Benoit Aquin
By Nancy Palisser, LCC Coordinator
Members of Nunavik’s Local Cultural Committees (LCCs) travelled to Sanikiluaq (Nunavut) February 25 to 29 to tour community-based projects there and to learn what they could do in their own villages. The Nunavik delegation was made up of two members from each of the 15 LCCs, Avataq’s President Charlie Arngak, Executive Director Rhoda Kokiapik, LCC Coordinator Nancy Palliser, geneaologist Martha Palliser, and writer Zebedee Nungak.
Avataq President Charlie Arngak gives a welcome speach while Martha Palliser looking on (Photo by Nancy Palliser)
Sarah (with blue vest) explains how the taxidery shops tans polar bear skins, while Quananack, Mary Nutaaq Ainalik, Lazarusie Epoo, Mary Fleming, Simon Makimmak and Zebedeee Nungak (Photo by Nancy Palliser)
Sanikiluaq is renowned across the Arctic for its activities at the local community level. The LCC group met with the hamlet mayor Eli Kavik, as well as John Jamieson from the Najuqsivik Society, a non-profit society which operates a daycare, a custom frameshop, a polar bear rug business, archaeological and lost wax casting business, fishskin doll production, coffee mug artwork, garment screening businesses, upholstery shop, as well as a Community Access Program, SCTV channel 3 and CKJJ 105.1 FM radio station.
The group also got to see the Museum at the entrance of the Nuiyak school, which includes displays of artifact replicas and stuffed animals from the local taxidermy shop such as a polar bear, geese and foxes. Students at the school are involved in many of the community projects through their culture class and as after-school programming.
The group participated in information sessions on how get projects started and how to fundraise. LCC members came away from their time in Sanikiluaq very inspired and eager to hatch new projects in their communities!
Participants: Alashuak Amittuq, Uiyakie Crow, Mary Nutaaq Ainalik, Zebedee Nungak, Minnie Editloie, Simon Makimmak, Jack Anowak, Maggie Qullialuk, Jeannie Mark, Betty Menarick, Mary P. Kumarluk, Nancy Palliser, Davidee Niviaxie, Charlie Arngak, Martha Palliser, Pasha Puttayuk, Louisa Paningayak, Rhoda Kokiapik, Suvaki Tooktoo, Louisa Fleming, Qupanuaq Padlayat, Louisa Kulula, Mary Fleming, Nungaq Quananack, Lazarusie Epoo, Moses Munick, Lydia Nayoume, Leah Kudluk, and Mary Angutinguak.
