2014 ASSEMBLY GENERAL ICC PRESENTS

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Atautchitun katilluta uqarupta tajva Nunangat nayuqtaqput suangasiniaqtuaq.”

Lighting the qulliq (seal oil lamp).

vani katimagapta (ICC General Assembly ) 2014 Inuuvingmi Inuit Uvagut ilisimagikput nuna nayuqtaqput. Tamapta katilluta Uqaiyuat Alaskamin, Greenland, , Chukotka (Russia). Nuna ilisimayaptingnik uqarluta tajva aulagupta iluatun sivunniurniatuanni. Nayuqtaqpullu Sivuniqpullu Atausiuyuq. Tamarmik uvani ilauyuat Katimaryuarapta suangamun iluatun Uvani tajva katimagapta (ICC GA) anginiqsayungnaqtuq. Inugiaktut aullaqiyuanni. nunat ungavani savaktillu nayuqtaqput maani qiviaqtuatun iliyaat. Sunaliqaa atuaksaq isumagiblugu. Iluriurluta sivuniuqtuksauyugut. Tamapsi Inuit ICC-nguyusi, Ilipsi tajva. Angalatchiyuat sivunniuqtit Nunaptingni tajva qangma sapiqsautit nanginautit sukkuliqaa ikayuqugaasi. Ilipsi ilisimayuasi; anguniarnikkun ikayuqtuat ilitarnaqtut. katimayuannun. Taimana tajva iluriluta sivinniurniaqtuanni.

Katimagapta Inuit sivuliuqtingingnin tusaayuanni taapkuatigun. Inuvik-miutauyuami. Inuit alagiit atautchimuksimagamik Tajvuuna tajva taamna Kitigaaryuit Declaration aullaqiyuaq. Sitamani suanguatigivaga. Kuukpak, Canada-mi anginiqsaq, tariurlu qanittuk. Irilu ukiuni savaaksaqput nalunaiqtuaq. Malirutaksaq. Iluatun tajva akiptingni takunaqtut. Natirnaq nigim tungaani. Inuuqatigiit nunaqatigiit sivunniuqtuksauyuguk maani. Nayuqtaqput nuna mana alangumun Inuit katimayuat Greenland-min, Chukotka, , Canada-minlu. aullaqiyuaq nalunaittuq. Atautchitun ikayqtigiiktugut sungiqutigiiktugut. Savaqatigiikkupta iluatun inuusiqput sivunialagikput. AARIGA! Nalunaittuq takumagikput nunanin ungavanin inuusiqput angaltchukaat.

Atautchitun katilluta uqarupta tajva Inuit Nunangat nayuqtaqput suangasiniaqtuaq.

Quyanaq,

Duane Ningaqsiq Smith President ICC Canada WELCOME ADDRESS

Through our efforts as a united voice, we let the global community know what our vision is for Inuit Nunaat we are not here to just survive but to thrive in our own environment.”

Duane Ningaqsiq Smith in his opening speech.

he ICC General Assembly (ICC GA) 2014 in Inuvik brought We are the experts in this land and together with others we will use the Ttogether Inuit from Alaska, Greenland, Canada and Chukotka best of our knowledge and the best of other expertise to make informed (Russia) under the call of “Ukiuqtaqtumi Hivuniptingnun, One , decisions and shape our future together. One Future”. Each of those present at the ICC GA brought strength to our intention This may be the most important ICC GA yet, as many countries and and each of them offered wisdom. industry look north for new opportunities of energy, shipping, and The ICC is all Inuit, it is YOU. The Executive Council needs your resources and we need to ensure economic development is carried out support, your expertise in your respective fields; such as when harvesters in a sustainable way. Our communities face at this time unprecedented contribute their knowledge to their regional bodies, which in turn allows health and wellness challenges including increasing rates of chronic us to express the rights and the positions of Inuit on harvesting issues at disease, food insecurity, and mental health. the broader national and international levels. At the ICC GA we addressed and heard open, frank, and meaningful My hometown Inuvik is a place where incredible diversity comes deliberations on these crucial issues amongst Inuit leaders leading to together forming a strong and coherent community. Our geography the adoption of the Kitigaaryuit Declaration. The Declaration charts a includes the Mackenzie River, Canada’s largest freshwater delta, and the course for the next four years – a course that will steer us through both majestic Arctic Ocean; we have mountains to our west, and the tundra to the challenges of this rapidly and unpredictably changing Arctic, and as our east. Circumpolar Inuit are as diverse and in unity – gathering from importantly, position our communities, our youth and our culture to take Greenland, Chukotka, Alaska and the Canadian Arctic. We are “One advantage of opportunities in our changing Arctic. Arctic” and together we help forge “One Future” for our people. We see increasing pressure from beyond our borders to impose Let us forge new partnerships and innovative ways to meet our restrictions on our sustainable use of natural resources and continued challenges, embracing together the opportunities before us. To all who threats to our land from climate change and contaminants. make it so, AARIGA! Through our efforts as a united voice, we let the global community know what our vision is for Inuit Nunaat. We are not here to just survive but to Quyanaq, thrive in our own environment.

Duane Ningaqsiq Smith President ICC Canada

3 Published quarterly by ICS at Box 1704, 292 Mackenzie Rd, Inuvik, , X0E 0T0. Contact 1 (867) 777-2320 or [email protected] CONTENTS Publisher Inuvialuit Communications Society

Happy faces. Editorial Vanessa Rogers and Scott Kasook (front).

Singing for the delegates.

Elder Sarah Tingmiak (center) dances as the crowd cheers. Publication Advisor Peggy Jay, IRC Excitement at the airport. Debbie Gordon-Ruben (front).

t is close to midnight at the were let through by officials of the singing with full lung power. Inuvik Mike Zubko Airport. The Canada Border Services Agency I Elder Sarah Tingmiak, using her Inuvik Drummers and Dancers (CBSA). cane and supported by dancer had already danced twice that Some Alaskans respond in dance, Wendy Smith and Alainna WELCOME day as planes for Greenlanders, one even dropping his cane in Carpenter enters the dance area. Chukotkans (Russians) and order to express his happiness She puts down her cane and begins arrived. The Alaskans more fully. “Aya-ya!” Debbie to dance. The crowd cheers. Deep are now arriving. Russian delegate Vasilii Dobriev dancing upon arriving. Scott Kasook, Nungki Brian Rogers and Kevin Allen. Gordon-Ruben and Kendra Elanik hugs, big smiles and even some TO INUVIK There was moisture in the air, heat dance right next to the rope border tears are shared. These are just from the bated breaths of Inuvialuit set up by CBSA, while the larger some of the wonderful moments Greenlanders arriving by Canadian North. waiting to see who would come off group of drummers stood on rows welcoming ICC delegates arriving the planes, and from drum dancers of chairs spanning the width of the at the Inuvik airport. Managing Editor/Writer/Photographer Zoe Ho giving their all each time Alaskans airport, beating their drums and

Photographers Nick Westover, Hans Blohm, David Stewart Igloo Church. Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. 7 GreenlandersAlaskan Welcome. enjoying the show. Reunion. Kendra Elanik. 9 Inuvialuktun Translator Albert Elias 2 Introduction 6 Welcome to Inuvik Art Creative Director Zoe Ho Art Director/Designer Marten Sims POLITICS 10 ICC History in Brief

Special Thanks Feature Story Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, ICC Canada, Northern Games Society, ICC General Assembly participants, 12 Part I: “One Arctic, One Future” volunteers, sponsors, Nellie Cournoyea, Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Philippa Vos, Billie Lennie THE MAKING OF THE ICC GA

ONE ARCTIC, rom 20th to the 26th of July, Inuvik was transformed Finto an international hub where Circumpolar Inuit came together to discuss their political future, culminating in ONE FUTURE the adoption of the Kitigaaryuit Declaration setting their ICS Board of Directors One Arctic, One Future is how we work together to make a road map for the next 4 years. At the same time the ICC GA long term investment in the responsibility of looking after is an opportunity for all the Inuit to get together to share and our homeland. We come from different countries but it’s really celebrate their uniqueness, their commonality, their differences one people. No matter what happens in the future, and we felt UKIUQTAQTUMI and to come together as they used to traditionally at the end of this right from the beginning. Politicians and larger country a year of nomadic living in order to sustain a living on the land. President, Inuvik Lucy Kuptana initiatives come and go but the Inuit are always going to be there. HIVUNIPTINGNUN

Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers and the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers performing. 13 Vice President, Sachs Harbour Donna Keogak ISR drummers and dancers performing. 33 Treasurer, Director, Debbie Raddi Director, Aklavik Colin Gordon Feature Story Director, Ulukhaktok Joseph Haluksit Director, Paulatuk Lawrence Ruben 32 Part II: Making of the ICC GA 38 Kitigaaryuit Declaration 48 Volunteer Power: Brenda and Vina Norris 59 Proud to be Home: Andrea Hansen Funding made possible by 60 In Appreciation Inuvialuit Regional Corporation GNWT (Education, Culture and Employment) ICC GA Katimavium akiani pingasut igluruyat iluani takunaqtut mumiktiqiyit savaksimayuat. ICC-mi nunaqativut. Uqaqtuat tugligiiklutik malirusimagait. COMMUNICATING Annie Goose unalu Helen Kitekudlak Ulukhaktok- miutak Innuinaqtun FOR THE PEOPLE uqaqtuk. Uva sivikitumik unipkaaqtuq. SAY YES TO At one end of the ICC GA conference hall, there is a row of booths where :30 ublaami 6-mun aglaan savakpaktuangni. interpreters from the ICC countries are hard at work, simultaneously 8Malruuyut savaktik igluami. Innuinaqtun mumiktisivaktuanni, ilaanni Taniktun. translating as presenters took their turns at the podium. Annie Goose from Ikayuqtigiikpaktuanni. Qiilaksuuqluta OPPORTUNITY Ulukhaktok is in the Innuinaqtun booth, along with Helen Kitekudlak. She isumaliuqpaktuanni, inuit iluatun tusaapqublugit. acqui Lambert is a life force to be between Alaska and Russia, show When she first applied for the all around the world. I didn’t mind took a little time out to share what it is like to translate at the ICC GA. Mumiktisivaktuat nunaqatigiingnun, Russia, Jreckoned with. The 22 year old how we lost touch with our dancing UN internship position, another traveling on my own,” she says. from Kotzebue, Alaska can be seen and yet it’s not lost, we are finding candidate was selected instead. Greenland, Yupik, Inupiaq, Inuktitun, “I’m trying to prove to the youth, at the ICC GA conference meetings, it again. We talk so much about “After Labour Day weekend I Uummarmiutun, Sallirmiutun, Innuinaqtunlu. don’t wait. It’s possible, don’t snapping away with her camera as a losing our native language, but we opened up my emails and they were Tamaan inuum uqaqtanga mumiktiniaqtuksaq. wait for the delegates to reach journalist for First Alaskans magazine, are also losing our native dance. like ‘The other candidate backed Inuit katimavingmi iltarnaqtut. Kitikmeot, out to you. Take any opportunity while multi-tasking as ICC Alaska Because of the cold war Russia and out! Are you interested in coming Uummarmiut, Kivataanirmiullu. Ilaani savaqatitka that comes. If I haven’t started Staff, coordinating logistics and Alaska couldn’t communicate with to the UN on Friday?’ This was a kituliqaa naalagiakpakatka. Uqausingit the Youth Media group in 2005 donning her dance parka to perform each other. When that happened Tuesday but I can’t say no to this.” quvianaqtut. I’ll never be here today. And all I with the Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights they communicated songs through “Even though on short notice and heard when I signed up was that Inugiaktut uqausiqpait tusarnaqtut. Dancers. As part of her internship the radio. There are some dances I didn’t know anyone, I trusted it it’s a fun project with cameras and Sivituaqtumik tusaamaugalirainni with the UN Indigenous People’s where they are familiar with enough. I talked to my professors, I they are going to Barrow. It shifted qangiqsinarmiut. Quyallitauyuq. Center of Documentation, she is the songs but the motions were met everyone when I was there and my entire career for me. So that’s Mumiktiniaqpaktuanni uqaqtuaq also collecting oral histories for a different because they couldn’t Subscriptions basically that’s how I became an basically what it is, don’t be scared angumaniaqlugu. Isumaliurnaqtuq sukayumik. documentary. share them.” Ilinariblunilu qakugu. intern with the Indigenous People’s of any opportunity.” While it might seem like a lot on Jacqui’s long distance internship Center of Documentation. I’ve been Uqausiqpait tusaamaugalirainni sumiliqa her shoulders, Jacqui says she is with the UN has her working with katimayuanni qangiqsinaqivangmiyuat. Ilinarmiuq having the time of her life. “In the 6 other youth from Bolivia, Costa qakugu ilurilutin savakkuvit. past 4 years I was just thinking Rica, Australia, the Philippines, the ICC, ICC, really excited! I’ve been Arctic region, the North American Mumiktiniq quviagiyara. Uqaqtaksat katimayuanni planning for this forever,” she says. region. At a historic symposium, Don’t wait for the delegates sivunniuqtaksat inugiaktut. Inuit pitqusiitigunlu, [email protected] Jacqui was 14 years old when she the interns documented oral to reach out to you. Take any sapiqsautitigun, iluatun inuusiq tutqiksarniq. attended her first ICC GA in Barrow histories of Inuit people who were Tamana tajva qangiqsipkaqtuksauyuq inungn Alaska as part of the Sivuliq Youth part of the fight for Indigenous opportunity that comes... It shifted naalaktuanun. Media Group. “I didn’t understand rights in the 70s. my entire career for me. Don’t be what was going on, I was just Uqaqatigiipaktuanni savaqatiptingnun. “At the UN Convention in Geneva working hard with the media, scared of any opportunity.” Taimana innapta. Savaaksaugaluaqluta in 1977, Indigenous people were not learning the tools... how to use these ikayuutivaktuanni uqaqatigiikluta. Nirivigaluani even allowed into the convention microphones and cameras.” When uqaqatigiingnaqtuq iluatun. Taimana tajva area. We recorded the stories of the +1 (867) 777-2320 she turned 18 she went to the 2010 ikayurniaqpaktuanni. BEHIND THE SCENES first delegates that were there, who ICC GA in Nuuk Greenland as an were fighting, we have human rights observer. “I was just learning the too, there’s a big rally of them.” This Annie Goose (L) and Helen Kitekudlak (R). ropes, sitting in and understanding project called “The Bridge to the the materials. Through these ICCs Future” is according to Jacqui “to e work from 8:30 am to 6 pm – there Uummarmiutun, Siglit, and Innuinaqtun...We’ve There are many technical terms and when speaker’s perspective, and their audience. It’s a Translators have been talking to each I can feel my growth.” build the bridge between the first are 2 interpreters in each booth. We to try to translate everything that’s being said on you are translator-interpreter, over a period of technique you learn over time and you do the best other of course, because we Inuit are W “Sivuliq means the front end delegates, the elders, and the youth the floor because that’s expected of us. There are years you get to understand the different topics are translating from English to Innuinaqtun, you can of course. an open people. Even if we are busy of the bow. We are leading this about this history.” people sitting in the audience that I recognize, that they talk about so that’s helpful. You are sometimes vice versa. It depends on the speakers. we take time to communicate. Like technology change, using these I enjoy translating - topics brought to the floor Jacqui finds courage to be the We take turns translating to take pressure off some from here, some from Kitikmeot, some translating as close as you can really quickly, at the tables where we eat, you try to media tools to preserve our from each regions range from knowledge based, key to getting life changing each other. Your mind is going so many miles per understand Innuinaqtun, Uummarmiutun, and you mind is going very fast, you have to put accommodate each other as best as culture,” she says through projects traditional-cultural sharing, to difficult situations experiences. “Any opportunity hour, and you try to do the best you can to get the , so I guess some of them take on the the two together. It’s a technique you learn over you can, that is the quality that we try such as a documentary on the language that is closest to them. Sometimes time. in each region or the good works that they are JACQUI that came up I was just like YES I message out to the people,” she said. to carry as translator-interpreters. Beringia Land Bridge. “Basically doing. You have to translate that to the audience didn’t want to pass anything up.” when I am taking time out I listen to the people it’s about the connection of dances Some of the words you hear over and over Every booth is speaking for their region. There who are translating and there is music in the and that the information can be received well. in different conferences but it differs in each is Russian, Greenlandic, Yupik, Inupiat, Inuktitut rhythm of the different dialects. 65 LAMBERT Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers. 69 Get Social @ Facebook, Twitter and Tusaayaksat.ca BEHIND THE SCENES 64 Communicating for the People: Annie Goose 66 Jumping In: Howie MacLeod 68 Saying Yes to Opportunity: Jacqui Lambert 70 Up and Coming: Tom McLeod Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: Blohm Hans Photo: THE BILL Carman Michael Photo: MAMAQTUUQ! EDMUNDS Edna Elias, Commissioner of . Enjoying the dancing. DELICIOUS EATING AWARDS here was a secret ingredient available in the region, moose, for all this!” said an Alaskan on doughnuts. The excitement of Tbehind all the joy at the ICC caribou, geese, duck, muskrat, her Facebook, showing a bowl of feeding the guests is infectious and GA – nutrient rich, energy giving ptarmigan, rabbit, fish are made maktak, dryfish and drymeat. there is much laughter as the food is ICC Alaska reception. country food! Volunteer cooks into soups and roasted, and there prepared. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: “We used about 20 pails of maktak, Photo: Michael Carman prepared pails of maktak day and are drymeats and dryfish of all 40 muskrats and 30 ducks,” said Country food is a crucial part Terry Audla receiving an ICC flag. night at Jim Koe Park, and the kinds. Eskimo donuts, soups, stews, head cook Sandra Ipana, who was of Inuit culture, and for many rich beluga blubber boiling away bannock, berries, everything was shaping fishcakes with her daughter who have moved away, coming was a beautiful sight. There is just available for a token price, and owards the end of the ICC Bunnik, and a group of volunteers back and eating country food about every kind of country food visitors are delighted. “Only $10 TGA, an award and gift Caribou soup and roast with bannock. from the Northern Games Society. immediately connects them to presentation ceremony is held in Coming through the door of the their roots. It has been twelve years recognition of service towards cook booth are volunteers carrying since Louise Aga Flooren has been Photo: Minnie Naylor ICC’s goals. massive bags of flour, while others back home in Inuvik. She drove The Bill Edmunds Award was are flipping pancakes and fishcakes, for 4 days from Fort Vermillion,

presented to Carl Christian Blohm Hans Photo: punching dough, frying Eskimo bringing her young children along Photo: Peggy Jay Olsen, (Puju) for his outstanding so they could get a taste their role in promoting Inuit rights culture. Her children cannot get and interests throughout the enough of the drymeat. “The food, circumpolar region. Puju is the the activity, the relatives, friends COUNTRY FOOD COUNTRY AWARDS & GIFTS AWARDS director of the Oqaasileriffik and people, they are really enjoying (Language Secretariat) at the it. One of them is joining the University of Greenland. He is games and volunteering,” she said. known for his dedication as a Country food is so good that even linguist to revive and protect songs have been written about it. the Greenlandic language and The Jerry Cans sang their hit song Dr. Paul John, Elder Representative (Alaska). identity. He advocated for Home “Mamaqtuuq” at the ICC GA which Rule, Denmark’s 1979 decision to got everyone dancing in agreement! let Greenland manage some of Alaskans enjoying maktak.

its own affairs and is President of Dry meat. Bannock. ICC Greenland.

Other gifts were also given during the ICC GA and country Renie Arey. receptions to participants in recognition of their contribution. Photo: Peggy Jay

Carl Christian Olsen, Puju (Greenland).

73 Enjoying the food! Caribou rib roast. 75 AWARDS & GIFTS Drum Dancing 72 The Bill Edmunds Awards 120 Drum Dance Workshop 124 Drum Dancing in the ISR COUNTRY FOOD 132 Now and Then: Alaskan Drum Dancing 74 Mamaqtuuq: Delicious Eating

A beautiful sunburst and smile. ART

Shirley Elias in a dance atikluk.

