1998 NORTHERN SCIENCE AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA (January 14, 2000) - The Inullariit Elder's Society of Igloolik, Nunavut has been named as the 1998 Northern Science Award winner. This marks the first time that an indigenous group has won the award.

"It is appropriate that this award comes in the middle of the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous People," said Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Robert Nault. "The Inullariit Elder's Society has provided a way for elders to share their traditional knowledge to the young people in their community and to the world at large over many years. I congratulate the members of Inullariit Elders Society, both past and present, for their efforts and for winning the 1998 Northern Science Award."

"I am happy that the work by the Inullariit Elders Society to preserve our heritage is being recognized officially," stated Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament for Nunavut. "The 1998 Northern Science Award is a significant award which recognizes the dedication and efforts of the Inullariit Elders Society of Igloolik. The knowledge which elders possess of traditional ways is invaluable and I am pleased that this knowledge will not be lost to future generations." Ms. Karetak-Lindell presented the award today on behalf of the Government of Canada.

The Inullariit Elders Society has grown from an informal association of Igloolik Inuit elders who first got together in 1986. Elders formed this group to promote Iglulingmiut culture, language and traditional skills. The Society was formally incorporated in January 1993.

One of the better known projects undertaken to date by the Society is the Igloolik Oral History Project. The Igloolik elders realized they were the last generation to hold intact the traditions, knowledge and life skills which enabled Inuit to survive in the Arctic for thousands of years before the establishment of permanent settlements. Fearing this knowledge might not be passed down to the younger members of their community, the Igloolik Oral History Project was born.

Since its establishment in 1986, the Oral History Project has collected approximately 400 interviews with elders, translated them from Inuktitut and transcribed them into a computer data base. The material already collected fills 4,500 printed pages. The collected wisdom of the elders continues to grow and is now widely used as a major source for researchers studying Inuit culture and society.

The Elders Society has also worked with local school and youth groups to teach a younger generation land-based skills such as hunting and survival techniques and Inuktitut language workshops. Other topics covered have included skin preparation and sewing, tool making, traditional navigation, drum-making, song composition, Inuit values and philosophies and archeological interpretation.

A committee of northerners and professionals selected the Inullariit Elders Society for the Northern Science Award. The selection committee was made up of Dr. Milton Freeman, Dr. Joseph Svoboda, Ms. Eva Arreak and Mr. Douglas Craig.

Since 1984, the Northern Science Award has been awarded annually to people who through their work in the sciences, have made significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the Canadian North. The Award consists of a medal and a $4,500 prize.

The Northern Science Award is one component of the federal government's commitment to build partnerships with northerners, the territorial governments and northern Aboriginal people, to build strong Aboriginal communities in the north and to foster cooperation with other circumpolar countries as outlined in Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan.

DIAND also provides $636,000 per year to about 250 Canadian University Students with northern research interests through its Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP). The funding provided by the NSTP ensures attention will be paid to northern scientific issues and that Canada continue to build a new cadre of northern scientific experts. The students of today, who in turn become tomorrow's scientists, will continue to contribute to Canada and the world's understanding of the polar north. NSTP funding recipients have distinguished themselves with several of their number going on to be named winners of the Northern Science Award later in their careers.

For more information on this release, contact:

Steven Outhouse
DIAND
Media Relations
(819) 994-2044

Backgrounder: The Northern Science Award

Northern Science Award Recipient List

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