Canadian Heritage

IQALUIT, NUNAVUT--(Marketwire - Sept. 5, 2008) - Young Inuit people will have the opportunity to learn about their language and culture and gain traditional knowledge, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, on behalf of the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.

Funding of $216,050 over two years will help the Qikiqtani Inuit Association fund Pigiarvik, a project that will help preserve, protect, and promote the Inuktitut language among the younger generations of Inuit. This project will have three components: Katiqsuiniq Qaujimajaujutuqarnik-traditional knowledge interviews, to ensure that regional variations of Inuktitut and traditional knowledge and stories are preserved for future generations; Katiqsuiniq Innarnik Apiqsuutivinirnik-the digitization of traditional knowledge; and Pivut and Kaakuluk-Inuktitut magazines for Children and Youth as resources for the classroom.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide this funding as part of its support for Aboriginal languages," said Minister Verner. "This important work will help ensure that Inuktitut is passed on to future generations."

"We are pleased to be a part of the Pigiarvik project," said Minister Strahl. "This project helps preserve and strengthen Inuit language and culture for young people in Nunavut. It will allow people to engage in their community and become active participants in shaping their future."

"Here in Nunavut, we are striving to fully integrate the Inuit language into the school curriculum, libraries, and the workplace," said Thomasie Alikatuktuk, President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. "This process is still in its infancy, and much work is required. This funding from Canadian Heritage will help kick-start the process."

To ensure optimum success, the Qikitani Inuit Association will work closely with organizations within the community, such as the Nunavut Bilingual Education Society, Nunavut Teacher Education Program, Nunavut Arctic College, Niutaq Cultural Institute, and Qikiqtani schools.

This funding is being provided through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, which forms part of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Peoples' Program. This program supports the full participation of Aboriginal people in Canadian society and the promotion, revitalization, and preservation of Aboriginal languages and cultures. It also helps enable Aboriginal people to address the social, cultural, economic, and political issues affecting their lives.

The Aboriginal Languages Initiative provides $5 million per year to support the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages by facilitating the use of these languages in community and family settings.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.