Ottawa Inuit mark Nunavut Day with cultural celebrations

As communities across Canada's newest territory celebrate Nunavut Day, Inuit in Ottawa will use the event as a way to reconnect with their culture and each other.

"It has a positive effect on the whole community — not just the Inuit community — but the whole community of Ottawa," said Christine Lund, a coordinator with Tungasuvvingat Inuit. 

The Ottawa community and resource centre is holding a small event today for 50 to 75 people, and a much larger event on Saturday. 

"These celebrations offer opportunities to come together, to speak Inuktitut, to enjoy your neighbours that may be further away than when living in the North in the smaller communities."

3,000 Inuit in Ottawa

Lund says Tungasuvvingat Inuit estimates 3,000 Inuit live in the Ottawa area and this is an opportunity for people who don't usually see each other to reconnect. 

The Saturday event will begin with the lighting of the Qulliq, a stone lamp traditionally filled with seal oil, at 9:30 a.m. at 297 Savard Ave. in the Ottawa community of Vanier. 

After that, a bus will take residents to Wesley Clover Park, where there will be drum dancing and throat singing workshops, games, and a chance for Inuit to share stories about the territory. 

"It's important that we have opportunities to celebrate together and remember our heritage and our roots. And have pride in who we are."

Lund says anyone who is interested in learning more about the culture should attend. 

In previous years, between 250 and 500 people have attended the event. 

Lund said it's about "really enjoying the fact that we're here and we're Inuit and we're proud."

July 9, 2015, marks the 22nd anniversary of Parliament passing the Nunavut Act and Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act. Nunavut officially separated from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999.