her sealskin hat.

Elsie Klengenberg with her sealskin hat.

“ Thank goodness they are here, we are totally clueless as to how to start. Now that we’ve the fundamentals we can try to make stuff for our family.”

– Lisa Alikamik

Mary Jane Nigiyok made a unique hat with fox trim.

Lisa Alikamik created her seal hat creation with modern flair.

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Photo of crimped shoes taken from the British Museum.

Kendra Kudlak trying on the crimped shoes.

Adam Kudlak with his seal harpoon.

Elder Mary Kudlak, Lisa Alikamik, Kendra Kudlak and Koral Marie Kudlak wearing seal skin hats they made in the Nunamin Illihakvia Seal Skin Hat making class.

“ I’m making my baby a Christmas parka, she’s 3 years old. I was really intimidated by sewing machines but now I want to own one.”

– Janet Kanayok

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experienced hunters, sewers and elders to learn how to travel on the sea ice and hunt seals in the winter, how to prepare seal skins for sewing, and how to sew traditional seal skin clothing.

These skills are crucial for food security, social and cultural identity, but are under strain from rapid social and environmental change (ice dynamics and seasonal melting patterns, availability of species, ability to predict weather and travel safely).

“ It’s important to adapt to changing conditions and ice. We have to change our way of traveling, times are shorter, we are unsure of the ice, we don’t trust it. Many people don’t like to go out in -30s, -40s, pitch black, but it’s probably my happiest time of the year.”

– Adam Kudlak

Researchers from IK-ADAPT are documenting the importance of seal in the lives and livelihoods of Inuit in Ulukhaktok (nutrition, wellbeing, culture, etc.) and integrating Inuit knowledge with scientific monitoring and assessments to better understand the impact of climate change on seals.

“We are teaching the 18–40 age group, where they are old enough to be out of school and unable to participate in on the land programs there, but are perhaps too young to have learned skills from older hunters and sewers,” said Susan.

“Right now they are making the equipment for going out to hunt in winter, snow knives, harpoons, seal hooks, sleds, and the wooden boat that they go out with. They have to make all their equipment before they get out there.”

“In January we will start to go out and use this equipment that they are making. We want to

Troy with his snow knife and seal harpoon.

include the ladies also, so now we are holding classes to make sealskin products. We finished seal skin hats, now they are working on amaruq puhitaq, and then kiihimik (bearded walrus/seal crimped shoes), it’d be nice to see that come back.”

Donna Ahiatak, who helps run the program is

Patrick Joss (front) filing a harpoon tip.

also learning to sew. “Everybody enjoys coming to do sewing, some ladies come just to enjoy hanging out,” she says. “We get elders dropping in too, they enjoy seeing what we’re doing. Mary Kudlak, Magaret Kanayok, Elsie Klengenberg are some of the elders who’ve dropped in.”

Janet Kanayok, one of the students agrees and adds, “It’s really important for me, to feel like I’m learning part of my culture. I was really intimidated by the sewing machine, I had a really bad experience so I’ve just never really gotten into sewing before until a couple of years ago, but now I want to own one.”

Filing a harpoon tip.

Instructor Annie says the students are doing well. “They catch on right away and they are doing very well. I try to teach them the basic ways and to use tools in a new way.”

The teachers hope there will be continued funding for such courses. Adam Kudlak, one of the equipment making teachers says the program is also about continuing a love for the land. “It’s important to adapt to changing conditions and ice. We have to change our way of traveling, times are shorter, we are unsure of the ice, we don’t trust it. Many people don’t like to go out in -30s, -40s, pitch black, but it’s probably my happiest time of the year.”

The sewing programs happen every Wednesday and Saturday, while the men are learning to make equipment to go hunting on the land.

Instructors for equipment making classes include Adam Kudlak, Ross Klengenberg, Doug Goose and Walter Olifie (elder support teacher), and sewing instructors include Kate Inuktalik, Annie Inuktalik, with Margaret Notaina, Mable Nigiyok and Mary Kudlak as elder support teachers.

Bow Making.

Men’s equipment making class.

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“ Mostly elders listen to us, and people who have radios at work.

We’ve been doing this for a while so we’re getting a hang of speaking in the language. Elders would call us and tell us how it’s so good and to keep going, that feels awesome.

– Manuk Kudlak Jerry Jr. Akoakhion (L) and Manuk Kudlak hosting the weekly Tuhangnarvik Youth Radio Show in Ulukhaktok.

“A

nd now for community announcements. There are fresh young (polar) bear tracks at the point, looks like a mother and one cub,” says Jerry Akoakhion, Tuhangnarvik Youth Radio Show host. We are in a small room in the Ulukhaktok Community Hall building, where language games, weather reports, community news and elder stories are beamed out in English and Inuinnaqtun to the community weekly as part of the Nunamin Illihakvia program (see previous article).

Manuk Kudlak, his co-host, rigs up the speakerphone to their microphone and invites listeners to call in. “Tuhanauvit? Hello?” he says, “Do you have 10 freezing words for our contest?” It is elder Mary Kudlak, and she recites a string of Inuniaqtun words related to winter. Other elders and community members call in too. “Koana, the winner will get 5 gallons of gas from the Co-op.”

Manuk puts in a casette tape with an elder story into the player, announcing the elder

story segment, but the machine chews up the tape. Emily Kudlak, who is guiding the hosts with their Inuinnaqtun announcements, and the boys put their hands over their mouths, laughing quietly, switching to playing a musical CD as they figured out what to do next. A caller says the polar bears are now seen towards Jack’s Bay. Even though the equipment is simple and outdated, the radio show clearly connects to its listeners. Names are swished around in a bowl, a contest winner is drawn. As another good show winds down for a week the hosts sign off with a last song and celebrate with a silent “yes” gesture.

“Tuhangnarvik means ‘A good place to listen’, says Manuk. “Mostly elders listen to us, and people who have radios at work. We’ve been doing this for a while so we’re getting a hang of speaking in the language. Elders would call us and tell us how it’s so good and to keep going, that feels awesome. I’m glad I get to be part of the show again before I go off to college.”

Jerry, who says he specializes more on the language side while Manuk handles technical things, says he learnt Inuinnaqtun by listening to his grandparents. “When the callers call in to tell stories, some of them have cool stories, some have funny stories.”

For the show to continue, organizers have to constantly look for funding. Jerry and Manuk have both been hosting the show on and off for the past year. “It’s important to get everyone to speak the language again. It would be awesome to have this show go further than Ulukhaktok,” says Jerry.

Manuk agrees, “It’s important to have the radio show just so language doesn’t die out and we can keep it for generations, some of our friends are trying to learn the language too and sometimes we talk to each other in Inuinnaqtun. We just laugh if we get some words wrong.”

Manuk Kudlak Age: 21 Work: Ulukhaktok Youth Center Dream: To begin tourism business What makes Manuk happy: NYA (Northern Youth Abroad program) – I saw a whole lot of the world and Canada. Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, South Africa, Johannesburg, Paris, Botswana... we volunteered at a youth center in Africa helping to raise awareness of AIDS and HIV through sports. In Windsor Ontario with NYA I was at a Science city museum helping with day camps, taking care of the animals – there were snakes, animals, paco fish... my best memory is touring in Paris with NYA, we got to go to the Eiffel Tower.

I’ve always wanted to travel. Don’t pass up any opportunities, it’d open up the world to you, at first it might seem scary but once you get the hang of it it’d be easy, and nothing will seem like too much. I’m going to Algonqion College in Ottawa for Tourism and Travel studies.

Jerry Jr. Akoakhion Age: 21 Work: Northern Store Dream: To have a dog team What makes Jerry happy: In my younger days I was into hunting all the time. Now that I’ve a job at the Northern Store I haven’t been really doing that as much. I enjoy being with my dad and grandparents, going hunting with them out on the land. I had dog teams since I was very young, from around 7 years old.

I used to travel with them every single day after school or work, or on the weekends. Early morning when the sun rises, sometimes past Mashuyak, I sit there have tea let the dogs rest, and enjoy looking around. I’m happy when I’m in nature, it’s lots of fun, it’s so awesome out there. It is lots of work to run a dog team – you got to feed the dogs, hunt for the dogs, maintain them so they are healthy and strong, if they get sick we bring them near the house and try to help them get better.

One year my dad and I took about 30 tourists out to the point by dog team, and they really enjoyed the experience, it was lots of fun.

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Emily’s Passion

Emily Kudlak: Culture and Heritage Award winner on her life’s passion

Chatting with Emily Kudlak from Ulukhaktok is a delight. She is in turn fun, kind, inspiring, knowledgeable and humble. Her eyes light up as she shares a story that is both childhood memory and traditional knowledge from growing up on the land across the bay.

you know the fish are splashing so we’d walk faster. One of your chores, if you see the ripples coming was to throw rocks from behind so the char would go towards the net. We used to have so much fun... That was such a good memory growing up.”

“Our livelihood depend on seasonal movements of the animals. That’s how we grew up – we know when the char runs, in the fall time they are smaller and better for making dry fish, and when the ducks come in the spring you stock up for winter, collecting eggs. And seal hunting... all those things we did with our grandparents. One of our favourite times is in July when the fish are coming in.

They’d have nets in Jack’s Bay and we’d walk with our grandparents, everybody walked, we’d have no transportation...

Early in the morning, it was so calm, and when we got on top of the hill we could see the butuqs on the nets missing and

Even today, Emily’s passion for the land and her culture holds strong. Like a child waking up on Christmas Morning, her weekend mornings have her rushing to the window to check wind direction and the colour of the sky, because she wants to go on the land “so badly”.

Emily Kudlak receiving the Minister’s Culture and Heritage award from Jackson Lafferty, Minister of ECE (GNWT).

Having once lost her language when she went away to college, Emily worked hard to regain it. She is one of the language teachers trained in the 80’s through ICRC (then ISDP’s language teacher training program.)

As ICRC’s Language Officer in Ulukhaktok for many years, Emily is always looking for fun, interesting ways to promote the love of the land and language to youth and Ulukhaktokmiut.

She is grateful for the partnerships offered by the Community Corporation, Hamlet, ICRC, Health Canada and other organizations which help to bring programs to the community.

“For many years we were trying to find the crimped drum dance shoes, and I was very excited to see them in the British Museum in London. And to hold them and touch them and smell them...

I know they are from our region, people of the large bay from Prince Albert Sound, it was really powerful.”

“To come back and be able to do seal hunting, to prepare the skin with the youth and the elders, making the atuniaqs (bottoms of shoes), using photos and footage taken at the museum

to reproduce a pair, both male and female elders figured out the pattern making and the sewing, that was one of the most exciting projects with the Literacy Council and ICRC,” she said.

To get skins to make the crimped sun bleached seal bottom shoes, Emily’s brother Adam taught her to seal hunt for the first time.

“It’s dark, you have to stay close together because of polar bears, and through the opens leads he taught me how to find seal breathing holes, and see if they are being used – if it’s open – it’s like a little cloud of dust when they breathe, and it freezes on to the snow, you can see speckles around the hole, so you know these ones are good and you can set a seal hook.”

“While somebody is checking the seal holes, somebody with a big light always has to be looking for polar bears.”

“After we got a couple of seals we took four young ladies out – Felicia Kagyut, Katie Inuktalik, Carmella Klengenberg, Kendra Kudlak - they got seals, so we used those seals for the program. They got really excited. We taught them how to stretch the skins and put them outside for tanning.”

Emily grew up mostly with her grandparents, whom she feels “ had the greatest influence on my life”.

“I’m so thankful for my grandparents and parents, that they were there teaching us, and my great grandmother Helen Kalvak, all the recordings that she did, having them there for us to use and hear on the radio, my mum plays a big role today, she’s always teaching us to share what we catch or sew for other people, I’m so grateful to have her in my life.”

I’m so thankful for my grandparents and parents, that they were there teaching us, and my great grandmother Helen Kalvak, all the recordings that she did, having them there for us to use and hear on the radio...”

Last November, Emily received the NWT Ministers Cultural Circle Award, recognizing her contributions and commitment to the preservation and promotion of culture and language.

The moment she returned from the ceremony in Yellowknife, she helped judge a youth centre Halloween Party, and the next day, was assisting with the Tuhangnarvik Youth radio show, encouraging and guiding the youth radio hosts as they made announcements in Inuinnaqtun.

“When the boys go on radio, elders call in and tell them to keep going, encouraging them to keep trying. Elders are always encouraging the youth and our age group,” she said.

Emily’s work and community involvement continues at a high intensity, although in recent months she had to travel often for medical reasons.

How does she remain joyful despite these serious health concerns? “I’m not jolly all the time,” she laughs. “It’s been really hard, but knowing that we still have to keep teaching the younger generation... really keeps me going. My kids and my family play a big role, and really supportive friends too in getting me through. You know I could just lay on the couch at home and be sick but what good is that going to do me. The world is not just going to stop just because you are sick, you have to keep going.”

20

ONE ARCTIC ONE FUTURE Preparing for the 12th ICC General Assembly in Inuvik

Inuvialuit Drummers and Dancers performing for ICC delegates in Greenland.

ICC General Assembly 2010 in Nuuk Greenland – closing ceremony.

The 2014 Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly (ICC GA) might be the most important yet, coming at a time when Inuit representation is crucial on the world stage. The theme of the GA is “One Arctic – One Future; Ukiuqtaqtumi Hivuniptingnun, representing ICC’s efforts to promote and demonstrate cooperation and unity amongst the world’s circumpolar peoples.

from Canada, Greenland, and Russia to Barrow Alaska to discuss Arctic policy making and planning which at that time government and industry did without Inuit input – the ICC GA has grown, showing state leaders, industry, and scientists emphatically that Inuit are committed to each other and the safe and peaceful development of their homeland.

