An Inuit-Led Strategy for Monitoring and Responding to the Impacts of Environmental Change on Health and Wellbeing in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut

Northern Public Affairs

Volume 5, Issue 2 July 2017 kamatsiagit ulugianattumi – Safe in a dangerous place ALEX SAUNDERS Nunavut Hitmakerz: Giving young Nunavummiut a voice THOR SIMONSEN & KELLY FRASER The partnerships, the productions and the people behind the lens NORMA KASSI, ET AL Qarmaapik House: A multi-use and safe place for families in Kangiqsualujjuaq INNOVATIONS MAGGIE EMUDLUK The pursuit of Inuit sovereignty in Greenland IN COMMUNITY RAUNA KUOKKANEN Walking on thin ice: HEALTH AND Entrepreneurship in Nunavik NATHAN COHEN- FOURNIER WELLNESS Healthy caribou herds mean healthy Northerners Profiling the eNuk program MONTE HUMMEL & EARL EVANS ALEXANDRA SAWATZKY, ET AL

Reconciliation is an English word te(a)ch: Teaching code for youth empowerment and wellness JASON MERCREDI TAHA TABISH & RYAN OLIVER House of Commons about the need for a national hepatitis C strategy, book Project Jewel reviews, and more! SARAH ROGERS & FAITH RAYMOND Dji, Yemoon Oudjimaw, Dja-Nashkoom-midin, meen-baygow gabataniin dja-neebouyan ouda.

Nawii-kakwedjimaw ou Tshaoudjamaw, nawii-kakweedjiimaw: Dji-Yemahaw a Anishnabawch? Dji-Kakwedjiimawch a Anishnabawch dan-aydaytagaw weeow niiou kay-iittit n’djeesh ka-djiishakaych?

Tshaytiim a, dan-kayshingashoodaw na-djeech ka-weedjadaw ouda, Penoshway jeeshoungashouch?

Thshaytiim a niou? — Romeo Saganash, MP for Abitibi – Baie James – Nunavik – Eeyou Oral Question to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons June 21, 2017 Northern Public Affairs July 2017

FEATURES

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 7 Innovations in Community Health & Wellness Gwen K. Healey

OVERHEARD 9

ARTS & CULTURE kamatsiagit ulugianattumi – Safe in a dangerous place 15 Alex Saunders

INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Profiling the eNuk program 18 Alexandra Sawatzky, Ashlee Cunsolo, Dan Gillis, Inez Shiwak, Charlie Flowers, Oliver Cook, Michele Wood, the Rigolet Inuit Community Government, & Dr. Sherilee L. Harper

Nunavut Hitmakerz: Giving young Nunavummiut a voice 23 Thor Simonsen & Kelly Fraser

The partnerships, the productions and the people behind the lens 26 Norma Kassi, Molly Pratt, Marilyn Van Bibber, Katelyn Friendship, Jody Butler Walker, Math’ieya Alatini Mary Jane Johnson, Roger Alfred, Eugene Alfred, Kluane First Nation Lands, Resources & Heritage Department, Kluane First Nation Youth and Elders, & the Vuntut Gwitchin Natural Resources Department

te(a)ch: Teaching code for youth empowerment and wellness 33 Taha Tabish & Ryan Oliver

Qarmaapik House: A multi-use and safe place for families in Kangiqsualujjuaq 37 Maggie Emudluk

Project Jewel 41 Sarah Rogers & Faith Raymond

ARTICLES

The pursuit of Inuit sovereignty in Greenland 46 Reconciliation is an English word 58 Rauna Kuokkanen Jason Mercredi

Walking on thin ice: Entrepreneurship in Nunavik 50 BOOK REVIEWS 63 Nathan Cohen-Fournier

Healthy caribou herds mean healthy Northerners 54 Monte Hummel & Earl Evans This issue of Northern Public Affairswas made possible by the generous support of: Northern Public Affairs Volume 5, Issue 2 July 2017

Editorial Board Tim Argetsinger Sandra Inutiq Pitseolak Pfeifer Julia Christensen Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox Thierry Rodon Kirk Cameron Aviaq Johnston Jerald Sabin (Founding Editor) Paul Crowley Sheena Kennedy Dalseg (Found- Deborah Simmons Joshua Gladstone (Founding & ing & Co-Managing Editor) Kiri Staples Co-Managing Editor) Hayden King Valoree Walker Sean Guistini Rhiannon Klein Meagan Wohlberg (Online Editor) Gwen K. Healey Heather E. McGregor

Managing Editor Sheena Kennedy Dalseg

Thematic Editor Gwen K. Healey

Features Editors Jerald Sabin Meagan Wohlberg

Online Editor Meagan Wohlberg

Books Editors Christian Allan Bertelsen Nick Leeson

Layout & Copy Editing Joshua Laidlaw Alex Merrill

Special Thanks Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters should be sent with the writer’s name, address, and daytime phone number via email to [email protected], or by mail to Northern Public Affairs, 57 Balsam St., Ottawa, ON, K1R 6W8. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium. All letters become property of Northern Public Affairs and will not be returned.

Front image: Tracy Wolki and her daughter Chase Wolki on a hike and berry picking during Project Jewel’s August 2016 Family Camp. Photo credit: Faith Raymond

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2, July 15, 2017. NORTHERN PUBLIC AFFAIRS (ISSN 2291-9902) is published three times a year by Northern Public Affairs. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit www.northernpublicaffairs.ca.

NORTHERN PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS A TRADEMARK OF NORTHERN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. COPYRIGHT © 2017 NORTHERN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN CANADA. FEATURES LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Innovations in Community Health and Wellness

Gwen K. Healey

Candle ice blows into shore on Great Slave Lake, surrounding a boat used to check MeaganPhoto credit: Wohlberg fish nets at a moose hide tanning camp near Lutsel K’e, NWT.

ur communities are beautiful, loving, creative In Project Jewel, we are introduced to a land- and resilient. Dominant narratives about the based wellness program that engages individuals in NorthO are often deficit-based. Such narratives paint land-based activities while learning to manage stress, Northern communities as dark, despairing, troubled grief and trauma, and to take care of emotional places. The deficit-based narrative builds on a com- health. In te(a)ch, we learn of a program for children munity of scholarship that, for decades, has painted and youth that uses computer science technology as Canada’s North as an unpleasant place that is either a medium for storytelling and self-exploration. Qa- unworthy of investment or in need of outside advo- rmaapik House shows us the power of a heart-cen- cacy. That is an unfair and one-sided depiction of tred approach to supporting and caring for families. our communities. There are traumas, poverty, and The eNuk project expands on millenia-old processes hardship, but there is also creativity, caring, wisdom, for monitoring the land to bring our role as stewards and wellbeing in greater amounts. of the land into the digital age. Nunavut Hitmakerz As Northerners, we are innovative; our view of explores how music, song, and lyrics breathe life into the world is unique. We have special relationships our stories and the way we tell them, and how mu- with the land, the animals, music, arts, and story- sic shifts the distribution of power by elevating other telling that do not get the attention they deserve voices. The Arctic Institute for Community-Based in contemporary literature about the North. The Research uses filmmaking to document knowledge in dominant narratives that highlight our deficits dis- the community, strengthen intergenerational relation- empower us. This issue of Northern Public Affairs was ships, and foster wellness among youth. motivated by a desire to showcase initiatives that To be innovative is to be experimental, creative, build on our strengths, contribute to wellbeing, and revolutionary, or modern. Sometimes the medium empower our communities across the North. of an intervention itself can be innovative, such as Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 7 Photo credit: MeaganPhoto credit: Wohlberg Tents at a moose hide tanning camp near Lutsel K'e, NWT. in the example of te(a)ch or eNuk. Other times, the Bringing these projects together into one place, intervention builds on well-established evidence and such as in this issue of the magazine, can not only is applied in an innovative way that challenges the help to raise awareness and highlight the import- service system to operate differently — such as in the ant work taking place in our communities but can example of Project Jewel and Qarmaapik House. In also contribute to pan-Northern collaboration and the information age, the use of multimedia is a mod- knowledge exchange. This is an opportunity to cre- ern and innovative way to share stories, song, and ate a space for collaboration, networking and part- experiences with a wider audience, as demonstrated nership-building across territories and regions. It is by Nunavut Hitmakerz and Arctic Institute of Com- critical for policy-makers and for communities and munity-Based Health Research film projects. organizations to have the opportunity to learn from A common thread among these projects is one another and to be inspired by each other’s work. that the youth, adults, and Elders who participate Mary Simon recently released a report on a feel better as a result, on a number of dimensions. Shared Arctic Leadership Model. In this model, nine They feel better about themselves, their capabili- principles of partnership were highlighted, one of ties, their relationship with the land, and their rela- which focused on how Northern leadership must be tionships with peers and others in the community. recognized and enabled to ensure community-based In the context of the on-going traumas and hard- and community-driven solutions. The projects that ships faced by members of our communities, these appear in this issue are examples of Northern lead- programs are essential. ership and the community-driven solutions Simon How can and should public policy and funding calls for. These six projects just scratch the surface models change to ensure that more of these projects of what is possible when Northerners take the lead. receive the support they deserve? Decision-makers Our collective Northern knowledge, approaches, and funders need to recognize our ability, our ca- and philosophies are brilliant. We work together, pabilities, our intelligence, and how our histories, across our Northern lands, to achieve what we know languages, stories, arts, music, engineering, and sci- in our hearts to be possible. We are innovative. We ences can thrive with the right supports. We need are intelligent. We are solution-seeking. Our people systems-level change to effectively ensure that hu- are our greatest strength. Let’s keep working togeth- man and financial resources are allocated in a way er, showcasing our creativity, and inspiring our youth that facilitates community-led solutions. – the next generation of Northern leaders. ◉ 8 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 OVERHEARD

Dendys (Liberal – Mountainview), Wade Istchenko (Yukon Party – Kluane), and Liz Hanson (New Democratic Party – Whitehorse Centre) delivered remarks to the Assembly.

Hon. Ms. Dendys: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Ottawa recognition of the International Day Against Ho- mophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which is celebrated on May 17. This day was first spearheaded by a Montre- al-based organization that works to protect the rights On March 20, 2017, MP Michael McLeod (Liberal – of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Northwest Territories) spoke in the House of Commons about queer and two-spirited community. The focus of the the need for a national hepatitis C strategy. day is to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by this community throughout Mr. McLeod: Mr. Speaker, hepatitis C is a con- the world. We know, thanks to the tireless open-heart- tagious viral infection that ranges in severity from ed work of the local members of the lesbian, gay, mild illness lasting a few weeks to serious lifelong liv- queer, transgender and two-spirited communities er disease. NWT has the highest rate of hepatitis C here in Yukon, that this discrimination is real, valid in Canada. About 250,000 people are infected with and threatens safety, security and full participation in the virus in Canada, but most are unaware that they society here in Yukon and around the world. are infected. Many patients do not experience any We are learning from our friends in these com- symptoms until their liver becomes so damaged that munities, thanks to their work, the events like last they develop cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. November’s Tran Inclusion Forum hosted by All I encourage the development of a national hep- Genders Yukon and the Victoria Faulkner Women’s atitis C strategy that includes voluntary testing for Centre. We know that sexuality and gender identity everyone born between 1945 and 1965, who make are not the same thing. We know that gender is not up the majority of cases in Canada, as recommend- binary. We know that we need to learn more from ed by the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- each other, ask questions and to get comfortable. tion. Like many diseases, if caught early, there are Most importantly, we know that discrimina- much better outcomes for patients. If we work to- tion and violence must end now. The theme of this gether, we can limit the impact of this virus and pro- year’s campaign is “No Matter the Gender.” The tect the health of all Canadians. ◉ campaign works to highlight the lived experience of trans people. The campaign also aims to raise public awareness about the ongoing systemic challenges that trans people experience in everyday life. Here in Yukon, our government is committed to ensuring the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited Yukoners. We are Whitehorse taking steps in this session to ensure trans, two-spirited and non-binary Yukoners have equal access to Government of Yukon programs and services by amending the Vital Statistics Act and the Human Rights Act. We are also reviewing our internal pro- On May 17, 2017, the Yukon Legislative Assembly recognized cedures and talking to our partners to ensure other the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and legislation, policies or practices do not discriminate Biphobia. The occasion was marked across Canada, but took against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer on special significance in Yukon as legislators debated the inclu- and two-spirited Yukoners. sion of “gender identity” and “gender expression” in the territo- Inclusiveness, equality and a respect for diversity ry’s human rights code. Those protections were passed into law are principles critical to our people-centred approach and received assent on June 13, 2017. The Honourable Jeanie to wellness, one that will see all Yukoners thrive. This

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 9 approach is supported by the work of the Women’s of depression and other mental health problems as- Directorate, which provides advice and analysis sup- sociated with discrimination. port to other departments on lesbian, gay, bisexual, While there is still a long way to go, advocates transgender, queer and two-spirited non-discrimina- have worked hard and worked tirelessly to inform, tory, gender-inclusive language and gender-equali- educate and promote awareness worldwide. By us- ty rights. The directorate has already taken steps to ing this day to celebrate and bring awareness to sex- support the gender-inclusive approach where pos- ual and gender discrimination, we are able to come sible, including revising language in internal docu- together with one voice to stand up against human ments and updating our public gender-equality in- rights violations and hatred. dicators website to include the experiences of trans, We have seen strong support networks and alli- two-spirited and non-binary Yukoners. ances in our communities and in our schools, and we The Women’s Directorate will be working with our are beginning to teach our children to embrace one partners to hear what they think about what our gov- another for who they are. By teaching our children ernment can do to support the inclusion and equality of to accept differences at an early age, we are raising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spir- them to be welcoming and accepting adults. Togeth- ited Yukoners in Yukon communities. Again, I want to er we are working toward healthy, socially inclusive thank these partners, advocates and community organi- communities, free from discrimination and bullying, zations for their tireless work and dedication. while we reflect today on the need for an- under Organizations such as Queer Yukon and All standing and respectful community that is support- Genders Yukon, Parents and Friends of Lesbians ive of all Yukoners. and Gays Yukon, the Yukon Queer Film Alliance, So we must continue to work together to ensure the various gay-straight alliances and their allies the rights of all Yukoners are respected every day. do so much to fight discrimination and build up a healthy Yukon community for everyone. Ms. Hanson: On behalf of the Yukon New In closing, I would like to ask my colleagues to Democratic Party, I am pleased to also pay tribute to join me in recognizing International Day Against the International Day Against Homophobia, Trans- Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Together phobia and Biphobia. we can work to ensure that members of the lesbian, So why do we need an international day against gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited homophobia, transphobia and biphobia? The first community feel safe at home in Yukon, with the un- clue is in the first word. While the rights of LGBTQ derstanding that we will ensure their rights are up- people in Canada are slowly – even as we witnessed held each and every day. just yesterday – being recognized in law, internation- ally it’s a very different story. Mr. Istchenko: It’s a privilege to rise today on Many people may find it hard to believe, but it behalf of the Yukon Party Official Opposition to was not until May 17, 1990 that the World Health pay tribute to the International Day Against Ho- Organization removed the classification of homo- mophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which takes sexuality as a mental disorder. In Canada, over the place annually on May 17. course of my working career – which, while it may This campaign began in 2003 as a national day be long, isn’t really ancient history – I can attest to against homophobia. Over the years, and due in the fact that historically, even in the federal public ser- large part to societal progressions in Canada, this vice, it was a hostile place for lesbian, gay, bisexual day has broadened in scope to include transphobia and transsexual people. Until the 1990s, our feder- and biphobia. Today we celebrate our differences al government actively discriminated against people and stand up against discrimination faced by many who were perceived to be gay. They were spied on, Yukoners and people around the world. As we tribute they were followed, they were interrogated, and the this day, we promote awareness of the daily struggles government fired them if they thought they were gay. faced by the LGBTQ community and inspire a shift There are Yukoners who have experienced that, to a more accepting and open-minded society. Mr. Speaker. In his press release today, the Prime Recent years have seen a rapid increase in Minister said, “Today, I ask Canadians and people awareness and acceptance across Canada and here around the world to fight hatred, honour love, and in the Yukon. As people become more comfortable defend human rights for everyone. Together, we can in their bodies, there has been a drive for acceptance build a world where all of us are free to be who we for all. This change in thinking leads to a happier are and love who we love.” and more inclusive society and results in lower rates Former federal employees who were fired for

10 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 who they were perceived to love are still waiting for the current government to fulfill its promise to issue an apology to former LGBTQ public service workers who were fired or discriminated against. May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Yellowknife This year, the International Day Against Ho- mophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia has placed a special focus on families, including the role of families in the wellbeing of their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer members and the In December 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and respect for the rights of diverse families. The min- then-President Barack Obama announced a five-year offshore ister spoke of the theme and, to complement that drilling ban in Arctic water. On June 2, 2017, MLA Kieron theme, the motto for the International Day Against Testart (Kam Lake) asked Premier Bob McLeod (Yellowknife Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is “Love South) about the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Makes a Family.” response to the ban and whether sufficient resources were in We are all part of families, and these families in- pace to protect the Arctic environment. fluence most aspects of our lives, shaping our identities, our values and the way in which we live. There Mr. Testart: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the is- are also many different ways of expressing family sue of offshore drilling, most Arctic nations have belonging. We may have close biological families, noted several concerns related to offshore drilling: foster families, extended families and new families The environmental sensitivity, remote locations with that we create. One’s family should be a place where limited access, oil spill response, and winter Arctic one has security and safety, and we all want and conditions, limited Arctic class drilling and marine need to be accepted and respected in our family and infrastructure, late season operating challenges such social environment. Yet families are often not safe. as limited daylight and ice conditions. The proposed Young people who are experimenting with their sex- solutions to these problems haven’t often worked. I’d uality or who identify as LGBTIQ are often placed like to ask the Premier if he believes that industry at odds with family values and social expectations. is positioned well enough to safely conduct Arctic Along with LGBTIQ, people who set up alternative drilling in our waters or offshore of the Northwest families may experience stigma, rejection, violence Territories. Thank you. and a lack of support. The failure to be protected and respected inside a family or community system Mr. Speaker: Masi. The Honourable Premier. is often complicated by social and religious beliefs, and it is almost always painful and distressing. Hon. Mr. McLeod: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There On May 17, we recognize and celebrate the fact have been over 100 wells drilled in the Beaufort Sea that so many people are able to express their sexu- and we have not had a blow-out like they have had in ality and their sexual and gender identity and make the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. choices about family formations. We also celebrate the families and communities that support and em- Mr. Testart: Well, I appreciate that we’ve been safe brace them. May 17 is a day to recognize that many so far, but these problems persist. This is the reason people have neither families nor family and social why a ban was put in place by Canada. I’d just like support for their sexualities, identities and practices. to take a minute to quote from debates in Hansard As such, their sense of belonging and home is com- of February 2, 2013, when the Premier said: plex, difficult and unfulfilled. “The Government of the Northwest Territories As we recognize this day, we in Yukon reaffirm is focused on managing the business of the territo- our determination to ensure that all forms of dis- ry. It has to be our primary objective not telling the crimination based on gender expression and gender Government of Canada how it should do its busi- identity are prohibited. We recognize this day as ness. Further, we aren’t the federal opposition. We’re part of the ongoing commitment to dignity, social governing our own right and we need to concentrate justice, equality and security for all members of our on managing our own affairs. We will continue to society – indeed all societies. ◉ work with the federal government and raise issues that matter to Northerners.” So why has the Premier now taken a different

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 11 approach to this, which seems not to respect the and Minister Bennett in which they will be under- jurisdiction of Canada; and instead of working with taking a one-year consultation process with existing Canada to find a solution to the challenges related offshore oil and gas rights holders to seek views on to offshore drilling, we’ve condemned them ina their interest. This process will engage key partners political forum. Can the Premier answer that, why including rights holders, territorial governments, his approach has changed and his relationship with and land claim agreement holders. These consul- Canada on this issue? tations will be an opportunity to discuss a number of issues that you have raised including home man- Hon. Mr. McLeod: The Member is quite quick agement and resource revenue arrangements in the to put words into my mouth, but I’ll set the record Beaufort Sea. We believe that those are legal com- straight. We were a bit opposed to the process and mitments and that we should get on with it and it’s approach that the Government of Canada took to not something that we should tie on to some other impose a permanent moratorium and ban on oil and process where we can just raise it. gas drilling in the Beaufort Sea. That’s what we’re opposed to. We have wanted a system that would be Mr. Speaker: Masi. Oral questions. Member for safe and protect the environment. We believe in bal- Kam Lake. ance, development, and to permanently ban oil and gas drilling without input from people most affected Mr. Testart: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It sounds like without any economic development strategy in place the Premier is starting to understand what it’s like to to offset the jobs that would be lost, to leave trillions of be a Regular Member. Often, we raise concerns that dollars’ worth of oil and gas in the ground, I think is are put to study or put to an internal working group abandoning the responsibility. Also, we negotiated in when we’re not at the tables, so perhaps this will in- good faith the Devolution Agreement with the Gov- form his relationship when we’re working with the ernment of Canada. Part of that Devolution Agree- government to find out how to make good decisions ment was that we would negotiate the co-manage- for people. My last question, Mr. Speaker, we’ve cut ment of the Beaufort Sea and the offshore and also $5 million out of our public service capacity to ad- how resource revenues would be dealt with. That’s dress oil and gas development in the Northwest Ter- what we’re concerned about. ritories. With what little is left, is that being used to address these issues and to develop an appropriate Mr. Testart: I appreciate that explanation from the response to offshore drilling? Thank you. Premier. There’s a clause in that Devolution Agree- ment that allows us to take disputes through that Hon. Mr. McLeod: Mr. Speaker, there’s an old say- process. Is the Premier going to use the Devolution ing about shutting the barn door after the cows have Agreement to bring Canada to task on this issue? I left the barn. We have no oil and gas development should point out that it’s not a permanent ban. It’s a production going on in the Northwest Territories as five-year ban that can be revisited, so is the Premier of this date. If you look around the territory, there’s going to wait for five years until we can revisit that not one drop of oil being produced. A large part of decision or are we going to access the Devolution this is the oil and gas moratorium in the Beaufort Agreement to start these negotiations early and as where everything is shut down and, since then, there’s he’s clearly stated, he’s a strong believer in this eco- been no other oil and gas development. People have nomic opportunity. Are we going to make it happen lost confidence in their ability. If the federal govern- through the Devolution Agreement? ment can wipe away trillions of dollars of oil and gas in one swipe, then how do you expect industry to in- Hon. Mr. McLeod: I’m a strong believer that, if vest millions of dollars to develop? As a government, we pontificate on something, we should make sure if there is no activity what do you want these people we get the facts right. In this case, it is a permanent to do? If there is nothing going on, do you want them ban and the Prime Minister has written to me to to sit there? That is why we have taken the approach confirm that and, as well, he has stated that they that we are going to get ready, we are going to develop would review the need for a moratorium every five an oil and gas strategy, and when oil and gas industry years. I’ve also written to him expressing my concern comes back, if it comes back, we will be ready to go. about the fact that we have had no responses to our Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ◉ request to get on with a negotiation of offshore management. He wrote back and indicated that he has put together a reviewed team led by Minister Carr

12 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 OVERHEARD

Nunavut’s Bill C 31: An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act

On March 13, 2017, the Nunavut Legislative Assembly unanimously passed Bill 31, an Act to Amend the Human Rights Act. Bill 31 added gender identity and gender expression to the prohibited grounds of discrimination in Nunavut. The territory joined the Northwest Territories and nine provinces in expressly protecting the rights of transgender people in Canada.

ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅᑮᑦ ᐲᑐᓴᓐ: ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ,ᐃᔅᓱᕙᐅᑖᖅ. ᐃᓱᒪᖅᓱᕐ ᓗᓂ ᓄᔭᒥᑎᒍᑦ ᑮᓇᒥᑎᒍᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐ ᐱᒋᐊᓚᐅᖏᓐᓂᓐᓂᐱᖁᔭᒃᓴᖅ31. ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᔪᒪᒐᒪ ᒥᑎᒍᓪᓗᐊᑎᕆᔪᒪᔭᒥᑎᒍᑦ ᐊᕐ ᓇᐅᓂᕋᖅᑕᐅᓂᒃ ᐅᕙᓂᐳᓛᕐ ᕕᒦᑦᑐᒥᑦ ᒥᓯᔅ ᑳᑐᕆᓐ ᓚᐃᑦᕗᑦ ᑯᓪᓗ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᓂᕋᖅᑕᐅᓂᒃ ᑯᓪ ᓗᐅᕝ ᕙᓘᓐ ᓃᑦ ᐊᒻ ᒪᓗᐃᕐ ᓂᖓᑦ ᑮᐅᕆᓐ ᕆᑭᓐᐴᒃ .ᐊᕙᓂ ᓯ ᕿᑎᖓᓃᓐ ᓂᕋᖅᑕᐅᓂᒃ ᑯᑦ . ᕗᓕᐅᖅ ᑎᐅᑉ ᑐᓄᐊᓃᑦ ᑐᑦ . ᐃᔅ ᓯᕙᐅᑖᖅ ᐊᓈᓇᒌᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓰᓪᓚᕆᒃ ᒫᓐᓇ9ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᐊᕕᑦᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᖓᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐ ᓯᒪᖕᒪᑎᒃ ᑖᔅ ᓱᒥᖓᒪᓕᒐᔅ ᓴᐅᔪᒥᑦ ᓄᓇᕘᒻ ᒥ ᐊᕐ ᓗᐊᕕᑎᖅᓯᒪᓂᕋᓛᖅ ᐃᓚᓕᐅᔾ ᔨᓯᒪᓕᕐ ᓇᐃᓪᓗ ᐊᖑᑏᓪᓗᐃᓕᖅᑯᓯᖏᓐᓂᑦ.ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ , ᐃᔅ ᖓᑕ ᐱᑯᑦᑐᓐᓂᐅᓂᕋᖅᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᖑᑏᑦ ᓱᕙᐅᑖᖅ. ᐊᕐ ᓇᐃᓪᓗᒥᑕᐅᑎᒋᔭᐅᖃᑦᑕᕐ ᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ. ᑕᐃᒃ ᑯᐊᓗᐋᓐᑎᐅᕆᔭᐅᒥ ᑭᒃ ᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᐃᒃᓯᕙᐅᑕᖅ: ᒥᓂᔅᑐᐲᑐᓴᓐ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᓯᒍᑎᑎᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᖏᓐᓂᓕᕆᔩᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᓯᒪᒻ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕆᒋᐊᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᔭᑎᑦ. ᒪᑕᑕᒪᒃ ᑯᐊᕿᑎᐊᓃᕈᔪᑦᑐᐃᑦ ᐱᐅᒋᔭᐅᖏᔾ ᔮᓗᐊᓲᖑᒻ ᒪᑕᐋᓐᓂᑎᖅᑕᐅᖃᑦᑕᓲᖑᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅ ᑮᑦ ᐲᑐᓴᓐ: ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ,ᐃᔅ ᑭᓇᐅᓂᑐᐃᓐᓇᖓᒪᓕᑦᑐᒍ.ᐃᓅᓯᖓᓗᒪᑦᑐᒍ. ᓱᕙᐅᑖᖅ.ᑕᕝᕙᓃᑦᑐᖓᕿᒥᕐ ᕈᔭᖅᑎᑦᑎᓇᓱᑦᑐᖓ ᒪᓕᒐᒃ ᓴᖅ 31ᑖᓐᓇᒪᓕᒐᖅ ᐊᓯᔾ ᔩᒍᑕᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ ᑕᒪᒃ ᑯᐊᑭᓇᐅᒻ ᒪᖔᖅᐱᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᕈᓐᓇᕐ ᑭᒃ ᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᖏᓐᓂᑦ.ᑖᓐᓇᓈᓴᐅᑎᖓ ᓂᖅ ᐱᑯᑦᑐᒍᑕᐅᒋᐊᖃᕈᓐᓃᕐ ᓗᓂᑭᒃ ᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᐆᖂᑕᓐᖑᐊᖅ 1ᒪᓕᒐᖓᓐᓂᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻ ᒥᐅᑕᐃᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐃᓚᓕᐅᑎᓕᕐ ᓗᓂ. ᓇᓗᓇᖏᑦ ᐃᓛᒃ ᑰᖅᑎᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖏᒻ ᒪᑕᐱᑯᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᑯᑦ.ᑖᓐᓇ ᑎᐊᓕᕐ ᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻ ᒥ ᐅᑕᐃᑦ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᒻ ᒪ ᖔᑕ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᔪᖅ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᓂᕐ ᒧᑦ ᐊᕐ ᓇᐅᓂᕐ ᐊᕐ ᓇᐅᒻ ᒪ ᖔᑕᓗ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᕈᓐᓇᑎᐊᙱᑦᑐᐃᑦ ᒧᓪᓗᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᔾ ᔪᑎᐅᔪᓐᓇᕐ ᓂᐊᓕᖅᑐᓂ. ᐃᓅᓯᖃᑦᑎᐊᕈᓐᓇᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐱᑦᑎᐊᖅᑕᐅᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓛᒃ ᑰᖅᑎᑕᐅᙱᓪᓗᑎᑦ. ᐊᓯᔾ ᔨᑕᐅᑉᐸᑦ ᑖᓐ ᓇᑭᓇᐅᒻ ᒪᖔᖅᐱᑦ ᐊᖑᑎᐅᒻ ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᓴᐳᔾ ᔭᐅᒍᓐᓇᕋᔭᖅᑐᐃᑦ ᐃᓛᒃ ᒪᖔᖅᐱᓘᓐ ᓃᑦ ᐊᕐ ᓇᐅᖅᒪᖔᖅᐱᓘᓐ ᓃᑦ ᑰᖅᑎᑕᐅᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᑎᑕᐅᓗᑎᓪᓗᑕᐃᒃ ᑯᐊ ᐅᕝ ᕙᓘᓐ ᓃᑦ ᐊᓯᐊᓃᒻ ᒪᖔᖅᐱᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᒻ ᒪᖔᕐ ᒥᓂᒃ ᐊᕐ ᓇᐅᕐ ᒪᖔᕐ ᒥᓂᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᑐᐃᔪᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕋᔅ ᓯ.ᐃᓅᓪᓗᓂᐊᕐ ᓇᓗᖅᑯᑎᕈᔪᑦᑐᐃᑦ.ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ,ᐃᒃ ᓯᕙᐅᑖᖅ. ᓇᐅᓐᓂᕈᕕᑦ ᐊᖑᑕᐅᓐᓂᕈᕕᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐅᐊᑦᑎᐊᕈᒃ ᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᐊᓯᕈᖁᒍᕕᐅᒃ ᐊᓯᕈᕋᔅ ᓴᐅᒐᔭᕐ ᖓᑦ ᐃᒃ ᓯᕙᐅᑕᖅ: ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ. ◉ ᐊᒻ ᒪ ᑭᓇᐅᒻ ᒪᖔᖅᐱᑦ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᕈᓐᓇᕈᑏ. ᑕᖅᑲᐅᖓᐊᖑᑎᐅᒻ ᒪᖔᕐ ᒥᓂᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᕐ ᓇᐅᒻ ◉◉◉ ᒪᖔᕐ ᒥᓂᓪᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓴᖅᑭᔮᖅᑎᑦᑎᒋᐊᖃᕐ ᖓᑦ

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 13 Trans rights flag.

Chairman: Minister Peterson the floor is yours to trum. The person’s gender identity may be the same do your opening comments. Minister Peterson. or different than their birth assigned sex. Gender is different than biological sex and separate from a Hon. Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. person’s sexual orientation. Before I start with Bill 31, I would like to recognize Gender expression is how a person publicly in the gallery Ms. Catherine Lightfoot, and her son, presents their gender, this can include behaviour in Kieran Drachenberg, sitting behind the Premier. outward appearance, such as hair, make-up, body language, and voice, a person’s chosen name and >>Applause pronoun, he, she, him, her are also common ways of expressing gender. Currently, nine provinces and Mr. Chairman, Kieran and his mom has been one territory have included in their list of prohibited vocal supporters of this legislation and of Nun- grounds of discrimination, gender identity, and/or avummiut who are transgender. I would like to gender identity and expression. thank them for being here and sharing their person- The Ontario Human Rights Commission has al stories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. found that people who are transgender routinely face discrimination, hatred, and violence, simply be- Chairman: Minister Peterson, will you proceed cause of who they are and how they live their lives. with your opening comments? Thank you. To include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Nunavut Hon. Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Human Rights Act, is in keeping with the purpose I am here to review Bill 31, an Act to Amend the of the Act, and will make clear that Nunavummiut, Human Rights Act. Section 7(1) of the Human who are transgender have the same right to live a Rights Act contains a list of specific grounds in full and productive life as anyone else in the terri- which Nunavummiut cannot be discriminated. This tory, free of discrimination. This change will help Bill proposes to include gender identify, and gender preventative denouncing and prevent discrimination expression in our list of grounds. Gender identity is and prejudice against people who are transgender in a person’s internal sense of being a woman, a man, Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ◉ both, or neither, or anywhere along the gender spec- 14 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 ARTS & CULTURE

kamatsiagit Ulugianattumi – Safe in a dangerous place

The first in a three-part series based on a collection of family stories and memories about Inuit resilience and perseverence in Labrador.

Alex Saunders

y heart was beating like a drum. It felt as if it out about two feet, so I swam underwater towards the was almost coming out of my chest as I lay on shore until I could get my feet on some rocks and get theM bare ground just over the little rise that separat- my face out of water to breathe air trapped under the ed me from the spring sea ice. My breath was com- ice. I moved slowly, half walking and floating towards ing in great heaves and my head was spinning, only the shoreline until I got in water where I had to bend aware of the smell of the good earth as I lay there my knees in order to keep my face above water so trying to get my senses back to normal. It was the as to breathe. When I figured the depth to be about most frightening experience of my life and one that chest high, I reached down to the bottom and found I would remember for the rest of it. I had just shot a good-sized rock. I put my head under water and at a seal from the land. It was near enough for a kill pushed up with my legs, my body bent at waist level shot but I only wounded him and had gone out on the as I shot up from the bottom with all the force I could sea ice to see if it may be dead after all. As I walked muster, raising the rock above my head to smash away around the hole where the seal was lying, I noticed at the ice overhead. The ice near shore was softer than some blood on the edges. I walked in a wide circle what I had just been walking on. With one hit I was around the opening, noticing that little tiny bubbles through, my shoulders and head were above ice level of water were erupting all around me. My attention and I could claw my way ashore and stumble across was centred on the seal hole, hoping it would float up the beach rocks onto the dry land of the island I was dead, but I watched where I placed my feet, careful to camped on. keep them away from all those tiny holes that I never The tips of my fingers were blue — bet my lips paid much attention to. I walked slowly and carefully were also — and a terrible shivering and shaking began back toward the land. About forty feet away I realized as I stripped away my outer clothing and boots while the danger I was in, when all of a sudden the ice gave stumbling in the general direction of my little tent, out and I went down into the very cold, clear water, which was set up for the night. My feet and lower legs way over my head. looked pale grey and I couldn’t feel the stones and sticks I lost the rifle I was holding. It fell to the seabed as that I walked over. The shivering helped to warm me I surfaced to gasp air and try to figure out what had up, causing the muscles to produce motion thus help- happened. The ice was pretty well eaten away by the ing to warm the body, a common trait among the Inuit strong tides that cut around the point of the land and people that developed over millennia in order to circu- the Arctic sun, which gave about eighteen hours of late their blood in a bitter environment. The Inuit are sunlight every day this time of the year. The ice was an ancient people, said to be older than the moon. My rotten, full of holes. I tried to break the ice to get to skin was burning with the cold, tingling all over. I re- shore. I am a good swimmer; I spent my wayward member being in the water and starting to feel the wa- youth on the banks of the Grand River from June to ter becoming warm, knowing then that I had better get September in the Goose Bay area of Labrador, and out of it as fast as I could, or hypothermia would set in learned more about swimming while serving in the real quick. I was losing it now. The land was spinning; I Canadian Navy. But it was slow work in the ice-cov- didn’t know what direction to take that would lead me ered water that was extremely cold. I was getting ex- to my tent, a sleeping bag and dry clothing. I fell into a hausted in a matter of minutes. I went underwater to shallow depression in the earth, thank God it was dry, look around and saw my rifle about twelve feet below, the sun was high, warm on my long johns; my head which gave me some hope. I should be able to get was hurting like crazy and there was no one around to it back after I had rested for a while. The tide was help, not even a dog for solace. I couldn’t go to sleep, I Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 15 might never wake up and no one knew exactly where I gave off good instant heat but would be no good for was. I twisted and turned, beat my head off the ground a lasting fire. I had it as hot as a sauna in the tent, to try to get rid of the sand that seemed to fill both my so hot that I even began to sweat, one extreme to eyes, my vision almost completely gone. I lay back, face another, and it felt so good to sit there with beads pointed directly into the sun. I needed some warmth. of sweat dripping off my chin. I drank sweet raw I lay there letting my shivering body relax, feeling the tea that I let cool sufficiently so as not to ingest a hot heat of the sun on my skin, but I desperately needed liquid that could cause shock. I drank one cup after something to warm me completely throughout. I felt a another until I had the kettle almost empty, then I lethargic feeling settle over me that I knew to be dan- ate some fry bread and dried caribou meat and new gerous and I fought sleep. After a while I could see out pink seal fat. The fat would do me good; I believed of a tiny slit in my left eye, the other was still a blur. I my father when he said fat acts like a furnace in your noticed the position of the sun at about three o’clock stomach and warms your whole body. in the blue sky. I knew my tent door, was facing south After eating, it started to get dark and I started to so I had to keep the sun on my right side and back as I get nervous. My rifle was at the bottom of the ocean. straggled along to find my white tent somewhere in this All I had now was a small-bore 22-calibre gun that silent land. I walked, I don’t know how long, stumbling wouldn’t even dent the hide of a polar bear, and along, half conscious, sometimes aware of the sun’s po- they were around the area at this time of year. They sition, all the time with the earth spinning, dead tired moved south among the large seal herds that birthed and with a tremendous headache. I woke up half in their young on the ice pans flowing down from the and half out of my tent door just at dusk. The sun had Arctic. Spring was a dangerous time to be where I set. I don’t know how I got there, how long it took, or was, among the outer islands of the Labrador coast, how long I was unconscious, but at least my eyes had right in the path of the seals and their mortal enemy, cleared up somewhat. I was so stiff and cold I could the Great White Bear. “The great wanderer,” the In- hardly hold the Bic lighter to the dry wood shavings I uit called them, as they travelled on the sea ice and had made earlier to get the tent stove roaring. hunted seals from Greenland to the northeast coast I was camped on bare dry ground on a little of the Newfoundland island. hummock with a low hill behind me, and lots of I was exhausted. I needed sleep of the worst driftwood at the shoreline. I had a small homemade kind. I was tired, head aching, after just overcom- one-person tent that my aunt had made for me. My ing a near drowning and walking barefooted for uncle had made the small tent stove out of scrap God only knows how far. The food in my stomach quarter-inch metal he found laying around the beach and the heat were soothing and I was nodding off at Nain. The stove wouldn’t last long, but then again to sleep. Perhaps I would be safe for the night any- it didn’t matter, as I expected to only take about ten way. My long johns were dry but stiff with salt, so I days to walk from Nain to Davis Inlet where the old put them on anyway along with dry outer clothing, homestead lay. I was only about fifteen miles from loaded and lay my little gun and axe near at hand the Old Place now, about ten miles to the big island and rolled up in my sleeping bag fully clothed, be- and then overland among high hills for about five cause you never know when Mr. White Bear may miles and I would be home with the Old Folks. come scratching at your tent walls. Falling asleep, I I got the stove going. I had a boiler and a quart remembered a story my mother told of an old Inuk kettle full of spring runoff water. Luckily I had lots of in the Cape Mugford area who killed a polar bear wood cut up and fry bread made and a good supply with his axe in order to save his bullets for shooting of dried caribou meat and fat along with rice and caribou. I hoped real hard that I wouldn’t have to beans. Man, I needed the heat. I closed the door, test my abilities with a small gun and an axe against tied it tight so as to not have any chance of a draft of a monstrous bear. wind. I put the kettle on to boil, took off my damp long johns and hung them on the dry string in the TO BE CONTINUED… ◉ roof of the tent and sat on the warm caribou hide, wrapping my sleeping bag around me. I could feel Alex Saunders is a life-long writer of both fiction and non-fic- the heat seeping into my bones, even into the mar- tion. He is the author of Aullak (“On the Land”), a book row, and the wrinkles in my feet and hands started used in schools in Northern Labrador, and a number of papers to disappear. My fingertips weren’t blue any more, on addictions and intergenerational trauma. A recognized Elder, nor were my feet grey, so I knew blood was flow- Saunders serves as a healer and facilitator in the Labrador Inuit ing good again. I kept the stove stoked to the brim, community. Currently, he lives in St. Lewis, Labrador where he adding dry wood when I could fit a piece into the is raising his nine-year-old grandson. This story was published small stove. Because of the thin material, the stove with support from the Emerging Writers & Artists Fund. 16 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS Profiling the eNuk program

An Inuit-led strategy for monitoring and responding to the impacts of environmental change on health and wellbeing in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut

Alexandra Sawatzky, Ashlee Cunsolo, Dan Gillis, Inez Shiwak, Charlie Flowers, Oliver Cook, Michele Wood, the Rigolet Inuit Community Government, & Dr. Sherilee L. Harper Photo credit: Alexandra Sawatzky Alexandra Photo credit: View of Rigolet in wintertime.

The Place Rigolet, located in the Labrador Inuit Land Across the Circumpolar North, shifts in environ- Claim Settlement Area, is one of many Inuit com- mental conditions are occurring more frequently munities across the Circumpolar North that has re- and in greater intensity than ever before, largely due corded and shared observations related to land, ice, to the cumulative and combined effects of climate and sea for thousands of years. Inuit in this com- change and resource development. For Inuit community have experienced these changes first hand, munities, these environmental shifts have both acute and knowledge about environmental changes – and and chronic impacts on wellbeing and ways of life. associated strategies for mitigating and adapting to Indeed, Inuit consider the land to be intrinsically these changes – has accumulated over generations. connected to wellbeing through a multitude of in- In recent years, Rigolet has led numerous commu- extricable pathways; building and strengthening re- nity-based, participatory research initiatives to adapt lationships with the land is an underlying foundation to the impacts of changing environmental conditions for being well. on health and wellbeing. The community possesses a 18 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Photo credit: Charlie Flowers Charlie Photo credit:

Charlie Flowers, a research lead and community member in Rigolet, demonstrating the eNuk iPod app.

wealth of experience documenting and analyzing en- holders alike have identified integrated environment vironment- and health-related data. Currently, they are and health monitoring as an important strategy for working to mobilize this research to develop response adapting to changing environments while also in- strategies that enhance and support community well- forming responsive public health policies and pro- being amidst changing environmental conditions. As grams with and for communities in the North. explained by one community member, the fast pace Rigolet is at the forefront of these research ef- and immense depth of the impacts of environmental forts and is currently developing the eNuk program: changes on health and wellbeing has underscored the a community-driven, participatory, integrated envi- need for immediate, urgent action: ronment and health monitoring initiative. The participatory, community-driven nature of the eNuk This is our life, this is what we’re livin’ every day, program is essential for community members to our whole lives … and now that’s why people are all understand and share relevant, accurate environ- talking about it now because they’re scared they’re mental information while also sustaining reciprocal, gonna lose what they love so much, right? That’s intimate relationships with the environment. what I think. Why it’s such a hot topic and, why people are so concerned now is because it’s comin’ The Program so fast. And they’re worried about losing their cul- The eNuk program was conceptualized and designed ture and their way of life and their lifestyle. by, with, and for Inuit in Rigolet to streamline their existing research efforts into a comprehensive program One such strategy for addressing this need is the for monitoring and responding to various communi- integration of both environment and health fac- ty-identified environment and health research priorities. tors into comprehensive monitoring and response The program builds upon the community’s collective strategies. Indeed, community leaders, public health history, knowledge, and experience with monitoring practitioners, academics, and government stake- and sharing knowledge about environmental changes. Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 19 Photo credit: Oliver Cook Photo credit: The eNuk research team testing out iPods, cameras, and other equipment with community partners on English River in -40 conditions.

From its conceptualization through to its imple- The Development Process mentation, this program is community-led and commu- Between August 2015 and August 2016, community nity-driven. Additionally, it involves an interdisciplinary, members, local and regional government representa- multi-sectoral research team consisting of: local and tives, healthcare professionals, and the research team regional government representatives; healthcare profes- worked collaboratively to develop the foundation for sionals; and researchers from the University of Guelph this program. Community partners met with the re- and the Labrador Institute of Memorial University. search team to ensure the priorities and goals of all part- This research team is working in partnership with ners were met, and to share feedback and advice on community members to develop an app and associat- aspects of the research process that needed adjustment. ed web-based tools for collecting and tracking environ- Community members felt that the most import- mental observations in the area around Rigolet. Using ant environmental observations to monitor included: the eNuk app, community members will record their freshwater and sea ice conditions; conditions of trails observations in the form of photos, videos, audio re- frequently used for travelling, harvesting, and hunting; cordings, and text descriptions while travelling, hunting, trends in animals and wildlife; and weather, temperature, fishing, and harvesting on the land. Observations col- and climate patterns. Additionally, many people felt the lected using the eNuk app can then be uploaded to the eNuk program should be designed to build on what peo- website. Once uploaded, participants have the option ple were already doing to monitor these changes. to either keep their observations private, or share them Moving beyond the identification of what envi- publicly with the rest of the community. ronmental observations are important to monitor 20 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 in Rigolet, community members and other project er’s gonna warm up, but make sure that we are [pro- partners explored why monitoring these observa- tecting our environment], what we can protect now tions was important, particularly at this point in time we should continue to protect. when environmental conditions are changing more rapidly and drastically than ever before. This led to Sharing, protecting, and passing on cultural knowledge: discussions about the role of the land in wellness for Through the eNuk program, knowledge sharing Inuit in Rigolet. As a result, the eNuk program is can be made more efficient as this program pro- grounded in and guided by Inuit values, taking the vides a means for Inuit in Rigolet to access infor- many dimensions of Inuit wellbeing into account. mation being collected by others in the community in near real-time. For example, the eNuk program The Priorities can provide a platform for many individual environ- Community members identified three main prior- mental observations, as well as cultural knowledge ities for the eNuk program: 1) retaining and cele- about the environment, to be shared publicly in one brating environmental stewardship; 2) sharing, pro- central place, allowing for participants to access a tecting, and passing on cultural knowledge; and 3) “database” of collective knowledge from their fellow contributing to evidence-based decision-making. community members when they are making deci- These priorities were grounded in the central sions about where and when to travel. importance of relationships between the land and The on-going monitoring of environmental wellness. For Inuit in Rigolet, environmental chang- observations, and sharing of cultural knowledge es are important to monitor because they impact surrounding environmental changes, has important wellbeing and ways of living. As a representative implications for emergency response and personal from the Nunatsiavut Government explained: safety. Indeed, Inuit in Rigolet felt that, in addition to protecting the land, it is important to listen The physical kinds of things around the environ- to what the land tells them about how to make in- ment … whether that’s pollutants, whether that’s formed decisions about land use, and subsequently weather, wind, amounts of snow, rain, it impacts share this knowledge with their community. people’s physical health, it impacts people’s mental Furthermore, community members in Rigolet health, ability to get off to access nutritious foods. felt that intergenerational involvement in the eNuk Spiritually it impacts people’s connection to the program should be a major priority in order to pre- land – being able to maintain that relationship. So it pare younger generations to respond and adapt to impacts everything really right across the board. current changes in the environment, as well as help to preserve and protect ways of life in unpredictable Environmental stewardship: In Rigolet, many people ex- futures. Engaging youth in monitoring is a way to plained that taking care of the land is their responsi- help transfer Inuit knowledge about the land between bility, because it takes care of them. Environmental generations, as well as foster and protect cultural and stewardship is a foundational Inuit societal value, traditional values. A community member explained and the perspectives shared by community mem- their perspective about the ways in which environ- bers in Rigolet show strong agreement with those of mental knowledge and wisdom shared and passed on: other Inuit communities across the country. Inuit have been monitoring the land for millen- When our children grow up, their whole way of nia, and keeping track of patterns and trends about living around this area is gonna be totally different various environmental conditions remains a regular than our grandparents’ … because it’s changing, we part of life for many communities, who often discuss have to change how we teach them. So, it goes back and compare patterns and trends between seasons to that, the traditional knowledge on how you use and over the years. As such, many Inuit possess an the land, what you hunt, what you don’t do, where immense amount of knowledge and wisdom about you don’t go, it’s always changing. And it’s import- the environment and observed changes over time. ant to take notice of those things. As explained by another Nunatsiavut Government representative, the eNuk program will help achieve Supporting evidence-based decision-making: A centralized the shared goal of protecting the land: and community-driven monitoring program such as eNuk can help support more relevant, meaningful It’s … making sure that we have, we still have things evidence-based decision-making. This, in turn, can in the future that we have now and we can still use contribute to the development of more targeted ad- them the same way. Understanding the fact that aptation and mitigation strategies for the communi- things are gonna change, ice is gonna change, weath- ty to cope with current changes. Additionally, as a Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 21 member of the community explained, monitoring development of the overall program to ensure that changes as they occur will help with assessing poten- the final versions of the app and website are engag- tial long-term impacts: ing, useful, and meet the initial goals set out by the community and project partners. I think that you will see more changes happening The eNuk program was developed and imple- every year. And it’s so hard to predict what those mented with collective direction, leadership, and changes are, so it’s gonna be important, through guidance from community and project partners who programs like what you’re doing, it’s noticing the generously contributed time and expertise. Moving little changes. ‘Cause it’s those little changes that’s forward, engagement among all partners via ongo- gonna be hints to what the bigger changes gonna be ing conversations and consultations will be essential comin’ down the line. to the success of the eNuk program. The end result will be an integrated community-led monitoring Until written documentation became wide- program that is grounded in and guided by Inuit spread, oral histories were widely used to pass on values, knowledge, and science. knowledge about environmental changes. Now, in The central importance of the land to wellbeing Rigolet, observations about environmental chang- and ways of life in Rigolet necessarily means that es are often shared through word of mouth and via in order for the eNuk program to be successful, the social media. “Formalizing” informal methods of pathway forward is and should be led by the com- communication through the eNuk program stream- munity itself, with Inuit autonomy and self-determi- lines information from multiple sources that can be nation at its heart. ◉ presented to decision-makers. The hope is that the information collected by Inuit in Rigolet through Alexandra Sawatzky is a PhD Candidate in Public Health at this program can help inform relevant, meaningful the University of Guelph. Ashlee Cunsolo is the Director of policies and programs that prioritize their commu- the Labrador Institute of Memorial University. Dan Gillis nity’s values and knowledge. A community member is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science shared their perspective on the importance of pri- at the University of Guelph. Oliver Cook is an MSc Candi- oritizing Inuit knowledge and Inuit sciences in envi- date in Computer Science at the University of Guelph. Inez ronment and health monitoring strategies: Shiwak is the Coordinator of the ‘My Word:’ Storytelling & Digital Media Lab in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut. Charlie Flowers Look, Western science, all that stuff is awesome, it’s is a Community Research Assistant in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut. good, and gives us the data, but on the other side Michele Wood is the Researcher/Evaluator at the Nunatisavut traditional knowledge is just as important ... Yeah Government Department of Health and Social Development. and what you’re doing here is you’re, even though Sherilee Harper is an Assistant Professor in the Department of you’re using technology and all that stuff, is you’re Population Medicine at the University of Guelph. giving people a means to be able to convey that traditional knowledge. The partners: Dr. Sherilee L. Harper, University of Guelph For Inuit in Rigolet, traditional knowledge is Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo, Labrador Institute of Memorial University dynamic, evolving knowledge that Inuit across the Jack Shiwak, AngajukKak (Mayor), Rigolet Inuit Commu- North possess about the land and marine environ- nity Government ments, and is based on long-standing observation, Inez Shiwak , ‘My Word’: Storytelling & Digital Media Lab, experimentation, and validation. Inuit knowledge Rigolet, NL or Inuit science is knowledge that is gathered and Charlie Flowers, Rigolet, NL shared in different ways than in Western science. Michele Wood, Nunatsiavut Government Dept. of Health & The eNuk program is building on this Inuit science Social Development and knowledge, and on these methods of gathering Dr. Daniel Gillis, University of Guelph and sharing information on monitoring the environ- Dr. James Ford, McGill University ment that has existed among Inuit for millennia. Dr. Chris Furgal, Trent University Alexandra Sawatzky, University of Guelph The Pathway Forward Oliver Cook, University of Guelph A pilot version of the eNuk app and website is currently being tested by a small cohort of communi- Funders: ty members in Rigolet in 2017. This cohort, along Health Canada – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch with the rest of the community and all project part- POLAR Knowledge Canada ners, will provide feedback and suggestions on the Canada Research Chairs Program 22 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Nunavut Hitmakerz: Giving young Nunavummiut a voice

Thor Simonsen & Kelly Fraser Photo credit: Kitra Cahana/Hitmakerz Kitra Photo credit: Kelly and Thor take a selfie at a community concert in Qikiqtarjuak.

The Sounds of a Culture at risk of being lost and the life potential of Inuit Inuit have lived in Nunavut for thousands of years. youth is in danger. Entire communities are suffering Long ago, in order to survive the harsh climate and due to inter-generational trauma, and much healing unforgiving environments, hunting, sewing, and oth- is needed throughout the territory. er traditional skills were a vital part of life for Inuit. Despite a difficult transition period from the tra- Far from just “surviving,” Inuit culture was rich with ditional to a Globalised way of life, the Inuit tradi- joyous recreational activities, such as sports, games, tion of music is still very much alive and thriving. art, and music. Since time immemorial, Inuit have Throat-singing and drum-dancing have given way used songs and music to express their feelings, to to square dancing and folk music, which in turn have share stories, to entertain, and to have fun together. given way to pop music, hip-hop, and EDM (elec- Over the last few centuries, however, Inuit have tronic dance music). The sense of community and experienced a complete overhaul in their way of joyful celebration created by music remains firmly life. Due of these massive changes, many Inuit face intact. And according to a handful of young, local daunting challenges – economic, cultural, psycho- artists and entrepreneurs, it creates hope for a won- logical, and spiritual. Inuit culture and language are derful opportunity of empowerment and healing. Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 23 Linking Artistic Expression to Wellness events were free for the public to attend. At the end Nunavut Hitmakerz is an initiative specifically -de of each community visit, a mobile music studio was signed to engage, inspire, and empower Nunavum- donated to a local arts organization in the community. miut youth by promoting life and career develop- All workshops and community events were pre- ment opportunities through the arts. The project sented in Inuktitut and all songs were collaboratively gives them the tools and know-how needed to ex- written, using the respective community’s local In- press themselves through musical performance, uktitut dialect. This often lead to group discussions collaborative song-writing, music production, and about the nature of Inuktitut and language educa- multimedia. The project promotes confidence and tion. The youth often mentioned that writing and self-esteem in individuals and communities, while recording professional music in their native language strengthening and celebrating Inuit culture, tradi- made them feel proud of their culture. Many of the tions, language and food (a large feast is held with participants, both young and old, described the pro- country food). The project also seeks to provide mar- cess of songwriting in their dialect as “empowering.” ketable skills training in order to expand community The team was warmly welcomed into each capacity, and bring more skills, wealth, and overall community, and the response was overwhelmingly quality of life to the communities to which it travels. positive. In several of the communities, Hitmakerz Artistic expression and positive role modelling was the first musical act to visit the community in are effective methods of intervention, proven to help decades. In these three communities, 196 people end cycles of poverty, crime, and violence. If young actively participated in the workshops, and another people are pursuing creative passion and express- 1,250 people attended other events. ing it effectively, they’ll be much more likely to stay Feedback was solicited from workshop partici- in school, stay out of trouble, and feel happier in pants through surveys and informal discussions. their lives. Self-expression brings self-esteem, which The average workshop participants ranged from leads to a more productive individual and in turn, a 3 to 51 years of age (the average was 14). More than healthier community. Traditionally, Inuit living on 95% of participants thought the workshops were fun, the land would often seek comfort from life’s chal- useful, and wanted to see more, similar workshops in lenges by singing songs, throat-singing, or perform- their community. The reactions on social media ex- ing in drum circles. Science can now validate the pressed how the workshops helped to improve the healing effects of performing such activities, making mood of many participants. The most popular aspects artistic expression more relevant than ever. of the project were the workshops in songwriting and music production, as well as the catering and feast. Nunavut Hitmakerz 2016 In August 2016, the team visited its first three Nun- Logistics, Funding, and the Future avut communities: Clyde River, Pond Inlet, and Hitmakerz is the Iqaluit-based company responsible Qikiqtarjuaq. Positive role modelling by the instruc- for the tour. The company was founded in 2016 by tors played a central role in all aspects of the tour Thor Simonsen, a music producer and entrepreneur – artistic performances, curriculum development, from Iqaluit, along with Kelly Fraser, a musician and personal storytelling, workshop delivery, and inter- political activist from Sanikiluaq. Hitmakerz worked personal interactions outside of workshops. This with local community organizations (hamlets, schools, behaviour showed the youth new ways of thinking nonprofits, Inuit organizations, etc.) to manage ev- and behaving, modelling alternative ways of dealing ery aspect of the project – curriculum development, with life challenges. funding, logistics, instruction, and finally, reporting. In each community, the visit began with a free In 2016, for the first phase of the program, concert by Kelly Fraser – a well-known Inuk pop funding was provided by the Government of Nun- singer, best known for her Inuktitut rendition of avut’s Department of Culture and Heritage and the “Diamonds” by Rihanna. After each concert, Kel- Qikiqtani Inuit Association. ly spent hours signing autographs for fans. Using Despite a successful tour, as well as dozens of Kelly’s “star power” was an important method for support letters from the hamlets, finding money to getting the youth’s attention, getting them interested fund Nunavut Hitmakerz has not been easy. Since and engaged in the material of the workshops. the first tour in 2016, Thor Simonsen and the team In the following three days, workshops were held, have worked full time on the project, writing and focusing on songwriting, music-production, and “ca- submitting funding proposals to various government reers in media and the arts.” The program also hosted agencies (federal and territorial governments, as well community events, including concerts, movie nights, as Inuit organizations), private companies, and the talent shows, and even a community feast. All the communities themselves. 24 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Photo credit: Kitra Cahana/Hitmakerz Kitra Photo credit: Hitmakerz instructors Kelly Fraser and Thor Simonsen with youth in Pond Inlet.

With partial funding secured in the spring of Kelly Fraser, who teaches songwriting, is a well-known Inuk 2017, more tours have been planned for various singer, activist, and motivational speaker from Sanikiluaq, Nun- communities – the dates and locations will be an- avut. Her music has 300,000+ hits on social media and she nounced soon. However, more funding is still need- has performed countless concerts across Canada, especially in ed if Nunavut Hitmakerz are to have positive impact Nunavut and Nunavik. Kelly rose to fame with the release of her on all the potential artists in Nunavut. Inuktitut version of Rihanna’s song “Diamonds.” Kelly has re- In future iterations of the project, more empha- cently released her much-anticipated sophomore album, Sedna. sis will be placed on creating a segue from music and Learn more about Kelly at www.kellyfrasermusic.com the arts into life skills, mentorship, tracking the long- term progress of students, and making the project Thor Simonsen, who teaches music production and “Career financially sustainable. in Media and the Arts,” is a Danish-Canadian author, art- Youth engagement and technical abilities present ist, designer, music producer, and media consultant. Original- viable methods of income, and Hitmakerz wants to ly from the Faroe Islands, Simonsen spent his childhood and ensure that educational and work opportunities are teenage years in Iqaluit, Nunavut, where he is currently based. made available to as many Nunavummiut as possible. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Danish School of Me- Eventually, the team hopes to travel to every dia and Journalism in Copenhagen, Denmark. To learn more community in Nunavut, developing and cultivating about his work, visit www.thorsimonsen.com a generation of “hitmakerz” – Nunavummiut youth with the confidence and ability to clearly express If you are interested in learning more about Nunavut Hitmakerz please themselves, artistically and otherwise. ◉ visit the project’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nuhitmakerz Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 25 INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS The partnerships, the productions and the people behind the lens

Promoting youth wellness through community-based research and filmmaking

Norma Kassi, Molly Pratt, Marilyn Van Bibber, Katelyn Friendship, Jody Butler Walker, Math’ieya Alatini, Mary Jane Johnson, Roger Alfred, Eugene Alfred, Kluane First Nation Lands, Resources & Heritage Department, Kluane First Nation Youth and Elders, & the Vuntut Gwitchin Natural Resources Department Photo credit: Arctic Institute of Arctic Photo credit: Community-Based Research Youth taking notes during an interview in Old Crow, Yukon.

