Qikiqtani Truth Commission Thematic Reports and Special Studies 1950-1975 Qikiqtani Truth Commission Thematic Reports and Special Studies 1950-1975 Inhabit Media would like to acknowledge the support of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA). Without their generous support this publication would not have been possible. Published by Inhabit Media Inc. www.inhabitmedia.com Contributors Inhabit Media Inc. (Iqaluit), P.O. Box 11125, Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 1H0 (Toronto), 146A Orchard View Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1C3 The work required to plan, research, and write the studies published in this book occurred in two phases. Design and layout copyright © 2013 Inhabit Media Inc. Text copyright © 2013 Qikiqtani Inuit Association phase 1 Photography copyright © 2013 Library and Archives Canada, Northwest Territories Archives, qikiqtani truth commission and Tim Kalusha (2007 to 2010) All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrievable system, The QTC phase included most of the research, the production of a research without written consent of the publisher, is an infringement of copyright law. database, draft background reports, indexing of testimonies, and writing of the Commissioner’s report and two special studies. We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for our publishing program. Printed in Canada Project Management Madeleine Redfern, Executive Director, QTC, with advice and support from ISBN 978-1-927095-63-8 Commissioner James Igloliorte; Terry Audla, Executive Director, QIA; Joa- nasie Akumalik, QTC staff. Historical Services Julie Harris, Contentworks Inc., Coordinator; Dr. Philip Goldring, Ph.D, Senior Historian; Ryan Shackleton, Historian, Contentworks Inc.; Joan Bard Miller, Information Manager, Contentworks Inc. QTC Research Strategy and Background Studies Madeleine Redfern; Philip Goldring, Ph.D.; Julie Harris; Ryan Shackleton; Frank J. Tester, Ph.D.; Francis Levésque, Ph.D. | v vi | Qikiqtani Truth Commission: Thematic Reports and Contributors | vii Special Studies 1950–1975 Linguistic Support Inuktitut Translation Carole Cancel, Ph.D.; Jay Arnakak; Joanasie Akumalik. Jay Arnakak; Mali Curley; Julia Demcheson; Veronica Dewar; Elisapee Ikkidluak; Emily Ilinik; David Joanasie; Leonie Kappi; Pujjuut Kusugak; QTC Final Report: Achieving Saimaqatigiingniq Nina Tootoo; Blandina Tulugarjuk. James Igloliorte, Commissioner; Madeleine Redfern, Executive Director; Brian Cameron, Ph.D., editor and writer; Jay Arnakak, Inuit Advisor and Authors Linguistic Support. Julie Harris; Philip Goldring, Ph.D.; Madeleine Redfern; Natascha Mor- rison; Alice Glaze; Teresa Iacobelli, Ph.D.; Francis Levésque, Ph.D.; Ber- Analysis of the RCMP and Inuit Sled Dogs (2006) Report nadette Johnson; Joan Bard Miller; Brian Cameron, Ph.D. (Introduction). Madeleine Redfern; Philip Goldring, Ph.D. Research Support The Official Mind Linda Radford, Ph.D.; Pamela Gross; Anna Gilmer; Gail Cummings; Hugh Philip Goldring, Ph.D. Goldring. Publishing and Art Direction phase 2 Neil Christopher, Inhabit Media; Ellen Ziegler, Inhabit Media. qikiqtani inuit association (2011 to 2013) Graphic Design Marijke Friesen. QIA managed the completion of the full set of QTC studies, as well as the preparation of materials for publication. Copy Editing Laura Legge. Project Management Bethany Scott, QTC Project Manager, QIA; Navarana Beveridge, Executive Reviewers Director, QIA. Mary Akavak; Olayuk Akesuk; Joanasie Akumalik; Larry Audlaluk; Stevie Aulaqiaq; John Amagoalik; Paul Amagoalik; Madeleine Cole; Yvonne Earle; Historical Services Louise Flaherty; Rutie Gardner; Peter Kattuk; Sandra Kownak; Zacha- Julie Harris, Contentworks Inc., General Editor and Coordinator of Re- rias Kunuk; Mikidjuk Lyta; Annie McGowan; Rita Mike; Jerry Natanine; search and Writing; Philip Goldring, Ph.D., Senior Historian. Yvonne Niego; Philip Paniaq; Abraham Qamaniq; Madeleine Redfern; Colin Saunders; Bethany Scott; Craig Welsh. Acknowledgements here are many people who deserve thanks for their part in the work of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission and in the development of these Treports. Heartfelt gratitude to the Inuit Elders and community members whose memories and words are the foundation of this work. Past and present Qikiqtani Inuit Association boards of directors, es- pecially those who were members of the Dog Slaughter and Relocation Committee. Commissioner James Igoliorte and QTC executive director Madeleine Redfern for their work in making known this part of our history and bearing witness to the stories of this region. Julie Harris and the staff at Contentworks, Inc., especially Joan Bard Miller. Without their tremendous effort and dedication to this project, these reports would not