Inuit
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The Inuit traditionally lived above the tree line of what is now Canada, and are part of a larger circumpolar Inuit population that includes Greenland, Alaska, and Russia. In Canada, Inuit Nunangat is an Inuktitut term that includes land, water and ice. It refers to the Inuit homelands of Inuvialuit, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and Nunavut.
Inuit who live in Ontario originally came here from Inuit Nunangat. Although 2006 census data reports that Ontario’s Inuit population is estimated at approximately 3,500, we know that there are many more Inuit living in Ontario and that the vast majority live around the Ottawa area.
Family is at the heart of Inuit culture and is, in turn, surrounded by the community. Inuit families are typically large and deeply interconnected as a result of powerful bonds formed through childbirth, marriage and adoption.
Research
Knowledge
Tungasuvvingat Inuit means a place where Inuit are welcome. Tungasuvvingat Inuit is a diverse, unique and thriving home base for Inuit, enriching lives for over three decades with front-line social and cultural programs in Ottawa and across the country.
Founded in 1977 by the late Eben Hopson of Barrow, Alaska, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is an international non-government organization representing approximately 160,000 Inuit of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). ICC is a Permanent Participant at the Arctic Council and holds Consultative Status II at the United Nations. ICC is a representative voice and speaks on behalf of all Circumpolar Inuit on matters of international importance.
The Artic Institute: To reach a full understanding of the complicated and interconnected challenges facing the region today, their work covers military, economic, social, political, cultural, and environmental issues.
Stories to Share
Akuttujuuk - Taking Action on Bilingual Education ~ This series of six videos explores the use of Inuktut in Arviat, Nunavut, where the Inuit language is strong. Each module introduces a topic, includes a video with testimony from Nunavut community members, and leaves the viewer with questions to think about.
Angry Inuk. This film interweaves the reality of Inuit life with the story of their challenge to both the anti-sealing industry and those nations that mine resources on Inuit lands while simultaneously destroying the main sustainable economy available to the people who live there.
Going Places: Preparing Inuit High School Students for a Changing Wider World
Unikkausivut - Sharing our Stories: The National Film Board of Canada - in collaboration with the Inuit Relations Secretariat of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Government of Nunavut (Department of Education), and with the support of Inuit organizations - has selected more than 60 films from its collection, the most important worldwide, that represent all 4 Canadian Inuit regions (Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut and Inuvialuit), some available in Inuktitut.
Discover a powerful portrait of the Inuit experience, past and present, in these animated shorts and documentaries.
Please find the detailed interdisciplinary educationial resource for Unikkausivut here.
Who are the Inuit? A Conversation with Qauyisaq “Kowesa” Etitiq. This document focuses specifically on the Inuit perspective and a variety of recommended resources are included for each division: Primary, Junior and Intermediate.
Classroom Resources
Primary Division
UUMAJUT *
Junior Division
Intermediate Division
Senior
Skraelings* (low vocab/high interest)
*Link to teacher study guide
General Resources:
The Inuit Cultural Online Resource has been designed with the primary goal of teaching Canadian school age children about Inuit culture. We also hope that the content provided within this site can help all Canadians learn more about this rich vibrant and proud culture. We have resources included for teachers such as downloadable colouring sheets, and various other activity sheets.
Map and brief overview of Inuit Nunangat