AT THE FASHION

Akanisie Sivuarapik STYLE Inuit Fashion Showcase Inuit Fashion

CIRCUMPOLAR CIRCUMPOLAR in a sealskin trimmed silapaak cover. ICC GA Amber Ipana wearing a fur lined atikluk. A beaded headband sets off a gorgeous sunburst! ver the course of three Qikiqtarjuaq. The goal in preparing gold and sinew. The figures sit on for the grant presented the piece at weeks, four Nunavummiut the sculpture was to communicate a base – a drum, symbolizing the the ICC GA, “It was made by Inuit

CELEBRATIONS O artists created a scuplture for the importance of the arts for beating heart of Inuit Nunaat lined and it accurately represents Inuit ICC GA through the Mobilizing the future of Inuit and to express with sealskin and rimmed in silver. culture and heritage. The story is Inuit Cultural Heritage grant. pressing issues facing Inuit society The black, blue and silver areas of we eat the animals from the Arctic WE ARE Contributing artists were today. fur symbolize sea, snow and rock. and the animal keeps us alive. The Koomuatuk Sapa Curley and The syllabics on the drum base is hunter also feeds us and that’s The hunter, animals and inukshuk Ashoona Ashoona, who are both the name of the sculpture and also why we are alive. So the carving are carved from Aberdeen based ONE VOICE carvers from Kinngait. Frederick the name of the grant. is a story of how we live up North. serpentine stone, from Southern Silas Qulaut is a jeweler and The animals and the people live oming from different origins musicians and members of the Parsons (Bishop of the Arctic), complimented the service after. , inlaid with caribou Koomuatuk Sapa Curley who precious metal worker from together in the Arctic.” Singing is uplifting, it’s and faiths, attendees at the various regions – Greenland both emphasizing ICC GA to be a “Singing is uplifting, it’s a really antler, ivory, and gold. The hunter conceived the idea of the gift as C . The base was sewn Interfaith Service – ICC GA’s first Kalaalit Nunat Choir, Nunavut time to celebrate existing strengths good way to help people, one way holds a harpoon made of silver, Community Outreach Coordinator a really good way to help by Kathy Kuniliusee from event – were in harmony with Choir, NANA Region Choir, and to follow wisdom. or another. I think it was good, people, one way or another. I think their intent and devotion. “Oh they Aklavik Sing-a-long Group, we were different denominations It was a heart warming reunion are going to sing, her voice is just Chukotkan Choir, Gwich’in Choir, and dialects, but that didn’t really it was good, we were different for many whose family live beautiful!” whispered an elder in North Slope Region Choir and matter, we were all one family and across the border. Hymn leaders denominations and dialects, but the audience, as two members of Kaktovik Sing-a-long Group – took we were all singing for the same Danny C. Gordon (Aklavik) the North Slope Region Choir took turns in leading. reason and that ties everyone The goal in preparing that didn’t really matter, we were and Willie Goodwin (Kotzebue) the stage. As the singer began her together.” Sermons were delivered by are cousins by marriage, while the sculpture was to all one family and we were all song, the elder and those around Reverend Mark MacDonald many of the musicians on stage This gathering set the tone for the her eagerly joined in. communicate the foundational singing for the same reason and (National Indigenous Anglican were from Kaktovik, Danny C.’s rest of the ICC GA where many that ties everyone together.” Voices and hearts soared as Bishop), and Reverend David original hometown. He said many voices would unite as one. importance of the arts for the future of Inuit and to express pressing issues facing Inuit

society today.” Mary Tatty in a ceremonial beaded amauti with Hon. Leona Agluukkaq, Minister of the Environment in an a head band, usually this elaborate clothing is Devotional moment with the Kaktovik Sing-a-long Group. 77 Gorgeous Chukotkan beaded Miriam Aglukkaq in a traditional drum dance amauti. Mobilizing Inuit Cultural Heritage sculpture. 85 elegant sealskin infinity scarf. headband with fur tassels. 137 reserved for special occasions. 143 CELEBRATIONS FASHION 76 Interfaith Service: We are One Voice 136 Circumpolar Style 81 Home Beyond Borders: Carol Arey 145 Special Atikluks for ICC GA 82 Oceans Day 146 Sewing Contest 84 Art at the ICC GA 148 ICC GA Sealskin Tapestry

akiyan Ivanoff from Kick. The crowd erupts in applause. body and mind for survival, the competing in front of a crowd. A lot MUnakleet, Alaska aka “Air Fellow athletes, competitors and games now serve a higher goal of of athletes come to the stage and Alaska” as coined by Northern officials take pride equally in his connecting youth to their culture want to win, but we don’t want them Games MC Gerry Kisoun took a success. When a young athlete, new and strengthening their confidence. to get serious like that. When the Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo: deep breath and began his run to the games fails to hit the target elders taught us they encouraged us “It’s all about personal best,” said up to the seal target. “Can I kick he is rewarded with equally robust to go higher or try harder, there was Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: Donald Kuptana who is heading up THE SPIRIT it?” The words on his shirt brings applause and encouragement. nothing negative, everything was the event. “It’s about them walking a little lightheartedness to the positive. This is our tradition, these The Traditional Inuit Northern away with success, and coming seriousness of his attempt. are the games we were taught that Games are fondly known in the back to say I can do better.” we want to pass on.” “Ayungyee. The best!” said Gerry region as ‘Northern Games’ Fellow official Steve Cockney OF THE Kisoun as “Air Alaska” hits his new While in the past the Northern “When we go to the communities (Tuktoyaktuk) agreed, “It’s really 9 Foot record for One Foot High Games was about maintaining the we have our athletes Matthew amazing for them, first time NORTHERN Charles Haogak (Sachs Harbour) in Knuckle Hop.

GAMES Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: Gideon Allurat (Nunavut) showing One Foot High Kick Belt Jump. James Day Jr. Belt Skipping.

Makiyan Ivanoff (Alaska). TRADITIONAL

CIRCUMPOLAR CIRCUMPOLAR I’m just amazed by what these

kids can do. Years ago, Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: we had to struggle to kick these heights, NORTHERN GAMES NORTHERN

Photo: Zoe Ho & David Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: now it’s just warm up heights for them.”

A delighted audience watching the maktak eating contest.

Donna Kisoun and Helen Tologanak Makiyan Ivanoff (Alaska) winner of the Kyle Kuptana (Inuvik) and James Williams (Yellowknife) competing in the Arm Pull, a strength and endurance game. 151 in the laughing game. Junior Two Foot High Kick. 153 Photo: Zoe Ho & David Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: MUSIC & CULTURE TRADITIONAL CIRCUMPOLAR 90 ICC GA Cultural Performances NORTHERN GAMES 106 The Ugiuk Blanket 150 The Spirit of the Northern Games 109 Selfie Dance 158 2014 Northern Games Results 160 NWT Youth Ambassadors Performer Interview 114 Believe in Yourself: Nelson Tagoona 118 The Luckiest Man in the World: Leif Emmanuelson

5 WELCOME TO INUVIK

Igloo Church. Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. Happy faces.

Singing for the delegates.

Russian delegate Vasilii Dobriev dancing upon arriving. Scott Kasook, Nungki Brian Rogers and Kevin Allen.

Greenlanders arriving by Canadian North.

7 Vanessa Rogers and Scott Kasook (front).

Debbie Gordon-Ruben (front). Excitement at the airport.

t is close to midnight at the were let through by officials of the singing with full lung power. Inuvik Mike Zubko Airport. The Canada Border Services Agency I Elder Sarah Tingmiak, using her Inuvik Drummers and Dancers (CBSA). cane and supported by dancer had already danced twice that Some Alaskans respond in dance, Wendy Smith and Alainna day as planes for Greenlanders, one even dropping his cane in Carpenter enters the dance area. Chukotkans (Russians) and order to express his happiness She puts down her cane and begins Canadians arrived. The Alaskans more fully. “Aya-ya!” Debbie to dance. The crowd cheers. Deep are now arriving. Gordon-Ruben and Kendra Elanik hugs, big smiles and even some There was moisture in the air, heat dance right next to the rope border tears are shared. These are just from the bated breaths of Inuvialuit set up by CBSA, while the larger some of the wonderful moments waiting to see who would come off group of drummers stood on rows welcoming ICC delegates arriving the planes, and from drum dancers of chairs spanning the width of the at the Inuvik airport. giving their all each time Alaskans airport, beating their drums and

GreenlandersAlaskan Welcome. enjoying the show. Reunion. Elder Sarah Tingmiak (center) dances as the crowd cheers.

Kendra Elanik. 9 POLITICS

Sam Raddi, President of COPE (Committee of Original Peoples Entitlement) during an ICC gathering. Tom Brower speaking at the 2nd ICC.

Inuit to meet as one indivisible people became even more evident.

With foresight regarding the need ICC to mitigate precipitous assault by energy companies on the Arctic -- Hopson called for the creation of an international environmental HISTORY regime, by which all Arctic nations would agree to follow the same rules in the industrial development of the Arctic.

IN BRIEF In 1975 at the World Council of Photo credits: www.itk.ca and www.ebenhopson.com Indigenous Peoples founding conference in Port Alberni, British Surveying an arena filled with that respected Inuit claims as Columbia, Hopson called upon delegates and attendees at the original stewards of the land. the Inuit leaders of Greenland, ICC GA Community Welcome, Canada, the U.S., and the U.S.S.R. to In 1973, several Greenlandic Nellie Cournoyea, Chair of IRC form an international organization, organizations in Copenhagen remembers ICC founder Eben the Inuit Circumpolar Conference hosted the first Arctic Peoples Hopson (1922 – 1980). “He wanted (ICC), in order to pursue these Conference. They invited to bring people together. Looking goals. members of the then Inuit around he has succeeded,” she says. Tapirisat of Canada (now known Planning, fundraising, and focused Eben Hopson’s political leadership as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami), the attention to this goal began in was key to the formation of the National Indian Brotherhood of earnest. A grant submission made Alaska Native Land Claims Canada, and Saami from northern to an American foundation in 1975 Movement, the establishment Finland, Norway and Sweden. contains the following: of the North Slope Borough, Neither Alaskan nor Russian Inuit advocating for environmentally were able to attend that event due We Eskimo are an international safe Arctic energy development to the Cold War, and the need for community sharing common language, culture, and a common people] live under four of the five rights as Inupiat is necessarily We Eskimo are land along the Arctic coast of flags of the Arctic coast. One of the core of any successful Siberia, Alaska, Canada and those four flags [Russia] is badly protection of our mutual Arctic an international Greenland. Although not a missed here today. But at least in environmental security.” community sharing nation-state, as a people, Denmark, Canada and the United common language, At that historic and celebratory we do constitute a nation. States, it is generally agreed that meeting, political resolutions culture, and a common we enjoy certain Aboriginal legal were passed, poetry was read, and In 1977 the first meeting of the rights as Indigenous people of land along the Arctic songs were sung. All 54 delegates ICC was hosted in Barrow by the Arctic. It is important that coast of Siberia, Alaska, (18 from each country) agreed to Hopson. The delegates hammered our governments agree about the found an organization to carry on Canada and Greenland. out seventeen resolutions in five status of these rights if they are to the task of working together on an days, on Inuit land claims, Arctic be uniformly respected. Although not a nation- environmental protections, Arctic international basis. state, as a people, we do health and technology, and Inuit To secure this agreement, we must culture and education. organize to negotiate for it. This constitute a nation. will take circumpolar community In his opening speech Eben organization, for the status of our Hopson said, “We Inupiat [Inuit

The signed charter adopted June 29, 1980 at the 2nd ICC GA. A historic ICC gathering.

A scene from the 2nd meeting of the ICC. Eben Hopson addressing the 1st ICC Conference in 1977.

11 One Arctic, One Future is how we work together to make a long term investment in the responsibility of looking after our homeland. We come from different countries but it’s really one people. No matter what happens in the future, and we felt this right from the beginning. Politicians and larger country initiatives come and go but the Inuit are always going to be there.”

Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers and the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers performing. ONE ARCTIC, ONE FUTURE UKIUQTAQTUMI HIVUNIPTINGNUN

13 Canadian delegates recording the historic opening.

Lighting the qulliq as a symbolic reminder to be guided by traditional values. Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, he 2014 Inuit Circumpolar was reprised at this ICC GA. “ICC Minister of the Environment. TCouncil General Assembly leadership wanted to emphasize (ICC GA), a quadrennial gathering and demonstrate Inuit unity. Unity of Inuit leaders from Canada, amongst Inuit is even more crucial Greenland, Chukotka (Russia) at this time.” and Alaska was hosted by the Nellie Cournoyea, IRC Chair and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation CEO agreed, “One Arctic, One (IRC) in Inuvik, NWT from July Future has always been the theme 21st to 24th. Close to 600 people for our working relationships, were involved in the Assembly, right from the beginning. One including 18 delegates from Arctic, One Future is how we work Canada, Greenland and Alaska, 10 together to make a long term delegates from Chukotka, speakers, investment in the responsibility performers, media, volunteers and of looking after our homeland. We sponsors, in addition to hundreds come from different countries but who participated in the cultural it’s really one people. No matter celebrations. what happens in the future, and we Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, ICC felt this right from the beginning. Canada President believes Politicians and larger country given the current pressures initiatives come and go but the on development in a rapidly Inuit are always going to be there.” changing Arctic, this ICC GA Nellie remembers the founding of might be “the most crucial yet”. the ICC in 1977. Most Inuit then He explained why the 1992 ICC still lived off the land, and were GA theme, One Arctic, One Future natural stewards of the land. - Ukiuqtaqtumi Hivuniptingnun

15 Koomuatuk Sapa Curley, artist, with Duane Ningaqsiq Smith (L) and Jim Stotts.

ICC GA staff transcribing. The Arctic Slope Regional Speakers and presentations at Corporation had been incorporated the ICC General Assembly focus in Alaska in 1972 under the Alaska largely on empowering Inuit to act Native Claims Settlement Act, on their own vision for their Arctic and the first Canadian land claim homeland and how international agreement – the James Bay and cooperation, working together and Northern Quebec Agreement learning from other experiences was signed in in 1975. The in the circumpolar region can political climate was not strongly advance the interests of Inuit. established for Inuit groups to be seen as partners with government DECLARATION in the Arctic’s future. Inuit leaders A significant goal of the ICC then had the foresight about future GA is to approve and adopt the developmental pressures. “Even Kitigaaryuit Declaration. “We if the pressure then was less felt promoted open discussions, a Mimi Karlsen (Greenland). than today, they saw the changes direction given to us at the last coming in 50 years. The ICC was assembly – leaders had more time to bring strength and unity to all to discuss issues amongst each Inuit. You had to speak for all. It’s other - I think at the end everybody been many years - it’s not just one went away very pleased,” said conference to another, it has always Duane. been an ongoing, continuous building of this relationship. At this The Declaration sets ICC’s General Assembly we really felt mandate for the next four years. that people were tied in completely Most importantly, Nellie said, the to make the process fulfill itself,” Declaration sends out nationally she said. and internationally the message that Inuit involvement must be a priority in any decision-making affecting the Arctic. “We are considered a smaller number of constituents. Inuit have to have a united voice on a larger global stage – our connections cross borders and we have a commonality of interest. Today we do have a more authoritative mandate to speak, especially in Canada because we have land claim agreements that are Generations dancing together. UNPFII Chair Dalee Sambo Dorough (front). constitutionally protected.”

“The will of the government has to be strong in representing the land claims settlements, and the land claim settlements cover everything from wildlife to the health of the ocean to our place in the political mosaic of Canada and the world. Together we can face conflicts, alone it would be very difficult.”

Deliberations during the ICC GA. Minnie Grey (Canada).

Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. 17 Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

ICC GA Canadian Caucus meeting.

ICC Greenland delegates.

Hon. Robert McLeod, Minister of MACA. Martha Abelsen (Greenland). CELEBRATION As the ICC GA emphasizes both part of our diet. Sharing amongst political and cultural exchange, it each other is another strong part of was a given that the Traditional the Inuit identity. I hope everybody, Circumpolar Northern Games be whether they are Inuit or not left a part of this major international with a better understanding of the event. Concurrently, Inuvik also Inuit culture and our way of life. hosted the Great Northern Arts I hope we are able to have these Festival and Oceans Day. “It’s sorts of gatherings more often, not not all about the politics. It’s very so much the political debate but important that we get together the opportunity to bring Inuit from and share our culture, music, and every region to share in our culture drum dancing,” said Duane. “Drum more actively.” dancing is very important to our The next ICC General Assembly identity. Sharing country foods will be hosted in Barrow, Alaska shows our relationship with the in 2018. ecosystem, it is a very important

Ane Hansen (Greenland). Youth representative (Greenland).

Sara Olsvig, Chair of Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region. 19 Doreen Lampe (Alaska). Opening prayer led by Lillian Elias.

NTI President Cathy Towtongie. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

Akanisie Sivuarapik and Sylvia Watt- Canadian participants in traditional dress. Cloutier (Canada) throat singing. ICC LEADERSHIP ON THE 2014 ICC GA

Okalik Eegeesiak We have just learnt that Greenland Duane part of the decision making regarding ICC International Chair had quite a bit of seismic testing our future where the internationally Ningaqsiq Smith recognized principle of Free, Prior and (Canada): and off the shores of the ISR and Vice Chair (Canada): Alaska... so to learn from each other Informed Consent is one of the keys.” on the impacts, and how they go about making decisions on when seismic testing should occur... Tatiana Achirgina Nunavut can learn from that.” Vice Chair (Chukotka):

Jim Stotts ICC Vice Chair (Alaska): “Canada was pleased to host On the impact of this ICC GA the 2014 ICC General Assembly “Inuit are a force to be reckoned On significant issues discussed where Inuit had a tremendous with and we have to be involved in opportunity to discuss our shared the discussions and decisions that experiences in the circumpolar On the ICC GA affect our communities.” region. I would like to thank outgoing ICC International Chair “We consider the Inuvialuit land On her Chairmanship Aqqaluk Lynge for his many years lucky. In 1992, it was here that “It is an honour to assume this of service to Inuit and the town we joined the ICC. We have been role to advance the interests of of Inuvik for being gracious and together for 22 years now. It is at Inuit in the circumpolar region. accommodating hosts.” the ICC GAs that the Yupik peoples We know that the world is looking living on the shores of the Bering Sea to our homeland to develop our “Climate change and the impacts learn to solve problems, conserve their renewable and non-renewable at the community level, a theme culture, obtain political experience, and resources and Inuit must be at the throughout the themes. The Hjalmar Dahl learn to discuss matters with national table as discussions and decisions Declaration calls for 2 international Vice Chair (Greenland): governments.” are being made about activities in conferences to be held sometime our own backyard. Inuit will still be in the next four years, two widely “We have a very small population of in the Arctic when the last barrel different issues, one of the Yupik people around 700. And we are of oil and the final piece of ore is conferences will be on Economics actually assimilated by the bigger extracted from our land.” and Business for Inuit and the populations like the Russians. It was other is to convene a conference on very good that we could find our On significant issues discussed Wildlife Management.” family and finally we are united when “What I heard from all the there is opportunity.” “One of the things I took is that delegates was that a critical issue On being elected our community is we need to invest people are looking at the new “I am honoured to be elected Vice in health programs and healing world bravely, I would say and Chair. I am also humbled to receive programs as well as including Inuit wanting to be a part of it but at the honour as I have been working in policy development through the same time there clearly was internationally for many years and communications.” a message about keeping our have observed that the visibility of culture, keeping the best of what Inuit is growing. The whole world is On Inuit partnerships we have in the past.” watching the Arctic and that creates “One of the discussions would a huge responsibility for ICC to be to share results of different promote the right of Inuit to be research such as seismic testing.

