Regional Elders Gathering

Elders from all 6 communities: Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Inuvik, Aklavik, and Ulukhaktok, gathered from June 17th to 21st, 2019 to discuss their community needs and preserve cultural knowledge of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. This workshop focused on exploring elder’s concerns, needs, community gaps in resources, and sharing traditional healing and medicine.

Atuatchikun Inuvialuit! Inuvialuit all together!

Participants included: Lorna Storr, Colin Gordon, Sarah Irish, Mary Ann Elanik, Barbara Erigaktoak, Louisa Kalinek, Eunice Nasogaluak, Fred Wolki, Ernest Pokiak. Bessie Hagen, Billy Emaghok, Sharon Green, Teddy Elias, Norman Anikina, Gilbert Thrasher, Ruben Green, Robert Kuptana, Joseph Kitekudlak, Elsie Klengenberg, Connie Alanak, Albert Elias, Shirley Elias, Joanne Tetlichi, Lottie Thrasher, Rose Kirby, Shirley Kisoun, Bertha Joe, Sarah Rogers, Helen Kitekudlak, Lily Ann Green, Catherine Katigakyok with support of Darlene Nigiyok, Candice Ruben, Savannah Arey, CDD staf including organizer Alecia Lennie, and guest facilitators Cheryl and Janis Brooks from the Stó:lō Nation in the Upper Fraser Valley of British Columbia.

“If we don’t make changes quickly, we could lose our culture. But we are strong people. We can get it back with a lot of hard work.”

–Fred Wolki

“It is important to share your practices – don’t take that information with you when you go.”

–Joanne Tetlichi

“There was too much technology too fast: gaming, cell phones, the internet. 50 years ago, our people were living off of the land and surviving… We needed time to adapt to the change.”

–Ruben Green