ICC, as part of Arctic Council, is extremely active at the United Nations and other global bodies, and advocates for Inuit guidance on matters of resource development internationally.

In past years since its inception in 1977 – when Eben Hopson, Sr. Invited Inuit

Important Arctic policies forged by the ICC include the 1991 Principles and Elements for a Comprehensive Arctic Policy, which shaped various Arctic policies and programs, the 2009 A Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Arctic Sovereignty, and the 2011

Cultural performers at Nuuk Greenland.

Kendra Elanik, Inuvik Drum Dancer

Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Resource Development Principles in the Inuit Nunaat (Inuit homeland), and the 2013 Minimata Convention on Mercury, a global agreement that aims to ensure fish and marine mammals are safer to consume. Ongoing fields of Inuit advocacy include climate change, pollutants, human rights, communications, cultural and social issues.

ICC general assemblies are held once every four years, and provide an important venue for Inuit from the four countries to debate Arctic issues and to

All Inuit from the circumpolar region drum dancing together at Nuuk Greenland.

address developments taking place that affect the Inuit world. Assemblies also provide an opportunity to celebrate a rich cultural heritage and to strengthen the cultural bonds between all Inuit. For the 2014 ICC GA, agenda topics include Economic and Environment, Health and Well-being, Hunting and Food security, as well as Governance. In addition, cultural activities and events, such as an art and craft show, Traditional Inuit Northern Games demonstrations, and a tradeshow will complement the GA’s official sessions and workshops. Over 600 delegates, observers, elders, youth, cultural participants, media and support personnel will be in attendance.

Each day will be dedicated to showcase each country’s unique Inuit cultural traditions. Carol D. Arey, Inuvialuit representative at previous ICC GAs says, “The times at these conferences were an eye opener for me, with all Inuit working together from all 4 countries. I have seen some impact for myself such as Inuit crossing International borders, it is not as difficult as it was after 9/11.”

Lorna Elias, Inuvialuit Drummer and Dancer has attended ICC GAs as a youth cultural delegate since 1992, and has been to the GA in Alaska in 2006 as well as to Nuuk Greenland in 2010.

She is currently coordinator of the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers, who are already preparing for the 2014 event.

ICC Conference in Nuuk Greenland, 2010. (ITK photo)

“This winter we really have to stick together and practice more like the way we did for the Olympics, because next year is the ICC and of course we want to be our best, and do our best, and represent,” says Lorna, “It takes practice to get really good so we are in sync. The whole group, as well as drum dancers from the communities will perform at ICC.” The cross cultural exchange is always anticipated. As a guest, Lorna remembers the beauty and hospitality of Inuit in Nuuk Greenland. “It was amazing and interesting, their language and lifestyle are different, and their land is so beautiful. The hospitality in Alaska and Greenland was extraordinary.”

Showcasing fashions from the respective regions in Nuuk.

Nellie Cournoyea, IRC Chair says “IRC is looking forward to hosting the ICC General Assembly, especially as 2014 marks the 30th year of the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. Although there will be a lot of preparation work, we are up to the task of showcasing our part of the Circumpolar region to all Inuit.” IRC is now busy fundraising and planning the cultural and gala events. Due to the short amount of time leading up to the event, each Inuit group has been asked to help fundraise in their locality, and Conference Coordinator Peggy Jay reports positive results with fundraising so far. IRC is also working closely with the Town of Inuvik to arrange logistics for this event.

Duane Smith, IRC Vice Chair also serves as the Canadian Vice Chair on the ICC Executive Council.

22

Uplifting Ulukhaktok Susan Kaodloak, Mayor of Ulukhaktok was elected almost a year ago in early 2013. With the insight and valuable experience she has gained, Susan shares an update of the community and her hopes for its future.

Being isolated, if we need something, our community members have to do it, we cannot depend on outside help. I think that’s why we have such a great sense of community, everybody helps each other out.

We respect where we come from and try to carry on the traditions and pass it on to our kids, it makes us unique.

T: What is different about being mayor, after many years of working in other positions with the Hamlet?

Susan: I know the history behind the Hamlet and how it’s run. I sat on council last year and was very honoured to be elected when I ran for Mayor. I am about halfway through my term. I’m learning how to be on this side of the table, I’m used to being on administrator side, and used to Council telling me what to do and working to accomplish their goals. It is different being on this side. We are doing some cleaning up, we finally got a new employment bylaw.

ISOLATION T: Please tell us about Uluhaktok and what it needs.

Susan: We are one of the smaller isolated communities, we are only fly in, so that always makes it harder for us. We have about 425 people, including all the transitional people like teachers.

There isn’t enough work, so a lot of the residents live off subsistence hunting, everything is flown in so it’s all expensive.

We try to work with what we have. The Hamlet is by far the biggest employer, we apply for whatever funding we can get so we can run as many programs as possible. Especially during the winter months we need programs so people have something to do, to rely on.

We are doing very well, we’ve [got] the trapping program at the school, we’ve [got] the kids sewing, and skills classes teaching the kids how to make sleds.

Over at the Community Corporation they also have sewing, skills teaching with the Brighter Futures Program. And in the summer we’ve [got] camps, we take kids out and teach them how to keep the traditions strong.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE T: Are there issues with substance abuse here?

Susan: We are stricter than most communities, which I think is pretty good.

There isn’t a lot of drinking like there used to be. Unfortunately, I don’t see anything really happening about the drug use. Even though we are isolated we still have the same kind of problems as other communities in terms of substance abuse.

One good part of being isolated, so we don’t get the heavy drugs here all the time, but unfortunately it does happen.

The Hamlet Recreation Department, and Hamlet Council knows that people need spaces to have a sober night or a games night or a music night, so we provide in kind donations of spaces to run programs in the evenings.

TRADITIONAL SCHOOL Susan: I’d love to see a traditional school set up here where we have our own building dedicated to learning traditional skills. Not only seal hunting, but also hunting caribou, fishing, making fish spears. There is one in Nunavut, Clyde River.

ELDER CARE Susan: We’d love to have an elder’s 24 hour care facility. Currently, when elders need 24 hour care they have to be sent out of the community. Unfortunately, we lose their traditional knowledge that can be passed on, and they are living without family, which can be difficult.

HOUSING Susan: A big concern for everyone in the community is housing, we don’t have new housing built here. The existing houses are getting old, and we have multiple families living in one unit, which is not the greatest in terms of the social impacts.

We would like to see more public housing, and there isn’t market housing available in the community. It’s hard to attract people to move here because they cannot own a house here. The Hamlet has staff housing earmarked for professionals (teachers, nurses, social workers etc) coming in.

HEALTHCARE Susan: We are concerned, the eye team are sent in once a year but they only stay for 48 hours, that’s not enough time to get everyone seen. Concerns are brought to our council quite often from people who don’t get to see the dentist, the eye doctor, they have to keep waiting.

It’s because the government contracts the dentist work, eye work out and the contracts only require them to be here a few times a year, it’s just not enough.

We’d like to see them coming in and staying longer, or coming in more often.

FUNDING Susan: Funding is getting harder because there is not a lot of money to go around.

We need some ways to make the community thrive, without handing out money... such as tourism, so people have some sort of income. Subsistence hunting costs money, because you need money for gas, materials, and snowmobiles cost $12,000. If you don’t work how are you going to come up with that? We are finding that people are not able to do that as much and are depending on the government.

From November 17—24th, 2013 Aklavik’s Justice Committee held its annual National Addictions Awareness Week in conjunction with Restorative Justice Week. As usual the community came together to host activities for all ages.

For the entire week there were no bingo games, instead there were fun games such as cribbage, talent shows, old time dances, fishing derby, and movie nights.

Organizer Jayneta Pascal from the Justice Committee shared, “The goal of the National Addictions Awareness/ Restorative Justice Week was to celebrate the sobriety of our community.

To help people in our community take steps to sobriety. To have something to do during this week to keep everyone busy, to enjoy each other’s company.

Aklavik has some of the most amazing people. In times of happiness and in times of need, we always come together and make everything possible. This is why our week went successfully. Moose Kerr School, Hamlet of Aklavik, Aklavik Recreation, Aklavik Stanton, and Aklavik

Fish Derby at the Aklavik Restorative Justice Week.

(Jessie Pascal photo).

Aklavik Recreation Committee measuring the fish caught at the fish derby.

Evelyn Wilson with her husband Greg Wilson.

Northern has put an incredible amount of time and patience towards a very important week.”

The Youth of Aklavik has recently formed a Youth Committee. They held their first fundraiser on November 25, 2013, with the Jail & Bail (where community members had fun turning in their friends, family and co-workers to help raise money for future youth community activities.

Family Violence Awareness Week in Inuvik Family Violence Awareness Week took place in Inuvik September 30th – October 6th. Fun activities included Spa Night, Justice Committee/ Victim Services Open House, a Women’s Sharing Circle, Northern Games Night, Family Games and Open Jam, Trail Walk, campfire and storytelling, and a movie screening.

The robust turn out at these events attested to the community’s support for the cause.

Northern Games Night during Family Violence Awareness Week – Northern Games Society members sharing the games with youth from the Inuvik Youth Center.

(Jessie Pascal photo).

Thriving Community

(Jerri Thrasher photo).

(Jayneta Pascal photo).

News Stories

Happy faces... jail and bail time.

Those who were “jailed” donated their freedom for a few hours, helping raise about $1000. The RCMP volunteered their time to assist the youth comittee.

As well, the Hamlet of Aklavik, Recreation Committee, Moose Kerr School, Aklavik Drummers and Dancers, Aklavik Singalong Group, Shorty Lake boys and Renee Biancolin were all given special thanks for their help in making it a successful week.

IRC Update IRC Board Meeting took place from November 19–22nd November, 2013.

Due to the IRC building still being under renovations, the meeting was held at the ICRC office. At the IRC Board meeting of November 19, 20, 21 and 22, Nellie Cournoyea, Chair and CEO, welcomed members: Billy Archie (Aklavik), Duane Smith (Inuvik), Lawrence Ruben (Paulatuk), John Lucas Jr. (Sachs Harbour), Vince Teddy (Tuk) and Laverna Klengenberg (Ulukhaktok). Chucky Gruben (Tuk) was an observer at the meeting. The meetings went well, the 2014 non-consolidated IRC Budget for the Inuvialuit Corporate Group as presented and approved.

Gerry Roy, Chief Legal Counsel, was thanked by the IRC Board for his 20 years of dedication to IRC. He is retiring. The Board appointed Sandra Griffin to the position of Chief of Staff and associated offices within the Corporation. Welcome, Sandra!

The Board approved the Inuvialuit Negotiators to initial the Chief Negotiator Inuvialuit Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle draft to start the formal Agreement-in-Principle approval process by the respective Parties. A Self-Government Transition Plan was also approved. The board also approved funding to support publishing of Tusaayaksat in 2014. Beneficiaries are urged to contact their Community Corporation or IRC for more information on each of the motions.

At the time of printing, elections are being held in the community corporations. To learn about election results, contact your respective community corporation!

News Stories

24

Mary Simon: It takes a community to raise a child Mary Simon, Chairperson of the National Committee on Inuit Education came to Inuvik last August as part of her campaign to raise awareness on the first priority of the National Strategy on Inuit Education (NSIE): Mobilizing parents to get children to school. She went on a CBC call-in show, discussing with listeners ways to support youth and parents, and spoke to educators who gathered at East 3 Secondary School for the Beaufort Delta Teachers Cultural Orientation Day, with the goal of discussing “with educators, parents, grandparents, community members, and youth about how we can keep our children in school.”

“As I travel through communities stretching from the Beaufort Delta to the Labrador coast — the vast Arctic region that we call Inuit Nunangat — I am greeted by children full of curiosity and dreams.

It’s important to remember where we are coming from. Our education as Inuit was different before we went through the academic process, colonization and residential schools. Now having to rely on the cash economy like everybody else we realize we have to be educated in the academic sense so that young people are able to take on employment in the North.”

“Yet the reality of Inuit education in Canada is that too many of our children are not attending school, too few are graduating, and even some of our graduates are not equipped with an education that fully meets the Canadian standard,” said Mary.

She spoke to Tusaayaksat about the strategy, which was developed with input from parents, youth, education leaders and policy specialists. However, she acknowledged that “no Strategy will walk children to school” and that social factors, such as mental health issues, social problems, and residential school traumas have to be addressed as well. “It’s not just about getting parents to get their kids to school – to ensure that their kids are well fed, has a good rest, and goes to school.

That’s putting it simplistically. There are a lot of factors tying it to these three factors that we have to deal with – it needs to be parental, school and community driven. It takes a community to raise a child.”

Mary Simon, chairperson of the National Committee on Inuit Education, and Adam Kudlak. Adam is an experienced teacher assistant from Ulukhaktok and thanked Mary for her advocacy work for Inuit education.

She believes that schools and parents have to communicate so as to mediate situations before they become crisis, such as in the case of bullying causing children to drop out.

“If we are to restore the trust of parents who have been deeply hurt by their own educational experiences, we must build an education system grounded in the Inuit culture, history and worldview, and with respect for the role of parents.”

“We need interagency cooperation – health system, hospital, justice, police, social workers, they all have to communicate. You need to look at it in a holistic fashion. Why is this particular family being impacted so much their children are not going to school anymore.

It may not have anything to do with the school and might be to do with the social problems the family is facing. It’s not up to the teachers to solve those issues because they are not the experts. We need to bring in more experts to deal with those issues.

