Gjoa Haven: Stories From Our Elders
This digital display is created from interviews gathered by youth participants in the Nanivara Project in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. The Elder interviews were conducted over the course of the summer of 2015. The display was presented to the Nattilik Heritage Centre in August, 2015.
In the 1950s, Inuit began settling more permanently in the community of Gjoa Haven. Like many of the northern settlements during this time, the growth of the community reflects the social, economic, and governmental changes taking place throughout the north. Why did people move to the settlements in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s? How have they experienced and witnessed changes in that time?
In these interviews, Elders from Gjoa Haven speak about their lives growing up on the land and in the commmunity. They share stories of the trapping and trading of furs, which brought them to the trading post operated by the Hudson's Bay Company. Others discuss the influence of the federal government's Residential Schools, which was responsible for removing children from their families and from the land in order to send them to far off communities like Inuvik and Chesterfield Inlet. Many of their parents, interviewed here, moved to the community because it was a place where they could learn information about their children's return.
The interviews here were conducted and filmed by participants of the Nanivara Project. They were done almost exclusively in Inuktitut with the help of an interpreter, and were later translated from Inuktitut with English subtitles.
Please note that the kiosk has not been adapted to mobile phones or devices. It is best viewed in full-screen mode on a laptop or desktop computer.
Credits
Interviews & Edits: Jennifer Ullulaq, Robin Ikkutisluk, Barbara Okpik, Ray Aaluk, Marnie Ekelik, Erica Tungilik, Nena Konana, Clarissa Jayko,
Scott Porter, Dawn Konana, Kaydi Okpakok, Mark Stoller
Display created by Mark Stoller