International Inuit Day – A Call to Action
Each year on November 7th, Inuit communities across Alaska, Northern Canada, Greenland, and Russia celebrate International Inuit Day. What started in 2006 as a call to action to protect Inuit livelihoods has evolved into a vital annual observance. Today, this call to action is more important than ever.
Inuit History: A Canadian Heritage
Canada’s Inuit communities have always called these Lands home. Their ancestry can be traced back to the Thule People, whose recorded presence in Canada dates to the 13th century. These deep roots highlight the significance of Inuit heritage within the Canadian cultural fabric—a heritage that all Canadians should take pride in honoring, celebrating, and preserving. International Inuit Day on November 7 presents an opportunity to do just that.
Today, more than 70,000 Inuit continue to call Canada home, making it the largest Inuit population in the world. Nearly all of Canada’s Inuit communities reside in Inuit Nunangat, in one of four regions: Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Inuvialuit (Northwest Territories and Yukon), Nunatsiavut (Labrador), and Nunavut.
Inuit Resilience: Preserving Culture
Living in the Canadian Arctic requires Inuit communities to be as resourceful and resilient as their ancestors. And as historical hunters and gatherers, the Inuit maintain their profound connection to the Land. However, despite their ability to live harmoniously with nature, climate change presents a new threat to Inuit livelihood.
The loss of culture is another significant challenge to Inuit communities. For hundreds of years, Inuktitut—one of the principal Inuit languages—has served as more than just a means of communication; it is a cultural lifeline that passes on precious ancestral knowledge from one generation to the next. Today, Inuktitut is listed by UNESCO as an endangered language, with fewer than 650 native speakers.
Amplifying Inuit Voices: Protecting the Future
The preservation of Inuit culture is a cause we should all champion, and there have been positive steps in this direction. For instance, in 2021, the Government of Nunavut announced a collaboration with Microsoft to include Inuktitut in its translation services. The Government of Canada has also launched significant initiatives to support Inuit-led climate action.
We can all learn more about these important Inuit causes and consider ways to amplify Inuit voices. Additionally, we can deepen our understanding of Inuit culture and heritage by supporting Inuit artists and organizations. Together, we can help safeguard the future of Canadian Inuit communities.
Here are a few resources to get started:
ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᑉᓗᐊᓂ! (Happy International Inuit Day!)