21 INUIT CIRCUMPOLAR COUNCIL 2014 ELECTION RESULTS

Next page: The new ICC Executive Council. Front Row: Okalik Eegeesiak, Tatiana Achirgina, Elvira Tiunikova. Back row: Martha Abelsen, Hjahmar Dahl, Jim Stotts, Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Doris Jakobsen and Herb Nakimayak.

kalik Eegeesiak from Canada Her first order of business is to Oassumes the role of Chair for start implementing the mandates the next four years. given to ICC through the Okalik Eegeesiak in her first speech as ICC Chair. Kitigaaryuit Declaration, which is Okalik took over the position the statement of tasks developed officially at the quadrennial ICC by the Inuit delegates at the General Assembly in Inuvik July General Assembly. 2014, upon being officially elected by Inuit delegates from across the “I look forward to working with the circumpolar region. ICC offices in Alaska, Chukotka, and Greenland to determine how As ICC Chair, she is the best to share with Canadians the international spokesperson for all important work that needs to be Inuit living in Greenland, Alaska, done by all Inuit and for all Inuit.” Canada, and Chukotka (Russia), and will head up an ICC Office of Jim Stotts, President of ICC the Chair, to be located in Canada Alaska, Tatiana Achirgina, for the duration of her 4-year term. President of ICC Chukotka and Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, President Okalik takes over the office of the of ICC Canada all maintain their Chair from Greenlander, Aqqaluk positions as Vice-Chairs on the ICC Lynge, who has served in that International Executive Council. capacity during three separate terms. The last Canadian Inuk to Hjalmar Dahl, incoming President head up the international office of of ICC Greenland assumes the role ICC was Sheila Watt-Cloutier who of Vice-Chair for Greenland. was elected in Kuujjuaq in 2002. In addition, three new members It is the custom of ICC to have the were elected to the Executive Inuit leaders of the host country Council to replace retiring members: to nominate the Chair. Upon Herb Nakimayak (Canada), Martha news of her being chosen, Okalik Abelsen (Greenland) and Elena stated, “I am delighted to have the Kaminskaya (Chukotka). confidence of Canadian Inuit, and asked to take up this important Aqqaluk Lynge outgoing ICC Chair. position”. Photo: David Stewart Stewart David Photo:

ICC delegates applauding Okalik Eegeesiak’s inauguration.

was elected as Vice President – NWT, Herb brings experiences of with our Inuit partners around the ICC CANADA International at their AGM in Inuvik. working across Canada in search circumpolar region. I look forward 2014 ELECTION and rescue and the resource to continuing this work in the RESULTS Duane Ningaqsiq Smith was conservation and development coming years.” acclaimed as ICC President at the industry. close of the call for nominations on “I am pleased to have been elected ICC Canada is a non-profit July 23, 2014. He is a strong advocate of Inuit, as Vice President – International organization led by a board of especially Inuit youth. for ICC Canada,” said Herb. directors comprising the elected As President of ICC Canada, leaders of the four land claims Duane is also Vice-President “I am honoured to welcome Herb “I am excited to work with the well- settlement regions: Inuvialuit, of Canada’s National Inuit to ICC Canada, representing the established ICC team and serve Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Organization, Inuit Tapiriit interests of Canadian Inuit at the Inuit in this role. Many thanks to Nunavut. An elected executive, Kanatami. Duane has been Inuit Circumpolar Council and those who have supported me in including a president, two involved with ICC Canada since internationally,” said Duane. this endeavor.” vice-presidents, and a secretary- 1998. “Holding this position for over a treasurer, manages the organization. Herb Nakimayak was elected decade has established important ICC Canada announced on July by delegates from all four Inuit continuity as well as the ability to 19, 2014 that Herb Nakimayak regions. Originally from Paulatuk, foster long-lasting relationships

23 ICC GREENLAND ICC GREENLAND 25 ICC CANADA ICC CANADA 27 ICC ALASKA ICC ALASKA 29 ICC CHUKOTKA ICC CHUKOTKA 31 rom 20th to the 26th of July, Inuvik was transformed Finto an international hub where Circumpolar Inuit came together to discuss their political future, culminating in the adoption of the Kitigaaryuit Declaration setting their road map for the next 4 years. At the same time the ICC GA is an opportunity for all the Inuit to get together to share and celebrate their uniqueness, their commonality, their differences and to come together as they used to traditionally at the end of a year of nomadic living in order to sustain a living on the land.

Inuvialuit drummers and dancers performing. THE MAKING OF THE ICC GA

33 Interpreters from the ICC regions.

NWT Youth Ambassadors with Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment. eggy Jay, ICC GA Conference PCoordinator remembered sending off ICC Alaskan delegates at the end of this momentuous week. “We hugged everybody going home on that charter flight. Nobody wanted to leave Inuvik. They had this big piece of cardboard that people signed to say ‘Thank you’ which they then presented to us. When we looked on Facebook afterwards the number one thing they missed was the hospitality.”

The hosting of the 2014 ICC GA rotates every four years amongst the ICC countries. This time the ICC GA was supposed to be in Nain, . Construction of infrastructure in Nain however was delayed, and an alternate hosting venue had to be found.

“As anyplace in the Arctic when you are putting in infrastructure such as a school or large buildings it takes a lot longer than expected, Duane Ningaqsiq Smith briefing the performers.

NWT Youth Ambassadors serving coffee to delegates. 35 so because we had done the Truth and Reconciliation Northern

National Event here in 2011, which Jay Peggy Photo: Jay Peggy Photo: had approximately a thousand people and, in ’92, we had hosted the ICC GA before, so we volunteered because we probably could best carry it out on behalf of all Inuit,” said Nellie Cournoyea, IRC Chair and CEO.

The Inuvialuit were celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement Volunteer Glen Gordon. Ronald Brower (Alaska) cutting up muktuk. (IFA). It was felt that the Traditional Circumpolar Northern Games and DFO’s Oceans Day would complement the cultural component of the ICC GA. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: Challenges

“When we looked at the work plan, we knew the priority was fundraising, because we had nothing,” said Peggy. “We had about 10 months to pull everything off.”

“It required a lot of organizing to get the number of volunteers we required, to get everybody on side, to talk to all the different government and Aboriginal institutions on what they could do to support us, including our partners with the industry,” said Nellie. “Just by everything Volunteer Carey Kisoun. Volunteer Blythe Browne.

Volunteers Yvonne Doolittle and Bunnik Ipana. happening at once, we could Volunteers Lucy Kuptana, Bunnik Ipana and say we magically put everything Sherry Gordon making fish cakes. together but that wasn’t so at all. I believe everything happened for the right reason. People came together at this particular time.” Fundraising ICC was responsible for bringing in the official delegation, including delegates, cultural performers, staff, speakers, etc. from each country. This totalled 220 people. As host, IRC provided the local support and logistics to ensure that the needs of the official delegation and other participants were met. ICC Canada fulfilled the role of secretariat for the ICC GA.

“Our job was to make sure that we ICC GA staff preparing the tables. had the logistics, accommodation, catering, venues, cultural programming, volunteers and everything in place for the official delegation. As soon as the General Assembly started, we would turn it over to them. At the same time, we also had to make arrangements available to house, feed and transport all the additional participants that would come to Inuvik for the event,” said Peggy.

Fundraising for the logistic preparation had to be raised in very little time. $2 million would have to be raised between ICC Canada and IRC to stage the event. With ICC Canada based in Ottawa, it continued working with the federal government. IRC looked after fundraising from the corporate sector as well as local governments. Due to the shortness of time, a fundraising strategy involved asking the other Inuit regions for assistance in reaching out to their corporations and businesses on IRC’s behalf. Although the ICC GA would be in Inuvik, it would after all be Canadian Inuit welcoming their fellow Inuit.

CONTINUE ON  PG 44 Arlene Hansen (in red), one of the volunteers at Jim Koe Park. 37 KITIGAARYUIT DECLARATION

The Kitigaaryuit Declaration mandates ICC to hold three The Kitigaaryuit 2014 key summits within the next four years:

Declaration was unanimously Economic Summit: to explore potential collaborations among Inuit businesses and facilitate Inuit businesses sharing experiences amongst passed by ICC GA delegates themselves. This summit will build upon the Circumpolar Inuit on 24 July 2014, setting Declaration on Resource Development Principles in Inuit Nunaat. Wildlife Management Summit: to develop consistent standards in the direction for ICC’s Executive Arctic for safeguarding living resources Inuit depend on for food security. Education Summit: to promote educational exchanges, share best Council over the next four educational practices, and have experts and practitioners from the circumpolar Arctic contribute to developing and enhancing culturally years. appropriate curriculum.

As explained by Duane, the Declaration are “the marching orders for the Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, ICC President of Executive Council to try and fulfill its obligations. Facilitating planning Canada said, “We wanted to reflect some and organizing crucial summits, such as Inuit Circumpolar Economic Summit, we bring together the Inuit leadership that are involved in significant area within the hosting region. economic opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge. Kitigaaryuit is a national historic site that Because we see the changing Arctic and it’s not all doom and gloom. There are opportunities we want Inuit leaders to explore together is recognized in terms of its contribution to and potentially develop a collaboration to keep the benefits of these Canada’s identity, as well as identifies the opportunities within our own Inuit communities.” Inuvialuit within this respective region.” “In terms of Wildlife Management if you look at this region there are bowhead and beluga whales, they pass by our cousins the Inupiat Kitigaaryuit, a traditional Inuvialuit whaling in Alaska and they overwinter off of Russia where again our Inuit camp represents the coming together of colleagues there also harvest them as part of their diet. We want to provide an opportunity for experts to get together so we get a better Inuit with the goal of sustaining themselves understanding of what’s going on within the ecosystem for the benefit of in harmony with their natural environment. our people, and the ecosystem.” ‘Kitigaaryuit’ reminds us of the intent of this “With the Education Summit we want to share best practices amongst each other so we can try to influence or change policy to better enhance Declaration to remain united and connected to ways of delivering education within our Inuit communities so it instills Inuit values and culture through past, present pride within the youth, it alleviates a lot of social issues down the road as well.” and future. Elvira Tyunikova, Executive Council Member and Tatiana Achirgina, Vice-Chair, Chukotka.

Kirt Ejesiak, Executive Council Member, and Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Vice-Chair, Canada.

Vera Metcalf, Executive Council Member and Jim Stotts, Vice-Chair, Alaska.

39 Hjalmar Dahl, Executive Council Member and Carl Christian Olsen, Puju Vice-Chair, Greenland.

ICC delegates and observers cheering.

ICC leadership joining hands in celebration of the Kitigaaryuit Declaration being adopted. • Continue work on oil spill prevention, preparedness and response, KEY and monitor Arctic states efforts under the UN Law of the Seas Convention DECLARATION (UNCLOS). HIGHLIGHTS: • Inuit Economic Summit.

1. ARCTIC COUNCIL AND INTERNATIONAL FORA 5. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING • Continue to use the Arctic council and other international fora to • Advocate for Inuit at relevant international forums, such as advancing further Inuit interests, and call upon Arctic member states to include the 2010-14 Circumpolar Inuit Health Strategy. Inuit at all bilateral and multilateral meetings, as at the Arctic Council. • Establish, maintain and improve core infrastructure to sustain healthy • Advance the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Inuit communities (including housing, education, health care and (UNDRIP) with member states, promoting meaningful and effective social service delivery infrastructure). Inuit participation in decision-making processes, including the right • Advocate for culturally relevant mental wellness and substance abuse to free, prior and informed consent. programs across Inuit nunaat, including traditional/cultural and • Actively promote the Alta Outcome Document at the World clinical approaches. Conference on Indigenous People, ratify and implement the • Encourage education and training for Inuit health care providers. International Labor Organization Convention 169 concerning tribal peoples. 6. FOOD SECURITY • Speak out about the implications of food insecurity on Inuit health. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP • Promote community based monitoring and research at international forum. • Continue to address climate change to retain environmental stewardship of the Inuit homeland. • Ensure access to Inuit traditional foods in changing economic and social conditions, contamination, climate change, and regulatory • Maintain healthy and abundant source of renewable resources for decisions impacting Inuit food security. future generations of Inuit; including creating adaptation strategies. • Inuit Wildlife Management Summit. • Involvement in international efforts concerning our food and protection of all Inuit customary, traditional, spiritual, social and physical uses of migratory species. 7. COMMUNICATION • Reduce worldwide emissions of contaminants that affect the Arctic • Work with Inuit and other media organizations to promote improved and promote policies that protect Arctic freshwater. and pan-Arctic Inuit-to-Inuit interaction. • Improve communication between our countries and other Inuit organizations. 3. SAFE SHIPPING AND FISHERIES • Assert Inuit rights and responsibilities to our waters, seas, and 8. EDUCATION AND CULTURE passages by working with Inuit experts in shipping and international • Support training, recruitment, and retention programs for Inuit in all bodies such as the International Maritime Organization. professions. • Present Inuit perspectives and knowledge about sea ice, behaviour • Promote and lead programs to strengthen Inuit language, including of marine mammals, and Arctic navigation to international bodies, the Arctic Council assessing, monitoring, and promoting Arctic facilitating negotiations related to Arctic shipping. Indigenous Languages Project. • Advocate a precautionary approach to commercial fishing to ensure • Inuit Education Summit. management regimes include Inuit. 9. TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENCE • Insist upon the utilization of Inuit traditional knowledge in science 4. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and at all levels of decision making by utilizing a participatory • Build upon ICC resource development principles. approach. • Support our hunters by fighting attempts to undermine our wildlife • Create ethical responsible research policies emphasizing bringing economy (eg. The listing of Inuit food resources as endangered), knowledge back to our communities. opposing attempts to make the Arctic into a wildlife preserve. • Promote protection of Inuit intellectual property and cultural heritage at the World Intellectual Property Organization and other forums. The full Kitigaaryuit Declaration can be downloaded at http://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/2014---inuvik-canada.html 41 KITIGAARYUIT QAUNAGIYAKSAQ

ICC katimayuksauyut pingasuiqtuarlutik ukiut sitamat Una malirutaksaq Kitigaaryuit iluani. Ukuat sivulliuruksangit.

2014 Declaration-mik taiyuayuq Katimaqpak Savaatigun: Inuit maani savaatigunun sivuniuqublugit. angiqtauyuaq katimamata Ikayuqtigiiqublugit. Taamna tajva aullaqiviksaun, tungaviksaun. Katimaqpak Niryutitigun: Maani nayuqtaptingni niryutitigun taapkuat ICC GA July-mi munaqsiniq. Katimaqpak Ilisarnikkun: Ilisarnikkun sivuliurniq. Ilisaujilu kituliqa 2014. Taamna malirutaksayuq maani inuuyuallu ikayuqtigiiklutik ilisarniq saungamun aulatqublugu.

sitamani ukiuni. Duane tajva uqaqtuq, taamna Malirutaksaq “Declaration” malirutaksariyaqput. Ikayuqtigiiklutik, sannaiyailutik katimatinnatik. Inuit sivulliuqtit atautchimun katillutik savaamingnik Duane Ningaqsiq Smith uqalaktuaq tajva, quliaqtuarlutik. Mana nunakput alanguqsimayuaq takumagikput. “Kitigaaryuk nuitatqublutigu takunqublugu Aglaan isumaalungnaittuq. Savaaksaq tukumagikput. Inungnun quyalitauyuksaraluaq. Canada-mun. Inuvialuit inuuniarvingat katimavingat qilalukiqivingat ingilraan.” “Niryutitigun, nayuqtaptingni arvirillu qilalukalu takunaqtut. Alaska Kitigaaryuit nalunaitkutiksauyuq uumunga sayurulugu Russia-mun ukiiyaqtuqpatuat. Ilapta taavani anguniapagait niqiksatik. Qangiqsialagukluta qanuq inuit maani quyallitiksainik. malirutiksamun Inuvialuit pitqusiitigun. Ilisarnikkun sivuliuqatigiikluta atautchitun tamapta savaqatiikluta ilisarniq nayuqtaptingni nakurualaqublugu. Nanginautillu palangaqublugit. UKUAT 9-NGYUT NUITANIQSAUYUT:

1. ARCTIC COUNCIL AND INTERNATIONAL FORA • Taamna Arctic Council aturlugu nalunaitkutigilugu Inuit quyalitaksanginnik. Inuit ilauyuksauyut katimagumik. • Inuit ilauyuksauyut katimayaraigumik, sivuliurnikkun. • Inuit qangiqsipkarlugit pitqusiptigun katimayaraigumik 2. NAYUQTAQPUT NUNA, IMAQ, SILA 8. ILISARNIKKUNLU PITQUSIPTIGUNLU • Silam alanguuta Inuit nunangani uqausirilugu. • Inuit ilisarnikkun, savaatigun, sukkuliqa ikayurlugit. • Inuit quyalitautait nunamingni nungutaililugit. • Inuit uqausingat qulvaqtuksauyuq. Ikayuqtit savaqatigilugit. • Inuit ilaulutik niqitigunlu pitqusiptigunlu katimayaraigumik. • Inuit Katimaqpautait Ilisarnikkun (Inuit Education Summit). • Imakkunlu munaqiringniq. 9. INUIT ALALU PITQUSINGIT 3. ILUATUN AULANIQ, IQALUKTIGUNLU • Inuit pitqusingit atuqtaksauyut qaunagiyaksauyut isumaliugaigumik • Inuit pitqusingit nunaptingni qaunagilugit imakkun aulayuni. katimalutik. • Inuit isumangit sikukkun tariumi, niryutailu pitqusingitigun • Malirutaksat aglaktat katimagamik Inungnu utiqtuksauyut. tusaapkarlugit Tariukkun aulasuktuanun. • Inuit ilisimayangit qaunagilugit katimayaraigumik. • Inuit ilauyuksauyut iqaluktigun katimayuanni

4. ILUATUN INUUNIARNIKKUN AULANIQ Chukotka (Russia) delegates.

• ICC-m malirutaksangit tungavigilugit. • Anguniaqtit ikayurlugit niryutitigun irliktuatun ilikpata. • Ikayurlugit uqsiqiyit. Munaqiringnikkun, piyaquqtailinikkun. • Katimaqpautaat Inuit: (Inuit Economic Summit.)

5. SUYUMAITUN INUUNIQ • Ikayurlugit Inuit katimakpata pitqusiptigun ungavani, qannikkun unna (2010-14 Circumpolar Inuit Health Strategy) suyumaitun inuuniarnikkun. • Illilugit Inuit nayuqtainun quyallitiksat (iglut, ilisarviit, suyumaitun inuuniarniq). Sulliqaa quyallitiksat. • Ikayurlugit savaqatigilugit iluatun inuuniarnikkun Inuit Nunangani. Inuit pitqusiitigun tungaanun. • Inungnun munaqsit ilurilutik ilisaqtuksauyut.

6. NIQPTIGUN • Niqptigun iluatun uqaqtuksauyugut. Inuit quyallitait. • Inuit isumagiyait malirutaksat katimagaigumik. • Inuit niqingit qaunagiyaksauyut sunaliqaa alanguqsimaakirman. • Inuit Niryutaitigun Munariniq (Inuit Wildlife Management Summit)

7. UQAQATIGIINGNIQ • Inuit savaqatigilugit alalu ikayuqtit. Inuit avanmun uqaqtuat atautchitun ilurilirlugit. • Inilaalu ungavani Inuitlu maani atautchitun uqaqatigiiktuksat ilurilutik.

Taamna Kitigaaryuit Declaration qaritauyakkun takunaqtuq uvuuna http://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/2014---inuvik-canada.html 43 FROM  PG 37 Nuka Kleemann, Greenland delegate.

Travel Due to its major sponsorship, Canadian North was designated as the official airline of the ICC GA. As a result, special flights allowed delegates to fly from to Inuvik in one day as opposed to two days. ICC Alaska chartered Inuvik Mayor Floyd Roland. Canadian North to fly their 130 plus participants to and from Hjalmar Dahl and Carl Chr. Olsen (Greenland). Inuvik to Anchorage.

Delegates from Chukotka (Russia) travelled to from their communities (located across the Bering Sea) and flew to Edmonton to catch the Canadian North flight to Inuvik. Although there were visa issues, this was thankfully worked out at the last minute. The travel costs for the Chukotkan delegation were shared by ICC Canada, ICC Alaska and ICC Greenland. This generosity is exemplary of the Inuit value of helping each other and valuing each other’s input. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: Blohm Hans Photo:

Russian delegate Vasilii Dobriev showing his diary. Photo: Minnie Naylor The Alaskan delegation charter. Photo: Carolina Behe

The Alaskan delegation charter. Hon. BobMcLeod, Premier ofNWT. ICC staffon Canadian North! ITK President Terry Audla. 45 Photo: Hans Blohm Photo: Hans Blohm Accommodations to allow delegates easy access to town. Its camp kitchen also Inuvik has three hotels. Mackenzie became the main kitchen for Hotel was dedicated to delegates the Northern Games when the with Capital Suites and Nova Inn Blohm Hans Photo: Town of Inuvik allowed the use of housing speakers, VIPs and special electrical and water hookups in the guest. But housing was needed area. The federally-owned Smith for observers, media, performers, Apartments, which were currently regional drum dancers and vacant, became accommodation for Northern Games athletes. participants. Furniture was donated Possible accommodations included a by the management of the defunct billeting/homestay program, barge, Eskimo Inn. an industry camp and Aurora College An aggressive billeting or student housing. The coordinators homestay program was launched set to work making these available for in Inuvik. Many in Inuvik opened ICC delegates. The Great Northern their homes to billet participants Arts Festival was able to schedule and relatives from Alaska or other some artists to leave a little earlier so parts of Canada. In the end, there their dormitory rooms were available. were more billets and homestays EGT Northwind Ltd. moved their than required. barge with 60 beds to the Canadian Coast Guard dock on the East “So when you look at it Channel. “We paid EGT Northwind accommodations were a challenge Northwind camp. Ltd. for use of the barge and it was for us, but working through great, people could walk into town,” partnerships, we were able to said Peggy. The barge’s kitchen also make it work for us,” said Peggy. became a back up kitchen for the GA. In the end, there were even more accommodations than needed, Northwind Industries has an Blohm Hans Photo: and last minute visitors, such as industry camp on Navy Road, 40 Alaskans who drove into to join which was also moved to the in the cultural performances could Aurora College expansion land therefore be housed.

