Historic Day for Inuit in Senate of Canada Says Mary Simon President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

"Today was an historic day in the Parliament of Canada. When I spoke to the Senate in the Committee of the Whole marking the anniversary of the Residential Schools Apology, it was the first time the Inuit language, Inuktitut was spoken officially in the Senate and simultaneously translated. I commend the Senate of Canada for taking this important initiative to help promote, preserve, and protect the Inuit language
 
If last year's Apology marked the end of a period of misguided policy, where our language and cultural knowledge had been de-valued, then it stands to reason the Apology must also mark the beginning of a period when we must collectively invest in restoring the legitimacy and validity of our language and culture.
 
I proposed the establishment of an annual Report Card to ensure the federal government is accountable on a series of measurable indicators of progress in our Arctic regions and communities. Suicide, life expectency, overcrowding, high school completion. These are just some of the measurable indicators we want to ensure change in a positive way year after year.
 
I was pleased to be in the Senate today, speaking on behalf of Inuit about our perspectives on progress made on issues critical to Inuit. I addressed Senators and then spent an hour in dialogue with them, proudly wearing a sealskin jacket, and hosting a small reception for Senators of traditional Inuit food consisting of  seal meat, muktuk, caribou meat, and canada Goose"
 
A copy of Ms Simon’s remarks are available on the ITK website