exist. Philip Goldring for his expertise and guidance. Mark Poirier at SHOK Media for his work in creating the video record of the Commission. Neil Christopher and the team at Inhabit Media for their part in the development of the QTC books. All of the community members who provided valued and valuable feedback as the work developed. The team of translators who put in countless hours to create the Inuktitut versions of these reports. Qujannamiimmarialuk. Finally, thank you to the staff at QIA, each of whom supported this project in big and small ways. | ix Supporters Dedication The work of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission would not have This book is dedicated to the Inuit of the Qikiqtani region. been possible without the financial support of the following May our history never be forgotten and our voices be forever organizations: strong. Qikiqtani Inuit Association Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Makivik Corporation Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation First Air Air Inuit Unaalik Aviation Kenn Borek Air Ltd Government of Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada A Note on Photographs A PICTURE CAN BE worth A THOUSAND WORDS, HOWEvER . Visual representation, through film and photography, is not objective. The viewer has no idea what occurred in the moments just before or just after a photo was taken, nor are they privy to what was left on the cutting room floor. The context in which a photo was taken can affect or change what the viewer feels when they engage with the photograph. During his review of the community history of Resolute Bay, John Amagoalik, executive advisor at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, recounted a story that drives this point home. The woman in this photograph is my mother. This photograph was taken when Governor General Vanier visited Resolute in the late 1950s or early 60s. A few weeks before he arrived, they came around to all of our homes and told our mothers that the children had to be clean-looking when Vanier arrived. If that meant sewing new kamiiks or parkas, so be it. The day Vanier arrived, they came into our home and ordered my mother to go out and play music for him. And they ordered us children outside to dance. Readers are asked to be mindful of the fact that what you think you see in these historical photographs does not reveal the context in which the photograph was taken. | xiii xiv | Qikiqtani Truth Commission: Thematic Reports and Special Studies 1950–1975 Also, it should be noted that most of the photographs which appear in the QTC books are from national or territorial archives. Many will seem familiar to readers. Where the information was available, names of those who appear in the photographs have been included. If you notice an error Table of Contents or omission, please contact QIA so that corrections can be made for future editions of these books. list of tables . xvii foreword . 1 preface . 3 introduction . 7 Analysis of the RCMP Sled Dog Report . 7 The Official Mind of Canadian Colonialism.....67 Illinniarniq: Schooling in Qikiqtaaluk . 109 Nuutauniq: Moves in Inuit Life, 1950–1975 . 145 Palii Sikkut: Policing in Qikiqtaaluk ........... 181 Pivalliajuliriniq: Economic Development in Qikiqtaaluk . 219 Igluliriniq: Housing in Qikiqtaaluk . 247 Aaniajurlirniq: Health Care in Qikiqtaaluk.....277 Qimmiliriniq: Inuit Sled Dogs in Qikiqtaaluk . 323 QTC Final Report: Achieving Saimaqatigiingniq ......................383 endnotes . 457 references . 479 List of Tables Illinniarniq: Schooling in Qikiqtaaluk Schools in Qikiqtaaluk: 1962, 1970, 1979 . 142–143 Policing in Qikiqtaaluk RCMP Detachments in Qikiqtaaluk . 190 Foreword s President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, I am pleased to present the long-awaited set of reports of the Qikiqtani Truth ACommission. The Qikiqtani Truth Commission: Community Histories 1950–1975 and Qikiqtani Truth Commission: Thematic Reports and Special Studies represent the Inuit experience during this colonial period, as told by Inuit. These reports offer a deeper understanding of the motivations driving gov- ernment decisions and the effects of those decisions on the lives of Inuit— effects that are still felt today. This period of recent history is very much alive to Qikiqtaalungmiut, and through testifying at the Commission, Inuit spoke of our experience of that time. These reports and supporting documents are for us. This work builds upon the oral history and foundation Inuit come from as told by Inuit, for Inuit, to Inuit. On a personal level this is for the grandmother I never knew, because she died in a sanatorium in Hamilton; this is for my grandchildren, so that | 1 2 | Qikiqtani Truth Commission: Thematic Reports and Special Studies 1950–1975 they