< go back to the list


October 11th, 2012

Nunatop Project (2012)

By Elsa Cencig

Last winter, Avataq Cultural Institute re-launched Nunatop, a place name project that began in the 1980’s. In collaboration with Makivik Corporation, the team from the Institute travelled to 11 communities to work with Nunavimmiut and talk about traditional place names. The interviews were lead by Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis and Elsa Cencig, assisted by Gwilym Lucas Eades (Strata 360). Starting with topographic maps, Inuit talked about the land, place names and stories related. Another goal of the interviews were to confirm and collect the Nunavik island names, to help Makivik Corporation with the NILCA agreement. The Institute is aiming to publish topographic maps with place names in Inuktitut. Maps will be available for all Nunavimmiut by 2014.

Eli Angiyou & Johnny Qaqutuk (Akulivik).

Eli Angiyou & Johnny Qaqutuk (Akulivik).

Johnny Palliser (who did work on the first Nunatop) and Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis (Nunatop 2012).

Johnny Palliser (who did work on the first Nunatop) and Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis (Nunatop 2012).

Adamie Kalingo and Quitsak Tarriasu (Ivujivik).

Adamie Kalingo and Quitsak Tarriasu (Ivujivik).

Adamie Mangiuk, Adamie Kalingo, Quitsak Tarriasuk, Luukasi Kanarjuaq, Mattiusi Iyaituk, Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis (Ivujivik).

Adamie Mangiuk, Adamie Kalingo, Quitsak Tarriasuk, Luukasi Kanarjuaq, Mattiusi Iyaituk, Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis (Ivujivik).

Moses Munick, Bobby Cain, May Kudluk, Silas Berthe (Tasiujaq).

Moses Munick, Bobby Cain, May Kudluk, Silas Berthe (Tasiujaq).

Siasi Annahatak, Johnny Akpahatak, Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis, Eva Grey, David Angutinguak, Lizzie Annahatak-Gordon (Aupaluk).

Siasi Annahatak, Johnny Akpahatak, Nicolas Pirti-Duplessis, Eva Grey, David Angutinguak, Lizzie Annahatak-Gordon (Aupaluk).