ommunity-based research (CBR) can be a tems development and local community capacity building; it is powerful tool for knowledge mobilization, en- cooperative by engaging community members and re- gagingC youth, building leadership capacity, enliven- searchers in a joint process whereby each contributes ing innovation and creativity, and promoting social equally. Importantly, it balances research and action and is change. Also known as community-based participa- an empowering process through which participants can tory research or participatory action research, CBR increase control over their lives by nurturing commu- is: participatory, a co-learning process and a method for sys- nity strengths and problem-solving abilities. 26 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 The Arctic Institute of Community-Based Re- The Partnership – Kluane First Nation’s search (AICBR), co-founded in 2007, is an inde- Nourishing Our Future, 2013-2016 pendent, non-profit research organization based In 2013, Kluane First Nation (KFN) government in- in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory that works within vited AICBR to partner with them on developing a CBR approach built on values of respect, trust, a community food security strategy for their tradi- collaboration, reciprocity, and sharing. AICBR tional territory. A second phase was subsequently works with Northern communities and brings to- initiated to build on the outcomes of this strategy gether multiple sectors to build and strengthen lo- with a focus on youth engagement and fish health in cal research capacity in the North and advance the Kluane Lake, Yukon. The project, called “Nourishing health and wellbeing of Northerners and northern environments. Youth engagement, capacity building, facilitating knowledge Film is an important part of AIBCR’s approach as it is a sharing between gen- powerful way of capturing culture, facilitating connection as well erations and sectors, as well as integrating dif- as telling stories of the past in modern ways. ferent ways of knowing are all central to AIC- BR’s approach and are important drivers of sustainable change in the areas of Northern health Our Future,” sought to document changes on Kluane and wellbeing. First Nation’s traditional lands and the shifting be- In this article, three community-based research haviours and abundance of traditional food species, partnerships with Yukon First Nations are highlight- to monitor the health of the environment, as well as ed to demonstrate how youth engagement in CBR plan for future community survival amidst concerns can promote health and wellness in community, build over these issues and rising food prices in the region. connections between youth and their homelands, col- The results of the Nourishing Our Future project lect and honour traditional knowledge, and facilitate were reported in Volume 5, Issue 1 of Northern Public communications between Elders and youth. As part Affairs, and project reports can be found on AICBR’s of these CBR projects, three films were co-produced: website. The community came together and worked Remembering Our Past Nourishing Our Future (Kluane First with AICBR to develop a community food security Nation, 2016), Keeping Our Traditions (Selkirk First Na- strategy through individual interviews, focus groups, tion, 2016) and Our Changing Homelands Our Changing community meetings and archival research, and sub- Lives (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, 2010). Film is an sequently gathered traditional knowledge around important part of AIBCR’s approach as it is a pow- food sharing and fisheries; they also tested for con- erful way of capturing culture, facilitating connection tamination in Kluane Lake fish. A KFN Community as well as telling stories of the past in modern ways. Advisory Committee guided the approach from the In this article, AICBR shifts the lens onto the part- outset and was involved in all stages of the project nerships, production processes and the people behind including the validation of results. This project was the cameras. unique in that it integrated quantitative, Indigenous It is important to note that these stories, proj- and community-based research methodologies and ects and films are each owned by the respective First took on a “whole-of-community” approach to de- Nation governments and communities. AICBR con- veloping long-term, adaptive solutions to the tough tributed expertise as a partner and facilitator in the challenges faced with climate change and food inse- process of community-based research at the invita- curity. tion of each community. Throughout the course of each project, local research protocols and the prin- The Production — Remembering Our Past ciples of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession Nourishing Our Future (OCAP®) were followed. AICBR, through processes Remembering Our Past Nourishing Our Future is a power- of informed consent and ongoing communications ful 18-minute film co-produced by Kluane First Na- has been given permission to disseminate and share tion and AICBR as part of the Nourishing Our Fu- these stories, according to the agreed terms of each ture project. Set in the small community of Burwash project’s communications agreements. Landing, the film weaves a story of climate change, Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 27 food security and resilience of a people who are us- I was a little concerned about joining this workshop ing their self-determination to honour their past, with this nourishing food project only because I was and harnessing their traditional knowledge, skills hesitant to participate. But now that I have a little and culture to nourish their future. Importantly, it more clarity about the purpose of this project, I’m offers a way forward that is rooted in culture and the glad that I’ll have an opportunity to express my opin- strengths inherent within the community. ion about the project through my expertise in filming. Coming up with a final video was simple enough. Af- The People – Perspectives from Kluane First ter Norma’s presentation on the first day of training, Nation I was inspired enough to actually have an idea for the Six youth were involved during both phases of the final video. Two videos will have to be made: the first project. Youth were trained in a variety of skills and video being a short two minute, inspiring, awareness topics including qualitative interviewing techniques, video; the second being longer with insightful, con- scientific sampling and analysis of fish, photography troversial video for to people to get worked up on--- and filmmaking, following traditional First Nations getting close with Elders and the younger people. It’ll protocols, understanding climate change issues and be stressful like most productions are, but at least I’m long range contaminants, as well as general commu- doing something for my community and my land in nications and life skills. The youth conducted inter- hopes that a very strong message will be sent. — Jar- views with Elders and community members, in col- ed Dulac, KFN Youth Researcher & Videographer as laboration with AICBR’s Co-Founder and Principal part of Nourishing Our Future project Investigator, Norma Kassi. This process enriched channels of communication, especially between El- The Kluane First Nations people share their home- ders and youth, and was a mutually enriching experi- lands with the highest glacial mountains in Canada ence for all. This approach is truly what co-learning and one of the largest lakes in Yukon; they have relied is all about: not only are researchers learning from on the land for generations and are at the forefront of the community, but also the community is connected climate change. With fast melting glaciers, warming through the process; youth and Elders are learning temperatures, altered landscapes, and shifting wildlife from and sharing with each other. behaviours and plant growth patterns, the land that Participation in the project also opened doors and Kluane people call Ä si Keyi, or “Our Grandfather’s expanded horizons for many people involved. For the land” is changing rapidly before their eyes. Despite youth, the experience of traditional net fishing in Klu- this, the people are reclaiming their land and har- ane Lake with their Elders, bringing that fish to the lab at nessing their own solutions through remembrance, the University of Waterloo, learning how to test, process reconnection, and revitalization. By building capac- and analyse it for contamination, and then taking back ity of youth in community-based research and using the good news to their community that their traditional film to document culture, traditional knowledge and food source is healthy and safe to eat, was very power- changes related to climate and food security, the film ful. For the scientists at the University of Waterloo who and project integrate traditional and modern ways of were doing the contaminant analysis, it was the first time knowing, imagining a new way forward for the future. that they had welcomed Indigenous youth to the lab, so it was also a learning opportunity for them. After one The Partnership – Selkirk First Nation’s youth attended the University of Waterloo during Phase Keeping Our Traditions, 2015-2016 II (2009-2010) for fish testing, she wondered excitedly This project, Keeping Our Traditions, was an ini- about which university she was going to apply to when tiative of the Selkirk First Nation (SFN) government she finishes high school. to find strategies for maintaining and strengthening traditional Northern Tutchone practices, values and In these past two days, I have learned about past knowledge amidst the challenges of a changing cli- traditions, what our future might look like, and what mate and reconnecting youth to the land. The SFN I can do to help right now. I may not have learned government invited AICBR to partner with them on how to change the climate, but I have learned ways the project. The results of this project are also report- to help KFN members get what they want out of ed in Volume 5, Issue 1 of Northern Public Affairs. Many the Nourishing Our Future project. There are a lot Northern communities consider traditional practices of projects that would be good for our community as a pathway to mental health and wellness for First to have, such as a greenhouse or gardens. I look Nation youth. Fish camp, in particular, is a tradition- forward to helping out my friends and the families al Tutchone cultural practice that is being threatened of Burwash. — Alanna Dickson, KFN Youth Re- by declining fish populations and shifting landscapes searcher as part of Nourishing Our Future project due to climate change, which has raised concerns in 28 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 the community about what to do at fish camp when Wanted to come to show my support to this project, there are no fish. The significance of fish camp goes and actually came to quite a surprise … so [many] beyond just fishing, but is a critical time for knowledge youth here. And that’s something that I’m really happy exchange, reconnecting to the land, spending quality to see. That our youth are participating [in] on-the- time with family, practicing culture, learning and fol- land activities ... being open minded about, you know, lowing traditional laws of respect, caring and sharing, traditional knowledge and utilizing what we have as a and promoting mental health and wellness. First Nation, a blessing of resources around us. Our Elders always are telling stories about their experiences Every salmon season, being at fish camp was like and how they lived on the land and what the land pro- coming alive of ourselves and our traditions — “like vided for them. We look at today and where we’re at a flower blooming in the summer, in full bloom” with the progression of the world … and materials and — a time to learn and carry on old Tutchone tradi- things are getting invented every day and technology tions. Look, learn, and do. Bringing traditions alive is out there. And, we’re slowly trying to comprehend like a flower blooming in the summer. — Roger and get a grasp of that and how we fit into society Alfred, Elder, Selkirk First Nation and what is the purpose of life. You know, I’m actually quite proud to see that these teachings that are being This project has deepened understandings of how demonstrated here today [are] actually being taught to traditional knowledge and practices, particularly you guys. You guys participated in some of the cutting as they relate to fish camp, are being impacted by of the holes for the fishnet under the ice … it’s, ah, a climate change and how they can be harnessed to lot of hard work, it’s nothing easy. But that’s what it promote community and youth mental wellness and takes when you’re out on the land … Nothing comes strategically adapt to climate change. Community easy. It’s unforgiving. But if you know those skills and engagement and youth capacity building formed you practice those skills in a safe manner, the bounty central pillars to this work. AICBR worked closely of the land will provide for you … — Chief Kevin with the SFN Community Advisory Committee to McGinty, speaking to youth participating in the Winter ensure all activities were designed with community Fish Camp needs in mind and were carried out in the most eth- ical and culturally appropriate manner; this ensured The People – Perspectives from Selkirk First community ownership over the research process. Nation A local community coordinator was also hired and Ten youth participated in the Winter Fish Camp and youth engagement and training/workshops were two youth researchers were hired to conduct interviews carried out and co-facilitated with BYTE Empow- with Elders, alongside AICBR’s Norma Kassi and ering Youth Society from Whitehorse. Research Associate Marilyn Van Bibber, who is also a Selkirk First Nation citizen. The youth were trained The Production – Keeping Our Traditions in a variety of topics including photography, running The short Keeping Our Traditions film was produced a winter fish camp, on-the-land workshops on climate by Robert Joe, a Selkirk First Nation filmmaker and change, mental health and wellness, community-based youth. It is an outcome of the project, which shows research processes, life skills and communication, and youth participating in winter fish camp activities at traditional practices of Selkirk people. The focus of the Tatla’mun (Lake) near Pelly Crossing, Yukon Terri- training balanced the subject material (climate change tory. In the film, a special speech from Selkirk’s Chief and mental health) with strength-based views of how Kevin McGinty to the youth highlights how expe- traditional knowledge can counteract these forces and riential learning on the land is an integral way of play a positive role in the lives of youth. The youth en- promoting traditional Northern Tutchone skills and joyed the time with the traditional teachers and it was a knowledge so that Selkirk First Nation people may mutual feeling for the Elders as well. thrive despite the many challenges in today’s world. Despite climate change and declining salmon He speaks of the rapid changes in climate, some of populations, Selkirk First Nation people remain which are being witnessed in front of their eyes with strong in their culture and are determined to carry the uncharacteristically warm temperatures at the on the tradition of fish camps, whether or not there time of filming in late January. He emphasizes the are fish. The whole community came together to paramount importance of Elders’ teachings and he brainstorm ideas about what could be done at the refers to this knowledge and way of life as “the gift fish camp to keep the practices and vital tradition- from their ancestors to the youth of today.” al knowledge sharing alive. A focus group was also Here is an excerpt of his message to the youth at held with high school students about ideas on future the winter fish camp: camp curriculum. Some ideas that were brought Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 29 Photo credit: Arctic Institute of Arctic Photo credit: Community-Based Research Chief Kevin McGinty speaking to youth at the Winter Fish Camp on Tatla’mun Lake, Yukon.

forth included: hunting small and large game; bush youth and community members. Selkirk First Nation survival skills; walking on the land; clearing creek has also implemented a sonar monitoring system to beds; culture camps; monitoring the river flow; and document the returning Yukon River salmon in the arts and crafts, among other activities. Many ideas Pelly River. The results of the Keeping Our Tradi- were exchanged and a renewed sense of hope for tions research project compliment SFN’s ongoing the future emerged. Some of the significant observa- work to ensure traditional knowledge and way of life tions from the youth researchers involved were: continues for today’s Northern Tutchone youth.

[We saw] how little salmon there are now; how many Elders possess the traditional knowledge of the land bees there are at the fish camps; how everyone par- and of our culture. We need to utilize their knowl- ticipated in the interviews (was it because we are their edge before it is lost. We need to talk more to our people?); fish camps were welcoming ([which] may be young about how past generations learned from because we are young and were asking questions). Elders and that preserving culture is important. We need to encourage mutual respect. Youth must Selkirk First Nation has been taking action by respect their Elders and Elders must respect youth. “thinking outside the box” in order to keep traditions Having good, non-judgmental communication will alive and to promote the return of the salmon. It con- help create an inclusive, inviting environment for tinues to host an annual May Gathering each spring, youth to come and learn in. — Participant, Key where the Elders from all three Northern Tutchone Informant Interviews, Selkirk First Nation communities in the Yukon come together on the land to share and celebrate traditional knowledge with 30 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 The Partnership – Climate Change and Health meat, and to honour our ancestors. We know that by Research in Northern Yukon, 2007-2011 caring for the land and honouring the past that the The Climate Change and Health Research in North- land will care for us … The land has provided us for ern Yukon project was a three-phase food security and thousands of years. But it is not always certain what climate change initiative in Old Crow, Yukon. The it will bring or when. — Yudii Mercredi, Narrator project was initiated by the Vuntut Gwitchin First of the Our Changing Homelands Our Changing Lives film Nation (VGFN) citizens in Old Crow, who invited AICBR to work with them on a community-based re- The People – Vuntut Gwitchin Youth search project to address their concerns about chang- Seven youth were chosen to be film and research es to their traditional harvesting and hunting areas as trainees based on their participation and interest in well as the distribution and abundance of tradition- the climate change workshop held in 2008/2009. al food species. Youth were an important part of the Three of those youth worked closely with AICBR’s project from the outset and were involved in a large (then Arctic Health Research Network: Yukon) Kate- community gathering and participated in workshops lyn Friendship, now Co-Director, and Norma Kassi, with International Polar Year researchers, where they who is a Vuntut Gwitchin citizen, to interview 30 learned about environmental changes in the Old members of their community as part of the project. Crow area. At this gathering, Elders shared valu- The other four youth worked with film producer, able traditional knowledge and community members Tookie Mercredi, on film training throughout the shared thoughtful wisdom and advice with the youth. summer. In addition to the main film, the four youth This was a unique opportunity to merge scientific, In- produced their own trailers about their concerns digenous and local knowledge about climate change over food security and climate change in their com- with the youth and build a food security strategy on munity, including commentary on culture, connec- the needs and strengths of the community. Phase II tion and strong traditions still alive and well in Old focused on learning what food security adaptation Crow. These trailers were compiled into a short film strategies the community had been doing which could called The Good the Bad and the Ugly, which is available be built upon in the future to help cope with rapid on AICBR’s website. environmental changes. Youth were trained as com- Because of being involved in the project, some munity researchers and interviewed members of their students took a keen interest in applying what they community with AICBR. The research for the third learned over the summer of 2009 to contribute to phase of the project (2010-2011) focused on assisting ongoing climate change work in the North. One and facilitating the community in determining how youth, in particular, was a participant in the Young Old Crow could implement their recommendations Leaders’ Summit on Northern Climate Change in from Phase II and put them into action in order to Inuvik in August 2009 and took part in the Cana- address food security issues. dian Youth Delegation at the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, December 2009. At the The Production – Our Changing Homelands beginning of Phase III (2010), another youth asked Our Changing Lives to join the team after watching and learning about Our Changing Homelands Our Changing Lives was one of the project activities from Phase II and later became the first films AICBR developed with a community actively engaged. From this experience, she said she as part of a CBR project. The film takes you on a learned a lot about food security and climate change journey from nearly 20 years ago up to 2007 with a issues and wanted to continue to help her commu- community whose very survival is at risk. The land nity through studying to become a nutritionist. An- that has sustained the Vuntut Gwitchin, People of other young man who was involved in the project the Lakes, is undergoing rapid environmental chang- was very engaged in the science and environmental es like many Northern and Arctic communities. The aspects of the project and later decided to pursue film demonstrates the close ties that the Vuntut science in his academic career. Gwitchin have to the land, including some of the challenges that come with life in the far North. Yudii I’ve learned a lot from the interviews that we have Mercredi, a Gwich’in youth, narrates the film and done, learning stories I have never heard before, speaks of the knowledge transfer from ancestors and about skills on the land, and also different ways that some of the changes that are occurring in the wild- we can be prepared if hard times do come to Old life and to the land. Crow. — April Kassi, Vuntut Gwitchin youth researcher, Newsletter: Community Update 2009 We are taught from a very young age how to skin animals, how to prepare drying racks, how to dry We have been researching on salmon and how they Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 31 live … Out of all the weeks we have been working, to see the world through the eyes of the youth. Im- we improved on our researching skills. All the re- agery, visual representation of community life and searching and interviews we have done is for gath- important traditions is illuminating as youth can see ering information for a plan on how we are going themselves within it; every community member has to survive with the declining of traditional foods. access to the film, thus allowing the activities, prac- — Daniel Frost and Dustin Charlie, Vuntut Gwitchin tices, knowledge, and stories to be integrated into youth researchers, Newsletter: Community Update 2009 the very fabric of community. As the famous saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words” so isn’t, Promoting Youth Wellness Through Com- then, a video worth a thousand pictures? munity-Based Research and Filmmaking With new emerging technologies, youth have Community-based research is more than just the access to tools that can be used to bring tradition to co-production of knowledge; it builds community, the forefront and can contribute to innovative and brings people together and offers a way for commu- transformative plans for their communities. What nity voices to be heard. Community-based research AICBR has heard loud and clear from youth is that in the North often takes place out on the land, whilst they want to have a voice in their future. While they at harvest and fish camps or at other community often have competing priorities and face many chal- gatherings. It is organic and collaborative, and forms lenges in their daily lives, getting the opportunity to a part of everyday life of the community, thus the be a part of a community-grown project, where they change that occurs from participating in the research can reconnect with their land and their culture, us- also stays within the community. When one har- ing their creativity and imagination, allows them to nesses community strengths and works to empower contribute in meaningful ways towards social change community from the inside out, what is left is not and cultural revival. ◉ a one-off or one-sided project, where the expertise and benefits leave with outside researchers, but the Norma Kassi, Molly Pratt, Marilyn Van Bibber, Katelyn whole community is raised up and the knowledge Friendship, and Jody Butler Walker are from the Arctic Institute and experiences continue to serve the community of Community-Based Research; Math’ieya Alatini and Mary long after the project is completed. Jane Johnson are from Kluane First Nation; Roger Alfred and Films are an important part of the CBR process Eugene Alfred are from Selkirk First Nation. We’d also like to that AICBR employs as they are considered pow- acknowledge all the community members, especially the youth erful ways of sharing stories; engaging youth in the and Elders who were involved in these projects as well as the process of filmmaking and CBR has a profound im- Kluane First Nation Lands, Resources and Heritage Depart- pact on their lives and on their community. These ment, and the Vuntut Gwitchin Natural Resources Department. films are also important awareness-raising tools for climate change adaptation education in the North. AICBR would also like to take this opportunity to wholeheart- They bring to life the stories of the ancestors and edly thank the generous funders of these three projects, namely, provide a lens to imagine a better future. Animating Health Canada’s Climate Change and Health Adaptation in traditional knowledge is especially impactful in this the North (KFN, SFN & VGFN projects), Indigenous and time of rapid environmental and societal change, Northern Affairs Canada’s Northern Contaminants Program as each Elder passes away they take with them the (KFN project), Yukon Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Trust knowledge of the previous generation. Providing op- (KFN project), and the Dän Keyi Renewable Resources Coun- portunities for youth to engage with their Elders and cil (KFN project). witness the past through their eyes is vital. Equally powerful is the opportunity for Elders and others

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32 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS

te(a)ch: Teaching code for youth empowerment and wellness

Taha Tabish & Ryan Oliver Photo credit: Taha Tabish Taha Photo credit: Youth trainer Ruth Kaviok of Arviat flashes a smile at the camera while she tests a game she developed.

he “knowledge economy,” built on information ly, are well known to have a significant participation rather than means of production, is the fastest gap and underrepresentation of female and Indig- growingT economic sector in Canada and perhaps, enous learners. Programs such as the Government most importantly, a sustainable prospect for North- of Canada’s initiative entitled “Career Alliance 360 ern economic development. A strong knowledge of – Inspiring Girls in STEM/Indigenous Inclusion” computers and how they work is an essential com- aim to close the gap. In Nunavut, the lack of a formal ponent in many aspects of innovation, and allows computer science program in the school system, as people to create and participate in a sector respon- well as limited access to science and technology-based sible for $117 billion of Canadian GDP (Brookfield learning, present an even more significant barrier. Institute, 2016), and it requires little more equip- As Pinnguaq grew from its home in Panniqtu- ment than a computer. Despite the growing need for uq (Pangnirtung), Nunavut, a desire to build and computer skills, computer science is not currently hire locally to create a sustainable presence became formally taught in Nunavut schools. paramount in its growth strategy. With a comput- Science, technology, engineering, and mathemat- er science course, or anything similar, not available ics (STEM) learning, in general, and computer scienc- at the local school, the first “Code Club” was born. es such as computer programming/coding, specifical- In early 2014, in partnership with the Pangnirtung Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 33 Youth Centre and Electronic Arts, 20 kids took part the te(a)ch facilitators leave and the program contin- in a one-week course, which was followed by week- ues to be delivered by the trainees. They can reach ly get-togethers to explore game design, computer out for support at any time. The te(a)ch program science, and engineering. In 2015, in partnership model supports trainers and community members with Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, the pro- to create clubs in their communities to continue the gram was expanded to Arviat, NU. Since then, the program throughout the year. Sessions have includ- program has adapted to respond to the needs of ed participants as young as 6 and as old as 26 years youth participants and most recently was delivered of age. This exciting response to the program has in other Nunavut communities, including Iqaluit, directly contributed to the way the curriculum and Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet) and Qamani’tuaq program continue to evolve and to respond to the (Baker Lake) in 2017. diversity of ages and needs.

