International Inuit Day on Nov. 7 marks Inuit leadership and accomplishments
International Inuit Day on Nov. 7 remains an important moment to commemorate Inuit leadership and accomplishments, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) said.
“Inuit Day is a time to reflect on our inner being, who we are as Inuit, and to acknowledge our past leadership for their accomplishments and persevering through the many challenges to protect, enhance and elevate our voice and well-being as Inuit,” Kasaŋnaaluk Marie N. Greene, ICC Alaska’s President, said in emailed comment.
ICC represents the approximately 180,000 Inuit in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka, Russia.
The motion for International Inuit Day was made at their 2006 General Assembly in Barrow (now called Utqiagvik), Alaska, “to urge all Inuit governments, agencies, and communities to annually proclaim this day as Inuit Day, and conduct appropriate ceremonies and celebrations.”
In honour of Eben Hopson Sr.
November 7 was chosen as it was the birth date of Eben Hopson Sr., founder of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, the precursor to the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
“International Inuit Day is a significant day for the Inuit community,” Eleanor Partridge, the communications manager at Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI), a counselling and resource centre for Inuit in Ottawa, told Eye on the Arctic on Monday.
“It’s a day for celebration of our culture and a time to raise awareness about the unique challenges that we face.
“TI will be spending time with Inuit Elders on this day, to listen to their feedback on our food security program for the community. Elders hold valuable knowledge that we can learn from and implement into our programs and in this way we are following Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, the Inuit societal values.”
Observed across Canada
In Ottawa, an International Inuit Day celebration was observed on the weekend featuring cultural performances and activities.
In Canada, the day is also observed by southern institutions like universities and professional bodies.
Memorial University in Atlantic Canada is hosting an afternoon of throat singing and Inuit games along with other cultural programming.
International Inuit Day also coincides with Treaties Recognition Week. The Law Society of Ontario is holding a professional event on Nov 7 to mark both occasions to help people in the legal field, and the general public, better understand Indigenous Peoples and communities and learn about building positive relationships with them.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn@cbc.ca
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