International Inuit Day 2025

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“The Inuit Circumpolar Council [ICC] created [International Inuit Day] in 2006” to recognize, celebrate, and promote “Inuit culture, history, and languages across the Arctic” and the world.  The day is observed on November 7 and was also created “to remember [the council’s] founder, Eben Hopson Sr.”

Inuujaq School’s Events Committee began planning for the day in late October.  The meetings were busy because the committee was also working on Halloween activities.  The program was like last year.  Everyone was encouraged to wear traditional Inuit clothing, there would be an afternoon assembly, followed by a community feast.  The assembly would feature performances and a fashion show.

For the feast, caribou (tuktu) meat was sourced from Rankin Inlet, a teacher went out and caught a seal, and the school purchased Bannock supplies, fruit, and juice boxes from the local Northern Store.  Elders were hired to prepare the meat & Bannock.  Preparations began on November 6 and continued right up until the assembly began.  The caribou meat arrived in large pieces wrapped in plastic bags.  High school students assisted the Elders in cutting the meat.

There’s a lot you can do with caribou meat.  The Elders prepared small bite size raw pieces, tuktu stew, tuktu roast, and even jerky strips.  A few elementary classes went down to the Home Ec Room to watch & learn how to make Bannock.

November 7 was an exciting day.  I wore a sealskin vest, tie, and poppy.  The smell of cooked tuktu and Bannock was everywhere.  Several staff members helped me set up the gym for the afternoon assembly.  High school students assisted us in moving the food, juice boxes, plates, and cutlery from the Home Ec Room to the gym.  Parents, guardians, Elders, and community members began arriving at 1:30pm.  Classes were called down to the gym.  Many people wore traditional Inuit clothing.  The assembly began at 1:45pm.

An Inuk teacher & I were the emcees.  We welcomed everyone to the assembly and briefly talked about Inuit history and the importance of preserving, promoting, and practicing Inuit culture, language, & history.  An Elder then lit a ceremonial qulliq to officially open the assembly.

Two local throat singers performed several songs to the delight of the audience.  This was followed by the fashion show.  Just like the Halloween costume contest, classes, staff, and parents & guardians were called up to walk around the centre of the gym, showcasing their traditional Inuit outfits.  A panel of three judges selected the 6 best dressed and awarded them Co-op gift cards.

The last part of the assembly was the community feast.  The Grade 1 teacher said a prayer to bless the food and then two lines formed.  Elders went first.  The teacher who caught a seal placed it on large, flattened cardboard boxes, and began cutting it open.  Several students watched the harvest and took pieces of meat when allowed.  The seal was a female, and the teacher was surprised to find a small baby fetus inside.  Everyone was surprised.

I indulged in small pieces of tuktu, Bannock, and raw seal meat.  There were a few leftovers.  I expected the entire seal to be consumed but that didn’t happen.  I guess everyone was craving tuktu.  The remaining pieces of seal meat were placed in a large black bin.  The teacher told me he was going to keep some of it for his family and then share the rest with extended family.

Students were dismissed early after the end of the assembly because it was Friday.  Holding a celebration & feast is the perfect way to finish the school week.  Staff stayed behind to clean up the gym and put everything away.