Northern Canada celebrates Nunavut Day virtually
Nunavut Day will look different this year as the COVID-19 pandemic shifts the typically outdoor event to virtual activities.
It’s also the first time Nunavut Day will be celebrated as an official statutory holiday. It marks when Parliament passed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act on July 9, 1993.
Organizers are following instructions from the chief public health officer to avoid large gatherings, the news release added.
Instead, celebrations will centre around activities on social media and television.
Here are some events you can look forward to:
- Watch Nunavut Day activities live on Nunavut Tunngavik’s Facebook page here.
- Nunavut Tunngavik is giving away two pairs of tickets to anywhere Canadian North flies. The Airline Ticket Draw will happen Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be announced on Nunavut Tunngavik’s Facebook page.
- The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is offering a full day of Inuktut programming on Thursday.
- The Home Cook Challenge is a territory-wide online cooking contest with prizes. Contestants were asked to make their favourite recipes, take a photo and send it in by last Sunday. Northern chefs from Iqaluit to Cambridge Bay will judge and announce winners on Thursday.
- The TikTok Video Contest invited people to create a short video promoting Inuit culture. The deadline was last Sunday and winners will be announced on Thursday.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation may be Canada’s next new statutory holiday, CBC News
Finland: Finnish gov pulls bill to ratify convention on Indigenous peoples’ rights, Yle News
Norway: Inuit, Sami leading the way in Indigenous self-determination, study says, CBC News
Sweden: Calls for more Indigenous protection in Sweden on Sami national day, Radio Sweden
United States: Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated in Alaska, Alaska Public Media
