From the Travel Journal of Victor Tootoo...

Victor Tootoo

My my, how time flies…. It seems like only last week I was in Kugluktuk with the weather threatening to keep me and the group I was facilitating there for an extra weekend. But due to swift and decisive action by the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit Language Authority (Taiguusiliuqtiit) and staff, we were whisked away by First Air to the warmth and comfort of Yellowknife to finish our important meetings. This was, of course, the strategic planning session for the Taiguusiliuqtiit. We were lucky to get to Yellowknife and finish our meetings as there was indeed a blizzard in Kugluktuk; but the Coppermine Inn’s pellet stove kept us warm while waited although it was below -30 outside for the duration of our stay.

Coppermine Inn’s pellet stove

This month marks the finalization of that project with the strategic plan delivered, reviewed, and very soon to be distributed. Aarluk and CLEY have worked on a number of successful projects recently; this one featured Terry Rudden as our semi-nomadic wise man and myself pursuing our traditional nomadic lifestyle by facilitating in both Kugluktuk and Yellowknife in the same week. The IUT was a great group to work with, and one of the first times I’ve had the honour of facilitating for unilingual elders. A big thanks to the Taiguusiliuqtiit director and staff for allowing me to be understood when I was unable to converse in Inuktitut as well as to all involved for being flexible enough to continue the meeting in a separate location. All's well that ends well :)

Coppermine Inn