Inuk Youtuber hopes to promote Inuit language and culture through videos
Iglulik
Robby Qammaniq currently living in Iglulik, who runs the YouTube channel Inuktitut Biology, hopes to promote Inuktitut through his videos.
One of his recent videos, Intro to Inuktitut Human Anatomy, gives an overview of the human body identified from traditional Inuktitut names.
Inuktitut is Qammaniq’s first language and he has studied biology in a post-secondary setting.
“Inuktitut is my mother tongue and I spoke it all my life. I graduated from high school, university and college respectively, and taught for eight years,” wrote Qammaniq to Nunavut News.
By bringing an Inuit perspective to biology, he hopes to make it easier for Nunavummiut and others to learn these topics.
“Inuit traditionally did not have a writing system, therefore (the) bulk of Traditional Inuit Knowledge is yet to be documented,” reads an introduction from Qammaniq on his YouTube channel.
His goal is to fill the gap in written Inuktitut regarding “anatomy and physiology, child psychology, entomology, ornithology, etc."
He hopes everyone enjoys the videos he produces and finds them easy to learn from.
His most recent upload, Wanting to Live, was about suicide prevention, and it tries to help identify some of the causes and effects of suicide among Inuit in Nunavut.
"I hope the Inuit will be inspired to continue to live on and won't feel along watching this video!" Qammaniq wrote on the description to Wanting to Live.
"Make your parents proud!"
Winners of Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest announced
Nunavut
During the month of February, Nunavut’s Department of Culture and Heritage, in collaboration with Qaggiavuut, held the 2021 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest online.
They received 13 submissions from across Nunavut and the songs were judged by the public on originality, creativity, melody and lyrics.
The winning songs are as follows:
1st: Annirilavut – Joey Nowyuk
2nd: Nagligivagit – Debbie Oyukuluk
3rd: Kanngiaq – Daniel and Kallaarjuk Taukie
4th: Takujariurakkit – the Alphas (Taqtu Kaunak, Kukigaq Allakannuaq, Qavvik Nanordluk and Nanorak Nanoak.)
5th: Quvianaq – the Alphas (Taqtu Kaunak, Kukigaq Allakannuaq, Qavvik Nanordluk and Nanorak Nanoak.)
6th: Qungallutit – Daniel Kolola
7th: Qatanngutigiittuta – Eemali Koloa
8th: Anaanaga – Eva and Mallory Okatsiak
9th: Tikittugu – Mary Mike and Joey Nowyuk
10th: Nutarautilluta – Rosalie Pissuk
First to third place winners received $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 respectively, while the seven runners-up were awarded $500 each.
The winning songs can be found on the Qaggiavuut website.
photo courtesy of the Department of Education
Education Minister commends Nanook School’s land-based program
Apex
Education Minister David Joanasie congratulated Nanook School for their Nuna School land-based program winning the EECOM (Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communications) Award for Outstanding K-12 Schools during the Feb. 26 sitting of the legislative assembly.
“In our schools, the land is an important place for experiential learning. Land-based educational programs provide students with culturally relevant learning experiences that go beyond the four walls of the classroom,” Joanasie said on Feb. 26.
“The Nuna School program is the first land-based Kindergarten to Grade 12 school program in Canada. Students are outside learning on the land everyday in all types of weather, combining a land-based approach, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, while meeting the learning outcomes from our curriculum.
He adds that it wouldn’t have been possible if not for the support of the Niaqunnguu District Education Authority, the Apex community, parents and the educators of Nanook School.
Airfield assessments to take place in various communities
Nunavut
Between March 3 and 12, members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, alongside two members of the United States Air Force Air National Guard will be visiting various communities.
They will be assessing airfield infrastructure in Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Resolute Bay Arctic Bay and Alert.
"These assessments are being done in support of a wide range of potential domestic missions including disaster relief and humanitarian aid," Public Affairs Officer Ken Jacobson wrote in a public service announcement from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Risk mitigation procedures will be followed, such as mask wearing and frequent cleaning of surfaces.
Participating US personnel have been isolating for 14 days alongside the remaining team members in Yellowknife, NT, prior to beginning their mission.
Call for applications for Cultural Activities Program
Qikiqtani
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is inviting proposals for the Qikiqtani Cultural Activities Program (QCAP) for all Qikiqtani communities for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
This was previously suspended in mid-March 2020 due to Covid-19.
In light of the pandemic applicants are required to submit a health and safety plan, indicating how program participants will be protected with the use of facemasks and physical distancing, as well as how facilities will be sanitized during program delivery.
QCAP supports community-based cultural programs, with priority given to land and sewing programs, although QIA will also consider other Inuit cultural programs.
Applications can be completed online at www.qia.ca/qcap-application/, where more information about program guidelines can be found.
Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee members needed
Nunavut
The Government of Nunavut’s (GN) Climate Change Secretariat is looking for youth between the ages of 18 and 29 to serve on a Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee.
The committee will provide input into climate-change related initiatives across Nunavut.
Members will:
- Raise awareness among Nunavummiut on climate change issues affecting their communities;
- Provide a youth perspective and input on GN climate change programs, policies and activities;
- Advise the GN on emerging climate change issues of concern to youth;
- Represent Nunavut youth at climate change gatherings;
Have the opportunity to become engaged climate change leaders in Nunavut.
People can apply by visiting their local Government Liaison Officer or online at www.climatechangenunavut.ca.