We need more mental health workers in the north, I personally believe there is a mental health crisis in the north.”

“People always say “Why don’t you just snap out of it. Well you can’t just snap out of it like that – we need counselling services, aftercare... It ties in with education, and I always find if a child and a youth is not doing well, it’s because they going through a difficult time in their life.

We are finding the body goes with the mind, you cannot separate them.”

“The most important message to young people is despite all the challenges and obstacles that they face, they need to go to school everyday. It’s a responsibility on parents for sure, and it’s a responsibility on the youth as well.”

Ever since the Prime Minister’s apology in 2008 to Aboriginal People on the residential school system, Mary, then as President on ITK has been working leaders and people with all Inuit regions on making this apology “tangible” for Inuit, so as to drive “significant change” in the perspective and attitude towards education. She has observed positive changes in terms of openness in these discussion.

“I guess the idea is to see, how you can balance what you are faced with and seeing what the challenges are and in my case, an Inuk living in 2 worlds, living in that lifestyle where you don’t feel that you have lost your culture and your language.”

The NSIE also includes working towards a bilingual curriculum with learning resources that are relevant to the Inuit culture, history and worldview, and increasing the number of education leaders and bilingual educators in our schools and early childhood programs.

Adam Kudlak, an experienced teacher assistant in Ulukhaktok was grateful for Mary’s words. He said, “I just want to thank you for everything that you did for Inuit. Today you are a real inspiration for seeing things in a different light.”

Inuvialuit Women in Business words and Photos by Zoe Ho

WIB participants Wynonna Beaulieu, Sherene Raddi, Deborah Bernhardt, Jennifer Cockney and workshop coordinator Elana Nightingale.

Aspiring Inuvialuit Women Entrepreneurs attended the Pauktuutit Inuvialuit Women in Business (IWIB) Workshop last September in Inuvik, and emerged fully energized about achieving their goals. The five participants included Mavis Jacobson, Deborah Bernhardt, Wynonna Beaulieu, Sherene Raddi, and Jennifer Cockney.

“We did a needs assessment of Inuit women in business, and we found that financial literacy is the most intimidating business challenge. Also, women in business usually already have mentors, so in this program we reduce the fear of dealing with numbers and to at least provide them with mentorship and support,” said Elana Nightingale, IWIB program coordinator who said the group all came in with strong business ideas.

She said the course was designed, based on feedback from Inuit women, to eliminate fears that prevent them from going into business.

“ Pauktuutit is a women’s organization, we find Inuvialuit women have a very strong community spirit, they are very connected to their community. They know what’s missing from their communities, and they usually have very good business ideas. Some are intimidated by other business courses offered,” – Elana Nightingale Other courses might be taught with a southern perspective, with a male dominated context, or with unfamiliar business terminology.

The participants met with Debbie Boudreau, Economic Development Officer of Inuvik, Peggy Jay and Mavis Jacobson representing the IRC Craft Shop, Evan MacLeod from CIBC and an Inuvik aboriginal business woman to learn about resources such as government funding for entrepreneurs, banking, marketing and business supports.

“It’s a lot of work being in business but if you talk to the right people, I found out there’s a lot of resources in the North,” said Sherene Raddi.

Jennifer Cockney who has taken other business courses previously found the course to be “really an interesting refresher” which got her “fire started again for starting my own business.”

The course covered the basics of Business Planning, Resource-Mapping, Budgeting, Invoices, and Marketing – participant Deborah Bernhardt, who had already started a business, Inukshuk Catering at the main Aurora College campus found herself learning useful office skills. She made her first invoice template during the course. Previously her partner Joey has been in charge of the backend and she focuses on customer service.

“This was very eye opening. There’s all kinds of resources we can use.” she said. “Paperwork, finding the time to do everything, trying to accomplish what you want with a limited amount of time are all challenges, especially when you are trying to get everyone to know your business.”

On the IRC Craft Shop field trip, participants had a look at its operations and discussed IRC representatives the pros and cons of cash versus credit transactions.

While the IRC Craftshop is a non-profit specifically set up to help local artists sell their work, it is at a scale that requires proper business processes.

Jennifer Cockney noted, “This really meet the needs of Inuit women, and they even provide childcare seeing the course is on a weekend. That’s a bonus right there, that’s a barrier that’s completely gone,” she said to agreeing nods of the other women.

26

When Howie McLeod was a little boy, he would sit on the steps of Ingamo Hall, and listen to local musicians jamming. “Children were not allowed inside the hall, and I’d see all these people having a really good time, and I’m wondering what’s the attraction?” Then one of the musicians let him play with the drums and Howie would not stop until they “dragged him away.”

He began following the musicians, and by the time he was 16, Howie was both roadie and band mate to them. Fiddle player Willy Gordon was his “musical hero, a big influence in my life.” Howie played regularly at the Mad Trapper Bar in Inuvik with his high school teacher Jim Lawrence and Willy. Then one day Howie had the chance to become a traveling musician.

“It was a once in a lifetime thing,” says Howie McLeod as he recalls 1986, the year he toured all over Canada with “Slammer”, a cover band. “They were a bunch of long hair hippies, biker dudes,”

Music

is my

life Howie McLeod

he laughs. “They came all the way to Inuvik to play but their drummer got sick,” Howie hit the road with the band, playing small and bigger bars from the North to British Columbia and the East Coast.

It was fun to be a musician on the road, with its “beautiful people, places and experiences” but Howie also remembers trying to survive daily on very little pay and “eating McDonald’s burgers day after day, working with people who sometimes don’t take their work as seriously.”

“I’ve gotten into good times, and some bad times with drugs and alcohol.” Howie stopped drinking when he was 25. “I got into drugs and for a few years I lost my way. It was really tough for my family it was a really bad situation, but after talking to my family and to the counsellors I finally realized it was not what I wanted to do. I got back to concentrating on my music. My life is so good today, I’ve got more important priorities like my family and my children. I’ve seen the younger generation pass away

is a need, like if they need a drummer, or someone to play bass or guitar I’d say sure, no problem. When you’re the only musician playing it’s hard and if I can help that musician feel comfortable and help them, there’s no better feeling.”

“It’s not like I need to get up and be noticed. I could be sitting in the back of the room, making sure that the whole show is going great, that’s me. I don’t need people to say to me ‘you did such a good job’... To me you get paid to do a job and you try to do the best job you can.”

Howie says his work ethic developed over time. “When I first started I knew the equipment but I didn’t know about dealing with people, shipping, receiving, buying, dealing with musicians, dealing with yourself. Even when you’re setting up in the same venue, something changes – you can’t plan. You’ve to always be prepared for the unexpected.”

“Sometimes for a job out of town you travel by boat, you load it up with all the equipment, and you do a show,

My daughter was four years old when she started coming with me to do sound checks,” he says. His boy also helped him with the 10 day GNAF show, doing a great job of setting up the lights. “It’s a family business and I want it to stay that way, I don’t want it to get really big.

You don’t have a lot of support when it comes to setting up and tearing down, and interns are enthusiastic in the beginning but after a long stressful day, running around from 8am to 12 in the morning, you don’t see them again.”

Howie has some assistants that have been with him from the beginning. “Steven Loreen is the most interested and he’s the one I can trust. He can set up a simple job by himself,” he says. “You try and teach people but there’s so much to learn – you can’t just teach someone in a couple of days or months how to use a whole sound system. I’ve been learning since I was 16 and I’m still learning. New technology, not just audio, there’s lighting, incandescent, LED, halogen, fluorescent...”

“ Music has always been a savior to me in a lot of ways, it’s exposed me to lots of different things, good and bad influences. If you don’t experiment, whether good or bad, you’ll never know. You have to go out and live your life to the fullest, you live for today, if you plan to live for tomorrow anything could happen and if you just live this one little type of life it’s not fulfilling.” because of alcohol and that just hurts me. A beautiful life wasted just because alcohol was so available to them.”

Howie began his live sound business when he saw a need in Inuvik for system rentals. He applied through CEDO at IRC to get his first grant, and is grateful to the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in organizations for choosing him for their sound needs. His sound business has served most of the major live shows in Inuvik, including the Great Northern Arts Festival, Muskrat Jamborees, and the Northern Arts and Cultural Center shows. He is also looking forward to managing the audio systems for the Inuit Circumpolar Conference 2014.

Sometimes, Howie is invited to leave his sound board and join the musician playing onstage. “Whether I’m invited, doing sound or sitting in the audience, if there

you tear it all down then you come home and full of mosquito bites and you haven’t had a bath for three or four nights,” Howie laughs, “It can be... you know. I’ve traveled by plane, float plane, or by ice road – you get to see the land, there’s all kinds of situations.”

Howie is zen about the growth of his business. He tries to “offer a better service at a lower price,” and is thankful to work with other local business owners such as Steven Baryluk.

“I had a choice to stay in the business or go back to work full time, but after discussing with my family, things are going good – sometimes we make more money, sometimes you don’t...

Jodie (my partner) is the one who helped me decide, she does the books, paperwork, communications and coordination. My children are always there with me for set up and tear down.

At the Muskrat Jamboree 2 years ago, Howie added live video elements for free.

“It makes it more fun in the end, and I was still learning the equipment. There’s lots of musicians in the North, they are all small time musicians and not a lot of them have recording contracts or even a CD out and they just do it because of their love of the music. To be on a big screen it’s big for them and it’s well worth while to see it on their faces,” he smiles.

He hopes to get into recording these local talents, as well as to honor elder musicians of earlier eras.

“I’ve always wanted to do this business because I wanted people to know I can do the job, not because I’m an Inuvialuit person, not because I’m a Gwich’in person, other than I can do the job if you want me to do it,” he says.

28

Foods class at East Three Secondary – Georgina Stefansson (elder), Patrick Gauley-Gale (teacher), Harry Kaglik, Dang Dang Gruben, Trent Gordon, Sarah Seward, and Annika Krizan.

From the land to the plate

Cooks of all ages Young children, Haley Akoaksion and Trent Kuptana look dead serious, wielding knives much bigger than their little hands as they chopped up mini mountains of peppers, onions, and carrots. They are participants in the Nutrition North Cooking Circle in Ulukhaktok, where a few other children, elders, teens and adults are all enjoying working with recipes to make today’s dishes: Thai style pork chops with peanut sauce and pita pizza.

30

obtainable at local stores are provided at the weekly cooking class, and many participants attend as a family bonding activity to be introduced to new foods, and to cook healthy foods. “It’s highly important thing to have this, learning about nutrition and healthy living,” she says of the IRC and Nutrition North funded program, only offered to ISR communities inaccessible by road.

“I’ve had lots of positive feedback, and people realize oh yeah, it’s cheap and it’s simple I can make a similar dish at home. We accept donations of locally harvested ingredients too.”

Fresh catch brought in by elder Mary Kudlak.

Today participant Molly Oliktoak has brought in char to bake while elder Mary Kudlak arrives with her early morning’s catch of trout and char from the lakes nearby. She cuts it up to make fish soup. She is a “star

Half sisters Tamara Olakyok and Nicole Olakyok enjoying bonding time at the Nutrition Cooking Circle.

“I love cutting the food,” says Trent, who took the class “to learn to cook things that we never (usually) cook.”

His favourite dishes so far are Shepard’s pie and pizza.

“I learnt to try to eat new things. I didn’t use to eat peppers, carrots, shrimp, pickles, and onions...”

Half sisters Nicole Olakyok, 8 and Tamara Olakyok 16 are also enjoying food prepping. They found the nutrition circle to be a good place to enjoy healthy snacks like yogurt and fruit. “Don’t buy junk food, buy healthy food like meat, cheese, vegetables,” says Nicole.

Joyce Banksland, program organizer helps the children to pile ground muskox, cheddar cheese and veggies onto pitas to go into the oven. Nutritious ingredients

Gloria Omingmak hams it up for the camera with her healthy pita pizza.

“ We have a lot of people eating healthier and making healthier choices.

It’s all about promoting healthy living and making it fun. We know diabetes and obesity is increasing, we want to prevent it from happening to us.”

MODERN LOCAL FOODS RECIPES provided by Patrick Gauley-Gale

Muskox Shepard’s Pie

Meat Layer: Saute in a bit of oil: 1 Onion (diced) 2 Carrots (diced) 2 Celery stalks (diced) 1 lb Ground Muskox Add: 1 cup Beef Stock 5 Mushrooms (optional) 1 cup chopped Spinach or Kale (fresh or frozen) Seasonings – rosemary, thyme, cumin, dijon mustard Potato Layer: 4 Potatoes (peeled, boiled, mashed) 2 Tbsp Butter ½ cup Milk or cream or yogurt Salt and pepper 1 tsp minced Garlic Optional: top with cheddar cheese Place meat mix in the bottom of a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes and (optional) cheese. Bake at 350 F for 20 to 30 minutes, can be made ahead of time and warmed up when needed.

Nutrition Highlights Muskox: Extremely lean meat compared to other red meats. Low fat high protein Ulukhaktok Nutrition Circle.

Carrots: Per 100 grams there is 3 times your daily need of vitamin A

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MODERN LOCAL FOODS RECIPES provided by Patrick Gauley-Gale

Char Fish Pie

participant” with her generous sharing and has even learnt to read and follow recipes in the class.

Angus and Mary Banksland are helping cut up healthy snacks. “I learn all this as a father that has to cook sometimes at home,” says Angus.

“We have a lot of people eating healthier and making healthier choices. It’s all about promoting healthy living and making it fun,” says Joyce. “We know diabetes and obesity is increasing, we want to prevent it from happening to us.”