What is te(a)ch? Discussing ideas of creativity and innovation te(a)ch is a program that teaches computer coding, game design, provided an opportunity for youth to situate engineering, and computer sci- themselves within the Inuit tradition of solution- ence from an absolute beginner level to more advanced tech- seeking, problem-solving, and innovating. niques. Pinnguaq, Qaujigiartiit Health Research Our approach engages learners in as much cre- Centre, Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqaatigiit Em- ative production as possible while developing and ap- brace Life Council, and other partners from around plying basic skills in science, technology, engineering, Nunavut have been working together to co-create and math. Incorporating creative and digital “hands and expand the program. on” approaches broadens participation and engage- te(a)ch has been developed in Nunavut, with ment in science-based learning, as well as builds on Nunavummiut. As a result, both the content and Indigenous and culturally-responsive pedagogy relat- the teaching methods include Inuit cultural expe- ed to experiential and practice-based learning. Fur- riences/values and Inuit learning techniques and thermore, our learning spaces support the building of methods. At these events, students are taught basic positive relationships and connections between youth computer programming, mathematics, physics, and through creative expression, while offering positive engineering skills via video game creation. Over five adult role models. This multi-faceted approach con- days, the participants create six original games and tributes to the development of a sense of agency, re- develop an understanding of the inner workings of silience, and empowerment among the participating a computer’s “brain” and how it “thinks.” Young youth; it also provides a creative outlet to tell stories, Nunavummiut are already playing video games, so use multiple languages, and develop a sense of self this program engages youth directly on terms they and social/emotional wellness. are familiar with. However, their relationship with games and gaming devices is one based solely on How Do Youth Feel About Participating? consumption – someone develops a game, they find The response to the program has been overwhelm- it interesting, and they play it for entertainment. Our ingly positive. We have observed youth helping each program shifts their relationship with technology to other as they learn at their own pace, and working one about creation. They have the knowledge, ca- with each other to solve new challenges that we post pacity, and skills to create their own narratives, tell to them throughout the program. In Arviat, where their own stories, and bring joy and fun to others Inuktitut language usage is strong, our youth trainers through game development. delivered program instruction in Inuktitut. It was an The model for the program includes a week-long empowering experience for youth, and for the facili- workshop led by te(a)ch facilitators from Pinnguaq tators, to use their language in a technology-focused and Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre to train environment. When youth were taken through vid- older youth who are interested in learning about and eo game story development activities, narratives teaching video game design to younger youth partic- around acquiring knowledge about being proficient ipants and peers. During the workshops, we offer a on the land (land safety and hunting skills) and being mini “club” program during which the new trainees kind to others by helping a friend in need were key have the opportunity to practice their new skills by messages conveyed in their games. delivering the program to younger participants in Discussing ideas of creativity and innovation their community with the hands-on support of the provided an opportunity for youth to situate them- te(a)ch facilitators. After the week-long workshop, selves within the Inuit tradition of solution-seeking, 34 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 problem-solving, and innovating. They found that munity partners have helped to identify and target technology was merely a new tool for them to use to youth for the program in advance, and efforts have craft new solutions for tomorrow. Youth led the de- been made to make sure there was a diverse mix of velopment of a new platform for sharing stories and interests, backgrounds, genders, and ages in the pro- highlighting values and traits that were important to grams. Overall, our programs have been made up of them. Our programs tend to end with big hugs, acts 42% female participants. of kindness, and expressions of gratitude from the We have also developed a partnership with youth participants, the families and the facilitators. Computers for Schools Nunavut in 2017, which Some of the thoughts our participants had allowed us to provide laptops and coding software about the program included: to the youth to take home to continue to develop their skills. This helps to bridge the gap in access Awesome!! Very Awesome!! to resources required to sustain skill development in Best week ever! this area. More can be done, though, to ensure that (I would recommend Code Club to my friends) we are diminishing barriers and reaching as many because you get to make new friends and you will youth as possible. know how to code! I want all my friends to code! Our Partners I love the club. In addition to our “on the ground partners” that It was really fun with you guys. we’ve listed above, it’s important to acknowledge the partnerships of Computers for Success Canada and What’s Next? Computers for Schools Nunavut which ensures we In December 2016, te(a)ch was awarded the Arctic are able to implement this program and provide free Inspiration Prize. Most recently, we have focused on laptops/desktops to participants in any community the creation of a 52-week web-based curriculum de- we go to. The financial support of the Mobilizing livery platform to be shared with communities. This Inuit Cultural Heritage program, specifically the would provide trainees a wide variety of content to leadership of York University has also allowed us to work with, including sample code, suggested games focus on what needs to be done with this program in to both create and play, and videos/advice from in- its development. dustry experts and teams from around Canada. This Most importantly, we need to acknowledge and web-based curriculum resource would help contrib- welcome the support of each individual communi- ute to the sustainability of te(a)ch over time. In the ty and the organizations in those communities that later half of 2017, our next steps in the expansion make the program possible. The program will only of the program will include building a network of ever be useful and effective if community members teachers and trainers across the territory who can see it as addressing a need and have a desire to pur- help deliver and administer the program, as well as sue it. We can supply the content and training, but contribute to its on-going adaptation. The goal is to it’s our community champions who give te(a)ch the increase the accessibility of the program and ensure life it currently has. ◉ its sustainability. To realize this vision, we recognize that we have Taha Tabish is the Health Technology Innovations Research to work to address some challenges. Internet infra- Coordinator at the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, in structure in Nunavut is slow and expensive, and not Iqaluit, Nunavut. He has a Master of Public Health from everybody has access to it. We have been in contact the University of Waterloo, and has a particular interest in with the Nunavut Public Library Services office, as the intersection of technology, community empowerment, and well as different schools, to find creative ways to dis- health and wellness. Ryan Oliver is the director of the Pinn- tribute materials through their networks and systems. guaq Association and a lead developer and coordinator of the Also, the high cost of travel in Nunavut makes it ex- te(a)ch program. The Pinnguaq Association is a cross-Cana- pensive for te(a)ch facilitators to fly to communities da organization with a mission to enable and advocate for tech to start up new programs and deliver training. Lastly, and tech literacy across Nunavut. the technology-focused nature of the program draws a pool of participants who are already inclined to References such interests. Although developing the skills and Brookfield Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. (2016). The State of Canada’s Tech Sector, 2016. Available from: http:// competency of those who are already drawn to the brookfieldinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/The-State- subject matter is exciting, it is worth noting that this of-Canadas-Tech-Sector-2016v2.pdf can also act to perpetuate gaps between participants and youth who were not targeted or engaged. Com- Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 35 Photo credit: Taha Tabish Taha Photo credit: Brandon Bunnie of Pinnguaq works with Harvey Tunnuq in Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake) to troubleshoot a video game. Photo credit: Taha Tabish Taha Photo credit: John Campbell, a youth participant in Arviat, gives a thumbs up to the camera. 36 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS Qarmaapik House: A multi-use and safe place for families in Kangiqsualujjuaq

Maggie Emudluk

armaapik House, located in Kangiqsualujjuaq, munity by air and an annual summer sealift, making Q Nunavik, was established as a non-profit orga- the cost of living extremely high. For example, the nization with a mission to have a place where parents cost of food is close to 50% higher than elsewhere in or guardians are supported to meet their children’s Quebec. Roughly 44% of annual income is directed needs better, to improve the bond within their fami- to food by Nunavik households, compared with 12% ly, and to instill traditional Inuit family values in the elsewhere in Quebec. Meanwhile the cost of house- community. Qarmaapik House is one of this year’s hold items is 97% higher than elsewhere in Quebec. recipients of the prestigious Arctic Inspiration Prize, Locally, people depend on snowmobiles, ATVs an annual award dedicated to supporting innovative and motorboats for their hunting, fishing and trapping community projects in the Canadian Arctic. activities. Considering the very high unemployment The community of Kangiqsualujjuaq (formerly and the high cost of goods, the essential equipment George River) began as a small village in the ear- required for these important land based activities and ly 1960s after the first cooperative was established travel is not easily accessible to most families. by Inuit of the area. Prior to the 1975 signing of These social and economic stresses and the his- the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), torical context of the 20th century has ruptured the life for Nunavik Inuit consisted mainly of hunting, ability of many Inuit to transmit their own model fishing and trapping pursuits. Like many Northern for the proper education, protection and support of communities, Kangiqsualujjuaq lacked all but the their children. Psychosocial problems, coupled with most rudimentary services. In 1980, the village was post-traumatic stress, depression, addiction and even legally established as a municipality. The people incarceration, prevent some parents from appropri- had to adapt to a modern way of life and, within ately fulfilling their role vis-à-vis their children. a very short span of time, to an expanded wage- In many Nunavik communities, Youth Protec- based economy. Today the population of Kangiq- tion is thoroughly overwhelmed by the number, se- sualujjuaq is close to 1,000 people. The community verity, and scope of the cases being reported. At the faces many of the same challenges experienced by same time, there is an enduring mistrust of outside other Nunavik communities as a result of these rap- institutions – a legacy of negative historical experi- id changes to social and economic life. ences. As a result, Youth Protection has been unable Generally speaking, Nunavik’s population is to deliver appropriate services and programs to par- young, with close to 60% of people under the age of ents, families, and youth in difficulty. Staff turnover 30. Teen pregnancy is four times higher among girls is high among both Inuit and non-Inuit personnel, aged 14-17 than in other parts of Quebec, and life which does not help with building trusting relation- expectancy for both men and women is much lower. ships between social workers and community mem- Unemployment rates are high in Nunavik. Close to bers. It is feared that the repercussions of the large 70% of Nunavik households (2,450 families) earn number of interventions by Youth Protection, and less than $32,480 annually, and 37.5% of Nuna- the temporary or longer-term placement rates for vik Inuit households live in poverty. Overcrowding youth in difficulty will be as severe for Inuit society in Nunavik homes has reached an alarming rate of as were residential schools. 68%, and recent statistics show that there is close to a 90% drop-out rate between kindergarten and high Qarmaapik House: A Community-Based school graduation. Alternative There are no roads linking the region’s commu- The idea for Qarmaapik House developed out of nities to one another, or with southern Quebec. Food several events over a five-year period. and other consumer goods are transported to com- The first was the 2007 report by the Commission Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 37 Photo credit: MaggiePhoto credit: Emudluk Qarmaapik House.

des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse du Quebec children in the region. At the time of the conference, detailing an investigation into Quebec’s youth pro- an alarming number of 27 children from Kangiqsua- tection services. This report noted that Nunavik Inu- lujjuaq (population 900 at the time) were reported to it face an identity crisis reflected in the scope of their be under the care of Youth Protection Services. Nan- social problems. The report highlighted that family cy Etok, then Student Councilor and now Vice-Prin- violence is 10 times higher in Nunavik than in the cipal of Ulluriaq School of Kangiqsualujjuaq, gave rest of Canada, and that Nunavik has the highest her impressions: “These numbers clearly mean we suicide rate in the country. Lack of sufficient and are facing an almost impossible mission. We must adequate housing and high rates of poverty do not absolutely try something new. They also show that provide families with optimal conditions for exercis- police services and the Youth Protection will not be ing their role, and children are often the first victims. able to solve these problems on their own.” Follow- The Commission included a statement from judg- ing this conference, Nancy Etok and Hilda Snowball, es of the Court of Quebec who noted that: “most then a community wellness worker and now Mayor of the files brought before them include neglect of Kangiqsualujjuaq, were determined to find alter- as a factor, connected to chronic alcohol and drug natives to address this dilemma and its causes. abuse” (Commission, 2007, p.17). The Commission Shortly afterwards, a series of consultations made an urgent call for front-line and preventative known as Regional Parnasimautik1 took place in services in Nunavik. It is important to note that for each Nunavik community to identify the elements many years Nunavimmiut had clearly voiced their of a comprehensive vision for regional development concerns about the existing youth protection system. according to Inuit culture, identity, language and The 2007 report shares many of these concerns. traditional way of life. Following the consultations, The second event was a three-day crime preven- it was expected that each community would contin- tion conference “Inuusitta Makijjuumigiaqaqninga” ue discussions amongst themselves. Starting in June (Take our lives into our hands), that took place in 2013, the community of Kangiqsualujjuaq began Kuujjuaq, Nunavik in October 2012. Local front line to host local Parnasimautik gatherings four times a workers and community leaders from all 14 commu- year. These three four-day workshops focus on the nities participated in this event. The conference high- fundamental issues affecting the daily lives of its resi- lighted the actual situation of the more than 400 foster dents. Discussions are broadcast live on the local FM 38 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 radio so that everyone can express their views. This Protection (DYP) and its CLSC Social Services, and open and inclusive process provides stakeholders the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social with accessible and concrete opportunities to discuss Services.3 The Collaboration Agreement is currently community issues and to collaborate in the search operating as a pilot project. It will be reviewed in for solutions. It also empowers and gives responsi- June 2018. Representatives from each organization bility to the local organizations and participants. meet monthly to make sure things are running as During the initial community discussions, youth pro- planned. There are two components to the Collabo- tection was raised as a main issue, and community ration Agreement: Prevention and Safe House. The members clearly expressed and identified the need prevention component runs during regular working to find a real solution and a community-driven ser- hours (9am to 5pm) and the safe house component vice with culturally-appropriate support for families is a 24-hour service. and youth. Through these discussions, the concept Since 2013, the Qarmaapik team has grown of the Qarmaapik House was developed: significantly. Current Board members include:- Al ice Unatweenuk, Francine Emudluk, Roddy Stew- We have decided to build a Family House for our art, Johnny Sam Annanack, Nancy Etok, Maggie community. When it is up and running, we want to Emudluk and Alice Baron. The organization now support families who are in crisis. We want to have has 15 employees, consisting of a coordinator, assis- teen discussions and we want to provide counseling tant coordinator, counsellor, assistant counsellor, sec- for the families in order for them to keep their chil- retary, cook, baby book coordinator, drop in daycare dren in the community. The house will allow us to staff, two janitors and six security guards. teach our young parents the correct way of bringing Qarmaapik is a much-needed alternative for up our kids. We, as a community will need to work children aged 0 to 17 who find themselves in crisis together in order for the project to be successful.2 situations that would normally require the intervention of the provincial youth protection system. How- Qarmaapik’s first Board of Directors was elect- ever, solely offering this alternative form of shelter ed locally in 2013 consisting of seven members, fol- and support only remedies situations for brief peri- lowed by the hiring of a coordinator. These found- ods of time, and may create the impression for some ing Board members – Jobie Annanack, Sophie Mary people that things are being taken care of. There- Annanack, Alice Unatweenuk, Alice Baron, Nor- fore, Qarmaapik aims to go further to assist fami- man Snowball and Tommy George Etok – stayed on lies in learning and improving their capacity to be for four years to ensure that Qarmaapik had a strong responsible and capable parents. Programming will start as a non-profit organization. Over the course help parents to learn the fundamentals of handling of their term, the Board sought funding to renovate and responding to crisis situations without major a building, which took almost two years; established conflict or violence, and to avoid having no choice Board protocols and procedures; set up training and but falling into the social services system. Parents workshops for employees; secured funding for oper- must understand that only they can bring peace to ations from the Nunavik Regional Board of Health their home and to their own children, and that insti- & Social Services; and successfully negotiated a Col- tutions will never be able to replace them. laboration Agreement between Ungava Tullatavik In addition, Qarmaapik House will work with Health Centre Hospital (UTHC)’s Youth Protec- a multidisciplinary team (health services, social ser- tion, its CLSC (the local community health centre) vices, Director of Youth Protection [DYP], CLSC Social Services and the Nunavik Regional Board of – local community services centres, the parents, Health & Social Services, signed in January 2017. Elders, Kativik Regional Police Force, Ulluriaq The Qarmaapik Board believed it was essential School, and Nunavik Child and Wellness Network) to have a written understanding with the Youth Pro- to address the underlying causes of family conflict tection Services and the Social Services so that all and family breakdown. parties would understand and work with the same Qarmaapik offers prevention support services protocols and procedures. There has never been a for parents, children and youth, a drop-in centre and formal collaboration agreement or memorandum temporary lodging for families, as well as on-the- of understanding between an Inuit community land excursions and cultural activities. There is also driven organization like the Qarmaapik House and space for a pediatrician to provide medical check- the Youth Protection in the past. It took almost a ups, vaccinations, and perinatal services to 0-5 year year to develop and negotiate the collaboration old. Counselling services will be offered to parents, agreement between the three parties: Qarmaapik, youth and families; and a public health/wellness co- Ungava Tullatavik Health Centre (UTHC)’s Youth ordinator will organize awareness and prevention Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 39 Photo credit: Ellasie Annanack Photo credit: The Qarmaapik House logo. activities for the public. the remaining amount needed to implement its full Qarmaapik has started offering courses in cook- mandate and mission to offer a space where- par ing, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, sexual abuse, ents or guardians are supported to better meet their traditional skills with the local cultural committee children’s needs, to improve the bond within their and Elders, both on-site and during excursions for on family, and to instill traditional Inuit family values the land after school activities. In time, Qarmaapik in the community. The funding received through will also offer more training programs for parents, the AIP will assist the community in taking the next women, men, youth/children such as: parenting steps to put in place historic and innovative services courses based on traditional Inuit values, conflict for Kangiqsualujjuaq. This AIP Award also serves resolution, family budgeting, early childhood devel- as seed money for Qarmaapik’s future. The orga- opment, dealing with adolescents, baby book mak- nization will be able to use the AIP award to secure ing, time management, employment support, and a other funds to continue its work, and will ensure that young parents play group. It will also offer a men’s current funders remain onboard. program in collaboration with the local men’s group The community is responding very well to the to strengthen father-son relationships and awareness services, and the collaboration between families workshops to educate the community about topics and Qarmaapik is showing positive results. Families such as youth protection and procedures, the court have been willing to take the steps needed to reach systems and services of the justice committee. a healthier and more positive lifestyle. Qarmaapik is Qarmaapik’s main goal is to prevent children ensuring that the parties to the Collaboration Agree- from being placed in foster families and/or sent to ment are respectful and committed to their obliga- another community by the Youth Protection Ser- tions. Qarmaapik is committed and will work very vices. It aims to empower families with concrete hard to help families in need of support and assis- tools and support, to empower community members tance in a culturally appropriate manner. ◉ and strengthen the link between them, to strengthen traditional knowledge and Inuit values as well as the Maggie Emudluk is a board member of Qarmaapik House role and use of Elders, to break the cycle of child and a municipal councilor in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik. maltreatment, and to enhance parents’ skills and capacity to be responsible and capable parents. Endnotes In December 2016 Qarmaapik House won a 1 For more information, see: http://www.makivik.org/parnasimautik/ prestigious Arctic Inspiration Prize Award (AIP) of 2 An excerpt from the June 2013 local Parnasimautik workshop. $700,000! The community is very honoured and 3 In addition to the three parties to the Agreement, the Kativik proud of its Qarmaapik House to receive such an Regional Police Force (KRPF) and the Ulluriaq School acted award. With the AIP, Qarmaapik House has secured as interveners. 40 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS Project Jewel

Helping Aboriginal people re-discover their value

Sarah Rogers & Faith Raymond Photo credit: Inuvialuit RegionalPhoto credit: Corporation Youth setting up camp at trapper training program, February 2017.

roject Jewel is an on-the-land wellness program ness was needed to accommodate the unique needs that builds in after-care support for its par- of our people. ticipants.P It strives to provide services that are cli- The first on-the-land program organized by ent-driven, culturally sensitive, and relevant. With Project Jewel was held in September 2015. An the assistance of Elders, external and internal facili- all-women’s wellness retreat was run at Reindeer tators, and clinical support, Project Jewel works with Station (a traditional camp that is an one-hour boat individuals to manage stress, grief, trauma, or any ride northwest of Inuvik). The comfort of being on emotions they are experiencing. the land and not far from home, paired with wellness Four years ago, Project Jewel started as a pro- counselling, was a great tool to promote healthier gram funded by Inuvialuit Regional Corporation lifestyles among the participants. (IRC) with the intent to provide opportunities for The popularity of the program helped spread beneficiaries who may not have the resources on word of on-the-land wellness and soon the Govern- their own to receive addictions treatment. There ment of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) funded were some participants who benefited, but a com- more retreats at Reindeer Station to further explore mon issue was the treatment was uncomfortably far the benefits and barriers that come with on-the-land from home, culturally irrelevant, and pricy. An inno- programming. These trips included programs di- vative approach to addressing addictions and well- rected towards couples, men, Elders, and youth. The Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 41 Photo credit: Inuvialuit RegionalPhoto credit: Corporation “F-Word” Family camp youth participant getting ready to cut up fish after the daily catch, Reindeer Station, August 2016. Photo credit: Inuvialuit RegionalPhoto credit: Corporation Family whaling camp at Baby Island, July 2015. combination of clinical practices geared towards traditions. For the future, Project Jewel aspires to healing and wellness, paired with education and the incorporate the use of traditional language in their practice of traditional lifestyles proved very successful. programming, as well. An Elder Support Worker is always present during the program. This community knowledge An Elder’s Perspective keeper plays a key role in the process of healing. My name is Sarah Rogers, an Elder Support Worker They can provide insight from their individual ex- in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Through my young periences, what they’ve witnessed, and the traditions life, I have gone through a lot of trauma from res- they were raised with. idential school and personal life. At the age of 50, Currently, Project Jewel is aiming to host five after raising 10 children with my husband, our last wellness retreats a year, all over the Beaufort Del- child was going to school all day. The hard times ta, with a broad spectrum of themes involved. For for me started in the quiet, and being alone brought example, in 2016 there was a forgiveness workshop along flashbacks and bad feelings. I thought I was facilitated by Full Circle Facilitation and Consulting, going crazy. I was sent to a trauma recovery pro- which took place in mid-summer and was geared gram, with medical doctors and counsellors to help towards families. The week-long retreat included me through my journey of healing. At the end of presentations from trauma survivors, structured dis- the program I felt like a young 50-year-old Inuvialuk cussions on healthy routines, bonding exercises, and Elder, instead of a scared, unhealthy child with no other activities that utilized forgiveness as a tool to self-confidence. promote wellness within a family. Most of my healing took place in a beautiful To balance the heavy subject matter, the down- home – our bush camp. It always felt friendly and safe, time activities were culturally relevant and easy-go- and always had yummy smelling native food. A place ing. Examples included berry picking, exploring the where the father and mother worked together and delta by boat, and harvesting and preparing fish. the children had space to roam the land. We worked This provided opportunities for the family to debrief hard to harvest our meals for each season of the year, and bond while feeling connected to the land and and not worry about going on welfare to pay our rent. Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 43 Photo credit: Inuvialuit RegionalPhoto credit: Corporation “F-Word” family camp participants, Reindeer Station, August 2016.

