Indigenous Studies class welcomed former Commissioner of Nunavut

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Indigenous Studies students enjoyed a conversation with Piita Irniq. The artist, former politician and Commissioner of Nunavut spoke about his life, his many varied experiences and the significance and importance of inuksuit in Inuit culture. (The plural of inukshuk is inuksuit.) 

The witty and humorous Irniq spoke to learners “in circle,” many of whom addressed him in Anishinàbemòwin or Inuktitut. During the candid conversation, he shared stories from his childhood, including growing up in an igloo. He also described being “kidnapped” from his family and taken to a residential school. Later, he built a career as a CBC journalist before entering politics, eventually serving as assistant commissioner for the Northwest Territories and commissioner of Nunavut.

Irniq is also known for his creation of inuksuit. He explained to the class that stacking rocks can mean different things. Sometimes an inukshuk may indicate a good hunting or fishing spot, while other times it may indicate a marker for danger, or a burial site. He has been critical of misuse of the inuksuit at the Toronto Airport and during the Vancouver Olympics. He strives to educate people about the context and appropriate ways an inukshuk should be created and displayed, as well as what it represents.

He ended his presentation by singing a song he learned as a child. The song held meaning for him as he sang it for Prime Minister Stephen Harper when Harper officially apologized for residential schools.