Inuit at higher risk for diabetes and obesity Jullian MacLean, Regional Nutritionist for IRC focuses on healthy eating education in smaller ISR communities,

Sky Day MacLeod and Brandy Laroque, who made delicious drinks with local ingredients such as berry syrup.

Replace muskox layer with char layer.

Char mix: Sauté onions, carrots, celery in a little oil.

Add: 1 lb Cooked char 2 Chopped hard boiled eggs 1 Tbsp Capers (optional) ¾ cup Cream 1 tsp Lemon juice (a little bit) ¾ cup chopped Spinach or kale (fresh or frozen) Nutrition Highlights Arctic Char: A 100 grams of arctic char has a 1/3 of your daily vitamin D needs.

Spinach: Per 100 grams there is 1.8 times your daily vitamin A needs and half your daily vitamin C needs Kale: Per 100 grams there is 2 times your dailly needs of vitamin A and vitamin C.

“ Overweight and obesity rates for adults in the region is 75%, about 3 out of 4 people. The overall consumption rate of pop with its unhealthy amounts of sugar, is on average about 4 cans a day.”

Foods class teacher Patrick Gauley-Gale and student Chelsea Elias who just finished baking spinach spanakopita for the fundraiser feast.

leading programs such as Nutrition North and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. He says “There are hard facts showing that the rates of diabetes is 5 times higher for First Nations Aboriginal people than other Canadians.

It’s expected in the near future that Inuit rates of diabetes will be higher than other Canadians also. We want to get ahead of the game, you want to start talking about diabetes, prevent diabetes, especially type II diabetes.”

Overweight and obesity rates for adults in the region is 75%, about 3 out of 4 people. The overall consumption rate of pop with its unhealthy amounts of sugar, is on average about 4 cans a day. Pre-emptive diabetes prevention measures include funding programs that encourage traditional forms of exercise, such as Northern

Games, and traditional forms of harvesting, which also involves physical activity. “Going on the land, you are using your body a little more than just going to the grocery store. When you exercise, you are less likely to get diabetes, and can have a better quality of life,” says Jullian. “Practicing harvesting skills also ensure that these traditions will remain alive.”

With IRC funding, John and Mabel Noksana from Tuktoyaktuk took 5 people fishing on the land in the fall last year. John reported participants “put smoked and filleted fish away for the summer. It was so nice to have this opportunity to help those who don’t have the means to fish for themselves.”

34

about their favourite teachers Miss Wagner and Miss Parks.

“They are fun, they play music for us in the morning.”

Amanda Wolki brings her son Linden, 6, to the program every school day. “I appreciate the breakfast for the children, because it’s the most important meal of the day,” she says.

Shalayah Raymond has a different reason, she likes breakfast program because “You don’t have to be late.” Regardless a full belly is essential to learning and the schools are trying to do what they can with the help of the community to provide for the students, especially students in need.

Charlie Blake and Cassandra Collison picking out their juice boxes.

The breakfast program: today the school is serving toasts with spreads, fruit and juices.

The most important meal of the day At East Three Elementary School, it is 8am on a dark winter morning, and volunteer teachers arrive early to prepare breakfast for students who choose to come.

Today’s menu includes toast with jam, cheese whiz, fruit slices, juice, yogurt and cereal bars.

On the high school side of East Three School there is a similar breakfast program with the same goal, to ensure that youth are offered a meal to start their day without conditions.

From the kitchen to the world There is a formidable spread being prepared by Mr. Patrick Gauley-Gale and his students from the Foods/ Gardening and Agriculture class at East Three Secondary School. Dang Dang Gruben, Grade 12, is cutting up vegetables, while Trent Gordon is stirring a pot of moose soup. Over in the corner Harry Kaglik is baking oatmeal cookies with elder and teacher assistant Georgina Stefansson. The students call Mr. Gale “G.” for short, and they tell us that the teacher is well loved for infusing his lessons with delicious food, knowledge, and heart.

Today’s food is for the local Soup Kitchen. “It’s important that kids do something that benefits the community outside of the school,” says Patrick.

Vice-principal Jason Dayman has been running the program for over a decade, and is contantly looking for funding to keep it going. Last year, Northmart made a $10,000 donation and promises to donate further funds this February.

Cassandra Collison and Charlie Blake are the first to arrive. They say they “feel more energy in the morning, especially in class, we feel better with breakfast.”

The little breakfast nook gets busy quickly as students stream in and enjoy a little social time. Amber Ipana, Cassidy Ipana, Libby MacLeod, Isabelle Hendrick sit together and talk

East Three Secondary Gardening and Agriculture Class harvesting at the Inuvik Greenhouse.

Trent Gordon says he chose the class “to learn how to cook. My mum usually does all the cooking.” The boys laugh when we asked what new foods they have been introduced to. “Pretty much everything. Kale, rice, vegetables...” They are proud that the freezers in the Foods Class are packed with produce they grew indoors, and in the Inuvik Greenhouse as part of the Gardening/ Agriculture component of the class. To grow vegetables in the arctic is no small feat. The class has weighed their agricultural yields, which they found to be equivalent to $500 of produce at the store.

Harry Kaglik picked 9lbs of tomatoes and enjoyed making sundried tomatoes. Over 20 lbs of tomatoes were ripened and dried, for use over the Winter in recipes like spicy soup, pizza, focaccia bread, and stews in class, and for the school’s lunch program. “We roasted over 10 lbs of potatoes and root veggies. Greens have been added to chili, fajitas, tacos, soups, smoothies, and stir fry. We have also processed roughly 20 lbs of frozen greens. Fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, sage, dill, thyme, rosemary, and others) have added flavours to dozens of dishes we prepared,” says Patrick.

East Three School, like many schools in the North, lacks capacity to have a full scale cafeteria, but there is a subsidized lunch program. Elder teacher assistant Georgina Stefansson says, “We have soccer lunches – we organize lunches for students to buy – yesterday we had soup and BLTs, for $4 and Chicken Curry for

“ We have soccer lunches – we organize lunches for students to buy – yesterday we had soup and BLTs, for $4 and Chicken Curry for $5, so students can play soccer and still have affordable lunches. We call this East 3 Cafe.”

MODERN LOCAL FOODS RECIPES provided by Patrick Gauley-Gale

Aqpik Ice cream

Simmer mixed berries (we used cranberries and bear berries for one, Aqpiks for the other) with sugar and vanilla until cooked. Add 3/4 cup of berry mixture to 3 cups of cream. Taste. Add icing sugar and/or vanilla as needed. Mix. Chill. Place mixture in an ice cream maker and run for 25 minutes. Enjoy! If you don’t have an ice cream maker, the berry mix is a good topping for store bought ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Nutrition Highlights Cranberries: Per 100 grams there is 1/5 of your daily vitamin C intake and 1/5 of your daily fiber intake.

Cloudberries (aqpiks): Per 100 grams there is 2.5 times your daily need of vitamin C

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TRADITIONAL RECIPES Loche Liver Dessert Bertha Allen Put liver into frying pan and cook until done. Then add cranberries. Mix well, this makes a good dessert.

Baked Skunk Bertha Allen Clean, skin, wash. Bake in oven with salt and pepper. Tastes like rabbit (no smell). Skunk fat very good for whooping cough.

Smoked Fish Sarah Tingmiak In Springtime only, smoke fish outside using wood that is a little wet. Clean fish and cut lengthwise. Hang over a pole over the fire and smoke about 15 – 20 minutes. Cook by roasting with pan in onion, salt and pepper.

Rabbit Delight From Northern Cookbook Eleanor A. Ellis (1967) 1 young rabbit 1 tablespoon fat 1 cup broth or water with 1 cup bouillion cube ¼ cup lemon juice ¾ cup orange juice 2 green peppers chopped ½ cup mushrooms, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped Pinch of ginger ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1. Joint the rabbit and brown pieces in fat with a heavy pot.

2. Add the broth and other ingredients, season with salt, pepper and ginger.

3. Cover and cook slowly till tender.

Serves 4.

$5, so students can play soccer and still have affordable lunches. We call this East 3 Cafe.” She laughs. “Some of the students stay through lunch to help us put the meal out. I think it’s a good program. They really like helping through the lunch hour and I think parents really like it because they can have something to eat while watching their children play soccer or badminton.”

The lunch program is in its 4th year, and about 10 students who are dedicated volunteers over the course of the year eventually receive a basic wage. “They are paid by the minute, so students who work for 20 minutes are paid $5.

Through this, students who are usually from low income families receive an allowance they earn,” says Patrick. The work experience gives students a taste of what working in the industry is like, and can be added to their resume.

It helps when students apply to culinary school.

“We can use this as a major when we go to university or college, a lot of people have gone to culinary college in Whitehorse and Edmonton after this,” says Sky Day MacLeod, Foods Class student and on this night, a “bartender” at the East Three Local Foods Fundraiser Gala event.

For the students, studying Foods leads to expanding their horizons beyond the North, and this fundraiser is intended to highlight local ingredients and the students efforts, as well as to fund a student Post Secondary Exploration program in BC and the Yukon around May, 2014.

“ For a field trip to the lake, we identified 25 species of plants, which quadrupled the knowledge I had on the subject of plants. What helped was how the kids contributed the knowledge they already had on the land of traditional experiences.”

A couple of years ago, students who went on a volunteer work trip to Ethiopia had similar opportunities to tour southern colleges. Many have successfully continued further studies away from home since.

East Three Secondary Gardening and Agriculture Class showing off their harvest.

On the Local Foods Gala night, the school lobby is transformed into an elegant restaurant with ambience, with students as attentive hosts and chefs. The menu features Kale Spanikopita, Rustic Roasted Tomato Flat Bread, Char Chowder, Sundried Tomato Bisque, Muskox Shepard’s Pie, Char Pie, Aqpik (cloudberry) Cheesecake and more. Guests are delighted.

“They were complimenting everything, on the way it was set up, and also they were really impressed with the mixed berry drinks, we made our own berry concentrates from local berries. Everyone was really happy with what went on. We wouldn’t mind doing it more because it was really fun,” says Sky, who feels there was no stress despite the days of preparations required before the event.

Student Chelsea Elias worked in the kitchen. “Today I had fun cooking and seeing so many people here enjoying their meals. The hot chocolate was made from cocoa beans we ground ourselves. It’s cool and interesting to use local ingredients. I want to go to Vancouver. We get to check out fancy restaurants and try new foods. I heard there’s this cruise ship that’s a restaurant.” Chelsea is also changing her eating habits to include more vegetables after the nutrition component of her course.

“Since I started teaching here I found that a lot of our students are successful at high school. There are so many opportunities for them in the North but a lot of these jobs require some post secondary training. I find that one of the barriers isn’t always academic, it’s social or cultural... students who are from a small community are a little uncomfortable to go into the setting of a big post-secondary institution... with the Exploration program we are taking them not only to cooking schools, but also to colleges, universities and grade schools, getting them tours and a small taste of what it’s like to be a student there.” Students will work in kitchens of some of the culinary schools, to give them a positive experience and to take away some of the anxiety around the unfamiliar “so that more of them will be comfortable and successful in the post secondary year.”

Knowledge is being shared both ways, from the teachers to the students. “It’s good to have an elder in the program,” says Patrick, such as when East 3 Elementary had a successful moose harvest and elders, teacher and senior students processed the entire moose together.

“Teachers are learning right along with the kids. For a field trip I did as much research as I could about plants we could use in the North, I identified 6, but when we got to the lake we got 25 identified. It was the kids contributing the knowledge they already had on the land of traditional experiences, I quadrupled the knowledge I had on the subject.”

For healthy recipes and to learn more about nutrition, go to: www.nutritionnorthcanada-nwt.ca and http://www.dietitians.ca/

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‘seasons greetings’ inuvialuktun language games #2

UUMMARMIUTUN Look at the scene, what are they saying? write the inuvialuktun words into the space provided.

Christmas Day

Qitchirvik

Happy New Year

Nutaami Ukiumi Quviahugluhi

New Year’s Day

Nutaaq Ukiutchiam Uvlua

Peace on Earth

Nukuuruakun nunami

JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014 JANUARY 2014

Illustrations by Marten Sims. Game concept by Marten Sims & Zoe Ho

Merry Christmas Quviahugluhi Qitchirvingmi

JANUARY 2014

‘seasons greetings’ inuvialuktun language games #2

Siglitun

Look at the scene, what are they saying? write the inuvialuktun words into the space provided.

Merry Christmas Quviasuglusi Qitchirvingmi Christmas Day

Qitchirvik

Happy New Year

Nutaami Ukiumi Quviasuglusi

New Year’s Day

Nutaaq Ukiuq Ubluanga

Peace on Earth

Nukuuyukkun Nunami

JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014 JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014

40

‘seasons greetings’ inuvialuktun language games #2

Inuinnaqtun

Look at the scene, what are they saying? write the Inuinnaqtun words into the space provided.

Merry Christmas Quviahukluhi Quviahukvingmi Christmas Day

Quviahukvik

Happy New Year

Nutaami Ukiumi Quviahukvik

New Year’s Day

Nutaaq Ukiumi Ublua

Peace on Earth

Nakuuyukkun Nunami

JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014 JANUARY 2014

JANUARY 2014

Colour your Pingo Pride colorez votre fiertĂŠ Pingo Pinguqsaaryuk Minguglugu Alianaittumik

42

The year of

reconciliation Words by Zoe Ho

“ Aboriginal people have powerful voices now.

Before, we were silenced, and now there’s a big voice out there. I feel good about that.”

Susan Peffer, Resolution Health Support Worker for Beaufort Delta is positive as she describes the healing that she has witnessed over her years of working with residential school survivors.

70,000 people of diverse origins walked as an expression of solidarity and healing despite the rain on The Walk for Reconciliation.

