Presenters: Jordan Konek, Amy Owingayak, Curtis Konek, Martha Okotak and April Dutheil
Supervisors: Dr. Frank Tester, Dr. Paule McNicoll & Mr. Peter Irniq
School of Social Work University of British Columbia
Library and Archives Canada
Ottawa, Canada
May 12, 2011
1. 1
Sivulinuut Elders
Society
Nanisiniq: Arviat History Project
Presenters: Jordan Konek, Amy Owingayak, Curtis Konek, Martha Okotak and April Dutheil
Supervisors: Dr. Frank Tester, Dr. Paule McNicoll & Mr. Peter Irniq
School of Social Work University of British Columbia
Library and Archives Canada
Ottawa, Canada
May 12, 2011
3. Nanisiniq:
3
Arviat History Project
A journey of “Discovery”
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
Humanities Research Council of
Canada
4. 4
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)
5. 5
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
6. 6
Methods
Participatory Action: Train four Inuit youth as student
researchers in the history of the Arctic Kivalliq region
Case Study Approach: Period of assimilation in 1950-60s
which Inuit were relocated from the land to settlement
life in Eskimo Point (Arviat)
7. 7
Purpose #1
Open a dialogue between Inuit & Qablunaat on
essentialist and tightly scripted colonial histories of
Nunavut
Methods:
Re-examine colonial relations by using archival
material
Qualitative interviews with Inuit & Qablunaat Elders
Social media: facebook, twitter, youtube, blogging:
Nanisiniq.tumblr.com
Outcomes: Data still has to be analyzed
8. 8
Purpose #2
Bridge the gap between
Inuit Elders & youth
Methods:
Qualitative interviews
between Elders &
youth
Mentorship
opportunities
Outcomes: Data still has to
be analyzed
9. 9
Purpose #3
Creation of relevant educational resources
Methods:
Culturally-relevant educational resources for the
Nunavut Department of Education
Full-length documentary film
Outcomes:
Current curriculum development with Nunavut
Department of Education
10. 10
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:
Personal development opportunities for youth researchers
11. 11
A Socio-Historical Approach:
Other Potential Impacts
Challenges biomedical approach to Inuit social health
and well-being
Incorporates Inuit Qauyimayatuqangit (Inuit
traditional knowledge)
Inuit community partnerships
Elders role in conceptualizing and shaping project
Youth empowerment as an investment in community
building
Addresses a multiplicity of issues
12. 12
Future Directions
Documentary film series on Inuit history
A model for youth empowerment across Nunavut
Creation of an archival centre in Nunavut
13. 13
References
Tester, F. J., & McNicoll, P. (2004). Isumagijaksaq: Mindful of
the state: Social constructions of inuit suicide. Social Science &
Medicine, 58(12):2625-2636.
-tell the story of discovery, why is this important? AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: So to start: who here can tell me where Arviat is?
Purpose: -challenge essentialist and tightly scripted colonial and post-colonial histories of Nunavut by examining not only the lived experience of Inuit Elders but the contexts (social, political, economic and cultural) informing those engaged in colonization to achieve a psycho-historical exploration of experience. -define essentialist & tightly scripted Inuit youth mental health -more than just a history project -self-esteem, identity to address Inuit social problems amongst Inuit youth
-A change of life from Inuit traditional ways to western living -Multidimensional understanding of colonial history: interviewing Inuit Elders and Qablunaat elders -examining archival documents from government workers, RCMP, nurses, teachers, missionaries, historical photographs, film, artifacts Social Media -Blogsite: a way to foster knowledge sharing between other Inuit youth in Nunavut and exchange ideas with people of the south -encourage you to go onto our site, as the youth questions or comment on their work, you can ask questions without having to sign up with tumblr, share this with your other friends through twitter & facebook -Our facebook page has 80 friends, mostly Inuit youth from Arviat
Purpose: -challenge essentialist and tightly scripted colonial and post-colonial histories of Nunavut by examining not only the lived experience of Inuit Elders but the contexts (social, political, economic and cultural) informing those engaged in colonization to achieve a psycho-historical exploration of experience. -define essentialist & tightly scripted Inuit youth mental health -more than just a history project -self-esteem, identity to address Inuit social problems amongst Inuit youth
Purpose: -challenge essentialist and tightly scripted colonial and post-colonial histories of Nunavut by examining not only the lived experience of Inuit Elders but the contexts (social, political, economic and cultural) informing those engaged in colonization to achieve a psycho-historical exploration of experience. -define essentialist & tightly scripted Inuit youth mental health -more than just a history project -self-esteem, identity to address Inuit social problems amongst Inuit youth
Purpose: -challenge essentialist and tightly scripted colonial and post-colonial histories of Nunavut by examining not only the lived experience of Inuit Elders but the contexts (social, political, economic and cultural) informing those engaged in colonization to achieve a psycho-historical exploration of experience. -define essentialist & tightly scripted Inuit youth mental health -more than just a history project -self-esteem, identity to address Inuit social problems amongst Inuit youth
Purpose: -challenge essentialist and tightly scripted colonial and post-colonial histories of Nunavut by examining not only the lived experience of Inuit Elders but the contexts (social, political, economic and cultural) informing those engaged in colonization to achieve a psycho-historical exploration of experience. -define essentialist & tightly scripted Inuit youth mental health -more than just a history project -self-esteem, identity to address Inuit social problems amongst Inuit youth
-Why is this the better approach? -maternal health, food security, environmental issues, water scarcity, education, poverty, loss of culture & language
Recap of points: -the importance of learning lessons from Elders for Inuit youth to healthy assert themselves in an increasingly globalized world -more than just a history project
