The People Behind The Inukshuk

ITK President Mary Simon with Inuit performers near 1986 Expo Inuksuk in Vancouver, BC (Feb 16/10)

Mary Simon joined Inuit performers at the site of the Expo 86 inukshuk overlooking Vancouver's English Bay this morning to formally introduce the world to the people behind the inukshuk.

"The People Behind the Inukshuk" is also the name of an Inuit cultural performance hosted by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion on Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"In Vancouver, the inukshuk welcomes the world to Canada. In the Arctic, this universal symbol of Inuit culture is a welcoming signpost to hunters, marking the path of migrating caribou or a lake with plentiful fish," said Simon.

"Inuit are immensely proud to lend this important cultural marker to the Vancouver Olympics. It will be the Inuit legacy of this international celebration of culture and sport."