The Inuit Circumpolar Youth Council (ICYC) hosted the 1st Inuit Circumpolar Youth Symposium on the Inuit Language in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada on August 15-19, 2005. The Symposium brought together 20 diverse Inuit youth delegates – hunters, artists, students, leaders, teachers – representing Alaska, Greenland and Canada to discuss the language issues concerning youth today. A day-and-a-half with Elders guided delegates in identifying the path youth will take in maintaining the essence of the Inuit way. Canadian Elder Lizzie Mary Kakee spoke encouraging words: Even if you dont think youre speaking properly, just speak. The ICYC Executive Committee also met for the first time since the 2002 General Assembly in Kuujjuaq, Canada in preparation for the 2006 General Assembly in Barrow, Alaska. All proceedings have been translated into Russian and will be sent to ICYC-Russia, as the Russian delegation was unable to attend.
During the Inuit Circumpolar Youth Symposium, delegates shared from their hearts and challenged one another to think critically about potential methods for reigniting the Inuit language as a hip language.
Results of the Symposium include:
- Reaffirmation of the importance of the Inuit language in the core of our Inuit identities: The Inuit language is key to the identity of who we are as a people Qaiyaan Harcherak, Alaska.
- Independent action plans for learning and speaking the Inuit language
- Commitment to designing and implementing community-based language restoration programs and establishing partnerships with existing programs
- Pledges for international collaboration on increasing the number of Inuit language speakers
- Recognition of the vastness of the Inuit community: I came here knowing I was part of a community of 50,000 Inuit, now I know I am part of 155,000 Janus C. Kleist, Greenland.
The ICYC Inuit Language Hipification Strategy Report will be released in February 2006 to guide youth and all community members in their work to ignite the light within Inuit languages. A summary will be available October 2005.
The event was sponsored by: The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation; Qikiqtani Inuit Association; Canadian North; The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut; The Government of Nunavut (Dept. of Intergovernmental Affairs and Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth); Languages Commissioner Of Nunavut; The Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures; National Inuit Youth Council; St. Marys University; City of Iqaluit; Hosts and Volunteers; National Aboriginal Health Org.; Kitikmeot Inuit Association; Kisarvik Society; Saputiit Youth Association; Wizards Caf; Maniilaq Assoc.; CIDA; DIAND Circumpolar Liaison Directorate; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Inupiaq Language Commission; U.S. Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs; Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.; Tips and Lotto; Kiip Department; Nuna Fund of Greenland; and Inuit Circumpolar Conference.