The City of Vancouver declared 2013 “The Year of Reconciliation” and highlights included lighting a sacred Flame of Reconciliation to initiate the event, an All Nations Canoe Gathering celebrating traditional ceremonies and to welcome all Nations to Coast Salish lands, and a Walk for Reconciliation, calling on all Canadians to express their desire to develop relationships between Aborginal and nonAboriginal Canadians. The TRC British Columbia National Event opened up to all Canadians, so they could for the first

zack embree photo.

At the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) National Event held last September in Vancouver, Susan, Inuvialuit Elder Lillian Elias and John Banksland member of the Indian Residential School Survivor Committee (IRSSC) attended the sixth national event hosted by the TRC, aimed to engage the Canadian public in understanding the history and impacts of the residential schools system on former students, their families, and the nation, and to honour those touched by residential schools.

zack embree photo.

n

The Walk for Reconciliation saw 70,000 people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal in attendance despite heavy rains. “The atmosphere of healing and reconciliation... I love that feeling, you know when people want to get well, people were emotionally charged – it was powerful. I was on a high listening to the success stories, of how people overcame, how they beat addictions, it was just so awesome,” said Susan.

zack embree photo.

zack embree photo.

time hear first-hand the experiences of those who attended the schools, and honourary witnesses invited to attend wept tears of compassion hearing the heart wrenching experiences former residential school students endured.

Bernice King, the youngest daughter of American civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr., delivered a keynote speech to the crowd encouraging all peoples to move forward together.

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

44

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

Inuvialuit Elder, Lillian Elias and Health Support Worker, Martha Greig of Kuujjuaq, Nunavik with Commissioner Marie Wilson to the back of them. This was during the Survivor Birthday Celebration where survivors sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in a number of different indigenous languages.

Offerings in commemoration of personal journeys of Residential School Survivors and their descendants, as well as those who are no longer living toward healing and reconciliation going into the TRC Bentwood Box, which travels with the TRC throughout Canada.

Susan’s parents and older siblings attended residential school, and she is thankful she did not go through it herself.

However, she has to work on keeping herself grounded so that she is able to help former students go through the IAP (Independent Assessment Process, part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement which offers compensation to survivors). She especially feels for the suffering of elders. “Usually it includes trauma counseling.

You have to dig up the past, especially in the 50s and 60s those were really hard years because there was lots of abuse,” she says. “In the NWT alone, there were 11 pedophiles. I used to wonder, why are so many aboriginal people who become alcoholics, and not white people. I never linked it to residential school trauma.”

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

Susan feels that those who take on the labour of telling their stories are heroes and heroines educating their children, their communities, and their country. “I really want people to realize how much our people suffered in residential school.

There is so little knowledge or information out there. There’s a lot of people who say, forget about it, it’s past, but no, feelings are never past until you deal with it.”

TRC National events held across Canada – Winnipeg (2010), Inuvik and Halifax (2011), Saskatoon (2012), Montréal and Vancouver (2013) with the final event scheduled in Edmonton for March 2014.

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

Class photo from when Paul Voudrach (second from right, back row) went to Federal Day School in Tuktoyaktuk, 1964. He had moved back from residential school in Inuvik and was back with his parents.

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

Public Statement at the 2011 Inuvik TRC National Event

Melissa Knapp for TRC photo.

Looee Okalik TRC photo.

Looee Okalik TRC photo.

Paul Voudrach, residential school survivor shares here his statement from the 2011 Inuvik TRC National Event, to encourage other residential school survivors to give voice to their pain, to receive the help that is available, to educate younger generations, and to be a voice of hope for the future. At first, Tusaayaksat asked if we should leave his statement anonymous, and Paul said, “You can use my name freely because I am no longer ashamed of who I am... I survived the battle within and without. I am FREE!” May there be light for all who feel alone in darkness.

Paul speaks of officials who arrive at his family’s camp, promising to take him and his sibilings on a plane ride. He sat on the floor of the plane for hours with other children, finally arriving in a totally strange environment, the residential school.

Inuit Survivor Committee Member Rebecca Williams instrumental in lighting the qulliq with Elder Lillian Elias of Inuvik, NT, a gem as always.

grace of God that he stopped me from going to the rifles in the porch. He knew I was going to do it, I stopped and I thought what are my children and wife going to say, and how are they going to live, seeing their dad in the porch. I no longer live by the number 142, I’m Paul Voudrach and I’ve the right to live, and I’ve the right to be happy, because I know I deserve it and my children if they can hear me they have the right to come say ‘Dad, we didn’t like what you did’ but I can say ‘I know and I’m sorry’. And I thank this gathering here for listening to my story. It hasn’t been a easy road but we are not alone in it, thank you.

“I thought I’d be brave – 49 years later it still affects me... [when we arrived] My winter clothes were taken from me... I was separated from my brother and my sister and I never got to see them again. My mother came to visit me once and I didn’t even get to see her.

I was taken from my bed with my mouth covered, and I don’t remember going into his room. I developed a scab between my crotch from my belly button to my inner thighs I don’t know how long. I had to walk with my legs spread and I was too scared to see the nuns. Somehow it got healed but I carried that sexual abuse and assault for 49 years, and that’s what impacted my life until I was 49. My first wife passed away, I never told her. I contemplated suicide in 1989, but it is by the grace of God that I sit here today, that by the

Paul Voudrach and his daughter Lila.

To see webcasts of TRC events: http://www.livestream.com/trc_cvr Learn more about the history of Northern Residential Schools, download They came for the children from http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index. php?p=580 If this article, or the website distresses you or someone you know, call 1-866-925-4419 to access the Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line.

46

nothern youth touched by

project of heart The Project of Heart unveiling at the Inuvik Youth Center was met with “Ooooooo...” whispered gasps of awe, followed by a breathless moment just taking the monumental piece in.

1,800 participants from communities and schools in the Yukon, East Three School and the Inuvik Youth Center’s art expressions surrounded a large centerpiece painting “The Broken Trust” by Art Joe, former residential school survivior from the Champagne/Aishihik First Nations. It took Art 16 years, painstakingly painting the elements: a raging bear, a masked aboriginal man in the wild with fists clenched around arrows, crying faces in the landscape, lightning tearing through the sky over tombstones - each symbolizing the scars, anguish, frustrations, and hurt of former residential school victims.

And then thunderous applause broke the silence. Youth and elders alike swarmed up to the painting to scrutinize the hand drawn and colourful tiles, with messages such as “Stay strong,” “All dreams are possible”, “Love your life”, and “Never forgotten.”

Project of Heart was started by Sylvia Smith, a high school teacher from Ottawa who wanted to educate her students on the history of residential schools but was appalled to find barely any mention of this in Canadian history textbooks.

“She [Sylvia] invites a residential school survivor into her class, and the youth then research the residential schools in the area. They research the number of deaths in those schools. Pretty sad topic, because kids should never die in school. Ever,” said Joanne Henry, Executive Director of CARES (Committee on Abuse in Residential School) in Whitehorse. Students decorate tiles to commemorate each student that died, or to celebrate survivors. Hearing from the youth who made tiles, the message seems to have hit home.

Shaomek Bernhardt, 11, project participant learnt “They gave them numbers for their names... They couldn’t go outside that often, I felt sorry for them.”

t

“ [As I made my tile] I was thinking about the people who went to residential school, trying to imagine myself in their shoes, and it was really hard for them. I tried to translate those feelings into the tile and that little heart. I drew a balloon, because balloons are the shape of celebration, and I wanted to celebrate their light.”

Faith Rogers, 15

To date, more than 150 public, private and religious schools across the country have hosted Project of Heart, and resources are available online to help engage youth in understanding impacts of the residential school system.

Joanne Henry brought the project to Inuvik through Susan Peffer and Jeffery Amos, Resolution Health Support Workers at IRC. “We need to talk about this,” said Joanne, “I always tell survivors... it’ll always pop up when you least expect it to... because it’s trauma, it’s what I lived through.

You can also have a day when you can hold your head up high, and you can say I made it, I’m ok... Just for a little bit trust that people do care. There was no love in those places [residential schools], no compassion, nothing. If you take a little four, five year old kid, and you make them constantly be on watch, what do they grow up to be? No skills on how to be a parent, that’s for sure, skills to look after yourself. It’s an honour to have this project at the Youth Center, it represents young people and it’s a good thing.”

For more resources: http://poh.jungle.ca/

Elders, and youth who attended the POH unveiling at the Inuvik Youth Center read the messages on each tile.

Susan Peffer

Shirley Kisoun and Susan Peffer dance to the music played by the Kasook family at the POH unveiling.

Left (page): This POH piece is a combination of a painting by residential school survivor Arthur Joe (Yukon) and pieces of tiles by more than 1,800 young artists.

48

part 2 RN E NORTEH RIES E S S GAM

y, Societ s s e m n Ga port rther m Arctic S l o N y ua ro sb Word tracted f ource Man x s e and ng and Re tewart i S Train by David s photo

Kyle Kuptana demonstrates the One-Foot High Kick.

e v i s o h l t p g x n E stre The One-Foot High Kick is an agility game. It is traditionally played indoor with groups who gather during the dark days of the winter months. It combines power (‘explosive strength’) and a high degree of coordination, flexibility and body control and is one of the most challenging Inuit Traditional Games. Traditionally the OneFoot High Kick is played by young men in the prime of their strength. They were anxious to perform well during competitions that were held at the great feasts and gatherings. Many of them would train for these events throughout the year.

50

Northern Games and Proper Techniques

ONe-foot high kick There are three different ways to approach the target; from a stand still position, or to walk or run towards the target. The participant jumps from two feet, kicks the target with one foot (either left or right) and lands on the same foot that is used to hit the target. When landing the participant has to maintain balance by bouncing on the foot that hit the target (kicking foot) before balancing for a few seconds to show control. The requirement of landing on the kicking foot makes it especially challenging!

Backswing arms

Fold body into a ‘spring’

Knee bent at about 90 degrees

Visit our Tusaayaksat Facebook page for an online instructional!

Watch Inuit Games at the Canada Winter Games on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkZQ7b22A8Q

Feet facing forward

HOW TO:

1.

2.

4.

5.

Immediately initiate kick by bending knee of kicking leg to chest in order to strike target.

Extend kicking leg for one-foot landing.

The arms are extended for counterbalance.

Hop up to push off, extend body and swing arms overhead.

Lower body by flexing knees to about 90 degrees, plant feet and backswing arms.

Size up target.

7.

3.

6.

As you kick the target, try to get hands, and kicking foot to almost the same level.

8.

Pull non-kicking leg upwards to avoid contact with the ground.

Recovery: Move kicking leg downwards rapidly and rotate arms upwards.

9.

Bounce on the landing foot a few times to demonstrate clear balance and control.

52

On February 13, 2013 United Taxi became an Inuvialuit registered company and Hester Inuaslurak the first Inuvialuit woman with majority share in a taxi company in Inuvik. However, Hester is a down to earth business owner, and most days, you will see her driving Car 13 around town.

She especially enjoys driving elders. “I help them as much as I can, if they have groceries I get out of the car and help them, or if a passenger’s child is not in the greatest mood, I try to get them to calm down,” laughs Hester. There is some gender discrimination from various competitors, “they see me at a stop sign and deliberately cut me off”, and finds the greatest challenge to be dealing with intoxicated passengers. However, despite the work being demanding Hester is happy.

“I love to drive. I don’t see it as making money, I see it as providing a service to the community and a lot of people depend on this,” she says. Most Inuvik taxi drivers are not local, and it is rare to see an aboriginal driver. One of the most rewarding moments was when an Inuvialuk commended for her achievement. “He’s from out of town. He told me he’s so proud of me because I’m Inuvialuit and I started this for myself and hopefully other people will get into it.”

Last year, Hester moved briefly to Victoria, BC before deciding to return to Inuvik. She was on Employment Insurance, and had difficulty finding work. She was a dispatcher for United Taxi before. “One of the taxi drivers was talking about selling his taxi permit and a couple of other drivers talked me into it. It would be interesting for me. We

in the driving seat Hester InuaSLurak

To Hester, Jade’s happiness is her greatest priority. She accompanies her daughter to figure skating and swimming lessons. The mother-daughter team is in sync whether they are drum dancing, baking, studying, or playing together.

“Jade has been drum dancing since I was pregnant with her, and she knows almost all of the songs. She’s always asking to go to the practice.”

“ I love to drive. I don’t see it as making money, I see it as providing a service to the community and a lot of people depend on this.” started working on it before Christmas, getting my licenses, medical exam, my Class 4, studying the town bylaws, the driver’s manual for the Class 4, and then I applied for a loan with Western Arctic Business Development Services,” she recalls. “The permit can go for $60,000 – $100,000 and there was no way I could afford that in one lump sum. So I got my start up fees and equipment, the car that I needed for this business, and everything got approved. I started driving February 8th, 2013.”

Hester’s company currently has a fleet of 13 taxis. She says they are often hired for out of town trips. “We go to Tsiigehtchic, McPherson, and when the Ice Road is open Aklavik and Tuk, even to Eagle Plains.” For now she chooses to continue learning about the running of the company, letting fellow shareholders handle the technical side of the business.

Hester is a graduate of Aurora College’s Office Administration Program. She enjoyed working in the offices of IRC, as well as at Aboriginal Head Start, but found that she needed more time to look after her 8 year old daughter Jade. “I loved to work with kids, but at the end of the day you are so exhausted. To cook supper, do the housework when you get home, after you’ve already been doing that all day, it gets tiring,” she says. “I like driving because I can work my own hours, I can go home when I want to, I can go to my daughter’s assembly without having to ask for time off. You are self-employed, you can work when you want.”