Nowadays, I work as an Elder support worker for can be vastly different from those in the South due to wellness programs that are held out on the land. On- isolation, connection gaps, lack of stimulation, and the-land programs are very helpful for all of us on resources. From personal experience, I can say that our healing journey, as it seems like we are free to wellness in Northern youth is most effective when tell our stories and emotions with confidence that paired with on-the-land programming. The familiar we will get the help we need. I, as an Elder support setting paired with the support of Elders and clin- worker, can find positive ways to promote living a ical counsellors made my experience much more healthier lifestyle and can share my personal coping valuable and memorable. As an Inuvialuit who has skills in a way that comes from my heart. been affected by intergenerational residential school trauma, I consider it a top priority that wellness A Youth’s Perspective programs are held in a traditional setting to instil My name is Faith Raymond. I am 18 years old and healthy healing and a greater sense of cultural iden- I have been working with my community towards tity. ◉ improving our wellness system for a few years now. I work at the Inuvik Youth Centre and have partic- Sarah Rogers is an Inuvialuit Elder and life time resident of ipated in dialogues and conferences as a youth rep- the Mackenzie-Delta. Sarah has supported the Project Jew- resentative, voicing my concerns as a youth when it el On-the-Land Wellness program as an Elder support for comes to Indigenous wellness. I have also had the the past two years. Her professional and personal life expe- privilege to attend a Project Jewel wellness workshop riences are complemented by her vast traditional knowledge in 2016 as a photographer and journalist on behalf skills. Faith Raymond is an Inuvialuit youth with a wealth of IRC. of knowledge, understanding and patience. Her unique per- Through my experience working with youth, sonality is complemented with “old soul” traits that allow her I have witnessed the unique challenges Northern to easily connect with diverse groups. Faith has been a lively youth face as they age. Obstacles that arise in ado- voice for Inuvialuit youth. lescence in Northern communities, in my opinion,

44 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 ARTICLES SELF-GOVERNMENT The pursuit of Inuit sovereignty in Greenland

Rauna Kuokkanen

ince 2009, Greenland has had extensive polit- ones. Unlike Nunavut, the other Inuit jurisdiction, ical and economic autonomy. The passing of Greenland has expressed no intention of establish- theS Self-Government Act (SGA) marked an end to three ing a government based on Inuit values and gover- decades of limited “home rule” autonomy and most nance principles. In negotiating the self-government significantly, the taking over of the country’s miner- agreement, there was no discussion of Inuit values al and oil rights (previously co-managed with Den- or governance; there was no public or political dis- mark). With the introduction of greater self-govern- course on the topic before self-rule and has been ment, Greenland was also granted the right to full none since. For former premier Aleqa Hammond, independence from Denmark, should the country so however, the self-government agreement unequivo- choose in the future. cally reflects Inuit governance because of the strong In March and April 2013, I had an opportunity Inuit involvement in the drafting process: to visit Nuuk as part of my research on Indigenous self-determination. I interviewed 17 Greenlanders Absolutely, absolutely, because it’s formed by us, and about their experiences and views of self-govern- adopted by Danes. … When I say “by us,” that’s the ment.1 There were three issues that were seen as members of the Commission for Self-Governance, most important: the recognition as a people, the and the Joint Commission between Denmark and right to independence and to mineral resources. Greenland. So yes, I’m fully happy about the agree- The Greenland Self-Government Act is an extension ment and I don’t think we could have got a better of the powers enacted in the Home Rule Act of 1979. agreement than we have today, in all respects, to all It establishes new political and legal opportunities parties that have been working with us, for us. (In- for Greenland to gain extensive self-governance terview, April 11, 2013). and ultimately, independence (if the population of Greenland so chooses in the future). The Home Rule A Path to Independence? Act contains 33 areas of jurisdiction, including min- Most Greenlanders hope to see their country be- eral resources, fisheries, environment, justice, polic- come an independent nation in their lifetime. They ing and law. Under the Self-Government Act, Denmark echo the sentiment of former premier Lars-Emil retains control of the constitution, citizenship, Su- Johansen, according to whom independence is a preme Court, foreign affairs, defense and currency; legitimate aspiration “deeply anchored in the Inuit however, Denmark is expected to involve Greenland soul” (AFP, 2008). The significance of economic and on foreign affairs and security matters that affect or political independence was mentioned by all the in- are in the interests of Greenland. terviewees, most of whom took future independent Through the Home Rule Act and the Self-Govern- Greenland more or less for granted. The Self-Gov- ment Act, Greenland has the right to elect its own par- ernment Act explicitly recognizes the right to an inde- liament and government, the latter with executive pendent Greenland by stating that the “decision re- authority over the areas of jurisdiction included in garding Greenland’s independence shall be taken by the Acts. The Inatsisartut (the legislative assembly) the people of Greenland” and that “independence consists of 31 members, who are elected by the pop- for Greenland shall imply that Greenland assumes ulation of Greenland for a four-year period. Since sovereignty over Greenland territory”(Act on Green- home rule, Greenland’s governance structure has land Self-Government, 2009). The first and necessary been a Nordic-style cabinet-parliamentary system. step toward that goal would be the full implementa- There were no changes to the governance structure tion of the self-government, which implies gaining in the Self-Government Act except a cosmetic name authority over all 33 areas of jurisdiction included change: the Danish terms for the parliament and in the agreement. Faced by such an enormous un- the government were replaced with Greenlandic dertaking with considerable economic, logistical and 46 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 social challenges, it is perhaps not so surprising that While most Greenlanders welcome economic the rhetoric of Indigenous rights has been pushed to development and see mining in particular as inev- the backstage. Practical challenges such as the lack itable, there is a substantial degree of unease with of educated work force and the competence of the regard to the environmental, cultural and social self-rule administration are emphasized over more changes that would follow large-scale resource ex- abstract questions of the rights of Indigenous peo- traction projects. The impact on Greenlandic life ples which are of less importance in a setting where and culture is potentially immense and many re- nearly 90 percent of the population are Indigenous ferred to the insufficient consultation – particularly Inuit. with regard to the approved USD 2.3 billion iron- As they aspire for independence from Denmark, ore open pit mine located in Isukasia, 150 kilome- Greenlanders have to deal with economic realities ters from the capital in the Nuuk Fjord. Known as of budget shortfalls and thus, the pressure to pursue the Isua project, it has been criticized for a number an aggressive agenda of resource extraction. Their of reasons, including inadequate public consultation political dream hinges on economic self-sufficiency and considerable environmental, cultural and so- but in order to achieve it, Inuit leaders have to ac- cioeconomic impacts, including the importation of tively go against not only the stance of most Indig- several thousand foreign labourers to construct and enous rights advocates globally but also prevailing operate the mine. A widely-shared sentiment is that notions of Indigenous worldviews that emphasize in spite of public hearings and environmental and the relationships with the land and seek to protect its social impact assessments, the speed of planning of integrity. Economic realities such as collapsing com- the Isua Project has been such that ordinary Green- modity prices, however, might play a bigger role. landers have not been able to follow the develop- They already have, in effect, dampened the dreams ment and thus, feel anxious about, if not opposed of independence but also thrown into sharp relief to, this and other development projects.2 how unsustainable such dreams are as long as they The first years of self-rule have not engendered are premised on global capitalism. As the result of considerable changes in Greenlanders’ daily lives, the recent downturn in the market prices of miner- beyond exposure to the relentless public debate and als, oil and gas, the likelihood of Greenland becom- politics of developing extractive industries. Sever- ing independent in the lifetime of current politicians al interviewees noted that, internally, things have have become quite a bit slimmer. The prospects of changed very little. Problems that plagued the func- offshore oil and gas development, once considered a tioning of the home rule administration3 have not yet best long-term option for Greenland, are even dim- been eliminated under self-government. Needless to mer as several major oil companies have returned say, the implementation of Greenlandic self-govern- their exploration licences and pulled out from West ment depends to a great extent on the competence Greenland (Hannestad 2015). of the self-rule administration. There is an increas- Nearly half of the respondents cited the right to ing number of Greenlanders in the administrative mineral resources as the most undeniably significant apparatus, especially in the areas of language and aspect of the Self-Government Act. Yet with the right to culture, but many key positions continue to be occu- mineral resources has come the pressure to develop pied by Danish professionals. These are often young these resources as a main means of achieving great- Danish men who come to Greenland to start their er autonomy and implementing self-government. In careers, build their resumes and make money. They fact, given the constraints of the agreement, expand- stay in these jobs for only a couple of years, resulting ing the economic base and becoming more finan- in high staff turnover, which gives rise to a lack of cially self-sufficient is the precondition of expanded continuity and inconsistent political goals. There is self-government. Not surprisingly, then, the first years also a tendency for the Danish administrative staff of self-rule have been dominated by the political de- to import consultants from Denmark and to direct bate and public discourse on mineral exploration and trade to Denmark and Danish companies (interview the entry of multinational corporations. with municipal civil servant, March 16, 2013).4 The dilemma for nearly everyone is the chal- While possessing the appropriate education for lenge of finding the balance between the pressing the job, during their brief stints Danish profession- need for new revenue sources, for diversifying the als do not acquire an understanding of Greenlan- country’s struggling economy and engaging in re- dic culture, values or language, which is widely seen source extraction, while meeting high environmen- as a considerable problem. Dependency on Danish tal and social standards so that the Inuit hunting and expertise and civil servants who lack cultural com- fishing culture (which is dependent on healthy natu- petence may impede the implementation of a more ral resources) is not jeopardized. Greenlandic version of governance and erode the Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 47 sense of ownership, among Inuit Greenlanders, to- serves as an inspiration for other Indigenous peoples, ward the process of self-government. especially other Inuit in the Arctic. With its main The self-rule government represents successful focus on modern nation-building within the frame- implementation of Indigenous self-determination in work of Western institutionalism, the Self-Government that Greenlanders are now practically in control of Act constitutes a unique means of implementing In- nearly all of their own affairs. They have sole au- digenous self-government. It revisits the norm of the thority over their resources and have chosen their right of Indigenous peoples to self-determination political mode of organization, even if it is largely a understood primarily as a collective human right, model directly adopted from Denmark. Yet arguably, and sets a precedent within the framework of Indig- and as pointed out by several interviewees, indirect, enous rights in international law. subtle colonial control continues in the presence of Greenland is in an interesting juncture in its a large number of Danish civil servants who come unique process of implementing its Self-Government with mainstream, Western institutional and cultural Act, which some consider also an exercise of Indig- practices and priorities. enous self-determination. However, unlike the ma- Nonetheless, under self-government Greenlanders jority of Indigenous peoples globally, Greenlanders have achieved one of the most far-reaching self-de- equate Indigenous self-determination with indepen- termination arrangements of all Indigenous peoples dence, and thus, at least implicitly, with the West- worldwide. Greenland’s self-government has great sig- ern (Westphalian) concept of sovereignty vested in nificance for a global Indigenous rights movement fo- the nation-state. For Greenlanders, self-government cused on achieving self-determination in various forms. means modern nationhood and nation-building Unquestionably Greenland serves as an inspiration within the framework of Western institutional ar- for Indigenous peoples worldwide, especially for oth- rangements. The current focus is on ensuring and er Inuit in the Arctic. Duane Smith, former president increasing the participation of Inuit Greenlanders of the ICC Canada, saw the enacting of Greenland’s in the administration of the government rather than Self-Government Agreement as the pursuit of Inuit sover- adopting governance principles deriving from Inuit eignty. In his congratulatory letter to former premier of traditional knowledge or worldview. The question of Greenland, Hans Enoksen, Smith proclaimed : Indigenous or Inuit self-determination in Greenland is a matter of representation – who sits in the par- We in Canada see this event as a major step by a cir- liament and who runs the government – rather than cumpolar region of people gaining significant control changing the existing institutional arrangements, of its rights and livelihood which is now seen by other structures and policy frameworks that are heavily groups and Inuit throughout the Circumpolar Arctic influenced by and dependent on Danish models.◉ as hope and opportunity for their chance to gain better control of their own destinies. Your fight is our Rauna Kuokkanen is Professor of Arctic Indigenous Research fight and although you may be a public government, at the University of Lapland, Finland. Prior to that she was it is made up primarily of Inuit to govern an area Associate Professor of Political Science and Indigenous Stud- inhabited by Inuit for Inuit (Smith, 2008). ies at the University of Toronto. Her new book tentatively ti- tled “Restructuring Relations: Indigenous Self-Determination Conclusion and Governance in Canada, Greenland and Scandinavia” is Three issues stand out when discussing the most sig- forthcoming by Oxford UP. Rauna is Sámi from Ohcejohka nificant aspects of theSelf-Government Act: the right to (Utsjoki), Northern Finland. mineral resources, the recognition of Greenlanders Endnotes as a people in international law, and the prospect 1 Most interviewees (14) were women and the age range varied of independence. Many however, point out the chal- from the mid-20s to mid-60s. Interviewees included politi- lenge of implementation, particularly at the individ- cians, civil servants, leaders of institutions and organizations, ual level, where the meaning of self-government may educators and individuals working in media and culture. Some of the interviewees requested to remain anonymous while remain obscure as the political and public discourse others gave the permission to use their names. focuses on economic development. A number of 2 A steep downturn in iron ore prices in 2014 led to the collapse people have serious reservations about the process of London Mining, the company initially involved with the and speed of planned resource extraction. This all project, which put the Isua project on hold until January 2015 when it was acquired by General Nice, one of China’s largest leads the country to uncharted territory, as reflected coal and iron ore producers (Hornby, Milne et al. 2015). in several interviewees’ sense of ambivalence about 3 These include ‘underdeveloped infrastructure, financial the future of their country. dependency on Denmark, insufficient economic resources, As an example of a successfully negotiated the significant size of the public sector (which is a strain on the Greenlandic economy), a shortage of skilled and educated self-government agreement, Greenland’s self-rule 48 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 workers and social problems’ (Loukacheva, 2007, p. 69). 00144feabdc0.html - axzz3wg2p8jX6 4 See also Jonsson, 1997, and Loukacheva, 2007, p. 69. Jonsson, Ivar. (1997). Greenland - from Home Rule to Indepen- dence: New Opportunities for a New Generation in Green- References land. NARF-Symposium: Dependency, Autonomy and Conditions for Act on Greenland Self-Government. (2009). Greenland. Sustainability in the Arctic. Institute of Economics and Manage- AFP. (2008). Greenland Votes Massively in Favour of Self- ment, Nuuk. Rule. Canada.com. 25 Nov. http://www.canada.com/topics/ Loukacheva, Natalia. (2007). The Arctic Promise: Legal and Political news/world/story.html?id=878988d2-a6e1-49e7-8e4a-cf- Autonomy of Greenland and Nunavut. Toronto, University of 684ba0989d Toronto Press. Hannestad, Adam. (2015). Oliefirmaer Flygter Fra Grønland. Smith, Duane. (2008). Letter to the Premier Hans Enoksen Politiken.dk. 13 Jan. http://politiken.dk/oekonomi/dkoe- Re. Greenland’s Path Towards Self-Government. Available konomi/ECE2510784/oliefirmaer-flygter-fra-groenland/ from: http://naalakkersuisut.gl/~/media/Nanoq/Files/ Hornby, Lucy, Richard Milne, et al. (2015). Chinese Group Attached%20Files/Naalakkersuisut/DK/Selvstyre/Lykønsk- General Nice Takes over Greenland Mine. Financial Times. Jan. ning%20fra%20ICCs%20præsident.pdf 11. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/22842e82-9979-11e4-a3d7-

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Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 49 ECONOMY

Walking on thin ice: Entrepreneurship in Nunavik

Nathan Cohen-Fournier Photo credit: Nathan Cohen-Fournier Photo credit: Village of Inukjuak, bordering Hudson Bay.

unavik is witnessing a rise in the creation change? In what capacity are they contributing to of private enterprises. Today, the territory the development of the region? In this article, I hostsN close to 100 small and medium enterprises summarize findings from a broader research re- (SMEs), which generate an estimated $75 million port.2 The aim of the study is to shed light on in revenues annually, equivalent to 7% of GDP.1 entrepreneurship in the region. During the summer of 2016, I sought to gather perspectives towards entrepreneurship. Do Nuna- Context for Economic Development in Nunavik vik entrepreneurs perceive themselves, both wom- Nunavik’s economy is growing quickly. GDP tripled en and men, as agents of social and economic over the past decade to reach close to $1 billion.3

50 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Much of the recent growth can be attributed to Makivik, entrepreneurship is a “foreign concept.” He the Raglan Mine. The mine alone generates 40% goes on to say that: “Traditionally, we were taught to of GDP and employs over 1,000 people, of which share. I was never taught to, let’s say, use whatever 15% are Inuit.4 Extractive industries are expected I catch from the land to sell it and earn money. But to remain on an upward trajectory, encouraged by then again, I don’t take offense from anybody who Plan Nord, a 25-year $50 billion development plan does that. For many, it’s their only source of income.” revived in 2014.5 While mining activity is bound to The idea of entrepreneurship as a “foreign intensify, research shows that Northern communities concept” was echoed by many interviewees. As be- have not benefited as much as they could have from haviours become gradually more influenced by the mining, despite land claims ensuring local participa- pressures of a wage economy, some worry that the tion in decision-making.6 The region is also depen- sharing philosophy is slowly disappearing. The ten- dent on public and para-public institutions, which sion created by the spread of monetary society and employ 52% of the workforce.7 the imperialism of markets is real. At the same time, Another essential component in Nunavik is business owners in Nunavik have grasped onto en- the social economy, pillar of social cohesion and trepreneurship as a means to bridge modern Inuit economic stability. Social economy organizations society with global markets in an empowered way. are deeply ingrained in the Northern experience. Indeed, businesses can act as a contemporary tool to Prominent examples include the Fédération des reinforce cultural values, pride, and a sense of iden- Coopératives du Nouveau Québec (FCNQ) – the tity. An Inuk woman running a business in Kuujjuaq largest non-public local employer in Nunavik – and commented: “We are proud of the fact that we are Makivik Corporation – the land claim organization private. We’re not a collectively-owned company. It’s and owner of Air Inuit, First Air, and Nunavik Cre- our way of saying: if we can do it, you can do it on ations. Missing from this economic landscape are your own. We’re surviving on our own. We’re not entrepreneurs and small businesses. dependent on anything or anyone. But our main ob- jectives are to help the people in the long run.” Findings Nearly all respondents acknowledge that local eco- The findings are informed by two months of field- nomic development is a way to strengthen self-determi- work in Inukjuak and Kuujjuaq, an online survey nation and autonomy in Nunavik. A male entrepreneur sent to the entire business community, and 36 inter- in Kuujjuaq explains his motivations when saying that: views with business owners, artists, government staff, “We [Inuit] are not here to survive, we’re here to thrive and community members. and prosper and do better. Do better for our past generations and make them proud. That’s what I try.” The I. How is entrepreneurship defined and idea of proving that Inuit businesses can be successful perceived in modern Inuit society? in a modern economy is an important factor. Entrepre- First, Nunavimmiut mostly refer to entrepreneurs neurs and community leaders are taking action to ignite as individuals who run their own companies, the change. They are striving to build a better future for gen- self-employed, or small-business people. Businesses erations to come and they are not waiting for changes are typically started out of necessity, opportunity, or to happen at the political level. They are inspiring the a desire to be one’s own boss. Aside from monetary youth and showing that it is possible to succeed. considerations, “serving the community” and “creating jobs for locals” are reasons to start enterprises. II. What are some of the main challenges I was curious to know whether community mem- and opportunities faced by entrepre- bers – in the two predominantly Inuit villages I vis- neurs in running their businesses? ited – perceived any tension between engaging in Nunavik is the region in Canada where businesses profit-driven activities and the widespread cultural are the scarcest, as we can observe in the figure be- values of sharing and reciprocity. For some partici- low. High operating costs, knowledge gaps in business pants, the clash in philosophies is evident. For a male administration and management, and lack of local, contributor, business and traditional values do not go reliable labour are the top three obstacles identified hand in hand: “It’s very individualistic, the entrepre- by business owners. Surprisingly, access to capital is neurship where you capitalize on opportunity and try not considered to be a major obstacle for Inuit-owned to make the most gain. Whereas Inuit, we think of businesses. The Kativik Regional Government (KRG) supporting each other and making sure, you know, has done a very effective job at filling the funding gap, everyone is taken care of.” According to Andy Moor- assisting 10 to 15 new enterprises each year. house, Vice-President of Economic Development at Another prevalent and less obvious challenge

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 51 Number of SMEs per 1,000 individuals (aged 15+) 50 48.5 46.6 40 39.2

