ITK announced last November that 2010 will be the 'Year of the Inuit'. President Mary Simon announced that this initiative is meant to bring more attention, not only to Inuit issues but Inuit culture as well.. The idea of this is great. I love it.. i do. but to make it one year where we're the center of attention is a little bit.. i dunno. I just can't really see how that will improve the lives of Inuit. I think it's meant, on some level, to create a sense of pride in Inuit people, but do Inuit really know it's the year of the Inuit? What will this initiative achieve at a community level?..
Since I moved back up north, a lot of things are starting to become clearer to me. Like, all these things you hear about in the south.. all the programs being developed (in the south), all these great initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Inuit (all being developed in the south).. As much emphasis they put on inuit involvement in the creation of programs.. none of this is tangible in the communities.
Sure, it's a great idea to want to show Canada and the world how awesome we are! we have an amazing, rich, beautiful culture, we do!.. but before we start selling ourselves to the world, we should probably improve ourselves first. The fact is, as much positive things we have going on here, the negative still exists. Yes, I know I was talking about how 'the single story bla bla bla' not long ago, about how the Media and the world can only see the bad.. but let's not forget that, in the spirit of telling the full story, things still need improvement. We still need language initiatives implemented, we still need healing from past traumas, we still need housing and we need affordable food. We need these things and we need to stop expecting them on a silver platter.
Let's make our own year of the Inuit.. let's start a movement. The year of the Inuit, for the Inuit, by the Inuit. Let's pick up a hammer and build houses. Let's pick up a rifle, go hunting and feed the community, let's open greenhouses in each community. Let's start talking about our problems. Let's start using Inuttitut in the workplace. Let's hire local people. Let's do it! Atii! go!
That is what the year of the Inuit should be about. Building an effective Inuit society. Not flaunting our awesomeness to the world.. most of it will probably fall on deaf ears anyway..
You've got the right idea Janice. So much of what is hailed in Ottawa (or in the south) actually has very little relevance up north. Ask anyone in your community what they know of ITK, NAHO, AHF, the Inuit Secretariat, or any of the other southern based Inuit organizations.
ReplyDeleteOne of the toughest things is trying to motivate people in the north to see these things - many people shrug their shoulders, or are even proud of not knowing or caring about such things.
Don't ever let such things get you down though - the greatest potential for improvement lies with young people. We just have to turn off the hockey and put down the beer for long enough to do something about it.