“Our relationship is more like sisters, friends, really good friends. We both understand each other very well. I do my best not to yell at her or to get upset. I’ve been practicing over the years, being a mother, you need a lot of patience. I just talk to her like she’s an adult and I try to make sure she understands.”

Hester teaches Jade positive values. “I get her to do a few chores everyday, at least 5 dishes. She’s got her own broom and dustpan, she helps sweep the floor, she puts clothes in the washer and turns it on for me... Just little things that she can handle that’s not too big for her. Just to teach her responsibility.”

Jade on the other hand, also looks after Hester. She helped Hester to quit smoking. “She sees all these commercials on TV about what smoking does to your body. She’s been bugging me to quit for over a year and I finally decided to. [Lately] I tried to have a smoke but after the first puff I couldn’t continue. It tasted horrible.” laughs Hester.

Hester quit cold turkey. “The first day I quit I put on the patch but it gave me a headache, so I didn’t put a patch on the second day,” she says. Whatever she puts her mind to, she can achieve it.

Hester says Jade is her driving force “My daughter...she’s changed my life a lot. I’d just rather her have a better life than have it about me,” she smiles. Watch out for the driver of Car 13, she’s going places!

Hester Inuaslurak, mother and entrepreneur, with her daughter Jade.

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Bill Nasogaluak

Apqulukuutaittuq Aglaktait Uuma: Nick Westover Agliutiyait Uuma: Tawna Brown

Bill Nasogaluak qungutchuariktuq inuk, iyigiktuq, nuyait qirniqturaluat qijgit aglaan takunaqimaaqiqtuat.

Angayuqaaqsimaitkaluaqtuq. Ingilraan tajva qimaklugu manna nunakput taunungaqtuaq ungavanun savauyariaqluni.

Nasogaluam annivia Tuktuuyaqtuuq.

Inuuvingmi ilisariaqaaqluni (Samuel Hearne Secondary School), alruliqiyit savaqatigivagait taunani tariumi uqsiqiyini (Beaufort Sea). Sanauyarniq alianaigiviaka. “Alruliqivingni savaktilunga tajva isummuqtuami allamik savaamik uukturuklunga.

21 ukiut naattut August qitqani, sanauyaaqiqtuami. Sivuuragiyaraluara” 12 ukiut naallugit Yellowknife-mi savakaluarami igluaraalungmi. Suli qangma Tuktuuyaqtuurmiut aulatpagaat.

Tajvangaaniin Toronto-mun nuuttuaq 7 ukiut sippiqlugit.

Kina malirunmaung apiriyaqput.

“Aniqatiikalu (Joe, Eli) inuguqtuanni

Bill Nasogaluak has an easy smile, steel blue eyes and unruly black hair slowly going grey which betrays his stature as an elder within the northern arts community. And while an important member of this fraternity he has long since departed the north to pursue his art within the collecting, gallery and museum scene of the south.

Nasogaluak was born in Tuktoyaktuk and attended Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik before training as an electronics technician and working in the oil sector on the Beaufort Sea. He had always aspired to be a full time artist and continued working on his art during this career, including taking time off work to create. “The last few years of my electronics career I knew I was in the process of change. I knew it was a matter of months maybe. It was middle of August, 21 years ago, that I made my change-over to become a full-time artist. Scary day.” He then spent 12 formative artistic years living in Yellowknife and working in a studio – which is still running – with other Tuk artists.

From there he moved on to Toronto which has been his home for over 7 years now.

Beyond boundaries words and portraits by Nick Westover photos by Tawna Brown

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ikayuqatigiikpaktuanni sanauyakkun. Atautchimi innapta akijutalu savakpaktunni.” Qangma aasiin nukatpiraq 29-nik ukiulik Kuzy Curley, Cape Dorsetmiutaq ilisautivaga.

Inminik marlagiluni pingitkaluaqtuq, Nasogaluak uqalaktuq tajva, “Inugiaktut apirivagaani kauttamiklu turrunmiklu sanauyaqpangmagaama. Naagai, sulliqaa sanalrutit atuqpakatka. Sanauyaqtiublunga ami Inuvialuublungalu.”

Una quliaqtuarun imana ittuq. Sanauyangit ingilraanitat aglaan tajva qangma inuusipta allanguutaa maliklugu sanauyaqpaktuaq. “Inugiaktut unipkaat sivullipta makpigait, angmagait. Taimana tajva silam alanguutaa malirulugu sanavaktuami. Qangma sut uva takunaqivat? Taimaatchinik sanavaktuami.”

Nasogaluak tajva sanauyarukaluaqtuq ilisaujisukaluaqtuq pitqusiptigun savaamigun.

Takumayanilu taunani inini qangma angmaqtuatun iliyuat. Nutaat tangit pitqusiit taunani puimagaluaqtut. Sanauyamigunlu, tamatkuat suuyaqliutit, nanginautit, isumaalungnautit takupkupqarniagait savaamigun.

Asked whether he grew up with any older artistic mentors he says, “No, I grew up with my two brothers [Joe & Eli]. We pushed each other in a good artistic way. When I’m in front of those two I really have to work hard.” The three brothers egged each other on, drawing and carving with whatever materials they had available at the time. Nasogaluak does now have a younger artist that he mentors, 29 year old Kuzy Curley from Cape Dorset.

Not romantic about the origins of his work as an Inuit artist Nasogaluak says, “A lot of traditionalists want to know I use a hammer & chisel – no, I use whatever it takes to produce the best possible final piece. I’m an artist that just happened to have Inuvialuit descent.”

This current also carries over into themes in his artwork: his pieces speak in a traditional language but the conversation is often about modern issues.

“A lot of the stories and legends have been covered by previous generations [of artists] already. That’s why I’m doing stuff like climate change. What are the issues that are happening today? These are what I’m trying to cover.”

bill’s BIO Sanauyaqti aglauyaqti Bill Nasogaluak annivia 1953 Tuktuuyaqtuumi. Nutaraugami aglauyaruuyuq, sanauyaruuyuq, sanauyaqtuanunlu ilausuuyuq.

19 ukiuni alruyiqiyuanni savakaluarami 1992-mi sanauyaaqiqtuaq inmigun. Ilisaujivakkaluarami Arctic College-mi 1990 akunrani, 1993-mi illunilu Abraham Ruben aniqatinilu Joe Nasogaluak takuyaqtuiyuat San Francisco-mi. Tajvani tangit nakinliqa ilitchuriyait.

2006-07 inukshuliurutiyait Canada-m ataniqpait.

Taunani Mexico-mi iliyaksat. Northwest Territories nalunaitkutsa (Mace) inmigun iliktiga 2000 ukiungani. 1994-mi sanauyaqtani Tuulium Atuutaa (Loon Song) Prime Minister Jean Chretien-mun aituutugiyaat atanipta. 2008-mi inuksuliuqtuaq ukuannun: Kansai Canada Business Association taavani Osaka-mi. Apqutiqpak tajvani Osakami aulaqigamijung, angmaramijung. Tajvali Bill nutqayuittuq inmiguaqtuq.

Accomplished sculptor and painter Bill Nasogaluak was born in 1953, in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. As a child, he was constantly drawing, painting, carving, with his brothers Eli and Joe, as well as entering art contests. He became a fulltime artist in 1992 after working as an electronics technician for almost 19 years. He taught art at Arctic College in the mid-1990s, gaining international attention in a 1993 group show in San Francisco with his cousins Abraham Anghik Ruben and brother Joe Nasogaluak.

Nasogaluak enjoys collaborating and leading group art projects such as the creation of the NWT legislature’s ceremonial mace and ice and snow sculptures in competitions in cities from the north to Ottawa to Europe. In his own work his chosen medium is stone, although he still paints and draws.

Some of his larger sculpture projects have been completed as public artworks such as inukshuks for the Canadian government in Guatemala and Mexico and the Kansai Canada Business Association in Osaka, Japan.

He has exhibited in San Salvador, El Salvador; Toronto, ON; Fribourg & Bern, Switzerland; Nuuk, Greenland; San Francisco, California and of course, Inuvik, NT. Nasogaluak’s work has been gifted to a Prime Minister and is held in a variety of private and public art collections around the world. As always Bill continues today to reinvent himself and his art, refusing to define himself by his past achievements or external expectations.

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“ Inuit inmigun isumatik qauyimatquyait – manna nunagiyara inuit qangiqsimayuksaraluat takumayamingnik. Unipqaaqti uvanga. Sanauyaapkun tajva taimaliuqpaktuami” Yellowknife-milu Toronto-milu sanauyaani alagiiktuk. “sanauyam sivuningalu qangialu alagiiktuk maani nayuqtaptingni qauyimagikput qangma ijusiqlu ingilraanlu. Ukuallu sapirnaqtuat, “Inuit inmigun isumatik qauyimatquyait – manna nunagiyara inuit qangiqsimayuksaraluat takumayamingnik. Unipqaaqti uvanga.

Sanauyaapkun tajva taimaliuqpaktuami” Nasogaloak uqaqtuq tajvaguuq sanauyaqtuni ikayuutauvialuktuq sapiqsautitigun. “Sanauyaq iniraini quyanavialuktuq. Isumagamali tajva sanauyarniq aangiqun nakuuyuq. Tamaptakiaq Nasogaluak’s desire to speak about more than traditional or picturesque imagery along with the exposure brought by living in larger cities has afforded him the opportunity to step outside the world of commercial art sales and toward the more exclusive world of serious collectors where contemporary ideas can be further explored. Themes in his upcoming work include darker imagery such as violence, suicide and how alcohol was brought to the north; events that continue to shadow many lives.

The difference between the more commercial art he was producing in Yellowknife and what he’s now working on in Toronto is, “it’s work that has a different perspective or different interpretation of some of the issues that are going on or have happened in the north.” Regarding such difficult subjects he says, “I want people to become aware through their own consciousness – this is my homeland and I want people to be aware of the issues. I don’t have a political agenda, I feel I am a story teller. I’m doing it purely as an artist.”

According to Nasogaluak the practice of making art is also a remedy for some of these social issues, “It’s very satisfying to produce a piece of art, it’s very soothing.

I think art is a very good venue for a lot of different

“ I want people to become aware through their own consciousness – this is my homeland and I want people to be aware of the issues.

I don’t have a political agenda, I feel I am a story teller. I’m doing it purely as an artist.” problems in society. I think everybody is born an artist, we just get humanized [become conditioned], we throw it aside. It’s great therapy, I find it very satisfying to finish a piece of art, a piece of your own work and to put your name on it – you’ve created something.

Especially if it’s stone, it’s very tangible, it’s there, your physical work, unlike drawing or painting.”

Unfortunately, the ambition that takes one to the big city has it’s price, he says. “I miss the camaraderie, I miss my friendships, I miss my family since moving to Toronto. The times I spent carving in Yellowknife with my family, my carving friends, they were really really fun years. When I look back to it now that I work alone in Toronto, I miss that immensely.”

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sanauyalayuq. Ulapiqiugalirapta taima igittuatun iliblugu. Uvamnili tajva sanauyaqtara inirapku qaamagivagara, uvapkun savaktara, atira aglaklugu.

Uyaqqat ingatavikyut, akturnaqtut, tajva takunaqtut, savaktan. Aglauyaqtigun ingitut. Tajva ungasiktumun nuuttuni nakuuvalaangitpangniqtuaq. Ilanatkalu ilatkalu piitchivakatka akijutalugit Torontomun nuunama. Yellowknife-mi sanauyaqatitka puigurnaittuq, aliasungitpaktuanni. Qangma itqaraangapku avayailuaqlunga Toronto-mi piitchinavialuktuq akijutaluni.

“Tuktuuyaqtuumungniaqtuami sivikitumik (GNAF) nungukpan. Nakuuyuq ami inuguqviga, uqausiralu ilurilirlugu uvamnun. Uvapkun ami inuguqviga, attaviga. Nakuuvialuktuq tajva ailakuma, inuuqatitka nayurlugit, uqausiralu tusaalugu. Gubyiqlunga iqaliqilaguktuami. Upinraksami qaisuuyuraluami sivituaqtumik aglaan maungajaiqtuami qangma.

Nasogaloak tajva sanauyarniq takumayuatun itkaa. Ikayuutauyuq. “Sanauyarniq uvaptigun pigiyaqput, nakarnaittuq. Sivvuliuqtipta taamna qangiqsiyaksariyaat. Maani nayuqtaptingni Canadamilu tamatkirluta naupkalagikput. Kinaliqaa takugapku sanauyaminik tuniyiyuaq quviagisuugiga, ami tajva nakuuyumun aulaman. Sanauyaqatitka akirilugit isumasuitkitka, iligiiktugut ilkayuqtigiikluta.

Tajva aasiin sanauyaruktuanun uqalalaktuq: “Nukatpiqanun sanauyaruktuanun, taamna Great Northern Arts Festival nakurniqsaq savaatin inungnun takupkaqtaksat. Inuit allat uqaqatigilugit, apiqsuilutin, ilisaqlutin tuniuqainikkun. Uvangali tajvani aullaqiyuami. Nukatpiqat sanauyaruktuat inuit tajvani takuyaqtuqlugit.”

“I’ll go back to Tuk for a few days after this show [GNAF]. It’s good ‘cause I go back to my roots, I even pick up my accent, get it back. It’s my own culture and it grounds me. Some of the stuff I assume, living in Toronto, it’s a good gut check being there [in Tuk]. It’s good to get back home, good to be with my own people, good to hear my language. I want to go fishing, set a net, check a net. I usually try to come up in May and I haven’t done that in way too long now.”

