Arviat: an Intimate Re-examination of Colonial Relations

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

2. Nanisiniq: 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 Human Research Council

3. April Dutheil • B.A. Honours Sociology Candidate • Northern Health Activist • Resident of HaidaGwaii

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

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Methods • Participatory Action: Train five Inuit youth as student researchers in the history of the eastern arctic • Case Study Approach: Period of assimilation in 1950-60s which Inuit were relocated from the land to settlement life in Eskimo Point (Arviat) Tester & McNicoll (2004)

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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: http://www.naho.ca/inuit/e/resources/documents/SuicidePrevention-FinalEnglish_000.pdf • Tester, F. J., & McNicoll, P. (2004). Isumagijaksaq: Mindful of the state: Social constructions of inuit suicide. Social Science & Medicine, 58(12):2625-2636. • White, Patrick (2010, June 5). Inuit mothers fight for their children’s health. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=25989

16. Mutna!Thank you!

17. Questions

19. 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)

20. 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 TapiriitKanatami • Youth & Elders invited to present at the 2012 Inuit Studies Conference at the Smithsonian Museum

21. Inuit Youth Suicide Hicks (2004)