30 29.6

10 13.1

0 Nunavik Nunavut Nunatsiavut NWT Canada

is the “trust deficit.” In interviews, entrepreneurs The services sector is the most obvious one to echoed the feeling of not being supported by their tap into, according to participants. Currently, community. Despite the role of small businesses in regional organizations subcontract many ser- stimulating local development, entrepreneurs feel vices to firms from the South of Québec. The misunderstood. A woman reinforced this when asked first step is therefore to ensure that the services if the community supported her as a business owner: industry (electricians, plumbers, construction “No. I’m sorry but no. For one thing, they [commu- workers, tech support agents, etc.) employs a lo- nity members] don’t understand it. The other is that cal workforce, as much as possible. many people think entrepreneurs are just trying to make money. Some people are jealous. A lot of it is 2. Promoting the creative class not understanding what’s trying to be done.” In Nunavik, there is certainly a lot of potential The theme of “jealousy” appeared in 70% of to further cultivate an abundant creative class. interviews with current and past business owners. It goes much further than the arts & crafts sec- This feeling of jealousy captures a broader issue. tor and it is a way through which Indigenous The focus on collective decision-making can some- forms of knowledge can be valued and applied times bring down individuals who try to innovate, within today’s economic reality. According to propose fresh ideas, or break from the norm. This one graphic designer in Nunavik: “We can train is expressed by one entrepreneur: “When someone’s people to make things here where we have a trying to create something, there’s a sense of jealou- unique culture and environment: TV shows, sy. […] This is common throughout different people. movies, video games. Culturally, we don’t have When people try to develop or self-actualize, this enough content in Inuktitut. We would be gain- sense of jealousy tends to bring them down.” The ing by creating our own content.” lack of community support may illustrate a rejection or misunderstanding of private ventures. 3.Clean energy as the path forward In Inukjuak, the Innavik Hydro Project was Opportunities launched to offer the region a clean energy al- Despite a myriad of challenges, opportunities for ternative. The small hydroelectric station could inclusive prosperity are plentiful. According to a supply the community in lieu of diesel, and the KRG employee, challenges are a “blessing in dis- project was approved by 83% of voters.8 Renew- guise […] if we can tackle them, benefits will fall able energy would not only provide a long-term, on the community.” With the advent of the Internet sustainable source of energy, it could unlock an and a growing, young population, entrepreneurship array of options, such as greenhouses, while also offers a noteworthy avenue for diversification. Based lowering operating costs. on the research findings and my own perspectives, three main pathways were identified for local eco- III. What programs could be designed to sup- nomic development: port current and future business owners? 1. Giving priority to local service providers 1. Dissemination of information and support 52 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Participants and key informants agree that im- Nunavik-made or tailor-made programs.” provements in communication are essential. Dissemination of information could be made Conclusion available through popular channels such as social Despite a plethora of challenges, entrepreneurship media to promote local recognition and commu- in Nunavik is growing. Entrepreneurs are fostering nal pride. The goal is to engage a new generation a revitalized sense of initiative, resourcefulness, and, of Inuit entrepreneurs and reduce misunder- most importantly, pride. A tension remains between standings around local businesses. the nature of entrepreneurship, which promotes In terms of technical assistance, after a business capital accumulation for a relatively small number, is financed, continued support is limited. Start-ups and the importance of sharing and reciprocity with- require nurturing through their developing phase. in Inuit communities. One of the recommendations The need for mentorship is equally strong. The is to raise awareness on what it means to run a busi- idea is to switch mentality from business creation ness and the social role that entrepreneurs can have. to business sustainability and viability. Businesses can foster greater local empowerment, answer urgent needs such as overcrowded homes, 2. An alternative form of business ownership? and create opportunities for the youth. Moreover, It is worthwhile to consider what business mod- by regrouping, entrepreneurs have the ability to be- els have proved successful in the Arctic, both come more competitive and socially accepted. In a in terms of economic viability and community context where investments in the Arctic are bound buy-in. Many Northern communities revolve to intensify, an integrated vision which includes lo- around social economy organizations, which cally-rooted SMEs is essential.9 Entrepreneurship promote collaboration and participation. Draw- offers itself as a viable alternative if and only if we ing on this commitment to collaboration, busi- experiment with innovative collective structures, nesses could unite to create collective entities. which are more culturally appropriate, all the while Such entities would represent a hybrid between promoting creativity and traditional knowledge. ◉ formal cooperative structures and regional business associations. If entrepreneurs share ware- Nathan Cohen-Fournier is a graduate student at The Fletcher house spaces, shipping containers, administra- School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University. This research tive overhead or insurance contracts, costs could study was funded by the Institute for Business in the Global be reduced. Such methods would leverage val- Context. Moreover, the author like to thank all the participants ues of sharing while creating commercial syner- in Inukjuak and Kuujjuaq for their time and generosity. gies. A veteran entrepreneur echoes the importance of a regional network: “We’ve got to form Endnotes 1 Estimates based on business statistics provided by KRG one cohesive unit as entrepreneurs, one unit and information gathered in interviews and surveys (Co- where we can approach, say, insurance. Twelve hen-Fournier, 2016). businesses approaching insurance company, you 2 The full research report is available at: http://fletcher.tufts. have a lot more clout!” Such an approach would edu/~/media/Fletcher/Microsites/IBGC/Student%20Re- search/IBGC_Nunavik_Entrepreneurship.pdf be enhanced by establishing partnerships with 3 Robichaud, V & Duhaime, G. (2012). Economic Portrait of Nun- public sector and social economy organizations. avik 2012. Presentation to the Kativik Regional Government, March 2015, p. 7. 3. Changes at the policy level to incentivize en- 4 Raglan Mine. « Who We Are ». http://www.mineraglan.ca/ EN/Aboutus/Pages/OurCompany.aspx trepreneurship 5 Plan Nord. http://plannord.gouv.qc.ca/en/ While many improvements can be made locally 6 Rodon, T., Levesque, F., Blais, J. (2013). From Rankin Inlet and regionally, many policies are set at the pro- to Raglan, Mining Development and Inuit Communities. vincial and federal level. The Québec govern- Études/Inuit Studies 37(2) 7 Marchand, M. & Lefebvre D. (2011). Jobs in Nunavik. http:// ment has taken steps to encourage entrepreneur- www.krg.ca/images/stories/docs/Employment_and_Train- ship across the province but these efforts have ing/English/Les%20Emplois%20au%20Nunavik%20 not been felt in Nunavik. KRG has developed 2011%20eng%2003_22.pdf two tailor-made policies to provide additional 8 Rodon, T. (2016). Serving Nunavimmiut: Policies and Programs Adapted to the Reality of Nunavik. https://www. funding. The most important is that policies are academia.edu/20293498/Serving_Nunavimmiut_Policies_ tailored to the region’s needs, as stated by Adel and_Programs_Adapted_to_the_Reality_of_Nunavik Yassa, director of KRG’s Regional and Local 9 Roston, E. (2016). Bloomberg: The World has discovered a Development Department: “Businesses do not 1 trillion Ocean. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-21/the-world-has-discovered-a-1-trillion-ocean take off like a helicopter, it takes time. [We need]

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 53 ARCTIC CONSERVATION SERIES

Healthy caribou herds mean healthy Northerners

The Arctic Conservation Series is published in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund

Monte Hummel & Earl Evans

The decline of Canada’s barren-ground cari- Setting the Stage for Recovery bou herds is being felt across the North. Eight out Giving barren-ground caribou herds the relief they of Canada’s 13 herds are decreasing, and many are need to foster recovery will be most effective if it down over 90 percent from historical highs. The comes from trust and a strong working relationship Bathurst herd, once among Canada’s largest at al- between all interests, including governments and in- most half a million animals, is now down to less than dividual hunters. 20,000. Nunavut’s Baffin Island herd has dwindled In December 2016, the Committee on the Sta- from 100,000 caribou in the 1990s to approximately tus of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 5,000 today. assessed all barren-ground caribou in Canada as Barren-ground caribou populations rise and fall “Threatened,” a designation that means the species as part of their natural cycle, but today there are “is likely to become endangered if nothing is done.” added pressures that are preventing herds from re- In April 2017, the Northwest Territories (NWT) bounding: a changing climate, growing industrial Species at Risk Committee followed suit with the development and an increased human presence in same recommended designation for barren-ground the North, to name a few. caribou in the NWT (excluding the Porcupine cari- The health of barren-ground caribou is intrin- bou herd), adding that the pressures on caribou from sically tied to the health and wellness of Northern climate change and human activity are “unprece- communities. They provide a nutritious, lean food dented.” source in places where food costs are high. Skins are The next steps are for Environment and Climate still used for clothing and bedding, and bones and Change Minister Catherine McKenna to list bar- antlers for handicrafts. Cultural practices are kept ren-ground caribou in Canada as Threatened under alive by teaching youth to hunt caribou responsibly. the Species at Risk Act (SARA), triggering the develop- Following in the footsteps of their Elders ties them to ment of a national recovery strategy and action plan the traditions of their past. Availability of caribou is to protect the species from further declines, and for essential for maintaining the strong traditional, cul- the NWT Conference of Management Authorities tural and spiritual relationship between the land, an- to begin consultations on listing barren-ground car- imals and Indigenous peoples, as well as the connec- ibou in the NWT (excluding the Porcupine caribou tion between generations of caribou-using peoples. herd) under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act. In addition to having priceless cultural value, At the territorial level, nowhere will the potential caribou also represent a significant portion of the for conservation of caribou habitat be greater than Northern economy. The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq in the finalization of the Nunavut Land Use Plan. caribou harvest alone provided a net value of $20 Though many barren-ground caribou herds use hab- million in 2005-2006, according to a 2008 evalua- itat in more than one territory or province during tion commissioned by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq their seasonal migrations each year, most of the ma- Caribou Management Board (BQCMB). As a re- jor herds have their calving grounds in Nunavut. newable resource, caribou could provide an ongo- Traditional knowledge holders and biologists ing, annual source of nutritious food for Northern agree that one of the most important steps that can communities, if the herds are properly managed, be taken to help maintain healthy herds, and en- with an economic value over decades of many hun- courage the recovery of declining herds, is to protect dreds of millions of dollars. calving grounds from disturbance.

54 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Photo credit: World Wildlife Fund Wildlife World Photo credit: Barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) from the Qamanirjuaq herd migrating near Ennadai Lake, Nunavut.

The subject is likely to be a major focus of the Survey Says: Protect Calving Grounds Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) hearing in The vast majority of Northerners agree that calving the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions. Many organiza- grounds should be off-limits to development, accord- tions are planning to attend in the hopes of convinc- ing to a recent survey conducted by Environics on ing the NPC to keep the calving ground protections behalf of World Wildlife Fund Canada. The survey proposed in the 2016 draft land use plan. polled over 150 residents of Nunavut, Yukon and Doing so is unlikely to hinder the massive eco- Northwest Territories, and asked whether respon- nomic benefits found in mining and other - devel dents supported or opposed making caribou calving opment projects in the territory. Of the more than grounds in Canada’s North fully protected areas that 241,000 square kilometres of land identified as hav- do not allow industrial activities such as oil and gas or ing high mineral potential in Nunavut, 75 percent is mining exploration and development. outside of the protected areas proposed for caribou Respondents were asked to identify their cultur- calving and post-calving habitat. al identity, to ensure the sample was representative Protecting calving grounds in the Nunavut of the cultural diversity of the territories. Land Use Plan, as opposed to evaluating projects A large majority (89 percent) of those surveyed on a case-by-case basis, also provides clarity for in- supported protecting caribou calving grounds, with dustry when they are in the project planning stage. over three quarters saying they strongly supported Clear boundaries allow developers to simply design full protection. projects around sensitive caribou habitat, instead of The remaining responses were spread equally throwing considerable time and resources into a de- between somewhat opposing and strongly opposing velopment proposal, only to have it ultimately reject- full protection. ed based on its proximity to calving and post-calving Concern about caribou population declines was areas. This recently happened to a major mine pro- the top reason (53 percent) why respondents felt proposal in Nunavut. tections were needed. Other reasons included cari-

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 55 Photo credit: Alex Ishalook Photo credit: Janet Ishalook and her son Joabie cutting up caribou harvested by Alex Ishalook for his family near their community of Arviat, Nunavut in June 2015, with the coast of Hudson Bay in the background.

bou as an important source of food and clothing for Created by Northern people for Northern peo- the people of the North (29 percent), and the impor- ple, this campaign features the new element of tar- tance of protecting Northern cultures and ways of geting youth with a series of short videos that could life (15 percent). be easily shared on social media. Increasing knowl- These survey results are consistent with posi- edge of and support for caribou conservation by tions on calving ground protection stated by numer- youth will go a long way to ensuring the herds will ous Indigenous organizations representing harvest- be there for future generations. ers across the barren-ground caribou ranges. These Conventional methods of communication are include all three Nunavut regional wildlife boards, also part of the campaign. Hard copies of post- the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, hunters ers, fact sheets, and videos on DVDs ensure users and trappers’ organizations throughout Nunavut, of more traditional media will also get the message. the BQCMB, the Tłįchǫ Government, the Govern- These materials will be distributed by the BQCMB ment of the Northwest Territories, two renewable to communities across the Beverly and Qamanir- resources co-management boards in the NWT, and juaq caribou ranges, including schools, hunters’ and other Dene and Métis organizations from the NWT, trappers’ organizations, and First Nation’s offices. Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A poster contest starting in Kivalliq communities on the caribou range this fall will also be used to Making a Difference at the Community Level promote the materials and encourage conversations Promoting respectful caribou harvest, harvest re- about caribou conservation by students and their porting, and limiting disruptions to caribou habitat families. will be the most important lines of defence for cari- However, support for caribou conservation bou recovery. alone will not reduce pressure on the herds, which Earlier this year, the BQCMB began an innova- is why the BQCMB has focused its campaign on tive approach to a classic media campaign in support what has often been a missing piece for many hunt- of conservation of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq ers, particularly those young or inexperienced. The herds. The campaign, funded by WWF-Canada, is campaign answers the question, “What can I do?” called You Can Make a Difference – Caribou for the Future. Several tips are provided for promoting respect-

56 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 ful harvest, from how to line up a shot, to selecting A Long Road Ahead bulls, to the proper way to pack the meat in a sled so The effort to protect barren-ground caribou and it doesn’t spoil on the way back to the community. their habitat is impressive in its comprehensiveness. These individual actions are designed to help min- The importance of the species to the health and imize wastage and cultivate a longstanding respect wellness of the land and the people is clear from the for the animal and its sacrifice. community level, all the way up to COSEWIC’s rec- Hunters are also encouraged to recognize and ommendation for a “Threatened” designation. avoid calving grounds and post-calving grounds, But there is still work to be done, and import- and to keep the land clean to help provide a safe ant opportunities that could make the difference for environment for cows to have their young. safeguarding the future health and longevity of car- “The calving ground is like a hospital for the ibou in Canada’s North. Final hearings on the Nun- caribou,” says Alex Ishalook, BQCMB member for avut Land Use Plan are taking place in the Kivalliq Arviat, in the video. “It’s nice and clean, it’s nice and and Kitikmeot regions. This fall, the Government of quiet, there’s special plants, there’s special habitat. Canada will have the opportunity to start a nation- Our Elders and local people have always told us to al recovery strategy by listing barren-ground cari- keep the land clean. Don’t build cabins, houses, even bou under SARA, and a similar opportunity exists set up tents in that area, because it’s special.” to start a recovery process at the territorial level for The campaign also goes beyond individual ac- eight herds in the NWT. Educating hunters about tion by targeting companies who operate across the responsible harvest practices and the importance caribou ranges, including those involved with aircraft of harvest reporting will help community members charters, tourism, mineral exploration and develop- make a difference on the ground. ment, expediting, and environmental consulting to There is an opportunity to get it right when it industry, with information about cumulative effects comes to caribou conservation in Canada. The only on caribou and habitat. The hope is that companies thing left to do is to take it. ◉ will think more carefully about how they operate on the land, and consult more with communities and Monte Hummel is President Emeritus at WWF-Canada, Indigenous organizations when projects are in the and Earl Evans is Chair of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq design stage. Caribou Management Board.

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Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 57 LANGUAGE RIGHTS Reconciliation is an English word

Jason Mercredi

n June 8, 2017, the honourable Robert-Fal- Cree remains one of the most common Indige- con Ouellette spoke to the House of Com- nous languages spoken on this continent, to this day. monsO in his official language, Nehiyaw. No issue was How is it that this Indigenous language has yet to be raised regarding the use of the Cree language, but understood by settler society? How is it that, in the his fellow parliamentarians could not understand era of reconciliation, recognition of Indigenous lan- him. Although the honourable member requested guage rights is still so set apart from the Canadian interpretation services 48 hours in advance, none context? Reconciliation is required to step out from were provided. Simply put, the House of Commons the 1580 Elizabethan design of Parliament, and de- claims to have not had the capacity to interpret and, velop new processes that open spaces for Indigenous in an official ruling from the Speaker, denied Oul- Peoples and their languages. lette the right to have his comments translated. Can- ada, after all, only officially speaks two languages on Indigenous Lands Under an English and Turtle Island. French Speaking Country Meanwhile, a proposed Indigenous Languages Act When Cabot landed on the shores of this land, the is anticipated to come before the House. The gov- inhabitants did not speak English or French. In fact, ernment committed to introduce a new Act before it was a practice for Jesuits, missionaries, traders, the next election, but it awaits introduction and and others to learn the first languages of the land: to Indigenous consultation. In the meantime, Indige- learn Cree, Anishnaabe, Iroquois, etc. It made sense nous-speaking Members of Parliament must leave to respect and develop working relationships with their language at the door, as though they were for- the original inhabitants. Indigenous Peoples knew – eign to the land the House of Commons is built on. as they do now – the climate, horticulture, migration Perhaps unintentionally, or perhaps by form of patterns, and medicines of this land. A relationship habit, the House of Commons has stumbled into a existed that, through perceptions of superiority, has confrontation over political and legal rights. An ar- deteriorated from congeniality into one of exclu- gument can be made that without interpretation, In- sion.The need to understand Indigenous languages digenous-speaking members do not remain free from was evident at the time of treaty negotiations. Com- obstruction, interference, intimidation, or molesta- munication was necessary to establish peaceful co- tion in performing their civil duties (as is required existence. The need to understand each other was by the House of Commons Rules on Procedure and essential in forging this new country. There was one Practice).1 What could be more obstructing, or more dish, one spoon from which our societies shared; two of an interference on parliamentary duties, than be- rows to walk along side-by-side. ing denied the ability to communicate? Then along came the policies of assimilation Maintaining the locks on Indigenous tongues is and erasure, which began to govern Indigenous lives an act of moral irresponsibility. It is irresponsible to and livelihoods. Unilateral policies and legislation the 2008 apology to residential school survivors, the were imposed that undid the nation-to-nation rela- tremendous work of the 1996 Royal Commission on tionship, forcing Indigenous Peoples, instead, into a Aboriginal People, the recent Truth and Reconcili- Crown-ward relationship. ation Commission, and the adoption of the United Then came the residential schools, homes far Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous from home for young children, leaving communi- Peoples. Furthermore, inaction forgoes sincerity in ties void of their laughter, joy, and purpose. These the proposed efforts to protect and promote Indige- were “homes” where destruction of Indigenous cul- nous languages and culture as proposed by the for- ture was intended enthusiastically and where (in the mer Aboriginal Languages Act and, its proposed succes- words of our first Prime Minister, John A. Macdon- sor, the Indigenous Languages Act. ald) the goal was to take the Indian out of the child.

58 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Photo credit: Meagan Wohlberg MeaganPhoto credit: Wohlberg Canada’s Parliament buildings viewed from Victoria Island in Ottawa.

Then came a resurgence – a battle, really – in tively sought to destroy is itself laudable. For Cana- the face of determined ignorance, to buttress In- da’s part, though, the claim to protect and promote digenous culture and languages. But Indigenous Indigenous languages doesn’t quite reach beyond Peoples were still not acknowledged as participat- empty words or tokenism. ing founding members of this land, or afforded the privilege that comes with acknowledgement of their Pass the Privilege societies’ contributions to the development and es- On June 12, 1995, Member of Parliament (and Inuit tablishment of this country. They were purposefully leader) Jack Awanak stood in the House of Commons excluded from institutions of governance and edu- and delivered a speech fully in Inuktitut, only to be cation, while overpopulating institutions of criminal shamed by another member for not speaking one of justice and child welfare. the two official languages. Because the other member Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples could neither recognize nor understand the language, have known their languages to be the only official she questioned whether the House “must continue to language. Through Indigenous languages, they listen.” Parliamentary privilege upholds the notion learn to trap, hunt, track, raise children, take on and that only English and French are the official languag- live up to responsibilities, and practice ceremonies es spoken within federal intuitions. Although other and songs. They learn their identity. The resilience languages can be spoken and interpreted, they are not required to relearn a language the state once ac- always interpreted simultaneously.

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 59 English and French interpretations are an equal Indigenous institutions from the requirement of opportunity language privilege not afforded to In- printing and publishing in both official languag- digenous Peoples. Privilege holds no equal opportu- es. The recognition that Indigenous Peoples have nity where opportunities to encourage and support their own languages seems to end upon entering Indigenous languages are missed. In fact, speaking the doors of the House of Commons – as though to the issue of Mr. Anawak’s use of Inuktitut, the Parliament intends to take the Indian out of the then-acting speaker confirmed there was nothing in individual. Indigenous Peoples can speak their lan- the standing orders that would prevent anyone from guages in the House of Commons, so that amount using a language not recognized as one of Canada’s of fairness exists. They do not, however, have the two official languages.2 Unfortunately, as was raised privilege of being understood, at least not unless by Cree Member of Parliament Robert-Falcon they translate or repeat themselves in one of Cana- Ouellette 20 years later, there is nothing to ensure da’s official languages.5 they will be understood. In 1996, The Royal Commission on Aborigi- Twenty years later, the lack of capacity (some nal People released volumes of materials and rec- may say respect) to ensure Indigenous languages ommendations on rebuilding “the relationship.” are understood in the House of Commons is as real Among those was the recommendation to “sustain as it was in 1995, 1958, or even 1867, mimicking Aboriginal identity and languages as a dimension of public life the attitude of the residential schools that enforced in Canada.”6 This sentiment was echoed in the Truth the use of only English or French. Now, the onus is and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) final report not only on the Cree speaking members to trans- after years of being inarguably unaddressed.7 late themselves but to raise the issue in advance with Now, the Canadian Prime Minister is heard the Standing Committee on Procedure and House making claims of commitment to rebuild those Affairs. However, as stated in the recent decision nation-to-nation relationships – claims made con- read by Speaker Regan, Parliament’s technical and tinuously from within the House of Commons. physical capacity for interpretation is limited. None- On December 6, 2016, the Prime Minister, before theless, advances in the Senate disprove the Speak- member Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, er’s argument that “it is beyond the capacity” of the called the TRC the most important work ever done translation bureau to provide interpretation, as the in this country, and committed to implementing Senate already translates documents into several each of its 94 calls to action.8 Furthermore, to the main Indigenous languages. Indigenous parliamen- applause of the Chiefs, the Prime Minister com- tarians are told, essentially, “Hold your breath while mitted to Call to Action number 14 – to enact an you hold your tongue: it might take another 500 Aboriginal Languages Act. years before Indigenous languages reach equitable That was six months before the House of Com- status to settler nations’ languages again.” mons refused a Cree interpreter for the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre. ReconciliACTION Indigenous language interpretation, according to It takes more than words of commitment and rheto- the Speaker of the House, is a “capacity” issue. Does ric to repair the damage done to Indigenous Peoples the House not know where to find Indigenous lan- and communities. As Senator Serge Joyal said after guage speakers, or do they consider the languages as the second reading debate of Bill S-212,3 An Act for unworthy as their forefathers declared them to be? the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and Perhaps by “capacity” the House means it will to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights,4 “Doing cost money? This would almost be believable if not nothing would only result in further deterioration for the $1 million left unspent by Canadian Heri- [of Indigenous languages].” tage’s Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI) and It has been 22 years since Jack Anawak intro- returned to general coffers in the past five years.9 duced the idea that Indigenous languages belong in This would be believable, had the most recent fed- the House of Commons and compared their exis- eral budget not committed $55 million to Indige- tence here for thousands of years to the few centu- nous languages and cultures annually. Having the ries’ old English or French language. Yet, nothing House of Commons apply for Indigenous language has been done to institutionalize Inuktitut (spoken translators through the ALI would demonstrate a by Jack Anawak) or Cree (spoken by Robert-Falcon real effort to reconcile and encourage a resurgence Ouellette), which are two of the oldest languages of Indigenous languages, complementing efforts of on this continent. those healing from intergenerational traumas. What The Official Languages Act exclusively exempts is clear, however, is that no effort like this took place.