Nasogaluak takes a long view of art in our society and it is understandably the view of an art advocate.

“It’s our art and architecture that will define us one day. We need to have that [understanding] in our leaders. The north, Canada as a whole, we could all put more into the arts. When I see someone has sold a piece I’m excited because, as a whole, the art world is a little bit better. I don’t look at any artists as competition, never have: he’s my partner – we’re all trying to sell art to the world.”

His advice for aspiring artists stresses engagement with collectors and the viewing public: “For young, prospective artists, a place like the Great Northern Arts Festival is a great venue to be able to introduce your work to people, to gain confidence, to be able to talk about your work, to be able to understand how to promote it. I really made my start there too and I encourage any young artists wanting to take their work to the public: the festival circuit.”

News Stories

Dennis Alunik Community Spirit Self-starter

Nellie Cournoyea (IRC Chair) and Darrick Selamio (IDC) presenting Dennis Alunik (center) with an outdoor worksuit in appreciation of his contributions to the community.

Dennis Alunik is originally from Inuvik.

He joined with Inuvik Works in 1998, and like many of his co-workers who were marginalized members of the community, made positive contributions to the community led by their foreman Roy Ipana who empowered his team through community service. If an elder needed to move heavy furniture, Roy and his team were there. Unfortunately when the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships (ASEP) program changed the emphasis of its focus to training for

industry jobs, the positive task force of Inuvik Works had to come to an end.

Dennis, whose nickname is “Dannik Alunik from the Town of Inuvik” has a twinkle in his eye as he recalled “[Darrick] He drove by the other day, he said, there’s a feast for you. I said, Thank you for the invitation!”

When asked what he would like to say to the community, Dennis laughs. “Put your butts in the ashtray. Give Billy [fellow worker] something less to do.”

(Adam Kudlak photo)

When Inuvik Works Program closed due to federal funding changes in 2011, crucial services for the community, including litter clean-up, snow removal, and work for elderly residents provided by its employees were impacted. One former Inuvik Works worker, Dennis Alunik continued on his own for months to keep the town of Inuvik clean. Dennis was hired by the Town mainly in the summer to clean up litter, but he continued to do so through fall and winter months. In minus 30 degree temperatures, Dennis’ familiar figure can be seen trudging through snow, cleaning up the streets.

“Somebody’s got to do it. If you see it, pick it up.” said Dennis. “ I’m working like Roy says. He used to be my foreman at Inuvik Works.” Darrick Selamio, an IDC employee recognized Dennis’ contributions on the Inuvik Rant and Rave FaceBook page. The rave struck a chord with the community, and a recognition feast was held at Ingamo Hall for Dennis last year, and IRC with IDC presented him with a new outdoor work suit in appreciation of his dedication and consistent work ethic.

Kyle Inuktalik receives Royal Canadian Humane Association award At a ceremony at Edmonton Police Headquarters on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, the Royal Canadian Humane Association presented the Bronze Medal to Kyle Inuktalik from Ulukhaktok.

In June 2012, Kyle Inuktalik, then 15 years old, and several other people were hunting Eider Ducks on the sea ice near Ulukhaktok. Kyle was sitting near the edge of an open lead when two boys shot some ducks which landed on the opposite side of the lead. The boys attempted to cross the open water on their snowmobile to fetch their ducks but the distance was too great. Their snowmobile sank to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean leaving the two boys in the freezing water. Kyle quickly stood up on the ice and yelled at them to swim in his direction.

He managed to coach them towards him and when they were close enough, he stood at the edge of the open lead and carefully pulled the boys out of the water onto the ice. By then other hunters, who were close by, had arrived and transported one of the boys to town, while Kyle took the second boy to his parent’s cabin where he had him change into dry clothing and then took him to town. Undoubtedly, Kyle’s actions helped to save the boys’ lives.

Tremendous community support and donations, including from the Ulukhaktok Community Corporation and the hamlet were given to help raise funds so his family could attend the ceremony with him.

His mother Lillian Kanayok says, “We’re very proud of him. Parents need to talk to their kids about safety.”

Kyle is presented the Royal Canadian Humane Association award by Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor Donald Ethell.

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News Stories

The Best Family Reunion For almost 50 years, an Invialuit man and his two sisters have been separated.

Brenda Kimiksana, Debbie Pingo and their brother Darren Panaktalok were all adopted out when their mother Eva Panaktalok passed away. Brenda, then 4 was adopted by her mother’s parents, and Debbie, two years old, by her father Amos Pingo’s parents. Darren was still a baby and went into foster care as he had special needs and the families could not take on more. He ended up in Edmonton with a foster family and has stayed with them since he was five.

“Last year we watched Global news and there was a message if you’ve seen this Inuit man, his name is Darren, he’s strayed away from home and needs medication,” said Anna Pingo. “The next thing, my mum calls and she says I think this is Debbie and Brenda’s brother.”

“When my husband and I saw this, we thought it was important for the girls to meet their brother,” she said. With their aeroplan miles the couple redeemed flights for the sisters, and Anna joined them as she was to be in Edmonton for a teacher’s convention.

Brenda has never met Darren before, and

Arctic Leaders Working Meeting Inuit leaders from across Canada met with Prime Minister Harper, Federal Ministers, and Crown representatives last August in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, to discuss new and evolving goals for Inuit. Inuvialuit leaders present include Nellie Cournoyea, Chair and CEO of IRC, IRC Vice Chair and President of ICC (Canada) Duane Smith, IRC Vice Chair. Also present were Michael Wernick, Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada; Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources; Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Environment; Rebecca Kudloo, President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada; Cathy Towtongie, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated; Jobie Tukkiapik,

Brenda Kimiksana, Debbie Pingo and their brother Darren Panaktalok have a tearful reunion in Edmonton, almost 50 years after they were adopted out respectively.

Debbie just once, briefly. “It was the best thing ever,” said Anna. The foster family was notified, and arrangements were made so that the meeting at West Gate Mall would look casual as excitement triggers seizures for Darren. “We didn’t know what to expect. We were watching both entrances at the food court, and all of a sudden we could see them coming. I looked at Brenda, I looked at Debbie, and all of a sudden I just wanted to cry. They were trying hard not to cry.”

To their surprise, Darren came to them and said “I’m looking for my sisters. I’ve a sister named Brenda and a sister named Debbie.”

President of Makivik Corporation; and Sarah Leo, President of Nunatsiavut; Terry Audla, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; and Anguti Johnston, President of the National Inuit Youth Council.

Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Environment; Anguti Johnston, Duane Smith, Terry Audla, Nellie Cournoyea, Prime Minister Harper, Cathy Towtongie, Rebecca Kudloo, Joe Oliver, Sarah Leo and Jobie Tukkiapik

“It was so cute he gave them a hug and the girls cried for a bit and they held his hands, and Debbie sang to him, “Darren, we are family...” which Darren sang back to them.

“It was so special. That was the best family reunion ever,” said Anna Pingo.

Arctic Leaders Working Meeting In Nov 2013, Inuvialuit Self-Government held a Fishing Derby in Tuktoyaktuk with great success. The winners included Murray Bates for biggest herring ($300), Brienna Gruben for biggest coney ($200) and Jerome Kudlak for biggest bullhead ($100). A fun time was had by all ages out on the ice!

Isabelle Adam with her sister Heather hooking for fish.

Angus and Freda Alunik Honoured by Justice Committee

W

hen the Inuvik Justice Committee organized a recognition feast for Angus and Freda Alunik November 23rd, 2013, to honour their contributions in working with the committee and at-risk youth on the land, the honourees were surprised by the large turn out and spread at Ingamo Hall, and delighted as they received the applause, gifts, and plaque. “It feels so good, we didn’t expect this. We thought it’s just a lunch, supper,” said Angus. The couple had to rush back from Justice week celebrations in Aklavik to attend the feast, navigating a icy and slushy travel route but it was all worth it.

As she accepted the gifts of hand made mukluks, Freda laughed and said, “Angus and I, when we came to town, I saw it on the rolling channel, and I said Angus ‘I saw something on TV for you and me’, and he said, ‘Oh, you’re not supposed to know.’ Thank you everyone!” The couple’s unassuming and generous personalities are well known in the delta, and all say the recognition is well deserved.

John Dempster, Inuvik Justice Committee coordinator said that besides working with the Justice Committee, “Angus and Freda ran the group home in town for nearly a decade as well

as assist the elementary and secondary schools with their traditional knowledge program. The Aluniks also take at-risk youth out to their camp during freeze-up and break-up so that those youth will have a few weeks away from the stresses of town.”

Julie Thrasher, who attended the feast said, “Even though it’s part of their passion and our way of upbringing here in the North, taking care of one another, I commend them, especially as a couple with grandchildren and children, to juggle that. I’m thankful for them, and I wished there were more people like them. It just goes to show how much commitment they have.

Children who don’t have the opportunity to go out on the land, this is helpful to them, especially if they are going through the justice system, it will bring out something good in them... the gratitude is there, and the passion is there.”

Much of the work that Angus and Freda does is voluntary and unpaid. Their greatest reward is when the youth become more connected to the land, and see them as friends when they see each other in town. “They always call us and they always want to come out to the camp,” Angus said with a smile.

announcing taimani 64

inuvialuit history timeline website

Learn Inuvialuit history in a fun and dynamic way – the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation welcomes you to try the newly launched Taimani – Inuvialuit History website www.Inuvialuithistory.com

This website draws from archives and the words of Inuvialuit past and present to bring alive the telling of our history, from Ingilraani – ‘Time Immemorial’ – to Qangma – ‘Today’. Starting at the Home Page, you can scroll through a timeline of topics and events, read the words of elders, view illustrations and photographs, listen to audio recordings and watch videos.

Taimani – Inuvialuit History is still a work in progress.

We would like to hear from you: Can you identify people in the photographs? What else would you like to see included in the website? Do you have anything that you would like to contribute? You can contact us through Facebook by clicking the link on the website, or by going to: www.facebook.com/inuvialuithistory

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1. A doll that might have belonged to a young girl 800 years ago

5. Agnes Semmler at the IFA signing ceremony in 1984

10. Drilling for oil at Point Atkinson in 1969

2. An illustration of a British Navy expedition led by John Franklin arriving at the mouth of the Mackenzie River in 1826

6. Reindeer Station in the 1940s

11. A photograph of a church service under an upturned umiaq at Kitigaaryuk in 1909

3. The settlement at Baillie Island, about 1925 4.

The snow goggles pictured on the home page of the Taimani – Inuvialuit History website were found in the remains of an ancient dwelling on Banks Island, and symbolize looking into the past through the eyes of Inuvialuit

7.

A video of Vince Steen’s presentation to the Berger Commission in 1976 8.

A story told in Inuvialuktun by Felix Nuyaviak about how Tuktoyaktuk got its name 9.

An ice fishing scene drawn by an Inuvialuk 150 years ago

It was great fun to join instructors Brian Rogers, Donna Johns and their sewing students on the last day of the hand embroidered mukluks class. Contact ICC if you would like more information about these classes!

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A YOUNG TRADITIONAL LEADER Justin Memogana wins awards as leader of Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummers and Dancers

“Haa-yaay!” As Justin Memogana

Western Style Drummers and

Jubilee Medal in 2012, and in 2013

hollers at the peak of a drum

Dancers says Justin leads with

he received the NWT Ministers

dance song, the Ulukhaktok

passion, energy, and respect

Cultural Circle Award, but his fellow

Western Style Drummers and

for all. He is always willing

drum dancers and family know

Dancers following his lead echo

to share Inuvialuit culture,

the honours are well deserved.

his voice and movement. It was

whether at community events,

a moment of pure magic. “To be

special performances or regular

honest I can’t explain the feeling,

practices. Justin gives his time

it just feels good,” said Justin.

freely and cheerfully, fixing

“I’ve been drum dancing all my

drums, making sticks, teaching

life, ever since I could walk.”

songs and dances to anyone who

Five years ago, Justin was chosen

wants to learn.

“I’m proud of my brother for getting the award and really happy to go with him to get it. Justin has always been by our grandfather Jimmy’s side, so he knows everything about drum dancing, and he shows

by the group as their leader.

Justin was surprised when he was

the leadership of the founding

Karen Kitekudlak, Ulukhaktok

awarded the Queen’s Diamond

fathers,” says Chad Memogana.

“It’s all because of Justin, if not for him, we wouldn’t be drum dancing. I’m trying not to cry.

Before our grandfather passed away, he’s always relied on Justin to pass on the traditions, so I don’t think there was any question of who’s going to be the leader,” said Karen.

Justin volunteers to lead practices weekly in Ulukhaktok. He says,

The Ulukhaktok Drummers and Dancers (Eastern Style and Western Style groups).

Justin in Yellowknife this week, receiving his Minister’s Culture and Heritage award from Jackson Lafferty, Minister of ECE, GNWT .

“ There’s quite a few young people who like to dance. I find their mindset pretty awesome, they want to learn about their culture, they want to try. They love it.”

– Justin Memogana

“There’s quite a few young people who like to dance. I find their mindset pretty awesome, they want to learn about their culture, they want to try. They love it.”

On this Sunday practice, the sounds of the drums and singing resonate and fill the gym as drummers and dancers join in the dances, the group growing larger and larger as the night goes on. Young mothers and children also come to watch, and babies who are just learning to walk are seen trying their first movements with the drums.

“We are pretty open, everyone is welcome and we don’t pressure anyone to try. So they watch... and when they are ready, they give it a try,” says Karen.

The Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummers and Dancers are looking forward to performing at next year’s ICC Conference and Northern Games.

Justin Memogana, young leader of Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummers and Dancers is known for his commitment to the continuation of traditional culture.

68

Ulukhaktok Eastern Style Drummers and Dancers – (L-R) Trudy Ann Akoaksion, Mary Kudlak.

Back: L-R: Agnes Kuptana, Emily Kudlak, Andy Akoaksion, Mary Akoaksion, David Omingmak, Vincent Alonak.

70

Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummers and Dancers – Magaret Akoakhion, Chad Memogana, leader Justin Memogana, Shayne Alikamik, Brianna Memogana.

72

Traditional Ulu’s made

by Youth in Paulatuk Words and photos by Patrick Illasiak and Johnny Kumman Ruben

Joe Ruben and Johnny Ruben working on the ulus.

Patrick Illasiak and Johnny Kumman Ruben share how they feel as participants in a traditional ulu making workshop in Paulatuk.

In Fall 2013, Paulatuk held a ten day workshop for youth to learn techniques of traditional ulu making.

Seven youth aged nineteen to twenty-nine participated.

Traditionally, ulus were used mainly by women for preparing traditional foods such as maktak, seal, caribou and fish. Women also used ulus for sewing fur clothing and cutting up caribou and seal skins as materials for sleds, kayaks and tents. The program was funded under Brighter Futures and administered by Paulatuk

The main objective of the course was to ensure the youth gain the skills required so that in the future their children would be able to pass this traditional knowledge.

Community Corporation.

The classes were held in a warehouse with just enough

Instructor Joe Ruben Sr., a well-respected elder from

two hours daily. There were five male and two female

Paulatuk was taught this traditional skill by his father

participants. The youth were very eager and happy to be

Billy Ruben. Billy was a great provider for his family,

part of this program.

sharing his traditional knowledge and cultural values with his children and community members. Joe Ruben Sr. made all the participants feel comfortable with his great sense of humour. Like his father, he takes great pride in teaching the next generation.

room for three students to work on their ulus for about

Johnny Kumman Ruben, program participant said, “I learned that it takes a little while to make them.”

The students said it was really interesting to watch their instructor make the ulus, then to make their own attempts. Joe Ruben Sr. observed as the students worked, helping them through each step.

Johnny sanding the handle of his ulu.

Georgina and Denise Wolki, the two female participants in the program standing outside the warehouse to observe the ulu making process.

“It was really good to see and learn from our elder.

Making the ulus requires a lot of patience and time but that was part of what made it a great experience,� said Johnny Kumman Ruben.

Johnny explained how an ulu is made. The blade of the Ulu is made based on the shape of a completed ulu with a grinder. Then a drill is used to make two holes in the ulu blade. The handle is made with wood, first cut into a block shape, and then attached with nuts and bolts onto the blade. The wooden handle is shaped to your liking – it depends

This program was a success and the youth that participated learned from an elder who was welcoming and willing to teach them. The youth were able to make their own ulus and will be able to teach future generations. We hope this program continues next year. For this, funding under the Brighter Futures program is crucial. There is a lot of interest and more youth are eager to learn.

on how the user prefers to hold the ulu, what feels most comfortable. Then any roughness on the handle is smoothed out with sandpaper. Finally any rust is removed on the ulu, a smooth surface is filed so that it is easy to clean and more importantly, easy to keep sharp.

A saw blade grinded out as an ulu blade with holes for the handles drilled.

Johnny Ruben holding a near-finished ulu.

Joe Ruben Sr. securing the handle to the ulu blade/ sanding the ulu handle.

74

Lolo’s College l a v i v r Su ) ! s s e cc (& Su Guide D

uring the 2007 Arctic Youth Leadership Program, we met a soft spoken 14 year old from Paulatuk who seemed more comfortable hiding behind others than being seen or heard.

She would worry about whether she had the strength to leave her community to further her education. When she got on the plane for Inuvik, leaving behind her nephew, family and friends to attend college there, she fell apart and melted in a pool of tears. Today, Lauren Green is 20 years old, and winner of the ConocoPhillips General, Trades and Technology bursary. She is also the youngest and valedictorian of her Office Administration Certificate class. Still soft-spoken, Lauren now has a strength behind her words and she is not afraid to go for her dreams.

“I feel that I deserve it (the bursary). I have been working hard this semester,” she says. She is the youngest child in her family, and the first to attend and complete the program. “The family I have really supported my cousin Bernice and I in education, we are the youngest going to college after high school.”

Lauren’s friends and family call her Lolo, or ‘Lo’ for short, which compliments her easy going nature. “I was pretty shy. I still am, a bit,” she says. “The first couple of weeks [at college] I kept to myself, but I started getting to know my classmates. Nicolinea Minakis, she’s very motivational. The people I’m surrounded by boosted my self esteem. They are always so positive, so energetic, it’s like we are a family, we all help each other out.”

Most days of the week, Lauren attends class, works twice a week at the college library, and plays badminton. “My week is pretty much planned out,” she said. “There’s a lot of homework,

Time Management between Manage your time d social an ily m fa homework, so you life. Plan your week lines. stay ahead of dead Positive People unded by Keep yourself surro support you. o wh positive people unded by The people I’m surro teem. boosted my self es Eat Healthy e caribou My parents send m fish... meat, dr y meat, dr y (and doughnuts!)

Stay active d join I love badminton an . the games in town

it’s stressful. Alice Thrasher (friend and classmate) and I try to stay ahead of homework, and are mostly done before the deadlines. It’s just a matter of time management,” she said.

Lauren is now completing her second year – towards a diploma in Office Administration, and hopes to apply for further education in Business Administration in Yellowknife, joining her cousins Dustin Gordon Ruben and Jasmine Gordon who are already there. Since younger cousin Shannon Green came to Inuvik’s East Three School to study, Lauren is with her everyday.

“I motivate her to stay in school, to stay positive.” Lauren also cooks for Shannon. “Today is the first time we are going to try making caribou stir-fry,” she says as Shannon smiles.

Lauren’s father Lawrence Ruben is Chair of the Paulatuk Community Corporation (PCC) and her mother works at the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee (PHTC), which gives Lauren an understanding of the work needed to keep the community going. She stays connected with home online and by phone, and often asks her father for advice on running meetings and presentations. For her practicum last year, Lauren went back to Paulatuk to work at the PCC and the PHTC. Lauren is aware of the many challenges faced by her isolated community, such as a lack of consistent educators. “Ever since a few of the teachers left Paulatuk, attendance has gotten pretty low. It’s based on how the teachers teach, so they drop out sometimes and don’t go back. I’m glad more people are going back to school now.”

“Growing up in Paulatuk – it’s a small isolated community, there’s not much to do, mostly just hanging out with friends, going to school. I wasted my time... I started working in 2009 on and off to keep myself busy and to make extra money.”

“Sometimes youth get low self-esteem, it’s hard to boost it up.

Our elders, parents, help to boost it up. If youth get behind the scenes of the work environment, then they’ll understand a lot more about the community, and know what’s happening, and try to make the community whole again,” she says.

Lauren Green (left) and her cousin Shannon in front of her dormitory at Aurora College.

Her love for Paulatuk is Lauren’s motivational force. “I never got a chance to visit Tippidaduyak this year, my [taatak] and [naanak’s] camp on the coast. I miss just enjoying the peace and the sound of the waves, the smell of campfire, the woodstove, enjoying time with family. I never got to see my [taatak] Tony all summer because he was out at the camp the whole time... but Education is important. Education opens up a lot of opportunities, and opens you up to the world. What I’m doing now is for the community, I want to use my best skills and abilities to help the community more, towards a better future.”

News Stories

76

NWT Youth Ambassadors Chosen 49 youth have been selected into the NWT Youth Ambassador Program this year. This program offers youth between 16 and 24 years old opportunity to volunteer at major territorial, national and international events, to develop life and work skills as well as self-confidence. This year’s Inuvialuit Youth Ambassadors are Jerri Thrasher, Dang Dang Gruben, James Day, Davonna Kasook, and Jacob Peffer.

In the past, they have attended the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Winter Games, the Circumpolar Games in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and the North American Indigenous Games. Youth will be assigned to either the Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska (March 2014), or the North American Indigenous Games in Regina Saskatchewan (July 2014).

“We are excited to bring in the next group of vibrant young people who, through their collective efforts, will gain the skills to help us build a strong future for the NWT,” said Minister Responsible for Youth Robert C. McLeod. “Year after year, our

Land of the Pingo’s Music Festival

This year’s NWT Youth Ambassadors will be volunteering at the AWG in Fairbanks, Alaska (March 2014), or the North American Indigenous Games in Regina Saskatchewan (July 2014).

Youth Ambassadors have consistently impressed people from across Canada and around the world.”

Visit www.nwtyouth.com

“It’s pretty fun meeting new people, learn new things, and you get to show your culture,” said Dang Dang Gruben, who has been chosen as a youth ambassador for the 2nd time.

Youth can also take on specialized roles mentoring new ambassadors or demonstrating Inuit and Dene games.

Applicants were selected based on their community involvement, commitment to a healthy lifestyle and a personal reflection on how the Youth Ambassador Program will help them in the future.

James Day (right) demonstrating Northern Games with fellow youth ambassadors.

Dang Dang Gruben, youth ambassador for the 2nd time.

Tuktoyaktuk held its first ever “Land of the Pingo’s Music Festival” last August with great success. Musical performances featured the C-weed Band and local Performers, and there was also a jigging

contest and a cookout. There was even an Elvis impersonator, who was a huge hit.

The community and performers enjoyed jamming and dancing, and look forward to holding this event again next year.

Debbie Raddi and her twin with Elvis.

(Debbie Raddi photos)

C-Weed with Mardy Voudrach.

Elvis signing autographs.

Host Erwin Elias

Elvis singing to Margaret (Steen) Brown

Tribute to

Edward Angusinauk Ruben (May 1st, 1917 – September 23rd, 2013)

Edward Angusinauk Ruben was a pillar, an inspiration, a role model and a father figure in his home community of Paulatuk. His kind words of wisdom, his motivation and inspiration for all young and old, his loving and caring ways are missed dearly by the whole community on his passing at 96 years old. Edward was determined that all Inuvialuit work together.

He was always committed to taking action to better his community and never afraid to speak up for all Inuvialuit.

A key member of COPE and a negotiator for the IFA, Edward worked with many lnuvialuit such as the late Nelson Green, Bertha Ruben, Wallace Goose, Agnes Semmler, Mark Noksana and many others, translating at public meetings and community interviews, using his traditional knowledge to fight for Inuvialuit land rights.

From the 1970s onwards, Edward’s contributions includes the Land Use and Occupancy Study which was the basis for the signing of lnuvialuit Nunangat, the lnuvialuit Proposal to Settle lnuvialuit Land Rights. He was also an original member of the COPE Language Project.

Edward remained active even in his later years, participating in community meetings and advising on social issues. The lnuvialuit are stronger because of his leadership.

Edward traveled extensively through the ISR, to the Eastern Arctic and to Ottawa and southern cities to promote Inuvialuit land rights. He has equal respect for all, and leaves a legacy of strong family values, respect for the wildlife, the land, lnuvialuit culture and language.

Extracted from IRC, PCC and Peter Green’s tributes to Edward Ruben

Edward Ruben at a Cope AGM, 1977.

78

Kendra Kudlak and Ronald Oliktoak, Ulukhaktok Youth Center workers help create an anti-drug safe haven at the youth center.

to work fully aware of that. They make the most of the programs they can run, and each user is allowed 15 minutes on a computer, and 10 minutes playing Wii. Youth workers and youth celebrating Halloween.

Youth workers have short half hour dinner breaks, and dedicate most evenings to the center running activities, supervising and cleaning up after children, but they work without complaints. “It important to have a youth center so the kids don’t need to get into drugs and alcohol,” Kendra says.

Ronald Oliktoak, 18 year old fellow

“ Be the bigger person & walk away.”

Kendra Kudlak Children making bannock at the UYC.

youth center worker, agrees. “[Drugs] It’s not good for your health,” he says. They have seen the effects of drugs and alcohol on others and do not wish it for anyone.

The most popular activities here are baking and movies.

They make bannock in the central kitchen shared with the recreation hall and there are lots of laughs as the children mixed up dough. The innocence of this young laughter often changes as youth become teenagers.

words and photos by Zoe Ho

A

t the right side of the Ulukhaktok Community Hall is the Ulukhaktok Youth Center. A narrow, windowless room, where every wall is full – there is furniture, an entertainment system, a short row of desktop computers, and some shelves with boxes of board games and craft materials. The colourful schedule on the wall shows the daily programs, run from 2:45pm till 11pm.

“It’s really small and sometimes it can get really crowded,” says Kendra Kudlak, 16 year old youth center worker. “We do wish for a bigger space... and to have more funding to take the kids out, on the land, to go sliding.”

However the youth center is a haven for youth in Ulukhaktok, from young kids to teenagers, and almost everyday, Kendra comes in

The disconnect between what they see on TV and the internet, versus the options available to them in a remote arctic community are sometimes jarring. “It’s hard to learn what you need at school for college, we have so few teachers here,” says Kendra. There are youth lured by drugs and alcohol to numb their boredom, or their frustrations. Sometimes staying away from drugs could mean being bullied.

“Be the bigger person and walk away,” says Kendra. She and Ronald are part of a core group of youth who are anti-drug and alcohol, determined to support each other to achieve their dreams. They both want to go to college in Edmonton, Kendra for Electrical and Ronald for Mechanics.

What should youth do in the face of temptation? “Stay with people who don’t smoke dope,” says Kendra. “Come to the Youth Center and chill out with us.”

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