Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is the national Inuit organization in Canada, representing four Inuit regions – Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Nunavik (northern Quebec), Nunavut, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in the Northwest Territories.

Dispatches

Inuit Submission to UN Rapporteur on Right to Food

During the official country visit to Canada, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food met with representatives of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), and the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada). “Inuit and the Right to Food” is the formal document submitted to the UN Rapporteur during his visit. National Inuit Leader Mary Simon spoke at a press conference on Wednesday May 16, 2012. Her speaking notes can also be found on the ITK website.

5 Questions for ITK’s presidential candidates

The National Inuit Youth Council has sent the following five questions to the two candidates vying for the position of ITK President:

  1. What fired you up enough to make you run for the presidency of ITK? Was there a defining moment? Please be specific.
  2. What fictional character most exemplifies your leadership style? Why?
  3. Do you think that the average Inuk understands the work of ITK and NIYC? If no, what will you do to change this?
  4. We often hear that there is little role for ITK now that our land claims are settled. What do you see as ITK’s role today?
  5. Mary Simon has talked about the importance of bringing in new people, with new energy. What new vision would you bring to the work of ITK?

Read the replies from Terry Audla.

Candidates for the ITK 2012 Presidential Election

The two candidates for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Presidential Election are, in alphabetical order:

  1. Mr. Terry Audla
  2. Mr. Robert Watt

The election will be held in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (northern Quebec) following the close of the ITK Annual General Meeting on Wednesday June 6, 2012.

Artcirq in London to Peform for Queen’s Jubilee Pageant

ArtcirqITK is pleased to have helped raise over $20,000 to assist Artcirq perform for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle. Several months ago ITK, Artcirq, and the RCMP Musical Ride sent a joint letter to governments and businesses. With the help of key sponsors, Artcirq will be performing shows May 10 – 13, 2012.

Artcirq’s performance, which will include drum dancing and throat singing, will be presented in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police famous Musical Ride as part of the “Americas” act of the show. Artcirq will take part in all four scheduled performances on the private grounds of Windsor Castle during the evenings of May 10th, 11th, 12 and 13th.

Representing Artcirq in Windsor are artistic director Guillaume Ittukssarjuat Saladin (Igloolik), drum dancers Terence Uyarak (Igloolik) and Thomas Johnston (Iqaluit) and throat singers Lois Suluk-Locke (Arviat) and Celina Kalluk (Iqaluit) as well as her newborn baby Ramata Diarra Kalluk.

International Polar Year Conference: From Knowledge to Action

Join ITK at the International Polar Year Conference "From Knowledge to Action" in Montreal this week.

Monday April 23

  1. Mary Simon addresses delegates at the opening ceremony.

Tuesday April 24

  1. "Knowledge is Knowledge" Inuit Qaujisarvingat Director Scot Nickels speaks on Ways of Knowing and Being

Wednesday April 25

  1. Mary Simon joins an Action Forum panel called Improving Access to Quality and Sustainable Health Care
  2. Scot Nickels and Inuit Qaujisarvingat Researchers Karen Kelley and Rebecca Mearns speak about Different Ways of Knowing, Understanding and Appreciating Polar Regions
  3. Inuit Qaujisarvingat Researcher Martin Lougheed presents the results of What We Know, Don't Know and Need to Know about Climate Change

Visit the IPY 2012 Conference website at http://www.ipy2012montreal.ca/