Inuit traditional knowledge workshop seeks participants

The Kivalliq Inuit Association is hosting a traditional Inuit knowledge sharing workshop in July called Somebody's Daughter, and are looking for Inuit women from across Nunavut to participate — all expenses paid.

The program runs July 17 to 21 in Rankin Inlet and will focus on how to prepare and use caribou and sealskin to make Inuit traditional clothing.

"The knowledge sharing workshop is also a venue to pass on Inuit Traditional Knowledge to the next generation," said Bernadette Dean, a social development coordinator for the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA).

"We will also be filming it and recording it just to preserve that knowledge on film and audio."

With funding from Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation, Dean said the plan is to have 12 elders in attendance and about 20 participants.

Dean said organizers are trying to negotiate a discounted rate with the airlines, so they can fly in as many women as possible.

Meaning behind the name

Dean said the name, Somebody's Daughter, was suggested while applying for funding, as all proposals require titles. She said the name has to do with those impacted by the legacy of residential schools, including children who were forced to attend as young as age four.

"They were just girls. They were not just a number. They were somebody's daughters and that's how the title came about."

The workshops will be taught in Inuktitut. KIA is accepting applications until June 28. 

Dean said KIA is also offering a seperate traditional knowledge program this summer. She said KIA will take women on the land for a camping, learning and healing program in mid-August.