In an autonomous government, an Inuktitut Language Commission would supervise the protection and development of Inuktitut. Language protection (language in the workplace and of signs) must be a priority of Nunavingmi Aquvvinga.
Avataq’s language programme develops terminology for contemporary domains such as legal, medical and communications terminology. The Institute also organizes workshops that seek to meet the needs of translators and interpreters and ensure the quality of translation services.
Avataq’s ongoing work includes the development of the following tools: a language dictionary, a recovery database (for words at risk of disappearing) a grammar, and materials for teaching Inuktitut as a second language. In addition, the programme includes the development of a reference library and the development of approaches for learning the language via concrete experience – observation and action, as it was learned traditionally.
At the local level, Avataq encourages language workshops and inter-generational interactions within all the 14 communities of Nunavik.
The Inuit of Nunavik resumed the subsistence bowhead whale hunt in 2008.Learn more about this event through a photo essay.
In the summer of 2007, a team with about 20 members participated in an archaeological dig at a site on Drayton Island (IbGk-3) and in a brief archaeological survey of the region. The work was part of the archaeology department’s activities for International Polar Year (IPY).