60 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 Protected Rights of Indigenous Languages languages, we wonder when Canada will fully own Section 35 (s.35)10 of the Canadian Constitution is the words of its various apologies with actions that said to be a box of rights both recognized and pro- heal, promote, and encourage Indigenous identi- tected under section 2511 of the Canadian Charter of ty. These actions can be as simple as ensuring the Rights and Freedoms. Unfortunately, there is no clearly provision of interpreters for our Indigenous lan- defined understanding or agreement on what those guage-speaking members of Parliament. rights are. Section 37 (stricken from the Part IV of Âhkamêyimo kanêhiyawêyan ◉ * ** the Constitution Act, 1982) required the federal government to consult with Aboriginal communities to Jason Mercredi is of Misipawistik Cree Nation, Treaty 5 specify the Aboriginal rights protected within the Mushkego descent. Jason will be completing his law degree Charter under s.35. Section 37 was struck from the in 2018 at Queen’s University in Kingston. He is looking Charter and the result has been ongoing and expen- forward to working in the legal sphere of Aboriginal and In- sive court visits to justly define s.35. digenous rights, to improve the many areas of need that for too If s.35 rights are still unclear or continually long have gone unaddressed. defined by non-Indigenous governments and their * The capacity to translate the above sentence is beyond the court systems, how will we ever understand each limitations of this article. other in a way that will allow reconciliation to flour- ** Northern Public Affairs seeks to build partnerships to ensure our ish? Absent any consultation on defining Aboriginal material can be presented in any of Canada’s official languag- rights, perhaps the time is nigh for a s.35 Indigenous es, including Nehiyaw. languages challenge. Canadian courts have been filling in these gaps Endnotes 1 House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Second Edi- over the past 40 years, though struggling with the tion, 2009, Rights and Immunities of Individual Members. sui generis nature of Indigenous law. Aboriginal rights 2 June 12, 1995, at page 13605 of Debates. are commonly referred to as “customs, practices 3 As reported here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/ and traditions,” or anything that would make up the national/trudeau-promises-aboriginal-language-bill-but-the- whole-system-needs-an-overhaul/article33444970/ very “core of Indianness” (as stated by the Supreme 4 Aboriginal Languages of Canada Act. Court of Canada in NIL/TU,O Child and Family Ser- 5 Official Languages Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.) section vices Society v. B.C. Government and Service Employees’ 7(3)(b). Union).12 Language undoubtedly makes up the very 6 RCAP 1996, VOLUME 5, Renewal: A Twenty-Year Commitment at p. 11. core of Indianness, and exists well beyond the illu- 7 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action sion of surrendered Aboriginal rights. CTA 14. 8 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Speech to the Assembly of Nation-to-Nation First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly. 9 Evaluation of the Aboriginal Languages Initiative 2009-10 to 2013- Rebuilding nation-to-nation relationships, without 14, page 40. Indigenous languages being heard and understood, 10 The Constitution Act, Part II, Rights of the Aboriginal Peoples of leaves the interpretation of “reconciliation” in the Canada, Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (UK), 1982, c 11. hands of those who claim power. It continues the 11 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s 25, Part I of the Con- stitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 process of colonization by forcing Indigenous Peo- (UK), 1982, c 11. ples to learn and speak either English or French in 12 NIL/TU,O Child and Family Services Society v. B.C. Government order to hold status. English and French interpreters and Service Employees’ Union, 2010 SCC 45, [2010] 2 SCR 696 were introduced into the House of Commons in the p.698: Per McLachlin C.J. and Binnie and Fish JJ.: The central question in this case is whether the operation falls within 1950s as a way of ensuring that members under- the protected “core of Indianness” under s. 91(24) , defined stand one another. Are we still a country that refuses as matters that go to the status and rights of Indians. to understand its other founding nations? 13 2008 Apology to Residential School Survivors. There is now an opportunity to demonstrate that Indigenous Peoples belong, as we are, were, and will be, through new conventions or laws that uphold s.35 language rights. There is now an opportunity to establish equitable nation-to-nation relationships, as our numbered Treaties promise. Canada inflicted deep wounds on the languages and cultures of Indigenous Peoples, and this “dark stain” has been widely admitted.13 Once punished, shamed, and prevented from speaking Indigenous

Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 61 Photo credit: Meagan Wohlberg pcaua iwfo h hr fGreat Lake. Slave from the shore of A spectacularview BOOK REVIEWS

Rae, B. (2015). Leadership in governance is characterized as What’s Happened an association of vision, persuasion and implemen- to Politics? Toronto: tation, considering pragmatism more than apply- Simon and Schuster ing theory. He says great leaders inspired loyalty, Canada. support, affection and respect. In this book, he has neither friend nor foe. As an author, he steadfastly In What’s Happened to focuses on Canadian politics, at times referencing Politics, Bob Rae shares leaders and events in other countries. He is generous his collective knowledge in giving credit where due, and ruthless in criticism and experience in na- when necessary, regardless of political alliance. tional and internation- Demography, Rae agrees, is vital to all areas of al matters. The book policy making. Yet he fails to consider geographic targets those who have and topographic circumstances – instead restricting deep political interest and look up to politics as a calculations only to head counts, per capita calcu- way of solutions for life. It brings realism into profes- lations, and the number of voters – an approach sional scholarship about Canada, but with simplistic that has failed the peoples of territories and North- yet interesting interpretations, covering many years ern regions. In discussing economic policy, he posits of Canadian politics. It is ideal for those who share that while growth and jobs are helpful, investment in the book’s eponymous question, and is education- infrastructure, education and innovation are more al for new and future politicians, students and poli- advisable than cuts. Further remarking on “Teapar- cy-makers alike. The book includes both Canadian tynomics,” he cites Oliver Wendel Holmes’s dictum and international political history that will be rele- that “taxes are the price we pay for civilization,” and vant to both late arrivals to this country and those adds that this sentiment is almost forgotten. The au- with an interest in global politics. Bob Rae’s wisdom thor links economics with sustainable development and his fine and broad depth of knowledge are well and innovative sustainability. reflected throughout the book. However, his political The book recognizes Indigenous people as the opponents, targets of his criticisms and those not in- fastest growing population, despite erstwhile predic- clined to his views may well be critical. tions that they would disappear. He forthrightly de- The book’s six chapters all ask what happened clares that Canada is a colonized Indigenous coun- to something: Politics, Leadership, Policy, Aborigi- try. Conquest of Canada, claiming “no mans’ land,” nal Peoples in Canada, Democracy in Canada, and the treatment of Indigenous Peoples and treaties are Canada in the World, and concludes with recom- all dealt with extensively by the author. He explains mendations for further reading. The book aims at the divine belief of Indigenous peoples about the rationalizing whether Canadian democracy has land and the legal structure imposed by colonialism, made individual Canadian lives better. seeing it as a bad deal Indigenous peoples were co- The author reviews back seventy years ago, to erced into and equating it to a robbery at gunpoint. after World War II, the return of peace, good jobs, The book references the Charlottetown Accord in 1992 sustainable growth and robust social programs, and the defeated national referendum that includ- which created hope for Canadians. But later, Rae ar- ed self-government negotiations with First Nations, gues that politics neglected young voters, which cre- senate reform and other matters, in addition to the ated apathy. Rae’s proposals to avoid this recurring Quebec issue. In my view, this was a political event are to lower the voting age and to use emerging tech- that abused voters’ innocence and ignorance. He ar- nologies. The increasing reliance of political parties gues that a richer view of constitutional democracy on commercial techniques and on money and polls is required, rather than pure majoritarian theory. are other major issues that he identifies. He sees the As Rae points out, Canada is a constitutional politics of today as relying on faith over simple truth, democracy, a government controlled by the people, akin to a religion and with the same centrally con- and he describes the difference of rule of law and trolled power. Politicians, Rae argues, must return to rule of justice. Rae further identifies the Charter as speaking with, not to, Canadians. Political issues are a centralizing document, whereas Canada today is often hijacked or diverted by the media, yet, quoting the most decentralized federation in the world. His Shakespeare, “Politics is not simply a game for poli- frustration is reflected in his distaste for pandering ticians in which citizens watch from sidelines.” to stereotypes resulting in criminalizing certain eth- Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 63 nicities. Humorously, he further points out that the Cameron, E. (2015). Income Tax Act and Criminal Code are the largest in Far Off Metal River: the Canadian system. The author applauds Bever- Inuit Lands, Settler ly McLachlin’s work as Chief Justice, who through Stories and the Mak- her work confirmed that some women approach and ing of the Contem- achieve results differently. porary Arctic. Van- In a parliamentary system, elections produce couver: University a parliament, which makes a government. But Rae of British Columbia posits that most Canadians conceive elections as be- Press. ing about choosing a prime minister, as indicated well by how sharply elections are focused on party lead- Far Off Metal River is a ers and how the government is operated exclusively compelling, beautiful- by the Prime Minister’s Office. His discussion should ly-written meditation motivate any Canadian to seek electoral reform. on non-Inuit, non-Indigenous peoples (Qablunaat) “Let the caucus be more raucous,” he contends. relations to Inuit lands and Inuit peoples. The first He repeatedly insists that politics should neither re- chapter’s opening quote by Jeannette Armstrong and frain from engaging and expressing views, nor make cited in Paulette Regan’s Unsettling the Settler Within, false pretenses. The book encourages conversation eloquently articulates the crux of the book: “Imag- and fair negotiations. It says pretending nothing ine interpreting for us your own people’s thinking to- happens is dangerous to all. His principles of con- ward us, instead of interpreting for us, our thinking, ducting political businesses are, whether national or our lives, our stories.” international, open dialogues and constructive de- Written in an evocative, narrative style, Cameron bates, and ultimately seeking peace and solutions. convincingly illustrates how stories are never innoc- Rae argues that human rights, economics, com- uous. They have material, relational meanings that munity development and cultural integrity need to equally order relations between people and relations be shared experiences with other countries sharing between people and the land. She also argues for the Canada’s Indigenous-settler dynamic. He supports ‘placing’ of stories – that is, the understanding that Inuit peoples in making connection with other Polar stories are always set in a particular context, situat- communities. He emphasizes that sensitivity and un- ed and partial. Hence, Far Off Metal River is a critical derstanding of climate change, cultural and educa- and moving portrait of how one story in particular tional challenges, and resource development should – Samuel Hearne’s account of a massacre at the con- be the Canadian reality. sequently named Bloody Falls – continues to play an The contents of this book are sensitive and thought important role in defining the ways in which Qablu- provoking, and not leisure reading. It is a unique com- naat relate to Northern lands and Northern peoples. pilation of various aspects and a number of eras and It is a book to come back to, again and again. leadership in the history of Canadian politics. ◉ The alleged Bloody Falls massacre story is derived from Samuel Hearne’s diary account of how a 1771 This review was authored by Janaki Balakrishnan, Principal trip, commissioned by the Hudson’s Bay Company of ENVISION and a professional engineer with over 35 years to assess the copper wealth in the areas surrounding of experience in British Columbia, Ontario, Nunavut and the the community now known as Kugluktuk ended in Northwest Territories. She has extensive experience as not only the vicious slaughter of a group of Inuit by his Dene an engineer but researcher, educator, supervisor, manager and travel companions. The motivation behind the book leader in the utility industries, customer and consumer service itself speaks to Cameron’s insightful recognition that businesses, engineering consultancy and academia. In addi- silence is as meaningful as a story that is spoken and tion to engineering consultancy, ENVISION specializes in shared aloud. Her curiosity at why the story of Bloody self-governance, capacity development, sustainability and the Falls is not told by Kugluktukmiut was the starting self-reliance of Northern communities post devolution. This point for the investigative journey that eventually led review was prepared for Northern Public Affairs maga- to this book. Yet rather than engage with the story zine by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada’s as Qablunaat have done since Hearne’s account was (IPAC) NWT Regional Group. Please note that the views first devoured by an 18th century imperial audience, and opinions expressed in this review are those of the author Cameron’s reading is not one of Inuit-Dene conflict. and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of IPAC Instead, she argues, the Bloody Falls story is a Qa- or ENVISION. blunaaq story, told by, for, and about Qablunaat in pursuit of their own claims and interests. ◉◉◉ Though the accuracy of the Bloody Falls story 64 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 has long been questioned, Cameron argues through to listen, and to stop.” She does this by illustrating the chapters in this book that the story nevertheless how the Bloody Falls story holds little importance matters, particularly through its significance to the for Inuit, who do not consider it “a good story.” Yet construction and reconstruction of non-Indigenous, Qablunaat have tried to uncover a counter narrative non-Northern relations to Northern peoples and to validate, refute or otherwise fill out the gaps in lands. The story, Cameron argues, makes legible Hearne’s story. According to Cameron, the call for “a distinctly Qablunaaq sense of being innocent Inuit to talk back or re-narrate in direct response to witnesses to the suffering of Northern Indigenous Qablunaaq stories speaks to a broader settler colo- peoples, obscuring their active participation in the nial trend, where “Inuit are called upon to respond altering of Northern lives and livelihoods and the to Qablunaat in modes, formats, and terms that are social construction of racialized difference that has dictated by, and legible to, Qablunaat.” Yet Kugluk- justified the intrusion of the Canadian State into the tukmiut have other stories that are significant and family and community lives, and ultimately the lands life-affirming to them, and it is in these other stories, and natural resources, of Northern peoples. After where significant insight into how to engage in other all, it was Hearne himself who was responsible for modes of relationship with Inuit can be found. bringing Dene into Inuit lands on that fateful day. This leads to Far Off Metal River’s message to pol- This false neutrality, Cameron argues, is a subject icy-makers and administrators alike: that colonial position that resonates with today’s Qablunaaq re- forms of governmentality are not undone through searchers, policy-makers, and administrators, many devolution or land claims. Rather, the task to Qa- of whom continue to conceptualize their presence as blunaat is to commit to critically interrogating and objective, helpful and necessary. remaking relations with Northern peoples and lands. The book’s seven chapters take the reader through This includes not only interpersonal relations but multiple temporal and spatial progressions. From its also the relations embedded within the institutions, early days recounting to European audiences, where legal frameworks, and structures that seek to frame it confirmed and validated the imperial/colonial proj- and define Northern Indigenous lives.◉ ect around narratives of civilization, savagery, empire, and violence; to the massacre’s memorialization in the This review was authored by Julia Christensen, who was born naming of a local flower and identification of bones, and raised in the Northwest Territories, and is currently an marked with signs of struggle, during the 1818 Franklin Assistant Professor in Geography and Planning at Roskilde expedition; to Inuit efforts to resist the newly appointed University in Denmark and a Research Fellow at the Institute territorial government’s efforts to memorialize the mas- for Circumpolar Health Research in Yellowknife. This review sacre by the placement of a plaque on the Coppermine was prepared for Northern Public Affairs magazine by River; through to a much broader discussion of settler the Institute of Public Administration of Canada’s (IPAC) colonialism, State-endorsed non-renewable resource NWT Regional Group. Please note the views and opinions extraction on Northern lands, and Inuit self-determi- expressed in this article are those of the author and do not nation. After all, Cameron argues, the story of Bloody necessarily reflect the policy or position of IPAC. Falls is, among other things, a “copper story.” In other words, the imperial quest for Northern resources was ◉◉◉ the central motivation behind the journey in the first place. Yet the fact that this story is not told as a “copper Widdowson, F. & story” reveals a denial on the part of Qablunaaq about Howard, A. Eds. what ultimately drives their interests in the North. Nev- (2013). Approaches ertheless, to Inuit the story clearly conveys the value to Aboriginal that outsiders assign to their lives and lands. Education in Cameron’s argument in Far Off Metal River, like Canada. Edmonton: the story itself, goes beyond the point and time at Brush Education Inc. which it was first written in Hearne’s diary. In pre- senting the story and its significance to Qabluna- There are few modern at relations to the North, Cameron intends not to academics and scholars once again privilege colonialism as the framework who provoke such an through which to understand Indigenous lives. Rath- emotional response from er, she seeks to understand colonialism as a relational readers of Northern and form; one that continues to be reproduced through Indigenous Studies than Frances Widdowson and Qablunaat myths of universal truths and certainty. Albert Howard. They have received harsh criticism Cameron urges Qablunaat to “know less, claim less, of their past work, particularly their first book: “Dis- Northern Public Affairs, July 2017 65 robing the Aboriginal Industry.” Some reviewers of essays. Nevertheless, this book is a worthwhile read: that book went beyond a typical review and attacked firstly, because of the dire immediacy of the educa- their character, calling them intellectually dishonest, tion issues being faced by Indigenous communities racist, and “kooks,” amongst other things.1 So, if you across Canada and, second, due to the diverse ap- are uneasy being taken outside of your comfort zone proaches presented and because of (or in spite of, for or having your assumptions challenged, perhaps you some readers) its editors. shouldn’t read Widdowson and Howard’s latest book, The implications of this debate (Integrationism Approaches to Aboriginal Education in Canada: Searching for vs. Parallelism), within the context of the Northwest Solutions but in this reviewer’s opinion, dismissing it on Territories in particular, are both relevant and time- this basis would be a mistake. ly. Law-making jurisdiction over education is recog- This book is an important collection of essays by nized in the federal Aboriginal Self-Government In- over twenty authors exploring two distinct approach- herent Right Policy. In the Northwest Territories, it es to Indigenous education: parallelism and integra- is a subject matter covered in self-government agree- tionism. Widdowson and Howard participate in the ments. With the recent celebration of the estab- debate, but do not dominate it. I found the range lishment of self-government for the community of of views, the challenging discourses, and the new Délįnę, the second in the NWT after the Agreement perspectives to be welcome and refreshing. I should of 2003, and with more self-government agreements add that I am not a professional educator. However, I nearing completion, the question of jurisdiction over read this work as someone who has been recognized education – and which way forward for each com- for my volunteer work in education as well as having munity – will be more frequently raised. Given the lived in and worked for Indigenous communities and high stakes of getting it wrong, everyone, including with Indigenous governments for over two decades. Indigenous communities, will be better served by The editors of this book challenge us to under- keeping an open mind to diverse perspectives such take one of the fundamental processes of critical as these. ◉ thinking: that is, to discover what our assumptions are. They quote S.D. Brookfield who describes the This review was authored by Mark Salvor, who recently retired process of critical thinking as: from the Government of the Northwest Territories where he 1. Identifying the assumptions that frame our thinking was the Chief Negotiator with the Department of Aborigi- and determine our actions; nal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. A proud North- 2. Checking out the degree to which these assumptions erner, his previous work includes several years as Director of are accurate and valid; Development for the Innu Nation. This review was prepared 3. Looking at our ideas and decisions (intellectual, for Northern Public Affairs magazine by the Institute of organizational, and personal) from several different Public Administration of Canada’s (IPAC) NWT Regional perspectives; and, Group. Please note the views and opinions expressed in this 4. On the basis of all this, taking informed actions. article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the This is how the editors recommend we begin policy or position of IPAC or the Government of the Northwest critically reading the various arguments regarding Territories. the two approaches to Indigenous people education. Integrationism, the current approach we have now in most jurisdictions in Canada, argues for working to improve the outcomes for Indigenous students within the established education system. Parallel- ism, on the other hand, is an approach that calls for self-determination for Indigenous peoples through independent schools managed by Indigenous communities with Indigenous values at their core. There could be an argument that these essays, or at least some of them, by referring so broadly to “Aboriginal education”, generalize the issues and challenges of hundreds of unique peoples across a continent – some of whom might have little in common with one another, other than a shared colonial experience – and even that common history was not experienced in the same way in all places. This challenge, I think, should also inform how we read these 66 Northern Public Affairs, July 2017

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