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34th annual Inuvialuit Day celebrated

Samantha McKay
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0706inuM2.jpg Samantha McKay/NNSL photo Meleena Conley enjoys cotton candy at Inuvialuit Day June 5.

The 34th annual Inuvialuit Day celebrations took place at Jim Koe Park June 5.

Lucy Kuptana, director of operations, culture and communications for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) said the day has been celebrated since the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement June 5, 1984.

Payton Inglangasuk, left, poses with Olivia Inglangasuk in their matching outfits at at Inuvialuit Day June 5.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo

"It's been celebrated since day one. The day of the original signing, June 5, 1984, there was a huge celebration in Tuktoyaktuk, and they had all the negotiators present and all the federal and territorial officials, all the elders that were present and all the field workers were there," said Kuptana. "Since then they've had a celebration every year to commemorate that event."

She added that all communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement region and many beneficiaries living in the south celebrate on June 5 in order to recognize the historic signing of the agreement.

Celebrations typically include traditional foods, a barbecue, traditional games and drumming and dancing.

She said it is an important day for all Inuvialuit.

Churchill Wolki, left, Noel Cockney and Chris Church participate in a Northern Games demonstration at Inuvialuit Day June 5.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo

"It's important because we're celebrating Inuvialuit culture, language, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and it just showcases Inuvialuit throughout the whole day with food, with dance, with games, with dress, and just treating each other kindly and with respect," she said. "We start the meal with grace, and then we ask our elders to come up and eat first. We should probably be practicing this everyday."

This year, the organizing committee decided to move the event to a new location in order to make it more inclusive.

"This year, Tara and an organizing group at the IRC wanted to try having it at Jim Koe Park rather than in front of the corporate centre," she said. "We've had community participate in the past, but we want to have an even greater impact in the community this year, so having it at Jim Koe Park showcases Inuvialuit to the community."

Tara Day and Christine Sydney organized this year's Inuvialuit Day celebrations in Inuvik.

"It's becoming such a large event, so we decided to move it to Jim Koe Park, it's a beautiful location," Day said. "We thought we'd give it a try, and look at the turnout – it's great."