CONTINUE ON  PG 50 Photo: Michael Carman Michael Photo:

Rowhouses.

The Mackenzie Hotel.

Aurora College dormitory. EGT Northwind Ltd’s barge 802.

Our job was to make sure that we had the logistics, accommodation, catering, venues, cultural programming, volunteers and everything in place for the official delegation.”

Photographer Hans Blohm in his Aurora College dormitory room. 47 Brenda and Vina Norris volunteered for ICC GA, along with their brother Wayne. Photo: Brenda Norris Brenda Photo:

The Gordon-Arey family gathered at the ICC GA. The family spans Alaska and the ISR. VOLUNTEER POWER NORRIS SIBLINGS GO THE EXTRA MILE AS VOLUNTEERS

ina Norris is such a dedicated Brenda was a media liaison, but she Vina posted the family picture came from her performance, she Vvolunteer of the ICC GA, that also multi-tasked. “I was more of online, “And right away, you know, is wearing her dress, pantyhose she convinced her siblings to join an ambassador for the Inuvialuit,” people were so excited. They are so and dressy shoes and she’s on the her as well. She first volunteered she beamed. Vina and Brenda were glad we are putting it on Facebook grass plucking a goose... and I just at the GA in 1992. “When it came GNWT staff who could volunteer so it’s like they are right here with thought that was so poetic. We on again I was all excited, because in lieu of work, and Brenda and us.” have evolved, and yet we still hold I enjoyed myself so much the last Wayne found ways to fly up. “We onto the families and the traditions Coming home also meant getting time. The thrill, activities, all the have our Pivut fare, and ICC that way. Like my sister was saying to eat traditional foods. “I helped in people, and I’ve a lot of relatives helped a little bit and Wayne used everywhere we went in Inuvik the park – on the first day and I had that are from Alaska... it’s a really his points,” said Brenda. people were waving and smiling... two bowls of muktuk. Since then great time renewing friendships People were very welcoming and Vina and Brenda are also part of I’ve been having a bowl of muktuk and meeting people, catching up saying ‘Come in and eat’ just like the Gordon-Arey family, spanning a day,” Brenda laughed. “To me with relatives,” she said. the old days.” Alaska and the Mackenzie Delta. that’s really great.” Her sister Brenda who lives in “We had the chance to get a very Brenda and Vina are grandchildren Vina and Brenda agreed that part Yellowknife flew in to volunteer, great big family picture done, right of Tom and Jean Arey, elders of the fun is eating. Vina lists her while her brother Wayne took down on the Jim Koe Park site. We involved with the revival of drum favourite country foods at ICC GA. time off work to be a volunteer are probably looking at over 100 dancing. “So we got up there and “First of all you have the muktuk, driver for the GA. Vina reprised people in one picture and that’s all tried to dance and I know she then you have the drymeat, then her previous role running the GA our different relatives coming from [Jean] would have been proud,” you have the soup. My goodness - general office. “I was directing Barrow, Kaktovik, Aklavik, Inuvik laughed Vina. the geese soup, the rabbit soup, so people and answering questions... and all over so it’s really great,” it’s just an amazing complement of For Brenda the invitational dances helping people know where to get said Vina. different things that you can go for were especially poignant. “There’s things. Like telling people where “I haven’t seen some of my uncles every day.” this sense of collective belonging. to get photocopying, how do you for 40 years so it was very nice to One of my friends who’s non- get from here to there, we were the see them, and a lot of cousins that For Brenda coming home is also Aboriginal said the drum is in all go-to people for information and I haven’t seen since young,” Brenda a chance to connect deeper with of us and it’s been removed from a transportation,” she said. added. her culture. “Last night I watched lot of us for centuries - and it’s like the geese plucking contest. A our heartbeat and that’s what I feel participant from Greenland just when I’m drum dancing,” she said.

Everywhere we went in Inuvik people were waving and smiling... People were very welcoming and saying ‘Come in and eat’ just like the old days.”

49 FROM  PG 47 Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: Food Another challenge was food. A meal ticket system was devised so delegates could enjoy a variety of One of the many breakfasts made possible by generous sponsors. food options in town. By far the most popular was the country food offered Fruit buffet. at the Northern Games booth.

The vast volume of country food to feed the community and the Blohm Hans Photo: conference had to be acquired a year ahead. “It took quite a large group of people to do the cooking and the preparation,” said Nellie. “We cooked the muktuk outside. To feed this group we used about 50 to 60 whales. And the dryfish was very important too. About 200 dryfish were consumed, along with Arctic

Char and vegetables. Blohm Hans Photo: Caribou stew. char, whale dry meat, caribou, muskox, duck, and geese.

“Sandra Ipana is a key person. She has such a skill to pull people together to cook on a continuous basis and there’s Barbara Archie who is such a good support, making sure everybody has the kind of food they want to eat,” said Nellie.

Alaska also brought King Crab and bowhead muktuk to share at their reception.

Dinner at the Legion. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Getting food at the Northern Games booth. Lunchtime. Volunteer Fiona Cook. Photo: Peggy Jay Peggy Photo:

Volunteers Nellie said, “We are fortunate , Edna “In these types of gatherings, that we have a very strong group Elias, we made sure she got here, particularly in the Arctic one has In all, there were about 100 of people with the Northern and other people like her as well.” to recognize that it’s not easy to volunteers for ICC and 135 for Games. The community knew get very far unless you had a lot of Northern Games. Volunteers, GNWT employees had special what they wanted to do and volunteers who are willing to host. accommodations and billeting permission to volunteer at the GA put their best efforts forward. People really went out of their way information were shared. Many who and Northern Games. Many in Many from the other regions, to give the royal treatment to their still remember the 1992 experience Inuvik took advantage and had a who’ve been involved with our friends and relatives,” said Nellie. jumped on board as volunteers. wonderful experience. traditional games before, like the

Chukotka crafts.

Peggy Day and Anne Thrasher. The Alaskans brought King Crab! 51 Local connections with the sponsors Transportation helped immensely with fundraising. The GNWT not only contributed Glen Gordon, who volunteered to funds, but also in-kind donations, drive, took it upon himself to give allowing Youth Ambassadors tours to delegates even after the to take part and government GA was over. Transportation was employees time to work as taken care of with the use of GNWT volunteers during the week. They vehicles, rental vehicles from also provided the brand new East Northwind Industries, buses from Three School as the GA main Up North buses and whatever buses venue, use of GNWT vehicles, and personal vehicles were available. etc. “The Town of Inuvik went out The Inuit value of sharing and of their way to provide us with pulling together was seen and felt support and all the facilities they throughout the GA, a truly unique have, including the Midnight feature of a conference of this scale. Sun Complex, Jim Koe Park and decoration of banners in the Sponsors community,” said Nellie. “Nothing would have happened if we “Not to take away from the local didn’t have great sponsors. When we businesses, they opened their decided to take the chance, we had doors and there was no problem an idea who our sponsors would be, in getting everything from in-kind and certainly the regional Aboriginal support to financial support, and organizations and institutions really on top of many went out of their came forward on getting us the first way to make sure the town looked bulk of the funds and we had some good as well,” said Nellie. “In very strong corporate sponsors. In addition to all the other factors, some cases we were more than Peggy Jay was a fundamental part pleasantly surprised that they came to putting this event together. You forward with the amounts that they always have to have somebody did contribute, so that was very driving the process. Given the very important,” said Nellie, whose short period of time we’d never

CONTINUE ON  PG 56 James Kuptana and Eddie Dillon. Photo: Hans Blomh Hans Photo:

Angela Young (volunteer), Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Nellie Cournoyea and Inuvik Mayor Floyd Roland. Sponsor booths. Lloyd Visser ofConocoPhillips shaking hands withICC Vice Chair Jimmy Stotts. Lloyd Visser, ConocoPhillips VP of Environment and Sustainable Development. Northwind hauling sound equipment. 53

Photo: Hans Blomh Sandra Ipana, long-time volunteer and head cook.

Sandra Ipana is a key person. She has such a skill to pull people together to cook on a continuous basis and there’s Barbara Archie who is such a good support, making sure everybody has the kind of food they want to eat.” Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo: Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Dry Fish.

Susan Peffer prepping muktuk.

A volunteer cooking up muktuk. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Muktuk (Beluga Blubber).

Berries. 55 Youth volunteers at the food booths. FROM  PG 52

have taken on without her. So really Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo: these are the kinds of people that are necessary – those who have the depth and the understanding and the will to do it and the strength to do it,” said Nellie.

Peggy, who is IRC’s Director of Community and Beneficiary Relations took on the role of ICC GA coordinator full time after making sure her existing work plan could be delegated. “IRC provided a lot of in-kind support to the GA, the organizing, offices, my time, and making space available to the Northern Games so we were able to coordinate the events work together. IRC also allowed staff to volunteer and work with us the whole week and the weeks leading In these types of gatherings, particularly up to it. We had wonderful staff in the Arctic one has to recognize that it’s members who worked double time doing transportation – they were not easy to get very far unless you had a out meeting the planes – that was Jiri Raska - and we had our own HR lot of volunteers who are willing to host. People department with Meeka Kisoun and really went out of their way to give the royal Marci McDougall looking after the whole volunteer group,” said Peggy. treatment to their friends and relatives.” Inuit Hospitality Nellie and Peggy knew the Alaskans were boarding a 6 am plane to go home, and decided to give them bags of drymeat and dry fish in case they got hungry. “Well you won’t believe it. When they stopped off in Whitehorse to clear customs I immediately got a Facebook message: They LOVE it! They all stood up and clapped. They can’t believe you’ve extended the hospitality even beyond Inuvik,” Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo: she shared.

“In the end when you work with logistics and everything, you want happy people. That’s all that matters,” said Peggy. “I don’t think everyone got enough of Inuvik!

Barbara Archie making traditional doughnuts. into it,” said Nellie. you are already putting your effort to think it’s all manageable, given that of important issues. Inuitalways seem ignoring that we have toresolve alot the betterpart oflife but we are not of life as well. So we are celebrating gathering is peoplesee the betterpart to fix but the good part ofthis type of issues that we have and are wanting about the Declaration, the real tragic “The important thing is... you can talk happy organizers too.” complaint we had, itmakes us to meetings? But ifthat’s the only get upthe next morning and go and how were they supposed to drum dancing till3inthe morning one complaint we had was we had times... now mind you Ithink the there were activities going onatall something going onevery day and And they loved the fact there was Nellie Cournoyea (R)and Peggy Jay, ICC GAcoordinator being recognized for their contributions. wonderful feeling,” said Peggy. as everything is ready. That was a conference over to the ICC Chair, thinking, wow now we can turnthis It was justthe greatest feeling of on every table and everyone’s happy. coordination and the microphones back, the buzz inthe venue, the colour tapestry, the bigwall hanging atthe the peopleenjoying the sealskin watch the official proceedings, I saw on Monday, and going inthere to “When the conference was starting Margaret and Bill Mero collecting meal tickets. Volunteers atthe GAmerchandise booth. 57 Photo: Peggy Jay STEPHEN HARPER HONORARY PATRON Photo: PMO Office PMO Photo:

PM Stephen Harper meets with workers at the Inuvik-Tuk Highway groundbreaking ceremony.

Having Canada’s Prime Minister serve as Honorary Patron is a strong indicator of the importance of ICC as a body that can directly address the impacts of our changing Arctic.”

s Honorary Patron “We all share the same ICC Canada President, “Having Canada’s Prime of the ICC GA, goals to see healthy, Duane Ningaqsiq Smith Minister serve as Honorary APrime Minister prosperous Inuit families said, “We are very pleased Patron is a strong indicator Stephen Harper welcomed and communities. That is that the Prime Minister of the importance of ICC the participants, “Uvlaami, why this General Assembly is presiding over this as a body that can directly bonjour, greetings to everyone is so important. Let me international celebration of address the impacts of our attending the 12th General congratulate ICC Canada our people. This is truly a changing Arctic,” added Assembly of the Inuit and our local hosts, major historical event as the International ICC Chair, Circumpolar Council. I want the Inuvialuit Regional Arctic gains prominence on Aqqaluk Lynge. to begin by thanking you Corporation, for hosting the world stage.” for the opportunity to serve this Assembly and let me as Honorary Patron. I am wish you all a pleasant and delighted.” productive meeting.” Andrea Hansen (R) on a Mackenzie Delta boat tour with

colleague Chantale Campbell. Kuptana James Photo: ANDREA HANSEN PROUD TO BE HOME e catch up with Andrea ConocoPhillips is an official Donna Bernhardt was a blast! How did it feel to be back in WHansen, who was a sponsor of the ICC GA. We set up We spent hours preparing the the ISR at the ICC GA? star volunteer at the ICC GA! a booth for ConocoPhillips in the delegate bags and setting up the I always look forward to coming Originally from Inuvik she came trade show area. We were walking flags and banners. I drove around home – I pursued work that would back to the ISR as a ConocoPhillips around giving out ConocoPhillips with Harley Matthews showing allow me to stay involved and staff but went the extra mile cookies! We attended sessions Greenlanders and Alaskans where travel in the ISR – but coming to ensure visitors had a good during the day and looked after our to go. The truck showing up with home for the ICC GA filled me experience at the GA. executive staff. VPs Sheila -Reader the translation and audio visual with pride and excitement both as made a speech, and Lloyd Visser equipment was not able to get up an Inuvialuk and from the hosting What was your role at this spoke at the opening night and at to the gym - we had to get a loader region. I wanted those visiting ICC GA? the Wednesday Panels. over there on short notice. Inuvik to appreciate it the way I got involved a few days before the I do and leave with only good Could you describe the Who else amongst the ICC GA commenced. My role was memories. I volunteered in 1992 volunteer work you helped volunteers stood out as to be a support to ICC conference at the ICC GA and was amazed at coordinator Peggy Jay and her to do? a star volunteer? the numbers of Inuit from around team in any way possible – there The majority of my time was Louie Porta with Oceans North was the world and the scale of the are so many details to attend to in spent preparing delegate and up late driving Alaskans in from event. The cultural celebration coordinating a production of this participant kits and general set-up the airport. I think he was the one showcasing traditional clothing scale. I just looked for any tasks, big or along with supporting registration who volunteered to put sheets on and dance was captivating. I get small, to help alleviate the work load. on the first day. Working with beds for delegate accommodations. shivers just thinking about it.

59 IN APPRECIATION to the following sponsors for your generous support of the ICC GA 2014. Thank You, Quyanaq and Quyanainni!

$100,000+ $10,000+ Nanuk / Polar Bear Kingalik / Eider Duck

Aage V. Jensen’s Fonde AON Risk Solutions Canadian North Airlines Aurora College Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Blair Franklin Asset Management ConocoPhillips CIBC ExxonMobil Inuit Art Foundation Government of Canada Inuvik Community Corporation Government of Northwest Territories KingSett Capital Inc. Imperial/ Exploration Joint Venture Mobilizing Inuit Cultural Heritage/York University Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Naalakkersuisut (The Government of Greenland) North Slope Borough (Alaska) NWT Arts Council Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Oak Foundation PH&N Investment Services $50,000+ Royal Greenland A/S Arviq / Whale Udenrigsministeriet (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark) Vale Canada Limited Arctic Slope Regional Corporation E Gruben’s Transport Ltd. $5,000+ Aqpik / Cloudberry Northwind Industries Ltd. Air North Akita Drilling Ltd. $25,000+ AltaGas Tuktu/Caribou Bell Kearns and Associates Bob’s Welding ATCO Group BP Exploration Alaska, Inc. Canada Council for the Arts Calm Air Chevron Canada Ltd. Canadian Coast Guard Kitikmeot Inuit Association District Education Authority (Inuvik) Nunatsiavut Government Fisheries & Oceans Canada (Inuvik Office) Oceans North Canada Gamco Investors PwC Canada GCI Qikiqtaaluk Corporation Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk Scotiabank Home Hardware Inuvik Town of Inuvik Husky Energy Inc. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Inuvik Quilting Guild

Mawer Blomh Hans Photos: Northern Transportation Company Ltd. IN APPRECIATION Northwest Company/NorthMart Northwest Territories Power Corporation Pan Arctic Inuit Logistics Parks Canada (Inuvik Office) Pew Charitable Trusts Pt Capital/Olgoonik Corporation RCMP Stanton Distributing

$500+ Bill and Marie Tracey. Friends / Supporters

Aklak Air Allen Services and Contracting Arctic Digital Ltd. Beaufort Mechanical Calista Corporation Carlson Wagonlit Travel City of Bethel Collin’s Painting CQL Inc. Driving Force Grant Hood Great Northern Arts Festival Inuvik Anglican Church Inuvik Fire Department Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation Kevin Floyd Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation Kotzebue Electric Association, Inc Mackenzie Delta Hotel Group McDonald Bros. Electric Ltd. Muskrat Jamboree Committee James Kuptana and Barb Simic. New North Networks NWT Association of Communities Oceana Rocky’s Plumbing Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220 Sitnasuak Native Corporation The Newstand The Roost/Ando Enterprises Tundra Drilling Vince Sharpe

ICC Alaska Reception. 61 IN APPRECIATION to the following volunteers for your generous support of the ICC GA 2014. Thank You, Quyanaq and Quyanainni!

