The Significance Oinuna (The Land) and Urban Place-Making for Inuit Living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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The Significance oiNuna (the Land) and Urban Place-making for Inuit living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada By Anita Kushwaha A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario ©2013 Anita Kushwaha Library and Archives Bibliotheque et Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du 1+1 Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-94560-5 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-94560-5 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distrbute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Canada Abstract This thesis examines the significance of the land for urban Inuit residing in Ottawa (Ottawamiut), the role of urban place-making efforts in fostering meaningful connections to land, and the role of Inuit organizations in facilitating the creation of ‘Inuit places’ that facilitate connections to land. Based on the rich, insightful and compelling narratives presented in this thesis, I demonstrate that: (1) The land or nuna plays a significant role in the lives of Ottawamiut participants in this study; (2) The land continues to be of significance for Ottawamiut between generations (i.e. the inter-generational significance of the land); (3) Urban place-making efforts are key to fostering meaningful connections to the land within this urban setting; and (4) Local Inuit organizations, in particular, facilitate connections to the land, thereby transforming abstract urban space into Inuit place—that is, safe places of cultural inclusion—where Ottawamiut are able to engage with land-based knowledge and cultural practices in ways that are both beneficial and relevant to their urban lives. This thesis demonstrates that part of the common ground which draws this diverse and growing population of individuals together is their deep rooted connections to the land, a connection that is part of the collective, cultural memory and identity of Inuit whether northern or southern-dwelling. Ottawamiut make symbolic connections to the land through the transfer of Inuit knowledge, cultural practices, country food, language, and identity. Critical to all of these is the ability to gather and share. Local Inuit organizations, through the culturally-specific programs and services that they provide, build community and foster connections to the land that extend its meanings into southern, urban space. ii This research adds to the emerging area of urban Inuit research, and contributes novel understandings about how urban Inuit ‘make place’ for themselves in Ottawa in ways that extend land meanings, thereby transcending supposed geographic boundaries of North and South, and/or urban and rural. In addition, this thesis highlights the needs and concerns of urban Inuit—such as rights and representation by national Inuit organizations—which tend to be poorly understood and underrepresented in urban Indigenous research. iii Acknowledgements I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who contributed their time, knowledge and support in order to make this research project possible. To begin, I’m indebted to the Ottawamiut participants who spent countless hours with me, and so openly shared their knowledge and stories. I hope that the collaborative work we’ve done together helps to benefit the wider community. Heartfelt thanks goes out to my thesis supervisors, Fran Klodawsky and Donna Patrick, who have been extremely supportive throughout the course of my doctoral program. Their encouragement, advice and expertise have greatly contributed to my academic progress and to the development of this thesis. I’d also like to thank my thesis committee members, Gita Ljubicic and Mike Brklacich, for the time, attention and constructive criticism they’ve provided to help guide this project. I’ve had a great deal of support from my student colleagues. In particular, I’d like to thank Pascale Roy-Leveillee and Rae-Lyn Bennett-Blaney for being my personal cheerleaders, always there with friendship, understanding and unwavering encouragement. Heartfelt thanks goes to my family for their constant support and encouragement. Thanks to my cat, Noodles, for keeping me company during all the late nights spent at the computer. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my husband, Daniel-Ravi Thakorlal, who— in my eyes—has earned himself an honorary doctorate in patience. Thank you for being my best friend. iv Table of Contents Abstract ii Acknowledgements iv Table of Contents v List of Figures viii List of Appendices ix Chapter 1 - Introduction 1 1.1.Introduction ...................................................................................................................1 1.2. Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................ 3 1.3. Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 4 1.4. Research Contributions ............................................................................................... 5 1.5. Thesis Organization .................................................................................................... 7 1.6. Establishing Context.........................................................................................................7 1.6.1. Urban Inuit Associations Across Canada ............................................................... 24 Chapter 2 - Conceptual Framework and Literature Review 31 2.1. Inuit Conceptualizations of the Land ......................................................................... 32 2.2. Concepts of place ....................................................................................................... 35 2.3. Urban Indigenous = ‘Out of Place’? ......................................................................... 38 2.4. Contemporary Meanings of the Land for Urban Indigenous people ........................ 44 2.5. Research on Urban Indigenous Connections to the Land and Place ........................ 48 2.6. Research on Urban Inuit Connections to the Land and Place ....................................53 Chapter 3 - Research Approach and Methods 58 3.1. Decolonised Approaches Research ........................................................................... 58 3.2. Critical Reflexivity: Situating Myself within the Research....................................... 66 3.3. Methods ..................................................................................................................... 70 3.3.1. Study Area ............................................................................................................. 70 3.3.2. Research Ethics....................................................................................................... 72 3.3.3. The Research Process: Building Relationships........................................................73 3.4. Data Collection ......................................................................................................... 77 3.4.1. Life histories.......................................................................................................... 77 3.4.2. Semi-structured Interviews ................................................................................... 79 3.4.2.1. Younger Generations of Inuit ...............................................................................82 3.4.2.2. Key-Informants .....................................................................................................82 3.4.3 Participant Observation............................................................................................83 3.5. Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 94 3.5.1. Life Histories and Interviews..................................................................................94