Author Archives: Briar Jamieson

Inuit Knowledge – Schools and Projects

In this final weblog, I curate examples of Inuit knowledge. I am moving beyond the focus on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, as each region has different ways to speak of Inuit Knowledge.  These site are sources of inspiration, and I have tried to represent examples from the four Inuit regions in Canada:

  • Nunatsiavut (Labrador)
  • Nunavik (Quebec)
  • Nunavut.
  • The Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories

16. Paatsaalit School, Sanikiluaq, Nunavut

Paatsaalit High School demonstrates how the school and broader community are involved in the well being of students and community members. Explore the achieve to view images of life in a northern school.

17. Jaanimmarik School, Kuujuaq, Quebec

Jaanimmarik regularly blogs about the events and activities at the school. The living culture is present in the photos within themes that are present in many schools across Canada (i.e. prom, picnics).

18. Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories

This site is a hub of local Inuit knowledge, the project has videos and information on a variety about Elders, clothes, language, and a bank of images on variety of topics. The History Museum of Canada also has an online exhibit on the Gwich’in.

19. Climate Telling, Nain, Labrador

This research project seeks to understand Inuit knowledge and climate change. There website is rich with information on northern food security and generational knowledge sharing. This site also links to ISUMA TV and videos recorded for the project.

20. Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project, Nunavut

Nanisiniq project brings together elders and youth to preserve Inuit Knowledge. Youth capture elder stories through video and technology.

 

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) – Traditional Knowledge in Digital Media

Sanikiluaq, NU Country Food - Berries (image from http://www.najuqsivik.com/gateway/countryfood/, licence for educational purposes)

Country Food – Berries (image from Najuqsivik DayCare Gateway Project, licence use for educational purposes)

This weblog continues from Module 1’s overview websites that included IQ in the curriculum, and Module 2 Traditional Knowledge in Cyberspace. In this Module 3 Weblog, I have curated Inuit digital media projects.

11. Najuqsivik Daycare

Najuqsivik Daycare in Sanikiluaq, NU, runs more than just a daycare, but also the community access program and community TV channel. In 2006, Najuqsivik received Canadian Heritage funding to showcase Sanikiluaq and Inuit Culture. The topic pages include: soapstone carving, country food, camping, traditional medicine, with beautiful images. There is also 27 short Quicktime movies of ranging in topic from seal skinning, doll making to housing.

12. Inuit Cultural Online Resource

Inuit Culture Online Resource, funded by Canadian Heritage, was designed to introduce Canadian school age children to Inuit culture. There is a written narrative that covers a broad range of topics including: Inuit history, modern vs traditional life. There are 11 short videos on topics including: throat singing, drumming, games and making bannock. Teachers will be interested in the teaching resources, which include colouring sheets.

13. Nipiit Magazine

Nipiit tags itself as Canada’s Inuit Youth Magazine.  There are 10 issues that are written in both Inuktitut and English. The articles are written and photos are by Inuit youth around the country; they report on community news, school projects, health and lifestyle.

14. Avataq

Avataq is a cultural website for the Nunavik region of Canada. Avataq represents Inuit living culture and can be viewed in English, French or Inuktitut. The website is organized around different themes and projects on Inuit life and culture, both in the past and present. They also have a photo achieve.

15. Katiqsugat, Inuit Early Learning Resources 

Katiqsugat provides materials for early childhood education. There are a variety of learning materials and resources for teachers.

 

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) – Traditional knowledge in cyberspace

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Image credit:Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis by Unsplash (Flicker, Public Domain Image, CC0)

This weblog continues from Module 1’s overview websites that included IQ in the curriculum.  In Module 2, the readings introduced me of the importance of Indigenous media and the considerations of authorship.  I have curated here sites that define, research or display Inuit culture.

6. What is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)? by Jaypetee Arnakak in Canku Ota, Many Paths

Jaypetee Arnakak’s definition of IQ is citied in many of the research articles on Inuit traditional knowledge. His reflection of IQ is that it is a “living technology” that uses familial relations as an organizing model for roles and responsibilities of community members to each other, and how knowledge and skills are communicated.

7. Nunavut Tunngavik, Annual Reports on the State of Inuit Culture and Society

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. is the guardian of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) to ensure the rights and benefits of the NLCA are carried out. A key component of the NLCA is the right of Inuit to develop social and cultural policies and programs, annually NTI reports on the State of Inuit Culture and Society implementation successes and challenges. The end Notes in this report is a good source to research northern cultural projects.

8. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is a national Inuit organization whose work includes research, advocacy and education on issues facing Inuit. The link takes you to their publication section that provides access to a variety of reports and presentations from climate change, suicide prevention, to health care posters for school aged children. One report on the National Strategy on Inuit Education presents recommendations on parental engagement, a unified writing system, and early childhood education.

9. Inuit Qaujisarvingat: Inuit Knowledge Centre

Inuit Qaujisarvingat was created by ITK as a hub for Inuit research and knowledge. This site acts as a hub of a broad spectrum of research and data on northern science and policy issues. Currently the site currates a health statistics database, Inuit voices on climate change and northern security and sovereignty.

10. Unikkausivut – Sharing our Stories

The National Film Board of Canada’s open playlist of 60 films representing Inuit experience. This film collection highlights both past and present Inuit culture. The collection also has an educator’s guide that discusses IQ principles and looks at film through Inuit history, culture, geography, changes and challenges.

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) – Traditional knowledge in the curriculum

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Image credit: Snow-Mountains-Clouds-Arctic by Freyer, CCO (Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/snow-mountains-clouds-arctic-965524/)

I am interested in reflecting on Inuit education through my lens of living and going to school in Canada’s arctic as a child, then returning as a teacher. The resources curated here focus on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuit traditional values and their integration into the curriculum in Nunavut.

  • Pijitsirarniq: Serving the community.
  • Aajiiqatigiingniq: Consensus-Decision Making.
  • Pilimmaksarniq: Skills and Knowledge Acquisition.
  • Qanuqtuurungnarniq: Being Resourceful to Solve Problems.
  • Piliriqatigiingniq: Concept of Collaborative Relationship or Working Together for a Common Purpose.
  • Avatimik Kamattiarniq: Environmental Stewardship.

1. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Education Framework

The government of Nunavut published this IQ Education Framework in order to define and frame how educators can integrate Inuit traditional principles throughout the curriculum. This document was developed with Elders, and understands the goal of Inuit education to develop wisdom (as differentiated from Western philosophy of self-actualization).

2. Nunavut Department of Education, Learning Resources

This site curates the curriculum guides from K-12. The curriculum, strands and programs of study are similar to other southern curriculums; however, within each grade there is a section that specifically points to learning resources created in Nunavut and incorporating traditional knowledge.

3. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Adventure Website

This site explores Inuit traditions through the six guiding principles and values of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit through Elder voices, recorded in Inuktitut (English text translations); includes an educators guide.

4. Teacher as Researcher – leap into the void with me [blog]

This is a blog, that I want to revisit. The author, Morgan Bentham, is also a Master’s student who is interested in indigenous ways of knowing.  She has tagged several thoughful posts on IQ, which also lead to further resources.

5. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health

This site focuses on the public health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. While not specifically focused on IQ, the site does provide a useful article that helps define the importance of IQ for the health and wellbeing of northern youth.