Aleekuk, Amber Day, Colin Grandjambe, Athena Kogiak, Allen Peffer, Susan Aleekuk, Annie Day, James Jr. Green, Rita Kokko, Anne Pertschy, Elizabeth Allen, Eileen Day, Peggy Greenland, Joey Komeak, Charles Phillips, Debbie Allen, Fanny Day-MacLeod, Skye Gruben, Darlene Kotokak, Lena Pokiak, Maribeth Allen, Gloria DeBastien, Duane Gruben, Ethel-Jean Kudlak, Shauna Porta, Louie Allen, Kathleen Dillon, Eddie Gruben, Nikkia Kuptana, Donald Raska, Jiri Allen, Mabel Dillon, Lucy Gruben, Patrick Kuptana, James Ritias, Amber Alley, Sarah Dimaano, Yvonne Gruben, Robert Kuptana, Lucy Ritias, Selina Alunik, Louisa Donovan, Kyle Gruben, Tanya Kuptana, Terri Lee Rodgers, Denny Angasuk, Larry Doolittle, Yvonne Guevara, Glenn Lal, Sejal Ross, Alyssa Archie, Barbara Driscoll, Rosalie Hadlari, Atiima Lalonde, Christine Ross, Bobby Archie, Kendall Dunn, Cindy Hansen, Andrea Lannon, Paula Seddon, Candace Arey, Donovan Edward, Leonard Hansen, Arlene Larocque, Chad Selamio, Richard Arey, Eddie Edwards, Ruby Haogak, Priscilla Larocque, Chelsey Shattler, Deanna Arey, Sonny Elanik, Felicia Harley, Delores Lennie, Alecia Sidhu, Viraj Arnault, Cathy Elanik, Kendra Hood, Grant Lennie, Billie Simpkins, Jamie Arthorne, Paul Elanik, Nellie Inglangasuk, Olivia Lennie, Crystal Sittichinli, Jayda Aulin, Mary Elias, Delanie Ipana, Leah Lennie, Edward Smith, Chelsey Azevedo, Berta Elias, James Ipana, Sandra Lennie, Hans Smith, Linda Baldwin, Erin Elias, Lorna Ittungna, Brenda Leonido, Michael Smith, Wendy Barbour, Shona Elias, Shirley Jacobson, Barry Levin, Cathie Snyder, Janie Baetz, Allison Elias, Yvonne Jacobson, Mavis Loreen, Dolly Storr, Evelyn Beaulne, Sarah Elias-Kuptana, Tianna James, Lubby Lugt, Eriel Storr, Jeannie Bernhardt, Donna Elie, Marie-Anick Janega, Jillian MacDougall, Marci Storr, Maria Bernhardt, Ernie Elliott, Cassandra Johnson, Brandon MacDougall-March, Jessica Stuart, John Jr. Bernhardt, Johnny Esau, Beverly Johnston, Nicole Maring, Jodie Sudlouenick, Enooyaq Bernhardt, Robin Etter, Meghan Jones, Terry Matthew, Harley Sulliman, Sandra Blakeston, Connie Firth, Charlene Kagyut, Ashley McDonald, Josh Taneton, Hannah Brake, Wendy Firth, Helen Kasook, Courtney MacLean, Jullian Tatty, Mary Olibuk Browne, Blythe Firth, Sharon Kaufman, Caroline McLeod, Louise Testart, Terry Buckle, Sarah Firth, Vincent Keogak, Andrea McLeod-Norris, Margaret Thompson, Gordon Carpenter, Alainna Fleming, Mark Kikoak, Leonard Mero, Margaret Thrasher, Alice Catholique, Snookie Floyd, Kevin Kimiksana, Vanessa Mero, Bill Thrasher, Annie Challis, Jackie Forcade, Lauri Kingmiatuq, Bev Mitchener, Lillias Thurton, David Clarke, Paul Giilck, Charlene Kingmiatuq, Madison Modesto, Melanie Tingmiak, Abel Cockney, Cathy Gillis, Melinda Kinney, Jim Morgan, Candace Venaas, Judith Cockney, Jennifer Goose, Leanne Kisoun, Caroline Nartok, Makabe Verbonac, Camilla Cockney, Lacee Gordon, Sandra Kisoun, Donna Nasogaluak, Gloria Vittrekwa, Haili Cockney, Steve Gordon, Sherry Kisoun, Gerry Nasogaluak, Natasha Voisey, Elizabeth Cook, Barry Gordon, Glen Kisoun, Lesli Nasogaluak, Sheila Vos, Pippa Cook, Fiona Gordon, Jasmine Kisoun, Meeka Navratil, Crystal Wall, Erica Cook, Terry Gordon, Jerome Kisoun, Melissa Norris, Brenda Williams, James Costa, Jenny Gordon, Liz Kisoun, Shirley Norris, Vina Wright-Fraser, Karen Cross, Christine Gordon-Ruben, Colton Kisoun, Tricia Norris, Wayne Young, Angela Cumberbatch, Deseray Gordon-Ruben, Debbie Kistan, Vishaun Paradis, Penny Day, Cheryl Gow, Alexis Koe, Darlene Peffer, Jacob Thank You It was an honour for us to be a part of the Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly. BEHIND THE SCENES W took a little time out to share what it is like to translate at the ICC GA. ICC the took alittleat time out to share whattranslate itis like to Ulukhaktok is inthe Innuinaqtun booth,along withHelen She Kitekudlak. their turns atthe podium. AnnieGoose from took presenters as translating interpreters from the ICC countries are hard atwork, simultaneously At one end ofthe ICC GAconference hall, there is arow ofbooths where FOR THEPEOPLE COMMUNICATING is Russian, Greenlandic, Yupik,Russian, Inupiat, is Inuktitut Every booth is speaking for their region. There message out tothe people,” she said. hour, and you trytodothe bestyou can toget the each other. Your mind is going so many milesper We take turns translating totake pressure off sometimes vice versa. Itdepends onthe speakers. are translating from English toInnuinaqtun, We are 2interpreters ineach booth.We e work from 8:30amto 6pm–there rhythm of the different dialects. who are translating and there is musicinthe when Iam taking time out Ilisten tothe people language that is closest tothem. Sometimes Inuktitut, so Iguess some ofthem take on the understand Innuinaqtun, Uummarmiutun, and some from here, some some from Kitikmeot, people sitting inthe audience that Irecognize, the floorbecause that’s expected ofus.There are to trytranslate everything that’s being said on Uummarmiutun, Siglit,and Innuinaqtun...We’ve ICC GA Katimavium akiani pingasut igluruyat iluani takunaqtut mumiktiqiyit savaksimayuat. ICC-mi nunaqativut. Uqaqtuat tugligiiklutik malirusimagait. Annie Goose unalu Helen Kitekudlak Ulukhaktok- miutak Innuinaqtun uqaqtuk. Uva sivikitumik unipkaaqtuq.

:30 ublaami 6-mun aglaan savakpaktuangni. 8Malruuyut savaktik igluami. Innuinaqtun mumiktisivaktuanni, ilaanni Taniktun. Ikayuqtigiikpaktuanni. Qiilaksuuqluta isumaliuqpaktuanni, inuit iluatun tusaapqublugit.

Mumiktisivaktuat nunaqatigiingnun, Russia, Greenland, Yupik, Inupiaq, Inuktitun, Uummarmiutun, Sallirmiutun, Innuinaqtunlu. Tamaan inuum uqaqtanga mumiktiniaqtuksaq. Inuit katimavingmi iltarnaqtut. Kitikmeot, Uummarmiut, Kivataanirmiullu. Ilaani savaqatitka kituliqaa naalagiakpakatka. Uqausingit quvianaqtut.

Inugiaktut uqausiqpait tusarnaqtut. Sivituaqtumik tusaamaugalirainni qangiqsinarmiut. Quyallitauyuq. Mumiktiniaqpaktuanni uqaqtuaq angumaniaqlugu. Isumaliurnaqtuq sukayumik. Ilinariblunilu qakugu.

Uqausiqpait tusaamaugalirainni sumiliqa katimayuanni qangiqsinaqivangmiyuat. Ilinarmiuq qakugu ilurilutin savakkuvit.

Mumiktiniq quviagiyara. Uqaqtaksat katimayuanni sivunniuqtaksat inugiaktut. Inuit pitqusiitigunlu, sapiqsautitigun, iluatun inuusiq tutqiksarniq. Tamana tajva qangiqsipkaqtuksauyuq inungn naalaktuanun.

Uqaqatigiipaktuanni savaqatiptingnun. Taimana innapta. Savaaksaugaluaqluta ikayuutivaktuanni uqaqatigiikluta. Nirivigaluani uqaqatigiingnaqtuq iluatun. Taimana tajva ikayurniaqpaktuanni.

Annie Goose (L) and Helen Kitekudlak (R).

There are many technical terms and when speaker’s perspective, and their audience. It’s a Translators have been talking to each you are translator-interpreter, over a period of technique you learn over time and you do the best other of course, because we Inuit are years you get to understand the different topics you can of course. an open people. Even if we are busy that they talk about so that’s helpful. You are we take time to communicate. Like I enjoy translating - topics brought to the floor translating as close as you can really quickly, at the tables where we eat, you try to from each regions range from knowledge based, you mind is going very fast, you have to put accommodate each other as best as traditional-cultural sharing, to difficult situations the two together. It’s a technique you learn over you can, that is the quality that we try in each region or the good works that they are time. to carry as translator-interpreters. doing. You have to translate that to the audience Some of the words you hear over and over and that the information can be received well. in different conferences but it differs in each 65 o Howie MacLeod, sound is Tnot just his business, it is his passion. A year before the ICC GA, he began meetings with ICC Conference Coordinator Peggy Jay to ensure that audio for the GA would work well for the five venues, where conference meetings and cultural performances will be ongoing.

Howie’s live sound business has served most major shows in Inuvik. He knew audio needs for the GA would be complicated, there were 8 separate language systems just for the conference itself. “It’s really important that everyone understood what’s going on in the meetings, especially for the Inuvialuit at this critical time,” said Howie who helped arrange for an audio crew HOWIE HOWIE MACLEOD to look after multi-simultaneous translations.

He took care of audio for the cultural performances and the Northern Games. “That was a lot of work, we started early in

JUMPING JUMPING IN the mornings to prepare for the

Adjusting the mike for Danny C. Gordon during the Interfaith Service. On the drums. day and we went late into the evening. The performances and It was the Northern Games were going quite the on at the same time, sometimes on the same stage. It was a bit of a challenge to challenge for me to work around, work with sometimes we couldn’t do sound checks with the groups when there the weather, was already something happening the schedule at the venue. But it all worked out really well, I was mostly as to work and prepared as I could be,” he said. with so many Performers from Greenland and the different people, Eastern Arctic saw Howie playing drums for Inuvik musicians Louie but everybody and Leanne Goose and invited him in the end pulled to play with them too. “At first I was nervous, I have never even heard together and these musicians before but it all realized fell together so well it was just like we played together forever. They’d the vision of come over to me after and say ‘Man, it was really neat playing with you.’ One Arctic, There was good feeling onstage One Future.” and you can’t beat that.” “It’s so much more rewarding when you can help a situation out, it was neat they trusted me to help them with their show.”

Howie also enjoyed fellow Inuvialuit who jumped onstage to share their playful side. “Gerry [Kisoun], he’s on the mike a lot doing the emceeing, it was good to see all of a sudden he picks up his guitar and sings a song in front of 500 people,” he laughed.

Howie went beyond his responsibilities, jumping in to help clean up after the events and supporting other staff of the GA.

“We tried to help out everywhere we could. I really have to congratulate the volunteers, and the organizers ... it would be 6 o’clock in the morning and they’d be outside cleaning up the park in the rain.”

“I think everybody tried really hard to get the job done well. It was quite the challenge to work with the weather, the schedule, and with so many different people, but everybody in the end pulled together and realized the vision of One Arctic, One Future,” he said.

Working on sound. 67 JACQUI LAMBERT SAY YES TO OPPORTUNITY acqui Lambert is a life force to be between Alaska and Russia, show When she first applied for the all around the world. I didn’t mind Jreckoned with. The 22 year old how we lost touch with our dancing UN internship position, another traveling on my own,” she says. from Kotzebue, Alaska can be seen and yet it’s not lost, we are finding candidate was selected instead. “I’m trying to prove to the youth, at the ICC GA conference meetings, it again. We talk so much about “After Labour Day weekend I don’t wait. It’s possible, don’t snapping away with her camera as a losing our native language, but we opened up my emails and they were wait for the delegates to reach journalist for First Alaskans magazine, are also losing our native dance. like ‘The other candidate backed out to you. Take any opportunity while multi-tasking as ICC Alaska Because of the cold war Russia and out! Are you interested in coming that comes. If I haven’t started Staff, coordinating logistics and Alaska couldn’t communicate with to the UN on Friday?’ This was a the Youth Media group in 2005 donning her dance parka to perform each other. When that happened Tuesday but I can’t say no to this.” I’ll never be here today. And all I with the Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights they communicated songs through “Even though on short notice and heard when I signed up was that Dancers. As part of her internship the radio. There are some dances I didn’t know anyone, I trusted it it’s a fun project with cameras and with the UN Indigenous People’s where they are familiar with enough. I talked to my professors, I they are going to Barrow. It shifted Center of Documentation, she is the songs but the motions were met everyone when I was there and my entire career for me. So that’s also collecting oral histories for a different because they couldn’t basically that’s how I became an basically what it is, don’t be scared documentary. share them.” intern with the Indigenous People’s of any opportunity.” While it might seem like a lot on Jacqui’s long distance internship Center of Documentation. I’ve been her shoulders, Jacqui says she is with the UN has her working with having the time of her life. “In the 6 other youth from Bolivia, Costa past 4 years I was just thinking Rica, Australia, the Philippines, the ICC, ICC, really excited! I’ve been Arctic region, the North American planning for this forever,” she says. region. At a historic symposium, Don’t wait for the delegates Jacqui was 14 years old when she the interns documented oral to reach out to you. Take any attended her first ICC GA in Barrow histories of Inuit people who were Alaska as part of the Sivuliq Youth part of the fight for Indigenous opportunity that comes... It shifted Media Group. “I didn’t understand rights in the 70s. my entire career for me. Don’t be what was going on, I was just “At the UN Convention in Geneva working hard with the media, scared of any opportunity.” in 1977, Indigenous people were not learning the tools... how to use these even allowed into the convention microphones and cameras.” When area. We recorded the stories of the she turned 18 she went to the 2010 first delegates that were there, who ICC GA in Nuuk Greenland as an were fighting, we have human rights observer. “I was just learning the too, there’s a big rally of them.” This ropes, sitting in and understanding project called “The Bridge to the the materials. Through these ICCs Future” is according to Jacqui “to I can feel my growth.” build the bridge between the first “Sivuliq means the front end delegates, the elders, and the youth of the bow. We are leading this about this history.” technology change, using these Jacqui finds courage to be the media tools to preserve our key to getting life changing culture,” she says through projects experiences. “Any opportunity such as a documentary on the that came up I was just like YES I Beringia Land Bridge. “Basically didn’t want to pass anything up.” it’s about the connection of dances

Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers. 69 UP AND COMING TOM MCLEOD om McLeod is the youngest during the ICC GA, pensive as The TInuvialuit published author he documents the discussions. benefit – co-authoring The Delta is My In a moment of spontaneity Home in 2008 with Mindy Willet when recording the cultural of the ICC is as an 11-year old. As a child, performances he jumped in to join the gifted storyteller was heard the drummers and dancers of his that everyone frequently on CBC Radio North hometown. agrees on the sharing delightful stories about Tom’s love of the Mackenzie Delta hunting and living on the land. is evident and even though many best possible Originally from Aklavik, Tom has younger people his age are moving returned to the Delta after working way to march south, he is determined to stay in and studying in Whitehorse for the North. “I’m a bit of a family forward. If we about two years, completing man. I’ve my whole family (in the Producer Training Program get everyone Aklavik) and I’m still really close at Inuvialuit Communications to my younger sister... we are great in the North Society (ICS) in Inuvik last year. friends. My brothers have their The 19 year old is now a full time walking in younger children and I like helping producer for ICS, and continues them out, it’s part of my coming the same his love of storytelling through a back up North after I left,” he said. direction, that children’s television show slated for broadcast on APTN. A bit of a history buff and geek, can be the Tom researches “for For Tom it is a “natural progression” fun” and knows everything about direction of to move from writing into television science fiction. His is astute about and he finds “The best part of the future.” the importance of timing in getting making children’s programming the Inuit voice heard through the is that you know you are possibly ICC GA. He said the resources making something that will stick of the North is like a poker chip. with them their whole life... make “Right now we’ve our poker chip them happy for a long time.” that’ll get us to the table but when You might have seen the lanky it’s gone we’d get kicked off the young man behind a camera table. In that time when we have our poker chip we have to play well to gain more,” he said.

He is hopeful that the North will be able to advance beyond dependence on natural resources by developing renewable energy sources, “That would be an incredible thing, so we are less dependent when we lose our natural resources.”

A significant observation Tom has of the ICC GA was to see a bigger picture of circumpolar Inuit working together. “The benefit of the ICC is that everyone agrees on the best possible way to march forward. If we get everyone in the North walking in the same direction, that can be the direction of the future,” he said.

71 AWARDS & GIFTS AWARDS EDMUNDS THE BILL Carl Christian Olsen, Puju(Greenland). Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

Edna Elias, Commissioner of Nunavut.

Enjoying the dancing.

ICC Alaska reception. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

Terry Audla receiving a gift.

owards the end of the ICC TGA, an award and gift presentation ceremony is held in recognition of service towards ICC’s goals.

The Bill Edmunds Award was presented to Carl Christian Olsen, (Puju) for his outstanding role in promoting Inuit rights and interests throughout the circumpolar region. Puju is the director of the Oqaasileriffik (Language Secretariat) at the University of Greenland. He is known for his dedication as a linguist to revive and protect the Greenlandic language and Dr. Paul John, Elder Representative (Alaska). identity. He advocated for Home Rule, Denmark’s 1979 decision to let Greenland manage some of its own affairs and is President of ICC Greenland.

Other gifts were also given during the ICC GA and country receptions to participants in recognition of their contribution.

73

COUNTRY FOOD Photo: Michael Carman Michael Photo: Photo: Hans Blohm Enjoying the food! Caribou soup and roast with bannock. Caribou rib roast. Renie Arey.

Photo: Michael Carman MAMAQTUUQ! DELICIOUS EATING

here was a secret ingredient available in the region, moose, for all this!” said an Alaskan on doughnuts. The excitement of Tbehind all the joy at the ICC caribou, geese, duck, muskrat, her Facebook, showing a bowl of feeding the guests is infectious and GA – nutrient rich, energy giving ptarmigan, rabbit, fish are made muktuk, dryfish and drymeat. there is much laughter as the food is country food! Volunteer cooks into soups and roasted, and there prepared. “We used about 20 pails of muktuk, prepared pails of muktuk day and are drymeats and dryfish of all 40 muskrats and 30 ducks,” said Country food is a crucial part night at Jim Koe Park, and the kinds. Eskimo donuts, soups, stews, head cook Sandra Ipana, who was of Inuit culture, and for many rich beluga blubber boiling away bannock, berries, everything was shaping fishcakes with her daughter who have moved away, coming was a beautiful sight. There is just available for a token price, and Bunnik, and a group of volunteers back and eating country food about every kind of country food visitors are delighted. “Only $10 from the Northern Games Society. immediately connects them to Coming through the door of the their roots. It has been twelve years cook booth are volunteers carrying since Louise Aga Flooren has been Photo: Minnie Naylor massive bags of flour, while others back home in Inuvik. She drove are flipping pancakes and fishcakes, for 4 days from Fort Vermillion, punching dough, frying Eskimo bringing her young children along so they could get a taste their culture. Her children cannot get enough of the drymeat. “The food, the activity, the relatives, friends and people, they are really enjoying it. One of them is joining the games and volunteering,” she said.

Country food is so good that even songs have been written about it.

Minnie Naylor, The Jerry Cans sang their hit song Deanna and Brent “Mamaqtuuq” at the ICC GA which Latham (Alaska) got everyone dancing in agreement! enjoying muktuk.

Dry meat. Bannock. Photo: Peggy Jay

75 CELEBRATIONS that tieseveryone together.” singing for the same reason and all one family and we were all that didn’t really matter, we were denominations and dialects, but it was good,we were different people, one way oranother. Ithink a really goodway to help Singing is uplifting, it’s WE ARE ONE VOICE oming from different Voices and hearts soared as Parsons (Bishop of the Arctic), “Singing is uplifting, it’s a really Corigins and faiths, musicians and members of the both emphasizing ICC GA to be a good way to help people, one way attendees at the Interfaith various regions – Greenland time to celebrate existing strengths or another. I think it was good, Service – ICC GA’s first event Kalaalit Nunat Choir, Nunavut and to follow wisdom. we were different denominations – were in harmony with their Choir, NANA Region Choir, and dialects, but that didn’t really It was a heart warming reunion intent and devotion. “Oh they Aklavik Sing-a-long Group, matter, we were all one family and for many whose family live are going to sing, her voice is Chukotkan Choir, Gwich’in Choir, we were all singing for the same across the border. Hymn leaders just beautiful!” whispered an North Slope Region Choir and reason and that ties everyone Danny C. Gordon (Aklavik) elder in the audience, as two Kaktovik Sing-a-long Group – took together.” and Willie Goodwin (Kotzebue) members of the North Slope turns in leading. are cousins by marriage, while This gathering set the tone for the Region Choir took the stage. Sermons were delivered by many of the musicians on stage rest of the ICC GA where many As the singer began her song, Reverend Mark MacDonald were from Kaktovik, Danny C.’s voices would unite as one. the elder and those around her (National Indigenous Anglican original hometown. He said many eagerly joined in. Bishop), and Reverend David complimented the service after.

Devotional moment with the Kaktovik Sing-a-long Group. 77 Gwich’in choir. Aqqaluk Lynge (center).

Greenland Kalaalit Nunat Choir. Anglican bishops (Canada) and Lief Immanuelson (Greenland) playing.

Danny C. Gordon with fellow Hymn Leader Willie Goodwin. NANA Region Choir (Kotzebue).

Joy, song and hugs are shared all around. 79 Rt. Reverend David W. Parsons, Bishop of the Arctic (R) and musicians from Alaska.

The Danny C. Gordon family.

Greenlanders enjoying the service. The Kaktovik Sing-a-long Group cheers Carol Arey for her birthday.

