Inuit

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Who are Inuit?

Where are they from?

What are they like? What do they eat?

Why are they here?

Who are Inuit? Where are they from?

• Inuit means “the people” Indigenous people from the northern regions of Canada. An Inuit person is known as an “Inuk” (the individual)

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• Inuit who are at Larga Baffin or in an Isolation Hub in Ottawa are those traveling to and from the Baffin region communities of Nunavut. Clients staying here could be from any of the following communities:

Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk), Clyde River (Kangiqtugaapik), Grise Fiord (Ausuittuq), Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kimmirut (Lake Harbour), Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik), Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island), Resolute Bay (Qausuittuq), Sanikiluaq, Sanirajak (Hall Beach) ** we typically do not have anyone from Sanikiluaq.

What are they like?

• Inuit are known to express themselves through Body Language (expressing love and affection by giving a “Kunik” (Kiss) by sniffing the loved one on the cheek.
• Inuit are also known to express facial expressions when saying “Yes” or when saying “No”

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We speak our language (Inuktitut)

Many Inuit still speak their language, Inuktitut/Inuktut, some, still write their language in syllabics. Some words you can easily practice to communicate and connect with Iunuit include:

ᐅᓪᓚᑯᑦ - Ulaakut (U-laa-kut) - Good morning

ᐅᓐᓄᓴᒃᑯᑦ - Unusakut (U-nu-sa-kut) - Good afternoon

ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒥᒃ- Quyanamiik (Qu(Ku)-ya-na-meek) - Thank you

ᑭᓇᐅᕕᑦ - Kinauvit (key-nau-veat) - What is your name?

ᐅᕙ ᖓ ᐊ ᑎᑦ - U(Oo)-va-nga - I am name

ᐅᓪᓗᖃ ᑎ ᐊ ᕆᑦ - U-loo-qa(ka)-tia-reat – Have a good day

What do we eat

Many households in Nunavut consume country foods i.e. Arctic Char, Caribou, Seal, Whale (narwhale and beluga whale) clams, seaweed, berries etc. every part of an Animal harvested is shared and every part is used in one way or another i.e. Clothing, nothing is ever wasted.

The Food we eat

The Food we eat is a delicacy to us, the same way you love and enjoy Steak, seafood, sushi etc. we too love our frozen (Quaq) or cooked caribou (Tuktu), Arctic Char (Iqaluk), Beluga and Narwhale (Muktuk) in the same way.

The fat in the whale blubber has and to this day can be used on a soap stone Qulliq (oil lamp) as a source of light, heat and for cooking. Most events held use Qulliq as a source of opening an event followed by an opening prayer.

Why are Inuit in Ottawa at Larga Baffin Ltd.

Majority of Inuit who are at Larga Baffin Ltd. in Ottawa are here for medical appointments because Nunavut does not have many specialized doctors and therefore patients get sent to Ottawa for medical treatment. Others travelling may be for other purposes such as employment.

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There are no roads or busses or trains into Nunavut nor in between communities. The only method of travel into Nunavut and between communities is by air.

Most Inuit are very quiet, humble and caring people. Many Inuit have experience trauma in their lifetime. Some were sent to Residential School at a young age (away from family), others experienced Forced relocations, and some were sent away from your home for Tuberculosis treatment in the south without family for years on end.

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Due to colonialism Inuit were forced into communities and their dog teams slaughtered so they could no longer travel. Many Inuit to this day, struggle with addiction and mental health issues.

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The key is to try and better understand who Inuit are, our culture and be sincere in your interest of Inuit.

We invite you to visit “our land” someday – “Nunavut”

Inuit Values – Inuit Qauyimayatuqangit

Since the inception of Nunavut Territory on April 1,1999, the Nunavut Government began to establish what’s called “Inuit values” –

Inuit Qau-yi-ma-ya-tu-qa-ngit that we all try to incorporate into our daily lives;

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• Respecting others, relationships and caring for people – Inuu-qa-ti-giit-siar-niq
• Fostering good spirit by being open, welcoming and inclusive – Tunnga-nar-niq
• Serving and providing for family or community or both – Pijit-sir-niq
• Decision making through discussion and consensus – Aajii-qa-ti-gii-nniq
• Development of skills through practice, effort and action – Pili-mmak-sar-nik
• Working together for a common purpose – Pili-ria-ti-gii-nniq or Ika-juq-ti-gii-nniq
• Being innovative and resourceful – Qa-nuq-tuur-niq
• Respect and care for the land, animals and the environment – Ava-tit-ti-nnik Kamat-siar-niq

Nakurmiik! (Thank you!)

Our clients/escorts are a long way from home, a smiling face and friendly gesture means a lot ☺