Inuit Language and Culture Promoted in Kivalliq Region
RANKIN INLET, May 7, 2004 -- The Government of Canada will collaborate with the Kivalliq Inuit Association to promote traditional Inuit knowledge and culture, as well as the Inuktitut language in the Kivalliq region. The announcement was made today by Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament (Nunavut), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage."The Kivalliq Inuit Association has a long-standing partnership with the Government of Canada," said Nancy Karetak-Lindell. "This collaborative program will help strengthen Inuit culture and language in the region, as well as address issues such as education, health, housing, and self-government."
"As reflected in the Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada is committed to improving the lives of Aboriginal people," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "This organization was worked tirelessly to help Inuit communities overcome the unique challenges they face, and to ensure a brighter future for upcoming generations."
The Kivalliq Inuit Association will receive funding of $194,546 through the Aboriginal Representative Organizations Program to help it reinforce existing community links, create partnerships with governments and other agencies, respond to the needs of the community, and cover administrative costs. It will work with youth and elders to ensure the transmission of traditional knowledge and cultures by holding a conference and a series of workshops in March 2004.
The organization will also receive funding of $200,920 over two years through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative for projects to help preserve, revitalize, and promote Inuktitut in the region.
Since its creation in 1976, the Kivalliq Inuit Association has represented the interests of Inuit living in seven communities in the Kivalliq region, located in south-central Nunavut. Headquartered in Rankin Inlet, the Kivalliq Inuit Association manages and administers 127 provisions of the Nunavut Final Agreement. It also operates as the designated Inuit organization for Nunavut Tuungavik Incorporated and is affiliated with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national Inuit association.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Aboriginal Representative Organizations Program (AROP) and Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI). The objective of AROP is to maintain a consultative framework of Inuit, Métis, and Non-Status Indian representative organizations through which governments can address the social, economic, political, and cultural issues affecting the lives of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The ALI's objective is to maintain and revitalize Aboriginal languages for future generations by increasing the number of Aboriginal language speakers, encouraging the transmission of these languages from generation to generation, and expanding language usage in family and community settings.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.
Information:
Susan Scullion
Executive Assistant
Office of Nancy Karetak-Lindell
(613) 992-2848
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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