HOME BEYOND BORDERS It’s not everyday that you Originally from Aklavik, Carol Carol represented the Inuvialuit Like many of the Inuvialuit of have Inuit from Alaska, moved to Kaktovik, Alaska in for many years politically through Inupiat descent, home is beyond November 2013. She had come her involvement with IRC and geographical boundaries. “I Canada, Greenland and back for the ICC GA as part of community organizations. “I’ve would say that probably Aklavik Chukotka singing Happy the Kaktovik Sing-a-long Group. been to a few ICC GAs... this is the and Kaktovik are both my homes. Birthday together for When we caught up with her, her first time I’m not sitting around I’ve always enjoyed going to you, and Carol Arey voice was a little hoarse. the table,” she said. However, she Kaktovik and living there is just welcomed the change. “Usually like going home... although being beamed with delight as “I’m enjoying every minute of when I come home to Aklavik I’m away from my immediate family the Kunuyuk Kaktovik it,” she laughs. “I got to sing with helping out there as well, and this in Aklavik we still go back often Sing-a-long Group burst the Aklavik Delta Drummers time, just visiting with everybody to see each other. This trip I’m and Dancers the other day. We into song, surprising her is awesome. Having family and actually bringing my mum and are all one family in the singing friends from the Alaska side, and family back with me to Kaktovik, and Annie Tagarook, who area – it’s such an enjoyable time meeting family from this side back so with family in both areas it’s shared her birthday. to have everybody come up and home. With Northern Games too, welcoming and it’s home.” sing together... I think you can that tops everything off.” hear it in my voice.”

81 OCEANS DAY

Alexandria Inglangasuk makes a beautiful Sedna on the IRC float. Banner on a float.

t the Oceans Day parade and T-shirts that were given away A(Inuvik, July 20th) the IRC at the event. Entries were chosen float stood out with its theme from submissions by students at depicting an Inuit mythology the East Three Elementary School. figure – Sedna the Sea Goddess Speeches were made by Mayor who provides the seals, walruses, Floyd Roland, IRC Chair Nellie whales, and animals of the sea Cournoyea, and DFO Regional important to Inuit hunters. Director-General Dave Burden followed by an afternoon barbecue This is an apt reminder to value at the boat launch, located at the the health of the oceans and of the East Channel of the Mackenzie Inuvialuit’s ancestral connection River, a major artery of the to the oceans. The Oceans Day Inuvialuit region’s waterways. The Parks Canada float. celebrations are organized by Inuvik Qayaq Club demonstrated DFO (Department of Fisheries and traditional qayaqs. Community Oceans) with assistance from IRC members also participated in games and other partners. The parade such a “Life of a Char” which were included local businesses, DFO, Parks both entertaining and educational. Canada, visiting ICC delegations and There were also several rounds of families who made their own floats. tug-of-war.

The winner of the Oceans Day logo Thank you to everyone who made contest Kyra McDonald (Inuvik) was Oceans Day a success! happy to see her design on hoodies

Thank you sponsors! IRC staff. Peggy Day and children on the IRC float.

Alaskans in the parade. Harpoon throw. Photo: Dan Slavik Dan Photo: Photo: Dan Slavik Dan Photo: Photo: Dan Slavik Dan Photo:

Kyra McDonald (Inuvik) winner of the Oceans Day Cassidy Ipana is happy to dress up for Oceans Day. logo contest and Edna Elias, Commissioner of Nunavut. 83 Mobilizing Inuit Cultural Heritage sculpture. ART AT THE ICC GA

ver the course of three Qikiqtarjuaq. The goal in preparing gold and sinew. The figures sit on for the grant presented the piece at Oweeks, four Nunavummiut the sculpture was to communicate a base – a drum, symbolizing the the ICC GA, “It was made by Inuit artists created a scuplture for the importance of the arts for beating heart of Inuit Nunaat lined and it accurately represents Inuit ICC GA through the Mobilizing the future of Inuit and to express with sealskin and rimmed in silver. culture and heritage. The story is Inuit Cultural Heritage grant. pressing issues facing Inuit society The black, blue and silver areas of we eat the animals from the Arctic Contributing artists were today. fur symbolize sea, snow and rock. and the animal keeps us alive. The Koomuatuk Sapa Curley and The syllabics on the drum base is hunter also feeds us and that’s The hunter, animals and inukshuk Ashoona Ashoona, who are both the name of the sculpture and also why we are alive. So the carving are carved from Aberdeen based carvers from Kinngait. Frederick the name of the grant. is a story of how we live up North. serpentine stone, from Southern Silas Qulaut is a jeweler and The animals and the people live Baffin Island, inlaid with caribou Koomuatuk Sapa Curley who precious metal worker from together in the Arctic.” antler, ivory, and gold. The hunter conceived the idea of the gift as Igloolik. The base was sewn holds a harpoon made of silver, Community Outreach Coordinator by Kathy Kuniliusee from

The goal in preparing the sculpture was to communicate the foundational importance of the arts for the future of Inuit and to express pressing issues facing Inuit society today.”

85 NUNALI: THE PLACE WHERE WE LIVE

he land – nuna – is an enduring Ttheme in Inuit Art. Nunali - the place where we live is an exhibition held concurrently with the ICC GA. From drawings and prints of the 1960s by elder artists such as Mark Emerak and Helen Kalvak, to the depiction of modern transportation coming into the North in airplane point of view drawings by Pudlo Pudlat, the artists’ imagery collectively provide a broad view, from vast panoramas to close-ups of the tundra, of the land as inhibited by animals and of people, underscoring the interconnectedness of the Arctic environment and those who live there. The range of approaches and styles, from the naturalistic to the fantastical – reveal the rich diversity of artistic expression by Inuit and Inuvialuit artists. Art materials such as bone, stone, antler and ivory is essential to maintaining Inuit identity, healing and well-being.

Christine Lalonde, curator of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada said, “The artwork are by artists all over Canada, from the Eastern Arctic to the region of the Inuvialuit. In particular we were able to borrow some key artworks from the IRC so the local artists are really there and very present.”

Embroidery. Family Foundation. Cultural Heritage and the Chada Foundation, IRC,Mobilizing Inuit is sponsored by the InuitArt Joe Talirunili. The exhibition Sikkuark, Jutai Toonoo, and Jim Raddi, Stanley Ruben, Nick Andrew Qappik, AnnieQappik, William Noah, Mary Okheena, Bill Nasogaluak, Louie Nigiyok, Jimmy Kamimmalik, PudloPudlat, Mark Igloliorte, Helen Kalvak, William Gruben, Ronnie Gruben, Emerak, Agnes Goose Nanogak, by Shuvanai Ashoona, Mark Nigiyok, and showcased artwork artist talk and tour withLouie This exhibition featured an QUILT EXHIBIT technique. 2014marks the 8thyear ofthis show inInuvik. and are abrilliant combination oftexture, fabrics, colour, graphic patterns, and governance, political development, environment, orhunting/food security, the main topics ofthe economic ICC development, GA; health and wellbeing, representations ofthe beauty inthe North! These works each highlightone of the ICC GA’s theme of“One Arctic, One Future” added to the colourful Quilted artworks by textile artists ofthe InuvikQuilting Guild celebrating

Photo: Hans Blohm Photo: Hans Blohm Each artwork depictsaspects ofInuitlife. 87 Photo: Hans Blohm Photo: Hans Blohm

Supporting our northern communities

For more than a century, we’ve strived to maintain our high standards, supporting communities where we live and work. Through our investments in education and training programs, we support the aspirations of Aboriginal people in northern communities across Canada.

Nanuk sponsor of the 2014 Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly

Finding balance in a sea of energy In participation with BP Exploration Operating Company Limited and ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. 89 MUSIC & CULTURE “T PERFORMANCES CULTURAL ICC GA music and drumdancing. spotlight to showcase their country getsitsturninthe performances, where each strongly as during the cultural together is felt nowhere as of hearts and voices coming and the variety and harmony Inuit throughout the ICC GA, passionately expressed by heartbeat” is asentiment he drumis our (Greenland); and the Jerry Cans, an (Nunavik) and Leif Immanuelsen Howie MacLeod, George Kakkayuk (Nunavik) withour local drummer Etua Snowball’s rocking jam and Atiima Hadlari (Nunavut); Peter Jayko with Miriam Aglukkaq drum dance performance by young highlights, such as the haunting and exciting! There are countless that the performances were varied It is anunderstatement tosay CONTINUE ON songs ofthe ancient past. time tothe ancestral rhythms and also took the audience back across Kohlmeister and Mathew Okkuatsiak up ofPauline Kohlmeister, Kerri the Nunatsiavut Drummers, made The evocative performances of and getting the audience grooving. lyrics, bringing down the house Northern topicsand Inuktitut Nunavut who blended funky tunes, irreverent and energetic band from

PG 100 Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Ovluaq Dance Group (Alaska). 91 Photo: Peggy Jay Atiima Hadlari, drummer and dancer elder(Canada). Drum Dancer Peter Jayko (Canada).

Photo: Peggy Jay Drum Dancer Peter Jayko (Canada).

Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummers and Dancers. 93 The Jerry Cans on Community Welcome night.

The Jerry Cans’ funky beats got the audience moving. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment enjoying the show with her mother Miriam. Greenlanders invited the audience to join in their polka! Leif Immanuelsen (Greenland) brings big laughs to the audience with a cheeky dance.

Even though it’s their first time playing together, Etua Snowball (Canada), Lief Immanuelson (Greenland) and Howie MacLeod (Canada) sounded great!

95 Drum dancing.

Engaging with the audience.

Chukotkan delegates singing. Chukotka (Russia) delegates singing.

Chukotka (Russia) delegates singing Moscow Nights.

The audience sang along with the delegates to Moscow nights. Chukotkan delegates shared their traditional games. 97 Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers.

Vanessa Rogers and Kevin Allen.

Hans Lennie, Sarah Tingmiak, Abel Tingmiak and Kevin Allen drum dancing.

Talented young dancers join the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers. Tuktoyaktuk Drummers and Dancers. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

A Chukotkan drum dancer is invited on stage to dance with the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. 99 FROM  PG 90

Nunavut throat boxer Nelson Tagoona performed with throat singers Sylvia Watt-Cloutier and Akanisie Sivuarapik melding modern sounds with traditional. At the end of the Jerry Can’s final song, Inuvialuit drummers and dancers stood up and played their drums along with the band in an especially poignant moment of solidarity.

The Alaskan drum dance groups and our regional groups danced together, delighting the audience with innovative interpretations of drum dance songs. The Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers were encored many times with their humourous and joyful dances. They even adapted the ‘selfie’ trend into their ‘Ballroom Dance’ pulling out their phones to take pictures of themselves at the end of the song! Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers (Alaska). Not to be outdone, the drum dance groups from the Inuvialuit regions Ovluaq Dance Group (Alaska). held audiences in awe with their

CONTINUE ON  PG 108 Ovluaq Dance Group (Alaska).

Traditional style drum dance (Alaska).

Ovluaq Dance Group (Alaska) hamming it up Elvis Style.

101 Nolan Green (center) in a lighthearted moment with the Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers. 103 Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers (Alaska) were a crowd favourite. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo: Westover Nick Photo:

Northern Games participants enjoying the activities. Sandy Stewart, Ruth Pulk and Nellie Pokiak. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

The Evyagotailaks from

Children having fun. Westover Nick Photo: , Nunavut. Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers. 105 THE UGIUK BLANKET laska brought to Inuvik an ugiuk (bearded seal blanket) that Ais about half a century old. “It has so much history, I felt pretty privileged to jump on it. It’s my first time jumping on an ugiuk one. It’s looser and more cushioned in the middle, it’s got more spring to it.” said James Day Jr., Northern Games athlete and organizer. The blanket was so popular at the celebrations that it needed to be mended by Nicole Johnston, Alaskan Inuit Games official. “Nicole was explaining to me that it was the last seam to come apart from that original blanket,” said James.

Gerry Kisoun, Northern Games official said the bearded seal skin is so thick that it is usually halved before they are made into blankets. The ugiuk blankets are valued at about $10,000 each.

Smaller blankets are used traditionally for hunting, where about 8 people can help “toss” a hunter into the air to look for animals. Shylena Monroe (Alaska) on the Ugiuk Blanket. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Nicole Johnston mending the ugiuk blanket. Photo: Zoe Ho & David Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo:

Craig Gruben preparing to soar. Craig Gruben on the blanket toss. Donna Kisoun cultural Lillian Elias (front) enjoying a break from translation. performance MC.

Alice Kimiksana at the Arctic Market.

Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers. 107 Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Thomas Opie (Alaska) playing country music.

FROM  PG 100 passionate performances and Performers also entertained the While the Greenland and By the end of the ICC GA cultural welcoming invitational dances. audience at the Jim Koe Park Chukotka groups could not bring events, the audience could dance The astounding agility, strength stage, where the audience enjoyed any entertainers due to budget the Polka with the Greenlanders and sharing spirit displayed at the gathering with family and friends constraint, their delegates were and sing a robust ‘Moscow Nights’ Traditional Circumpolar Northern under the open skies. Ovluaq’s all talented in their own right and with the Chukotkans! Games added to the joyful Dance Group from Barrow, Alaska brought the audience a taste of celebration of vibrant Inuit culture. surprised with a drum dance their culture through games, dance appearance by Elvis. and song.

Modern-traditional jam - throat boxing and throat singing together. QIKIQTAGRUQ NORTHERN LIGHTS DANCERS ‘SELFIE DANCE’ his dance was originally composed by Blanche and Abraham TLincoln from Alaska. Inuit in Alaska then were ‘given’ names of American presidents when outsiders came and could not call them by George Kakkayuk (Canada) . their ‘Eskimo’ names. ‘Great great grandpa’ Abraham Lincoln made up the song with his wife, incorporating motions for putting on make up and going ballroom dancing. “There’s a song that’s very popular now with the line ‘But first, let me take a selfie’. We were practicing and we started joking and laughing about it,” said Jacqui Lambert. Group leaders Judy Huss and Christina Hensley came up with the idea hiding their cameras in their atikluk pockets and sliding them out at the end of the dance to take a selfie. The audience loved it! “We were really excited about performing that because that’s actually new to us too,” laughed Jacqui.

Adamie Delisle Alaku (Canada).

109 Etua Snowball (Canada). But first, let me take a selfie! A robust finish for Greenland ’s cultural performance.

Greenland delegates brought their joyful and humorous childhood games and songs. Children in the audience learning Greenlandic games. Paulatuk drummers and dancers doing the polka. 111 Nunatsiavut drummer Mathew Okkuatsiak. Nunatsiavut drummers and dancers: Kerri Kohlmeister, Mathew Okkuatsiak, and Pauline Kohlmeister.

Kerri Kohlmeister.

Pauline Kohlmeister. Deep in song.

Kerri Kohlmeister. 113 At the end of my show I like to be very honest, and I’m not afraid to “look ugly” on stage. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I believe in myself, I’ve the courage.”

Nelson Tagoona, throat boxing artist from Baker Lake, Nunavut. NELSON TAGOONA BELIEVE IN O YOURSELFI’ve the courage.” make mistakes. Ibelieve inmyself, onstage.ugly” Don’t beafraidto honest, and I’mnot afraidto“look the end ofmy show Ilike tobevery rocking out withmy crowd, but at from the North. Ilike tohave fun... performances especially coming messages that I’ve tosay inmy it’s important that others hear the himself through music.“Ithink shares withushow he found one ofyou too. Thank you.” Nelson saying, “Ibelieve ineach and every Nelson closes his performance Nelson’s art. you can’t help but feel moved by Nelson leads asong intoclimax, to the sky saying “‘Ibelieve’” as standing and raising their hands elders are equally engaged, where children, adults, and even you lookatthe ICC GAaudience, makes Nelson ultracool, but when and across Canada. That initself throughout the Canadian North grooves ofbeat boxing, performing throat singing meets the hip hop raspy, ancestral rhythms ofInuit sound, “Throat boxing” -where the fame withthis completely new culture intomusic.He rose to old when he began infusing his in Inuvik.Nelson was 15years Canada to the ICC GAstage Baker Lake (Nunavut) across emblazoned astartrail from boxer Nelson Tagoona ver the past five years, throat 115 Nelson Tagoona electrified the audience with his passionate performance.

You still have hope. Even if sometimes you feel like you are in a dark corner, you still have so much potential ahead of you. I trust you will see brighter days again... Be strong with yourself.” Nelson wants to help others find their outlets for self-expression. Music helped him navigate the pain of losing his father to suicide. “Growing up as an artist in Nunavut isn’t easy... it’s pretty hard being in an isolated community if you’ve been traumatized as a child. I like to take others home with my performances. I like to reach out to youth, and those young at heart who have a void and would like that void to be filled,” he says.

Nelson performed at Iqaluit’s World Suicide Prevention Day and held workshops through the National Arts Center, coaching performers in Cape Dorset, Nunavut for their first ever community talent show. The twenty year old artist is passionate about encouraging young people to believe in themselves and is especially touched by his experience at the ICC GA. “Coming to the North, the Northern Games, the Great Northern Arts Festival, the ICC GA, I feel it was an opportunity for me to shine some light internationally,” he says.

He has a message for youth. “You still have hope. Even if sometimes you feel like you are in a dark corner, you still have so much potential ahead of you. I trust you will see brighter days again... Be strong with yourself.”

Nelson ends with “I believe...” 117 t is the final morning of the drumming in western parts of IICC GA. The conference, Greenland because they thought usually sombre was in stitches. it was shamanic. We were so Leif Immanuelsen, Greenlandic lucky to have Qanaaq in north drummer was wriggling his and east Greenland, they kept “equuq (bottom)” at a laughing drumming and kept the tradition Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President from 4,000 years ago,” he said. Cathy Towtongie, as he sang Eastern Greenlandic drum songs “Aya ya” and hit the polar bear are in Eastern dialect and difficult stomach drumhead of his drum. for people from other parts to As he continued going around understand. “We arranged a the conference table, delegates seminar in May this year and we squealed, took pictures and gave found out that drumming in the him standing applause for his Western part of Greenland did not irreverence and humour. die out like we thought.”

And that is a taste of Greenland. “Young western Greenlandic people Leif laughed as he said, “We didn’t and children are now beginning have enough money to bring the to show interest in drumming - I performers but we will try to give the was one of the people taught them people what we can sing and dance.” to make drums using the modern equipment. Drumming in Western Leif is being modest. Besides being part of Europe is back now. That’s part of the official delegation, he why I’ll tell people in the meeting also played the accordion at the hall tomorrow that drumming in Interfaith Service, and jammed Greenland is now complete. I’m a on guitar with Etua Snowball very happy man today.” (Nunavik) and Howie MacLeod (Inuvik) on the ICC GA stage. A Leif feels that Inuit in Greenland are sound producer, he was always fortunate as Denmark has granted working on recording of other Greenland Home Rule. “We are lucky artists’ performances at the ICC to have close to self-government GA. today. Even if we are still under the Danish nation,” he said. Leif has attended previous ICC GAs as a musician, it is his first Regardless, the ancestral time joining the official delegation connection between Inuit is as Chair for the Greenlandic the strongest for him. “When Artists Association (EPI). we arrived at the airport, I was crying. The first time in ‘89 when “Our organization EPI started in they welcome us with the drums 2010, we are so lucky now to have it touches my heart directly. I’m a theatre school in Greenland, not crying because I’m sad but we have four young actors and because I was so happy to be here actresses graduating,” he said. and to be seeing everyone. Also Leif is serious about protecting this morning inside the hall... you the traditional arts, and teaches know, I can feel my ancestors and drum making and drum dancing at their ancestors together and that’s schools in Greenland. why I almost cry each time they “Missionaries came to our country begin to play. I feel like I’m the in 1721 and began to shut down luckiest man in the world.” I know that my forefathers already know what I need, my heart. I don’t have to ask them about money or other things.” THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD LEIF IMMANUELSEN

119 DRUM DANCE WORKSHOP Regional and

Young drum dancer Cole Felix from Alaskan Exchange Tuktoyaktuk.

Invitational: closing dances where everyone is invited to drum dance. nnie Aleekuk, Inuvialuit Aelder and drum dancer found herself dancing till 3 am at the Drum Dance Workshop during the ICC GA. With the 100 plus participants of all ages from the ISR and Alaska there was an understanding beyond words and she wanted to savour every moment. “Even though they don’t all speak the language, they all know and share the songs and the stories behind the dancing,” she said.

