Inuvialuit Living History | Inuvialuit Living History

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We welcome you to Inuvialuit Pitqusiit Inuuniarutait, the Inuvialuit Living History website. We are the Inuvialuit of the Canadian Western Arctic. Our territory extends from the homelands of our Alaskan relations in the west through the expansive delta of Kuukpak, the Mackenzie River, to the lands of our Inuit kin in the east. This site celebrates our history and the beauty and diversity of our living cultural traditions. We invite you to learn and share with us. Taima.

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Quyanaq Qaikafi

Quyanaq qaikafi ilichuriyaqtuluhi Inupiat Pitquhinginnun inuuniaruhingit ilitchuriyaqtuqlugi ilitchurivinganun Uvagut inupiat nunaaqhiqpak ataulugu Ualinirmiutat. Nuanaqativut Alaskarmiut ilagiit Ualinirmiutlu nunaaqikpangmi Kuupaum, tappuhimagait ukuat inuuqativut tatqavani inuit. Qquvianaqtuaq aturuugikput qiniqtuaqtuni qiviurnaqtiuaq yaritilaihaqput inuuniarnikput. Parlagifi ilitchurqitqugiffi inuuniarniptingnik.

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Quyanainni Qaigapsi

Quyanainni qaigapsi Inuvialuit Pitqusiit Inuuniarutainnun qaritauyami ittuaq. Inuvialuuyugut Uallinirmin Kanatami. Nunapta angiyuq Alaskaminngaaniin uallirmin tamauna natirnanga Kuukpaum, Inuinnun kivallirmiunun. Una qaritauyakun quliaqtuq inuuniarutiptingnik alianaitturlu allangablunilu piqusivut qangmuunamun aglaan. Itiriaqtuqatigiluta ilinniarlusilu. Taima.

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Quana Qaigaffi

Quana qaigaffi hamunga Inuvialuit Pitquhiit Inuuniarutainnut, Inuvialuit Pitquhiitigut Qaritauyarmiutani. Inuvialuuyugut Kanatap Ualliniani Ukiuqtaqtumi. Nunataaqhimayaqqut tahamannga aimaviinnit Alaskamiutanit ilaptingnit ualliniptingni talvuuna, kuukpakyuap, uummaani Kuukpangmi. Tahamanngalu inuit nunaannut ilapta kivataani. Hamna takunnavia quvianaqtuq pitquhiptigut taimaalu pinniriblugu allatqiitigut inuuhiptingni pitquhipta inuuniarutainni. Ilautquyaptigit ilihaqatiluta avvariiqatigiluta pitquhiptingnik. Taima.

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When I [was] maybe three to four years [old]… we hunt down below, around Shingle Point, Blow River, Whitefish Station, Klokol Lake, Coal Mine Lake, and further up, Fish River, Ooyaradjuk, that’s our hunting grounds during the summer, which we use boats to get there with.

– Danny C. Gordon
Aktlarvik, 1975, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

Our pride, self-respect, and dignity depends on a strong culture. For this we need to draw closer to our Elders’ wisdom and on their love of the land. We need the lands of our forefathers.

– Yvonne Allen Kisoun
Inuuvik, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

Some people said to me, “why you don’t put the money in the bank and save it for future?” I should have told him that time, “The north is my bank.”

– Bertram Pokiak
Tuktuuyaqtuuq, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

I just want you people to understand that the way of life I’m leading is very important to me and I’d like to keep it and use it to the best of my knowledge. I don’t want it to be taken away from me or from anyone else here living in Holman.

– Isaac Aleekuk
Ulukhaqtuuq, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

That time there was no settlement, just like nomads, people just travelling around. People…always thinking of where is the best place for hunting. People stop where there is fish, where it is the best place to hunt and trap.

– Edward Ruben
Parks Canada Paulatuuq Oral History Project

We used to have a real good life because we lived only the way we wanted to, nobody told us how to live, and we knew how to make a good living…. The white people have banks, but Eskimos in Sachs Harbour, our bank is our land. That’s our bank.

– Mary Elias
Ikaahuk, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

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Quyanaq Qaikafi

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Quyanainni Qaigapsi

Listen to this text

Quana Qaigaffi

Listen to this text

When I [was] maybe three to four years [old]… we hunt down below, around Shingle Point, Blow River, Whitefish Station, Klokol Lake, Coal Mine Lake, and further up, Fish River, Ooyaradjuk, that’s our hunting grounds during the summer, which we use boats to get there with.

– Danny C. GordonAktlarvik, 1975, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

Our pride, self-respect, and dignity depends on a strong culture. For this we need to draw closer to our Elders’ wisdom and on their love of the land. We need the lands of our forefathers.

– Yvonne Allen KisounInuuvik, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

Some people said to me, “why you don’t put the money in the bank and save it for future?” I should have told him that time, “The north is my bank.”

– Bertram PokiakTuktuuyaqtuuq, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

I just want you people to understand that the way of life I’m leading is very important to me and I’d like to keep it and use it to the best of my knowledge. I don’t want it to be taken away from me or from anyone else here living in Holman.

– Isaac AleekukUlukhaqtuuq, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

That time there was no settlement, just like nomads, people just travelling around. People…always thinking of where is the best place for hunting. People stop where there is fish, where it is the best place to hunt and trap.

– Edward RubenParks Canada Paulatuuq Oral History Project

We used to have a real good life because we lived only the way we wanted to, nobody told us how to live, and we knew how to make a good living…. The white people have banks, but Eskimos in Sachs Harbour, our bank is our land. That’s our bank.

– Mary EliasIkaahuk, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

Explore Our Interactive MapExplore Inuvialuit Collections‣ Cadzow Collection‣ Collinson Collection‣ MacFarlane Collection‣ Prince of Wales Collection

Inuvialuit Collections

Our Interactive Map

Who We Are

About the Project

Our Communities

We Are Resilient

Interactive Timeline

Learn More

Contact

Inuvialuit Texts

– Danny C. Gordon
Aktlarvik, 1975, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

– Yvonne Allen Kisoun
Inuuvik, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

– Bertram Pokiak
Tuktuuyaqtuuq, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

– Isaac Aleekuk
Ulukhaqtuuq, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

– Edward Ruben
Parks Canada Paulatuuq Oral History Project

– Mary Elias
Ikaahuk, 1976, Berger Inquiry Transcripts

Explore Our Interactive Map
Explore Inuvialuit Collections
‣ Cadzow Collection
‣ Collinson Collection
‣ MacFarlane Collection
‣ Prince of Wales Collection