Arviat: an Intimate Re-examination of Colonial Relations Presenter: April Dutheil Supervisors: Dr. Frank Tester, Dr. Paule McNicoll & Mr. Peter Irniq School of Social Work University of British Columbia March 19, 2011 Sivulinuut Elders Society

Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project Inuit Elders & Youth from Arviat, Nunavut Arctic history from an Inuit perspective Two year multi-media history project University of British Columbia & the Sivulinuut Elders Society Funded by Social Science Human Research Council A journey of “Discovery”

April Dutheil  B.A. Honours Sociology Candidate  Northern Health Activist  Resident of Haida Gwaii

Arviat, Nunavut 1,200 kilometers north of Winnipeg Third largest town in Nunavut Population approx. 3,000

Inuit History Most dramatic assimilation period in history Generational trauma & cultural stress Widening generational gap due to globalization Inuit youth less aware of culture Tester & McNicoll (2004)

Inuit Youth in Arviat 74% of the Arviat population is under 25 years old compared to 35% of general Canada Arviat: Highest birth rate in Canada 35/1,000 Suicide rates in Nunavut are eight times the rate of those in southern Canada 119.7/100,000 vs. 14/100,000 Hicks (2004); Tester & McNicoll (2004); White (2010)

Purpose 1) Open a dialogue between Inuit & Qablunaat (people from the south) on essentialist and tightly scripted colonial histories of Nunavut 2) Bridge the gap between Elders & youth 3) Creation of relevant educational resources 4) Foster Inuit youth social identity & self-esteem

Methods Participatory Action: Train five Inuit youth as student researchers in the history of the eastern arctic Case Study Approach: Period of assimilation in s which Inuit were relocated from the land to settlement life in Eskimo Point (Arviat) Tester & McNicoll (2004)

Purpose #1 Open a dialogue between Inuit & Qablunaat (people from the south) on essentialist and tightly scripted colonial histories of Nunavut Method: Re-examine colonial relations by using archival material Qualitative interviews with Inuit & Qablunaat Elders Social media: Nanisiniq.tumblr.com Outcomes: Data still has to be analyzed

Purpose #2 Bridge the gap between Inuit Elders & youth Methods: Qualitative interviews between Elders & youth Mentorship opportunities Outcomes: Data still has to be analyzed

Purpose #3 Creation of relevant educational resources Methods: Culturally-relevant educational resources for the Nunavut Department of Education Full-length documentary film Resources for social workers Outcomes: Current curriculum development with Nunavut Department of Education Academic paper on cross-cultural social work with groups

Purpose #4 Foster Inuit youth social identity & self-esteem Methods: Skills based training for Inuit youth researchers Workshops on history, filming & interview skills Qualitative interviews with youth throughout project Cross-cultural educational opportunities Outcomes: Data still has to be analyzed

A Socio-Historical Approach: Other Potential Impacts Challenges biomedical approach to Inuit mental & social health Holistic well-being Incorporates Inuit traditional knowledge Inuit community partnerships Elders role in conceptualizing project Youth empowerment as an investment in community building Addresses a multiplicity of issues

Future Directions A model for youth empowerment across Nunavut Applying traditional Inuit nutritional knowledge for contemporary health solutions

References Hicks, J. (2004, January 24). Nunavut Kiglisiniaqtiit: Evaluation and Statistics. Presentation to the Founding Conference of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Council, Iqaluit, NU. Korhonen, M. (2006). Suicide prevention: Inuit traditional practices that encouraged resilience and coping. Retrieved from the Ajunnginiq Centre, National Aboriginal Health Organization website: ention-FinalEnglish_000.pdf Tester, F. J., & McNicoll, P. (2004). Isumagijaksaq: Mindful of the state: Social constructions of inuit suicide. Social Science & Medicine, 58(12): White, Patrick (2010, June 5). Inuit mothers fight for their children’s health. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from

Mutna! Thank you!

Questions

Cultural Penetration “…is the unequal exchange of customs and values in a one way direction from the dominant culture to the smaller cultural groups.” “The unequal exchange from Canada’s dominant culture has marginalized Inuit customs and values.” Korhonen (2006)

Activities Summer 2010 Trip Prince of Whales Heritage Center in Yellowknife University of British Columbia in Vancouver Upcoming trip to Ottawa Library and Archives Canada Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Youth & Elders invited to present at the 2012 Inuit Studies Conference at the Smithsonian Museum

Inuit Youth Suicide Hicks (2004)