“Today we call it a workshop but a hundred years ago it was just a part of life. People would gather at an agreed place, like Kitigaaryuit, and all they did was share,” said Debbie Gordon-Ruben, one of the organizers of the Drum Dance Workshop.

Debbie said she cried many happy tears during the gathering. “Oh I cried a lot, haha. I’m a crier. You can’t help but see the love that Mollie Oliktoak.

Julia Ekpakhohak (Ulukhaktok) and Larsen Nasogaluak (Tuktoyaktuk).

We have a word in Inupiat: ‘Aariga.’ And basically it means it feels good... Not only were we able to communicate with each other through drum dancing but we were able to celebrate our ancestors the Inuit people. It was a communication between generations of people.” 121 everybody shared, even if some the Northern Games and the ICC things didn’t go perfectly right – at GA. It’s just amazing, it’s even hard the end of the day the energy was to get them to sleep.” always so positive,” she said. While there are similarities in The workshops took place during drum dance style, and even shared the day where groups would meet songs, there is uniqueness in each one on one, and in the evenings the group’s dance styles and pacing. groups would all ‘drum dance jam’ There were also new songs to together. The jams were open to be exchanged and created. Tina anyone who wanted to join. Hensley, leader of the Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers laughed, “We had a schedule but we didn’t “They dance a lot faster here than pick who was going to go with who, we do in Kotzebue.” it was important that it was done fairly,” said Debbie. Each group “Kotzebue are not afraid to shine met with another ISR group, and and to show their happiness when an Alaskan group. “The light in they dance,” said Debbie. “Barrow their eyes, when they were done is very traditional. They have been meeting with those two groups and teaching their drum dance songs the non-stop talking of the younger from generation to generation, ones, and they said it was so cool,” they know their history, whereas smiled Debbie. we are still learning. That’s why a workshop like this is so important, Joe Nasogaluak, founder of the so that we can get a taste of that Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and history and that camaraderie and Dancers said, “This is the first time sharing.” for the young group to perform in Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers enjoying an invitational dance.

Drum dance leaders Justin Memogana (Ulukhaktok) and Joe Nasogaluak (Tuk) sharing a moment. Ernest Nageak of the Ovluaq us in a special way that is dear to Dance Group (Alaska) said, “ICC my heart, that I can come here and started in Barrow and we started say it’s like my home.” sharing songs with each other. Jacqui Lambert of the the That’s why we’ve similar songs from Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights all over the coast.” Previous ICC Dancers found it hard to describe GAs were also opportunities where the feeling of dancing together in participating drum dance groups words. “We have a word in Inupiat had exchanged songs. and it’s ‘Aariga.’ And basically it Debbie said, “The highlight of means it feels good... Not only the whole week was being able to were we able to communicate with connect with our family,” which each other through drum dancing Joseph Sage of the Ovluaq Dance but we were able to celebrate Group agreed with. “It brought our ancestors the Inuit people. It us together with our Canadian was a communication between neighbours, and we find also that generations of people. That’s the we’ve family here. It just connects best way I can put it,” she said.

Debbie Gordon-Ruben (in blue).

The light in their eyes, when they were done meeting with those two groups and the non-stop talking of the younger ones, and they said it was so cool.”

Ulukhaktok and Kotzebue exchange dances and knowledge. 123 DRUM DANCING IN THE ISR

ungki Brian Rogers is generation to generation and would decide where everybody Nlead singer of the Inuvik Nungki learnt this way from was going to meet. For instance in Drummers and Dancers. As mentor Norman Felix about how the summer if there was whaling lead singer his job is to “break Inuvialuit ancestors used to they would meet in Paulatuk and trail” for the group, choosing gather to drum dance. everyone would travel there. In the song to perform, and setting the winter they would travel to “When it’s ‘Qaqaliviqmana’, the tone of the dance with his a place and meet in the biggest when it’s the brightest moon at motions and voice. Drum dancing igloo, with about 10 rooms in it,” used to be passed on orally from the coldest time of the year, they said Nungki. Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers and Dancers.

125 A budding Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummer and Dancer!

Ulukhaktok Central Style Drummers and Dancers. “They had no Christmas or Easter. Drum It came upon Debbie Gordon-Ruben at the dancing was their holiday – to keep warm, 1989 ICC GA that she had to learn more about in lonely days and at sad times. It was drum dancing. “I’m a founding member of the for people to gather in good and bad Inuvik Drummers and Dancers,” she said, “At times,” said Joe Nasogaluak leader of the the conference in Sisimiut, Greenland they said Tuktoyaktuk Siglit Drummers and Dancers. you have to come up and dance and I knew nothing about drum dancing. My dad and the Elder Lillian Elias remembered even elders all drum danced but I didn’t because of though her parents George and Martha residential school and the Europeans coming. It Harry were important to the revival of was something we lost in Western Canada.” drum dancing in the Delta, she resisted it for awhile. “What stopped me was this “When we came back, my co-worker Leonard Church minister who said when they drum Harry who’s also my uncle, we had to log all of dance, they are just like shamans calling this footage for ICS. And I said why don’t we for the enemy to come. Until in later years, start a group, and learn, so next time we know my auntie Sarah [Tingmiak] and Nungki what we are doing instead of feeling silly not said ‘You have to keep tradition going, knowing about our culture,” she said. your parents like to drum dance and you are one of the people that should be Debbie and Leonard went through the Inuvik there.’ Nungki really encouraged me and beneficiary list, calling up people to invite I decided to forget what the minister told them to the first drum dance practice, set me. I’ve been there ever since. And I’m up for the very next week with Martha and enjoying it, enjoying the students learning, George Harry, Jean Arey, Tom Kimiksana the little ones when they are dancing,” she and AlexandriaElias. The elders were all from laughed. different areas in the ISR.

An aspiring young drum dancer !

Karen Kitekudlak honouring Dadak Jimmy Memogana. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Liam Dillon (Inuvik). 127 Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers and Dancers.

“It didn’t matter where they were The elders were strict teachers, When you drum dance from, they willingly and without and managed to get the new hesitation and with so much dancers to learn the songs you have to feel what’s patience taught us what they knew properly, from the words to the and that is where my passion comes motions. Wilbert Papik said, inside you and express it.” from,” said Debbie. At first the “We started off with one song, group was made of drum dancers ‘Qanuqhipitunga’. We had to learn from across the region, it was only through singing it over and over later when some elders passed on again, we finally got it right after I that distinct dance groups were don’t know how many weeks.” formed for each community. Abel Tingmiak who learned to Annie Aleekuk, also a founding drum dance with the group is also member of the Inuvik group said, teaching the younger generation “I remember getting a phone now. “I’d get a hold of Alec call from Debbie and I said ‘sure’ Gordon in Aklavik by phone, he’s to drum dancing reluctantly. It singing through the phone to us, turned out to be great. The first then we’ll sing back. It’s so much practices were with cardboard, fun then, we are still having fun,” rulers and dustpans, anything he said. that can make noise, and then the elders said ‘Now Sing’. ‘What? Joe remembered his father Sing how?’ we said. Our elders teaching through singing on the thought, “Oh my goodness how phone from Tuktoyaktuk too. are we going to teach these “Growing up I listened to the young people? They don’t know songs my father sang almost Inuvialuktun, we’ve got our work every day. If he didn’t have a drum cut out for us.” he tapped. Before he’d get on the Ulukhaktok Central Style Drummers and Dancer. Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers and Dancers.

Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers and Dancers.

phone we’d try to phone for a taxi “Ovluaq Dance Group, I think relaxing to dance outside, on the energetic. When you get out there because he’d be on the phone for they used a whale stomach, and land.” drum dancing you forget about hours with Shepherd (Norman they know how to keep it from all problems, it’s just healing,” she Felix).” getting ruined by daily elements.” Central style drum dancing said. “Just like our elders told us, in Ulukhaktok is sung in when you drum dance you have to The Inuvialuit then had funding Religious dogma has had its Inuinnaqtun. The melodies feel what’s inside you and express through ISDP (Inuvialuit Social impact on the passing on of usually have a softer beat than it to everybody. And things would Development Program) to hold a traditional dance songs. “When the Western Arctic style drum be so much happier.” Inuvik drum making workshop. Debbie we asked them about dance dancing, which is also practiced Community Corporation under said, “Shepherd showed us how etiquette, elders would say you in Ulukhaktok. “It all depends their Brighter Futures program to steam and bend the rim and can’t sing some songs because on what the song is about,” said “Little Drummer Boy” had 25 to clean the skin, dry the skin and we don’t deal with shamanism Agnes. Drum dancing used to be children’s drums made by Wilbert how to cut it out. Steaming skin anymore,” Debbie said. a way for men to settle disputes. to be used in the schools. The was not a very pretty smell but “The two men are singing the drumming continues on. you just had to endure it till it’s all In Ulukhaktok, Agnes Kuptana song at the same time, drum done. It makes you tougher,” she said drum dancing was revived dancing and competing with each laughed. when material from ICS arrived other, even with who has the best in the community. “We started clothing,” she said. At the ICC GA Debbie saw the encouraging our young children traditional drums used by the to pick up drum dancing and Annie said drum dancing remains other groups. “Greenland is very they learnt through the video and sacred for the Inuvialuit. “Actually fortunate to still use the original cassette tapes. They started to take it’s like going to church. It’s not really material, polar bear stomach.” part in summer camps where it’s so church per say but you feel joyful,

129 Actually drum dancing is a lot like going to church. It’s not really church per say but you feel joyful, energetic. When you get out there drum dancing you forget about all problems, it’s just healing.”

Julia Ekpakhohak squeezing through the Ulukhaktok Western Style Drummers and Dancers. 131 Photo: Nick Westover NOW & THEN ALASKAN DRUM DANCING

People are just natural dancers. I don’t know how to explain it, it’s just who we are. You just go to the floor when you hear the beat of the drum. Songs and drums make people happy.”

Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights Dancers (Alaska). vluaq Dance Group from The songs performed by Ovluaq The Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights cold and harsh times. People are OBarrow, Alaska is built Dance Group feature Warren’s Dancers (Kotzebue) too comes from just natural dancers. I don’t know on the teachings of the great songs with unique motions, a long lineage of drum dancers how to explain it, it’s just who we composers and dancers Warren leaps, swaying arms, and counter- in Alaska. At ICC GA the two are. You just go to the floor when Ovluaq Matumeak (1927–2012) intuitive motions, while Walter groups share more with us on their you hear the beat of the drum. and Walter Utik Akpik Sr. Utik Akpik Sr.’s songs are often perspectives on drum dancing. Songs and drums make people (1915–2007). Many members rooted in a geographic place happy. of the group are related to one or and humour – there is a motion Joseph Sage (Barrow): Back then both of the two influential Inupiat dance featuring a flight attendant people would go back and forth by Judy Huss (Kotzebue): When elders, or have performed with briefing passengers! The group dog team or boat. Looking at us the missionaries came, and them directly over many years. also performs songs borrowed today we are just the next step – our Christianity was introduced, drum with permission from other Inuit gathering is international, but then dancing was shunned. People groups such as the fun dance we are still family, sharing stories. did it behind closed doors, and “Naniiluna” from Chukotka and St. That’s one of the reasons for the eventually just reformed and Lawrence Island. creation of Eskimo dances – people started doing it in public again. wanted to share stories of their experiences, hunting animals, just Christina Hensley (Kotzebue): traveling the country. Some stories A lot of our traditional drummers are to celebrate community and and dancers originated from Point some are very spiritual. Hope, Barrow, Point Lake, Kivulina and Kotzebue. Many migrated Ernest Nageak (Barrow): Back to Kotzebue, which is a central then we had to have celebrations place within the NANA region, so in the winter to keep everyone the Qikiqtagruq Northern Lights together and to stay joyous during Dancers really originated from communities throughout the region.

Jacqui Lambert (Kotzebue): Qikiqtagruq is the name of the place where we came from in Alaska. The translation of the place means almost an island...

133 We are also known as the They built a new heritage center The creation of some dances are When we first got a public high Northern Lights Dancers, the and closed down the museum. really contemporary. We have school and were transitioning to aurora borealis is always dancing. Ever since the museum’s closing, the airplane dance and that’s the when Alaska became a state, he People from the North Slope a lot of people had to go home to story of when the first airplane composed a cheerleading song. Borough came down and taught smaller villages. We still practice arrived in Kotzebue. Paul Green Everyone was confused about what classes to our group so they but not as often as when we had a was the composer of that song. He a cheerleader was, it was so new, could perform at a conference. At reliable place in our community. was explaining the first airplane so he was just trying to explain. the NANA museum we had two All of us here at the ICC GA is landing. shows a day for tourists, and it was pretty much a 10 year reunion. I basically a place to go to for the am really so proud of the dance youth in our community. group.

Children from the Ovluaq Dance Group (Alaska). Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Amil Burns.

Reginald Joule III in the ‘Fat Man Dance’.

Richard Atourak. 135 FASHION Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister ofthe Environment inan A beaded headband sets offagorgeous sunburst! Shirley Elias inadance atikluk. elegant sealskin infinity scarf. headband withfurtassels. Gorgeous Chukotkan beaded Inuit Fashion Showcase CIRCUMPOLAR STYLE CIRCUMPOLAR STYLE 137 Aleqa Hammond former Greenland Premier. Beautiful pair of Greenlandic mukluks.

Martha Abelsen. Embroidered Inuvialuit dance mukluks.

NTI President Cathy Towtongie in a beautiful beaded headdress.

Delta braid and Martha Abelsen. Detail from Nunatsiavut drum dance cover. beaded mukluks. 139 Derek Ipana sporting Inuit sunglasses.

Chukotkan beaded jacket adornment.

James Williams in an An elder having a fun embroidered vest. moment modelling. t the ICC GA, Nellie ACournoyea IRC Chair declared 2014 ‘The Year of the Seal’. Not only is sealskin a traditional symbol of Inuit self- sustenance through sustainable harvesting, it is also one of the most eco-friendly, durable, luxurious, and warm materials that protects the body against the elements in our Arctic winter.

Nowadays sealskin fashions have evolved and we saw such a variety of colours and textures on mukluks, clothing, and headpieces at the ICC GA! Inuit also celebrated the occasion by decking out in colour and in traditional dress – there were literally many who showed off a different atikluk cover every day. We were amazed by the intricacies of embroidery, delta braids, fur trims and the creativity of these Floral fur lined hand made pieces. child’s atikluk.

Desiree Cumberbatch in a simple beaded amauti.

Fancy atikluk.

An adorable atikluk cover on a child.

141 Mary Tatty in a ceremonial beaded amauti with a head band, usually this elaborate clothing is reserved for special occasions. A beautiful sunburst and smile.

Akanisie Sivuarapik in a sealskin trimmed silapaak cover.

Amber Ipana wearing a fur lined atikluk.

Miriam Aglukkaq in a traditional drum dance amauti. 143 Even young children are wearing their best! Young girl in a summer atikluk.

Olivia Inglangasuk in a qiviuq scarf and earrings by Sharon Firth. Mabel Allen in a moose hide jacket. iven the importance of the (L-R) Terry Audla, Herb Nakimayak, Duane Ningaqsiq Smith in special atikluks. GICC GA, all delegations came in their official ‘dress’. Extra efforts were made to design and develop clothing that reflected the culture and heritage of the region and country. As host, the Canadian delegation wore special ICC GA atikluks designed by Billie Lennie. Atikluks were also made for Northern Games. “We cut out the atikluks, Nungki helped and Lena Kotokak did most of the sewing,” said Billie.

Nungki Brian Rogers, well known for his sewing skills, also helped Lena and Billie to cut and sew unique drum dance atikluks for the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. It took about three months to put together the atikluks, and some drum dancers found family and friends to volunteer and help out SPECIAL ATIKLUKS with sewing! One of the ICC Sponsors, ConocoPhillips liked the atikluks FOR ICC GA so much they commissioned similar designs in red.

Nungki Brian Rogers making an ICC atikluk. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

Steve Cockney, Donald Kuptana in Northern Special atikluks for Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. Games covers, with Charles Komeak. 145 NORTHERN GAMES SEWING CONTEST Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: he Northern Games sewing Tcontest saw many entries of uniquely decorated moccasin duffels. Elder Agnes Kuptana was working away on hers as she listened to speeches at the ICC GA. Second place winner Paula Lanon (Inuvik, NWT) embroidered the ICC GA logo onto hers. The winning entry was by Esther Wolki (Paulatuk) who came back especially from her work with the Canadian Forces in Winnipeg. She Photo: Zoe Ho & David Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: said, “I won gold, yay! My mom would be proud of me.”

Winning entry by Esther Wolki.

ATCO is proud of our 36 Aboriginal partnerships

Photo: Zoe Ho & David Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: across Canada and is pleased to support the 2014 Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly

WWW. ATCO.COM STRUCTURES & LOGISTICS | UTILITIES | ENERGY | TECHNOLOGIES Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo: Photo: Zoe Ho & David Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo: Stewart & David Zoe Ho Photo:

Many attractive designs were created! 2nd place entry. Agnes Kuptana working on her entry.

ATCO is proud of our 36 Aboriginal partnerships across Canada and is pleased to support the 2014 Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly

WWW. ATCO.COM STRUCTURES & LOGISTICS | UTILITIES | ENERGY | TECHNOLOGIES 147 ICC GA ICC SEALSKIN TAPESTRY

t was a collaborative effort “The ladies in Ulukhaktok made Ito design and sew the large the tapestry,” said Agnes Kuptana. commemorative tapestry for “We started in March and finished the 2014 ICC GA. IRC provided in April. It is big. We wanted it to sealskins to a group of traditional be a legacy piece.” seamstresses in Ulukhaktok. Elder “I made the sealskin designs for Agnes Kuptana led this group the podium - I referred to my who used the sealskin applique son’s language books for ideas - it technique to depict scenes of Inuit took a little over a month,” said life: animals and harvesters, the Alice Kimiksana, who now lives in IRC gyrfalcon, drum dancers, dog Inuvik. sledding and traditional dwellings. The ICC GA’s theme ‘One Arctic, “I took it apart 3 times to get it One Future - Ukiuqta’qtumi right, it was lots of work, but lots of Hivuniptingnun’ is on the border fun. I really enjoyed making it.” framing the panels. ICC GA Tapestry. Photo: Hans Blohm Hans Photo:

Alice Kimiksana with the sealskin covered podium. Agnes Kuptana coordinated and helped sew the tapestry. 149 TRADITIONAL CIRCUMPOLAR NORTHERN GAMES

Photo: Nick Westover THE SPIRIT OF THE NORTHERN GAMES

Kyle Kuptana (Inuvik) and James Williams (Yellowknife) competing in the Arm Pull, a strength and endurance game. 151 akiyan Ivanoff from crowd erupts in applause. Fellow body and mind for survival, the competing in front of a crowd. A lot MUnakleet, Alaska aka “Air athletes, competitors and officials games now serve a higher goal of of athletes come to the stage and Alaska” as coined by Northern take pride equally in his success. connecting youth to their culture want to win, but we don’t want them Games MC Gerry Kisoun took a When a young athlete, new to the and strengthening their confidence. to get serious like that. When the deep breath and began his run games fails to hit the target he elders taught us they encouraged us “It’s all about personal best,” said up to the seal target. “Can I kick is rewarded with equally robust to go higher or try harder, there was Donald Kuptana who is heading up it?” The words on his shirt brings applause and encouragement. nothing negative, everything was the event. “It’s about them walking a little lightheartedness to the positive. This is our tradition, these The Traditional Circumpolar away with success, and coming seriousness of his attempt. are the games we were taught that Northern Games are fondly known back to say I can do better.” we want to pass on.” “Ayungyee. The best!” said Gerry in the region as ‘Northern Games’. Fellow official Steve Cockney as “Air Alaska” hits his new 9 Foot While in the past the Northern “When we go to the communities (Tuktoyaktuk) agreed, “It’s really record for One Foot High Kick. The Games was about maintaining the we have our athletes Matthew amazing for them, first time

Charles Haogak (Sachs Harbour) in Knuckle Hop.

A delighted audience watching the muktuk eating contest.

Donna Kisoun and Helen Tologanak Makiyan Ivanoff (Alaska) winner of the in the laughing game. Junior Two Foot High Kick. Gideon Allurat (Nunavut) showing One Foot High Kick Belt Jump. James Day Jr. Belt Skipping.

Makiyan Ivanoff (Alaska). I’m just amazed by what these kids can do. Years ago, we had to struggle to kick these heights, now it’s just warm up heights for them.”

