For the Inuit of Nunavut, the preservation of culture and heritage has been recognized as a key component of their wellbeing. Knowledge systems and core beliefs are typically grounded in nature and the culture of their ancestors. The erosion of this environment and replacement of traditional practices have had a profoundly negative effect. To address this concern, an experienced team of Inuit Elders, facilitators and academics, were awarded $240,000 for their book Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit — What Inuit have always known to be true. The team wants to preserve Inuit culture and heritage through the provision of a definitive body of work that communicates Inuit worldview in detail while serving as a resource for academics, researchers, educators and the next generation of Inuit.
(Note that this project was a prize recipient prior to 2017, when the current 3-tiered prize model was put in place. Their prize therefore does not correspond to a particular category.)
