On November 1, 2002, students from the NSTP met at LAC in Ottawa to review the progress of Project Naming, and were joined by several Nunavut residents: Peter Irniq, Commissioner of Nunavut, and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, MP for Nunavut. This event also provided the opportunity to showcase the Project to a southern audience. While the occasion celebrated the recent successes of the Project, it also provided a venue for young people and Elders to work together on "giving" names to people who were previously unidentified in photographs.
Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program students Karen Panigoniak, Bernice Niakrok, and Inuujaq Dean who participated in the Project Naming event,
Ottawa
November 2002
Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program
During his address at this event, National Archivist Ian E. Wilson emphasized the significance of Project Naming and pointed out the opportunities it created. He spoke about how important it was for LAC to address the fact that there exist so many images from Canada's North in its collections, LAC whose subjects have remained anonymous until this Project.
Elder Nilaulaaq Aglukkaq, from Gjoa Haven (Ursuqtuuq), attended this Ottawa event. During the presentation of images on laptop computers, she recognized her late father, Iharrataittuq Itirujuk, among the group of previously unidentified photographs. Moved by this unexpected discovery, Aglukkaq later recorded a letter in Inuktitut to Mr. Wilson, in which she expressed her gratitude. After searching unsuccessfully for her father's picture for such a long time, finding his photograph was a very emotional and meaningful experience.
Left to right: Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq and National Archivist Ian E. Wilson watch as Elisapee Avingaq of Igloolik (Iglulik) demonstrates the use of the laptop computer at the Project Naming event in Ottawa. Other Nunavut students Miali-Elise Coley (centre) and Tommy Akulukjuk (right) look on
November 2002
Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program
Tommy Akulukjuk of Pangnirtung (Pangnirtuuq) demonstrates how to use the computer to display archival photographs at the Project Naming event in Ottawa. Viewers include Quluaq Pilikapsi (left) and Monica Tuurngaq Shouldice (right), both from Rankin Inlet (Kangiqliniq)
November 2002
Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program