HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, December 6, 2023 – The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) has recently been awarded a sum of $1.5 million over five years from the Government of Canada to create an Inuttitut language program. This initiative will help ensure that future generations of NunatuKavut Inuit will have the opportunity to learn and know their ancestral language, signifying an important step forward in preserving the cultural legacy of NunatuKavut Inuit.
“nakummek to the Government of Canada for providing this critical funding to support NCC in our ongoing efforts to reclaim Inuttitut in NunatuKavut,” said Todd Russell, President of NCC. “It not only helps preserve our culture, but fosters cultural resilience within our communities.”
The loss of Inuttitut is one of many the impacts of colonization that NunatuKavut Inuit face today. Although Inuttitut words and phrases have lived on through the generations in the ways in which NunatuKavut Inuit live on the land, ice and waters, the early 1900s saw the last fluent Inuttitut speakers in the territory.
“Reclaiming Inuttitut is a priority identified by our people and is a critical part of the path to self-determination,” said President Russell. “The ability to connect with, learn and share in Inuttitut is a remarkable and humbling part of our journey and will only help us grow stronger as a people.”
Over the next five years, NCC’s Research, Education and Culture department will implement a comprehensive Inuttitut language revitalization learning plan that includes the development of basic resource material like an Inuttitut word database, flash cards and other supporting materials, as well as offering a number of workshops and language lessons throughout NunatuKavut.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, with funding provided through the Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program – Indigenous Language Component of Heritage Canada. It aligns with NCC’s mission to revitalize, strengthen, and maintain Inuttitut in NunatuKavut.
“We are pleased that the Government of Canada shares our priority of language revitalization. We look forward to continued collaboration with Canada in helping ensure that NunatuKavut Inuit remain connected to Inuttitut,” said President Russell. “Re-learning the language of those who came before us is both a right and responsibility that we all share.”
To learn more about the history of Inutittut in NunatuKavut and what revitalization means to NunatuKavut Inuit from this region, you are invited to read “A Historical Account of Inuttitut in Southern Labrador,” written by Dr. Andrea Procter. Click here to download a copy.
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About: The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) is a governing organization that represents the rights and interests of Inuit who come from south and central Labrador. NCC is committed to advocating for section 35 rights, interests, and priorities of NunatuKavut Inuit. Rooted in the rich traditions and culture of NunatuKavut Inuit, NCC works diligently towards self-government and self-determination, while fostering community growth and sustainability.
To learn more about NCC and NunatuKavut Inuit, please visit our website at www.nunatukavut.ca and we invite you to check out our new Story Map page which helps tell our story. Please also join in the conversation at facebook.com/nunatukavut, X/Twitter @nunatukavut and Instagram @nunatukavutinuit.
NCC Media Contact:
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer
T. 709-280-5965
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca