Strengthening Inuit values, language and culture
Ilurqusitigut or ᐃᓗᕐᖁᓯᑎᒍᑦ is a cultural initiative focused on community and collaborative resources and support, with the main goal of strengthening Inuit values, language and culture.
In this article, you will learn more about Ilurqusitigut | ᐃᓗᕐᖁᓯᑎᒍᑦ and the types of workshops currently available.
Cultural practices and tradition serve many purposes. Often these traditions not only help define a community, but they also create a community. They also have healing properties in that they help us make connections within ourselves, to feel a sense of belonging and to strengthen one’s sense of identity and purpose.
The word culture symbolizes the traditions and values people acquire through interactions with family, community and social circles. Culture is what makes us unique- language, art, music, dance, cooking, clothing, and education.
Education is a crucial part of our society and its development. Culture and values are constantly evolving and education is what helps us hold on to the things that make us special. Culture helps us navigate, evolve, and develop contemporary concepts and teachings.
In a nutshell, it is through culture that education is shaped, and at the same time, education shapes culture. That is why we are excited to tell you about Ilurqusitigut, our newest initiative in Adult Education.
I think that it is important for Inuit to participate in these initiatives because we need to display our culture more, and show our pride and understand where we come from as Inuit
The word iluqusitigut or ᐃᓗᕐᖁᓯᑎᒍᑦ translates to “through our culture”. This is the essence of the Ilurqusitigut initiative, a cultural program based on community and collaborative resources and support. Ilurqusitigut’s main goal is to strengthen Inuit values, language and culture.
According to Mary Saunders, Program Coordinator, “cultural practices and tradition serve many purposes. Often these traditions not only help define a community, but they also create a community. They also have healing properties in that they help us make connections within ourselves, to feel a sense of belonging and to strengthen one’s sense of identity and purpose.”
Despite being a new program, the importance of Ilurqusitigut is now more relevant than ever. Again, as Mary says: “I think that it is important for Inuit to participate in these initiatives because we need to display our culture more, and show our pride and understand where we come from as Inuit”.
Past workshops selected for Ilurqusitigut include traditional qajaq-making, qiviut-making or musk ox wool, preparing and making fish leather, and the making of traditional fish nets. For the remaining of the 2023 school year, the Ilurqusitigut team is gearing up to offer more workshops across Nunavik.
For more information, or to host a workshop, please contact:
Mary Saunders