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 Nanisiniq: Arviat History

Project

Presenters: Jordan Konek, Amy Owingayak, Curtis Konek, Martha Okotak and April Dutheil

Supervisors: Dr. Frank Tester, Dr. Paule McNicoll & Mr. Peter IrniqSchool of Social Work University of British Columbia

Library and Archives CanadaOttawa, Canada

May 12, 2011

Sivulinuut Elders Society

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Video Introduction

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Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project

Inuit Elders & Youth from Arviat, Nunavut

Arctic history from an Inuit perspective

Two year multi-media history project

University of British Columbia & the Sivulinuut Elders Society

Funded by Social Science Humanities Research Council of Canada

A journey of “Discovery”

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Inuit History

Most dramatic assimilation period in history

Generational trauma & cultural stress

Widening generational gap due to globalization

Inuit youth less aware of culture

Tester & McNicoll (2004)

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Purpose1) Open a dialogue between Inuit & Qablunaat (people from the south) on essentialist and tightly scripted colonial histories of Nunavut

2) Bridge the gap between Elders & youth

3) Creation of relevant educational resources

4) Foster Inuit youth social identity & self-esteem

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Methods

Participatory Action: Train four Inuit youth as student researchers in the history of the Arctic Kivalliq region

Case Study Approach: Period of assimilation in 1950-60s which Inuit were relocated from the land to settlement life in Eskimo Point (Arviat)

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Purpose #1Open a dialogue between Inuit & Qablunaat on essentialist and tightly scripted colonial histories of Nunavut

Methods:Re-examine colonial relations by using archival

materialQualitative interviews with Inuit & Qablunaat

EldersSocial media: facebook, twitter, youtube,

blogging: Nanisiniq.tumblr.com

Outcomes: Data still has to be analyzed

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Purpose #2Bridge the gap between Inuit Elders & youth

Methods:Qualitative

interviews between Elders & youth

Mentorship opportunities

Outcomes: Data still has to be analyzed

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Purpose #3Creation of relevant educational resources

Methods:Culturally-relevant educational resources for

the Nunavut Department of EducationFull-length documentary film

Outcomes: Current curriculum development with Nunavut

Department of Education

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Purpose #4

Methods:Skills based training for Inuit

youth researchersWorkshops on history,

filming & interview skillsQualitative interviews with

youth throughout projectCross-cultural educational

opportunities

Foster Inuit youth social identity & self-esteem

Outcomes: Personal development opportunities for youth

researchers

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A Socio-Historical Approach:Other Potential ImpactsChallenges biomedical approach to Inuit social

health and well-beingIncorporates Inuit Qauyimayatuqangit (Inuit

traditional knowledge)

Inuit community partnershipsElders role in conceptualizing and shaping

project

Youth empowerment as an investment in community buildingAddresses a multiplicity of issues

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Future DirectionsDocumentary film series on Inuit history

A model for youth empowerment across Nunavut

Creation of an archival centre in Nunavut

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References Tester, F. J., & McNicoll, P. (2004). Isumagijaksaq: Mindful

of the state: Social constructions of inuit suicide. Social Science & Medicine, 58(12):2625-2636.

14Mutna! Thank you!

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Questions