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Ovilu spoke to The Virtual Voice to help us all learn about Inuit. We hope you enjoy some of what we learned!
Ovilu is Ovilu’s great great grandmother. They carry the tradition of their ancestors in their name and in the way they greet people. Ovilu started our meeting with an introduction to who they are, their relations and family, their age, and where they are from. Ovilu is from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and the English translation of their town is “place of good fishing” (ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ in Inuktitut).
Cambridge Bay
Culture brings profound happiness and joy. “Learning about Indigenous joy is a very important aspect of Reconciliation”. Caretaking and land is a responsibility as well as a gift. It is calming to return to land, to return home, to return to what brings joy.
Taking care of Elders and knowledge keepers is of utmost importance.
Inuit provide for and care for each other. Ovilu also explained that Inuit all share connections to the land, to its creatures, and of course, to each other. Traditionally, everyone has a place in the community, and it often seems as if they are part of one big family. Inuit share what they have with others, especially with those who are in the most need. It is important to give what you have and to never take more than you need, something that is hard to find among the current tendencies in society (i.e. fast fashion trends and any wasteful industry). Community games can be an important aspect of community and competition can be fierce and friendly.
Printmaking, traditional tattooing, carving, sculpting, singing, and dancing are important arts that bring healing and joy. Art and tradition were banned by colonizers and the effects linger.
Reclaiming these practices is healing and healing is important. It is a way to reclaim joy and to express culture and identity.
Inuit traditionally have never been interested in conflicts. They are peaceful and respectful, preferring to solve disagreements by having dance competitions to see who laughs first - a humanizing and disarming way to see the emotions and perspective of another. The individual who laughs first would accept that they lost the argument, and any conflict would be resolved. Grudges were never held against anyone thereafter, proving how this method of resolving conflict is effective and all in good spirit.
The photo to the right is a carving of a Shaman to illustrate one piece of spirituality - forbidden and taken by colonization. Reclaiming art is reclaiming tradition.
Angakkuq sculpture (Pallaya Qiatsuq)
Having fully dark days in Nunavut during winters means that the long sunny days of summer are welcomed with gratitude and traditions to honour the return of sunlight. Ovilu shared this through their traditional face tattoos - some for strength, some to honour overcoming obstacles in life, and others to illustrate accomplishments (that must first be earned).
The v-shaped tattoo artwork on the forehead symbolizes the advent of womanhood, while the dots on the cheekbone honour four generations of women who made them.
In addition, Ovilu mentioned that tattoo artwork is a means of healing, for themself and even more so when sharing the art with others. To Inuit and Indigenous peoples, tattoos are also symbols of empowerment, for representing their history, culture, and identity.
Inuit take what they need and never take excess. We could learn how to reconnect with each other and with all that sustains us by learning from Inuit (and many Indigenous cultures) who have a long lineage of respect for all life. By doing so, we are working towards reconciliation and a bright future together.
Ovilu took care not to speak on behalf of anyone, and shared one beautiful Inuk perspective with us. Thank you!!
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