March 2010

Four thousand years. That is the time which has passed since a founding people of Canada have occupied the Arctic lands and waters. The Thule are the ancestors of today’s Canadian Inuit and living from the land is a long tradition for these people and the current day Inuit. With the arrival of European explorers, whalers, traders and, finally, settlers, the lives of the Inuit changed dramatically; and they have struggled to hang onto their culture and their way of life and control their destiny ever since. And, despite the long time during which the Inuit have been here relative to others, to a large majority of Canadians, the Arctic, the Inuit and their way of life remains a mystery.

In 1971, the Inuit of Canada came together as a political body with the creation of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Now called the Inuit Taparit Kanatami (since 2001), which means “the Inuit are united in Canada,” this organization has been deeply involved in achieving changes to government policy, with the objective of putting control back into the hands of Inuit communities. ITK has also played a key role in ensuring Aboriginal rights are embodied in the Canadian Constitution, and it has participated in the four key Inuit land claims negotiations for Nunavik (1975), the Inuvialuit (1984), Nunavut (1993) and Labrador (2004).

Given its nearly forty year history of championing for Inuit rights and recognition, it should be no surprise that ITK has now spearheaded the declaration of 2010 as the Year of the Inuit. The purpose of this initiative is to draw attention to Inuit culture, as well as issues and challenges facing Inuit in Canada. Issues like the shortage of suitable housing, low incomes levels and the high cost of living. These are critical considerations for all Canadians, and without a continuing focus on improving the circumstances of those living in the North, our collective desire to ensure our ongoing sovereignty of the North is in peril. So what better year to choose than this – where we have the eyes of the world focused on our country in Vancouver during the Olympic Games – to shine a spotlight on those whose past and present is so vital to our future.

Given the importance of this initiative, I hope that you will all take the opportunity to share in the Year of the Inuit.

Travel well.
Tracy Medve
President, Canadian North

President's Message Archives

• January/February 2010
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• March 2009
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