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Social Science Indigenous Studies

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit

What Inuit Have Always Known to Be True

edited by Joe Karetak, Frank Tester & Shirley Tagalik

Publisher
Fernwood Publishing
Initial publish date
Sep 2017
Category
Indigenous Studies, Native Americans
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781552669914
    Publish Date
    Sep 2017
    List Price
    $30.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781552669921
    Publish Date
    Sep 2017
    List Price
    $29.99

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Description

The Inuit have experienced colonization and the resulting disregard for the societal systems, beliefs and support structures foundational to Inuit culture for generations. While much research has articulated the impacts of colonization and recognized that Indigenous cultures and worldviews are central to the well-being of Indigenous peoples and communities, little work has been done to preserve Inuit culture. Unfortunately, most people have a very limited understanding of Inuit culture, and often apply only a few trappings of culture — past practices, artifacts and catchwords —to projects to justify cultural relevance.

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit — meaning all the extensive knowledge and experience passed from generation to generation — is a collection of contributions by well- known and respected Inuit Elders. The book functions as a way of preserving important knowledge and tradition, contextualizing that knowledge within Canada’s colonial legacy and providing an Inuit perspective on how we relate to each other, to other living beings and the environment.

About the authors

 

Joe Karetak is community education coordinator for the Government of Nunavut.

 

Joe Karetak's profile page

 

Frank Tester is a geographer, social worker and Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia. He is co-author of two books dealing with the social history of Inuit in the eastern Arctic and papers and reports dealing with contemporary social issues affecting Inuit. He has travelled and worked throughout Nunavut Territory and brings to his work a commitment to social justice and human rights. Frank received the Gustavus Myers Award for his research on Inuit rights, history and his contributions to the study and promotion of human rights in North America. He is also a recipient of the 1995 Erminie Wheeler-Voegelin Prize for his co-authored book, Tammarniit (Mistakes): Inuit Relocation in the Eastern Arctic, 1939-62 (1994, UBC Press).

 

Frank Tester's profile page

 

Shirley Tagalik is research assistant at Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in Igaluit.

 

Shirley Tagalik's profile page

Excerpt: Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: What Inuit Have Always Known to Be True (edited by Joe Karetak, Frank Tester & Shirley Tagalik)