153 Erica Meckel (Alaska) in One Foot High Kick. Photo: David Stewart David Photo:

Nellie Pokiak (L) and Dora Raddi (Tuktoyaktuk) in the Laughing Game. Amber Vaska (Alaska) in Two Foot High Kick.

Gideon Allurat (Nunavut) in Knuckle Hop.

When the elders taught us they encouraged us to go higher or try harder, there was nothing negative, everything was positive. This is our tradition, these are the games we were taught that we want to pass on.”

Chris Church (Inuvik) winner Laughing game. Kyle Donovan setting up for of the One Foot High Kick. Muskrat Skinning. Photo: David Stewart David Photo: Stewart David Photo: Barbara Archie (L) and Florence Sittichinli (Kaktovik) in the muktuk eating contest. Anikina, Kyle Kuptana, James Day Jr. demonstrating. The list goes on... at the end of it all the kids go up and ask ‘Can I have your autograph please?’ It’s just amazing what the boys do to inspire our youth across the region and the NWT,” said Donald.

The attendance of athletes and officials from the circumpolar region makes these games especially exciting. “This is an international event. We had Nicole Johnston, Alaskan Inuit Games coach, she does a lot of work with the World Eskimo Olympics and the Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage Alaska,” said Donald.

The Northern Games officials note that athletes are achieving heights that far exceed those in earlier years. “Our Northern Games, we have a lot of strength games, balance games, and social games too. I’m just amazed by what these kids can do. We had to struggle to kick these heights, now it’s just warm up heights for them,” he laughs.

James Day Jr. was impressed by his competitors in the games. “It’s a really big eye opener this week,” he said. “We are out of shape so we got to train a little bit more for everything that is happening. We are planning to go to WEIO (World Eskimo and Indian Olympics) in Alaska. We also have AWG (Arctic Winter Leo Ameralik (Nunavut) showing his Leo Ameralik ‘s knuckles after Knuckle Hop. Games) coming up 2016 in Nuuk.” knuckles post Knuckle Hop. It is this humility and ability to self-reflect that the games also intend to foster.

The games also include Good Men and Good Woman contests, where Photo: David Stewart David Photo: elders can showcase their skills – bannock making, tea boiling, fish cutting, muskrat skinning and seal skinning. Youth also participate and it is a chance to have the generations have fun practicing tradition together. A new competition, Muktuk Eating, had participants and the audience in stitches.

Barbara Archie skinning a Sabina Nartok (Nunavut) muskrat. in One Foot High Kick. 155 Kate Inuktalik, winner of the Good Woman Seal Skinning contest. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Marthan Abelsen (ICC Greenland) in the geese plucking contest. Westover Nick Photo: Nellie Pokiak in the tea boiling contest. Westover Nick Photo:

“We always like to acknowledge “We had lots of new volunteers for our sponsors, our volunteers, the the games. It’s really important. youth ambassadors, they really Everyone had their own areas of worked hard,” said Gerry. “A lot of strength we managed to bring it elders that passed on the Northern together and had a really successful Westover Nick Photo: Games are no longer here but they week. Most of all a fun, alcohol free are with us in spirit.” week for our youth. We showed the kids, and the kids were great.”

Gideon Allurat (Nunavut) in Bum Hop. Hans Lennie, Northern Games Society Chair. Westover Nick Photo: Abel Tingmiak, one of the Northern Games “Boys”.

Edward Lennie, respected Northern Games Steve Cockney, pioneer (center). Northern Games official. Photo: Nick Westover Nick Photo:

Gerry Kisoun, one of the Northern Games MCs. Northern Games volunteers Louisa Alunik and Sandra Gordon.

157 2014 NORTHERN GAMES RESULTS TUESDAY, JULY 22 THURSDAY, JULY 24 Kneel Jump Arm Pull Junior Female Senior Female 1 Nellie Cain - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 33 3/4" 1 Nicole Johnston - Nome, Alaska 2 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 24" 2 Deseray Cumberbatch - Inukjuak, Nunavik 3 Kaitlyn Church - Inuvik, NWT 20 3/4" 3 Elizabeth Voisey - Whale Cove, Nunavut Junior Male Senior Male 1 Dylan Gordon - Kujjuaq, Nunavik 47 3/4" 1 Lawrence Sittichini - Inuvik, NWT 2 Makiyan Ivanhoff - Unakleet, Alaska 42 1/2" 2 James Williams - Inuvik, NWT 3 Marty Anaittuq - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 39 3/4" 3 Teddy Rogers - Inuvik, NWT Senior Female 1 Amber Vaska - Fairbanks, Alaska 49 3/4" Head Pull Musk ox Push 2 Autumn Ridley - Anchorage, Alaska 43 1/2" Junior Female Junior Female 3 Erica Meckel - Fairbanks, Alaska 41 3/4" 1 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 1 Leigha Keogak – Sachs Harbour, NWT Senior Male 2 Olivia Inglangasuk - Inuvik, NWT 43 1/2" 2 Alexis Lucas – Sachs Harbour, NWT 1 Leo Ameralik - Gjoa Haven, Nunavut 56 1/4" 3 Alexis Lucas - Sachs Harbour, NWT 41 3/4" 3 Suzanne Gruben – Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 2 James Tautu - Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut 52 1/2" Junior Male Junior Male 3 James Day Jr. - Inuvik, NWT 51 1/2" 1 Dylan Gordon - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 56 1/4" 1 Dylan Gordon – Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 2 Donald James Kuptana - Tuktoyaktuk NWT 52 1/2" 2 Donald James Kuptana – Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 3 Donovan Quanaq - Arctic Bay, Nunavut 51 1/2" One Hand Reach 3 Donovan Quanaq – Arctic Bay, Nunavut Senior Female Junior Male Senior Female 1 Elizabeth Voisey - Whale Cove, Nunavut 5'0" 1 Makiyan Ivanhoff - Unakleet, Alaska 5'0" 1 Elizabeth Voisey – Whale Cove, Nunavut 2 Sheila Tinashlu - Kuggaruk, Nunavut 4'6" 2 Marty Anaittuq - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 4'6" 2 Sheila Tinashlu – Kugaaruk, Nunavut 3 Karla DeBastien - Inuvik, NWT 4'4" 3 Deon Tanuyak - Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut 4'4" 3 Deseray Cumberbatch - Inukjuak, Nunavik Senior Male Senior Male Senior Male 1 Lawrence Sittichinli - Inuvik, NWT 5'1" 1 Ralph King - Arviat, Nunavut 5'1" 1 James Williams – Inuvik NWT 2 Dale Ruben - Paulatuk, NWT 5'0" 2 Kyle Worl - Anchorage, Alaska 5'0" 2 Ralph King – Arviat, Nunavut 3 James Williams - Inuvik, NWT 5'0" (1 miss) 3 Kevin Sewoee - Arviat, Nunavut 5'0" (1 miss) 3 James Tautu – Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 Tea Boiling Swing Kick Junior Female Good Woman 1 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 3'8" (1 miss) Bench Reach 1 Mary Lou Dillon (Fastest) 11:40:52 Junior Female 2 Kaitin Church - Inuvik, NWT 3'8" (4 miss) 1 Judy Okheena (Best tasting) 14:16:25 1 Kendall Archie – Aklavik, NWT 48 ¾” 3 Suzanne Gruben - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 3'8" (7 miss) 2 Nicole Johnston (Best color) 14:54:22 2 Alexis Lucas – Sachs Harbour, NWT 44” Junior Male Good Man 3 Shelby Lucas – Sachs Harbour, NWT 44” (2 miss) 1 Marty Anaittuq - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 4'8" 1 Joe Allen Evyagoitailak (Fastest) 13:57:00 Junior Male 2 Makiyan Ivanoff - Unakleet, Alaska 4'8" (2 miss) 1 Kyle Kuptana (Best tasting) 16:57:59 1 Donald James Kuptana – Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 58” 3 Dustyn Gully - Sachs Harbour, NWT 4'2" 2 Preston Dosedal (Best Color) 21:02:56 2 Donovan Quanaq – Arctic Bay, Nunavut 55 ¼ ” Senior Female 3 Dylan Gordon – Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 54 ½” Goose Plucking 1 Erica Meckel - Fairbanks, Alaska 4'4" Senior Female 2 Deseray Cumberbatch - Inukjuak, Nunavik 4'2" Good Woman 1 Erica Meckel – Fairbanks, Alaska 47 ¾” 3 Marion Green - Paulatuk, NWT 4'0" 1 Annie Thrasher (fastest) 05:15:35 2 Hilary Tulugak – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut 45 ¼” Senior Male 1 Terri Lee Kuptana & Marion Green (best) 3 Amber Vaska – Fairbanks, Alaska 45” 1 Kyle Donovan - Sachs Harbour, NWT 4'10" Good Man Senior Male 2 Kyle Worl - Anchorage, Alaska 4'10" (1 miss) 1 Albert Elias (fastest) 03:37:08 1 Kyle Worl – Anchorage, Alaska 57 ¾ ” 3 Gideon Allurut, Duane Illasiak, Leo Ameralik, 4'6" 1 Paul Pitteloud (best) Kyle Kuptana, Travis Nalungiaq, Craig Gruben, 2 Craig Gruben – Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 56 ½” James Tautu, 3 CJ Haogak, Sachs Harbour, NWT 56 ¼” Seal Skinning Fastest Skinning 1 Kate Inuktalik, Noah Akhiaktak, Wainman 13:50:71 Neatest Work 1 Joe & Susie Evyagotailak, Travis Nalungiaq Best Team 1 David Nasogaluak, Lorna Elias, George Sarantsks Alaskan High Kick Fiddling 1 Foot High Kick Junior Female Adult Junior Female 1 James Nuuluk Rogers - Inuvik, NWT 1 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 5'8" 1 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 4'4" 2 Micheal Francis - Inuvik, NWT 2 Caitlin Church - Inuvik, NWT 5'6" 2 Britney Ruben-Illuitok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 4'2" 3 Micheal Nolan Green - Paulatuk, NWT 3 Nellie Cain - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 5'4" 3 Nellie Cain - Kujjuaq, Nunavik 4'2" (4 miss) Junior Male Junior Male 1 Makiyan Ivanoff – Unakleet, Alaska 9'0" 1 Makiyan Ivanoff - Unakleet, Alaska 7'2" Jigging 2 Dylan Gordon - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 7'8" 2 Dylan Gordon - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 6'0" Adult 3 Donovan Quanaq - Arctic Bay, Nunavut 7"8" (2 miss) 3 Deon Tanuyak - Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut 5"4" 1 Michael Francis and Doris Rogers Senior Female Senior Female 2 Stefan Allen and Erin Simon 1 Deseray Cumberbatch – Inukjuak, Nunavik 7’3” 1 Autumn Ridley - Anchorage, Alaska 6'9" 3 Colton Gordon-Ruben & Jeanette Elanik 2 Autumn Ridley & Erica Meckel, Alaska 7’2” 2 Erica Meckel - Fairbanks, Alaska 5'8" 3 Marjorie Tahbone - Nome, Alaska 5'6" SATURDAY, JULY 26 3 Amber Vaska – Fairbanks, Alaska 6’6” Senior Male Senior Male Beaver Skinning 1 Kevin Sewoee - Arviat, Nunavut 6'10" 1 Chris Church – Inuvik, Northwest Territories 9’0” Good Woman (fastest) 2 Ralph King & Kyle Worl 6'8" 2 Jamessie Cumberbatch – Inukjuak, Nunavik 8’4” 1 Kate Inuktalik - Ulukhaktok, NWT 11:20:72 3 James Day Jr. - Inuvik, NWT 6'8" (1 miss) 3 Craig Gruben – Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 8”4” 2 Jean Gruben - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 26:52:34 3 Barbara Archie - Aklavik, NWT 39:39 Sewing Competition THURSDAY, JULY 24 Good Man (fastest) 1 Esther Wolki - Paulatuk, NWT 1 David Nasogaluak - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 14:01:03 Airplane 2 Paula Lanon - Inuvik, NWT 2 Joe Allen Evyagotailak - Kugluktuk, Nunavut 23:21:44 Junior Female 3 Julia Ekpakhohak - Ulukhaktok, NWT 3 1 Kaitlin Church - Inuvik, NWT 89' 2 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 80' Edward Lennie Award Fish Cutting 3 Eriel Lugt - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 79' Overall Senior Male Athlete Good Woman (fastest) Junior Male Kyle Worl –Anchorage, Alaska 1 Rita Green - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT .4114 sec 1 Dustin Gully - Sachs Harbour, NWT 1' Overall Junior Male Athlete 2 Julia Cockney - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT .4271 sec Senior Female Dylan Gordon - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 1 Julia Ekpakohak - Ulukhaktok, NWT 121' 3 Kate Inuktalik - Ulukhaktok, NWT .4506 sec 2 Marjorie Tahbone - Nome, Alaska 118' Good Man (fastest) Nellie Cournoyea Award 3 Amber Vaska - Fairbanks, Alaska 73' 1 Joe Allen Evyagotailak - Kugluktuk, Nunavut .4650 sec Overall Senior Female Male Athlete Senior Male 2 Colton Gordon-Ruben - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT .5291 sec Deseray Cumberbatch – Inukjuak, Nunavik 1 Craig Gruben - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 29' 8 1/2" 3 Dwayne Illasiak - Paulatuk, NWT .5747 sec Overall Junior Female Male Athlete 2 Kyle Worl - Anchorage, Alaska 29' 2 1/2" Best Woman Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 3 Chad Memogana - Ulukhaktok, NWT 16' 1 Susie Evyagotailak - Kugluktuk, Nunavut 2 Betty Elias - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT Good Woman Knuckle Hop 3 Barbara Archie - Aklavik, NWT Barbara Archie - Aklavik, NWT Senior Male Best Men 1 Kyle Worl - Anchorage, Alaska 106' 7 3/4" 1 Joe Allen Evyagotailak - Kugluktuk, Nunavut 2 Craig Gruben - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 69' 8 1/2" 2 David Nasogaluak - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT Good Man 3 Leo Ameralik - Gjoa Haven, Nunavut 56' 9" 3 Dwayne Illasiak - Paulatuk, NWT Joe Allen Evyagotailak – Kugluktuk, Nunavut Muktuk Eating 2 Foot High Kick Good Woman Junior Female 1 Barbara Archie - Aklavik, NWT 01:33:22 1 Sabina Nartok - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 4'6" 2 Florence Sittichinli - Kaktovik, Alaska 01:56:16 2 Eriel Lugt - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 4'5" 3 Moriah Sallaffie - Nome, Alaska 02:55:50 3 Kaitlin Church & Nellie Cain Good Man Junior Male 1 Jerry Rogers Sr. .2838 sec 1 Makiyan Ivanoff - Unakleet, Alaska 7'2" 2 Donovan Qaunaq - Arctic Bay, Nunavut .3177 sec 2 Dylan Gordon - Kuujjuaq, Nunavik 6'4" 3 Joe Allen Evyagotailak - Kugluktuk, Nunavut .4943 sec 3 Marty Anaittuq - Kugaaruk, Nunavut 5'10" Senior Female Muskrat Skinning 1 Autumn Ridley - Anchorage, Alaska 6'2" (1 miss) Good Woman (fastest) 2 Erica Meckel - Fairbanks, Alaska 6'2" (2 misses) 1 Mary Lou Dillon - Inuvik, NWT 01:54:04 3 Desiree Cumberbatch & Amber Vaska 5'11" 2 Kathy Ruben - Paulatuk, NWT 02:23:22 Senior Male 3 Marjorie Tahbone - Nome, Alaska 03:11:59 1 Kyle Worl - Anchorage, Alaska 7'6" Good Man (fastest) 2 Jamessie Cumberbatch - Inukjuak, Nunavik 7'4" 1 Joe Nasogaluak - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 2:43:22 3 James Tautu - -Chesterfield, Nunavut 7'2" 2 Teddy Rogers - Inuvik, NWT 2:43:62 Left page top: Knuckle Hop Winners Kyle Worl – Anchorage, Alaska, 3 Abel Tingmiak - Inuvik, NWT 3:22:03 Craig Gruben – Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, and Leo Ameralik – Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. Best Woman 1 Barbara Archie - Aklavik, NWT Left page bottom: Winners of the muktuk eating contest! Barbara 2 Nellie Pokiak - Tuktoyaktuk, NWT Archie (L) and Florence Sittichinli (Kaktovik) and Moriah Sallaffie – Nome, Alaska. 3 Esther Ipana - Inuvik, NWT

Best Man Left page right: Male winners of the muktuk eating contest Jerry 1 Jerry Rogers Senior - Inuvik, NWT Rogers (centre), Senior Donovan Qaunaq – Arctic Bay, Nunavut and 2 Teddy Rogers - Inuvik, NWT Joe Allen Evyagotailak – Kugluktuk, Nunavut. 3 Joe Allen Evyagotailak - Kugluktuk, Nunavut This page: Alaskan Women Athletes. 159 GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY KYLE DONOVAN

Kyle Donovan, NWT youth ambassador feels the best thing about his hometown Sachs Harbour is that it is “very close knit and traditional”. He shares how his experience at the Traditional Circumpolar Circumpolar Games enhances his ability to do more for his hometown. NWT Youth Ambassadors Kyle Donovan (Sachs Harbour), Hannah Taneton (Deline), and Jacob Peffer (Inuvik). What’s the best part of volunteering for the Traditional Circumpolar Northern Games? KYLE: I’m the youth coordinator in Sachs. I do programming for youth - I run Arctic sports, and help coach. I want to pursue special events for my career. This just gave me a lot more insight and background into what goes on behind the scenes. We did GOOD cooking, score keeping, clean ups, tear downs, we did a lot. How did you join the YA program? KYLE: I became a youth ambassador because of my cousin ENERGY Andrea. She told me about her experiences. You get to have lots more opportunities in life, you get to travel and see more people. Since joining I got to travel to Alaska for the Arctic Winter Games The NWT Youth Ambassadors (YA) and this year I got to come here for the Northern Games. were the first ones up and the last What was it like to assist at the Northern Games? ones to leave during the Traditional KYLE: At first we had a schedule. We would have breakfast duty Circumpolar Northern Games. and then we’d have some time off while others were on duty. But we had to be flexible, our hours were more like 8 in the morning Gordon Thompson (Fort Simpson), “These youth ambassadors are till midnight. along with Andrea Keogak (Sachs going home with a lot of capacity Harbour), Kyle Donovan (Sachs for how to run games,” he said. “We Did you partake in the ICC GA? Harbour), Jacob Peffer (Inuvik) and wanted them to know the games KYLE: There were 2 days we went to ICC GA, the opening Hannah Taneton (Deline) assisted inside out, how our officials run it, and day after. We just went there to say hello to the Premier, the Northern Games Society with and also be participants. They got the Ministers etc. While we were there they asked the YA to help so all tasks, whether it be prepping whole 9 yards.” we did, serving coffee. muskrats, taping a “runway” for the Jacob Peffer finds the opportunities knuckle hop, measuring seal target You won a gold medal for swing kick. to travel and expand his horizons heights for high kicks or hauling large Did you expect that? the best part of the NWT Youth seals for the seal skinning. “We are KYLE: No, I was just hoping to maybe hit top 10. I didn’t expect Ambassador experience. “My Donald’s Avengers, we do whatever it because the starting height was 4’ 6” and we all had to go up 4 confidence is growing with each he asks us to,” laughed Gordon. inches at a time. There were 10 of us that hit the starting height, trip we make and the more we and there were only 2 of us at the end. I was battling it out with GNWT (MACA) Recreation volunteer,” he said. Karl Worl from Alaska. We both hit the same height just below 5 Development Coordinator Donald Ft, I only got it because I hit 4 Ft 10” on the first try he hit it on Kuptana guided the youth. the second try. Alaska has a lot of very good competitors. It was amazing, I enjoyed every part of it! Photo: David Stewart David Photo:

As a youth ambassador you get to have lots more opportunities in life, you get to travel and see more people. Since joining I got to travel to Alaska for the Arctic Winter Games and this year I got to come here for the Northern Games.”

Youth ambassador Kyle Donovan (Sachs Harbour). 161 Planning a conference or event in the North? Let us take you there. The official airline of the Inuit Circumpolar 2014 General Assembly, is serious about conferences and trade shows. No other airline is equipped to meet the unique demands of moving people and goods around the North and beyond. Call us today for your travel needs.

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