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September 26, 2005
INUIT TAPIRIIT KANATAMI
Site Name - INUIT TAPIRIIT KANATAMI
Research Relevance - Current issues in Inuit culture from an Inuit perspective (political, economic and social), history, language and technology.
Web Address - http://www.itk.ca
Browser Issues - Multi browser compatible
Description:
This is an Inuit run web site for the purpose of reflecting “our (Inuit) ancient and modern history. It allows us (Inuit) to communicate to the global community instantly, making the notion of a “Global Village” more real” (Jose Kusugak, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami). ITK is a 30 year old organization originally created for the purpose of settling the Nunavut Land Claims Act with the federal government. Since this objective was completed in April 1999, ITK is now charged with its implementation, as well as to promote a number of Inuit specific agendas such as improving living and economic conditions and to act as a liaison between Nunavumiut and the federal government.
This web site is a MUST for anyone researching any topic related to Canada’s most northerly peoples. ITK is a political organization that is 100% run and operated by Inuit. As such, the views expressed in this web site are the least Western influenced of almost any other forum of communication. Issues discussed include health and education, housing conditions, environmental concerns, employment, justice, and territorial/federal relations. There is also an excellent history section in a link under Features called 5000 Year Heritage (http://www.itk.ca/5000-year-heritage/index.php). It is a brief but detailed history of Canada’s Arctic from an Inuit point of view.
The web site is kept current with weekly articles regarding issues of Nunavumiut importance. It is also interesting to note that ITK deems the use of technology as an important tool in the development of Inuit culture and that it actively researches how best incorporate broadband and the Internet to better deliver services (http://www.itk.ca/communications/technology-connectivity.php). One link in the web site gives credit to the Internet for a resurgence in Inuktitut syllabics (http://www.itk.ca/communications/technology-syllabics.php).
Posted by Patrick McDermott at September 26, 2005 08:58 PM