Inuit from across Nunavut attended one of most important gatherings Inuit can have. The Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Conference was held in Iqaluit Oct. 29 and 30 at the Frobisher Inn. Around 100 delegates gathered to discuss culture and customary laws of well being. Inuit practices, knowledge and values were explored and the conference centred on how to better incorporate these values into the workplace.

The elders who graciously and respectfully shared their wise wisdom and knowledge. From left, Isaac Shooyook of Arctic Bay, Gamailee Kilukishak of Pond Inlet, Annie Tookalook of Sanikiluaq, Miriam Aglukkaq of Gjoa Haven, Kigutikaarjuk Shappa of Arctic Bay and Mary Voisey of Whale Cove. David Iqaqrialu and Marie Anguti departed before photos were taken. Unable to make the conference due to weather was Angnaoyok Alookee and Simon Okpakok. Navalik Tologanak/NNSL photos
Elder Isaac Shooyook of Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) wants the knowledge passed on for generations to generations.
Here is elder Kigutikakjuk Shappa, I.Q. Katimajiit Member of Ikpiaruk from Arctic Bay, and Director of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Shuvinai Mike from Iqaluit opening the I.Q. Conference.
Elder Gamailee Kilukishak of Mittimatalik of Pond Inlet was a keynote speaker at the I.Q. conference. He is an experienced counsellor. He believes that if INUUSILIRNIQ were practised in all communities, fewer people would be in hospitals or incarcerated.
Elder David Iqaqrialu of Clyde River speaks of teaching Inuit traditional laws at Piqqusilirivik Centre since 2011.

Navalik Tologanak

Navalik Tologanak is a long-time community correspondent for Nunavut News, as well as an entrepreneur, born, raised and living in Cambridge Bay.

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