Trades of Tradition / Inuit Piqqusingni / Dene K’éé Eghalaets’endedá

Year:
2019
Region:
Inuit Nunangat, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Type:
Laureate
Theme:
Arts & Culture, Healing, Health & Wellness, Skills development
Category:
Youth

Cultural activities like hunting, sewing, drum-making and drumming have been largely eroded in the North by the impacts of colonialism, inter-generational trauma, and residential schools. Trades of Tradition was awarded $100,000 to provide community members with the opportunity to develop these traditional skills. The intent, to preserve traditional knowledge, build connections between youth and elders, strengthen the cultural identities of participants, and address the root causes of prevalent social issues affecting people in northern communities, including substance abuse and suicide. Through their work this project team is helping to foster stronger, healthier communities through protecting Indigenous culture.

Nominator: Rebecca Bisson
Executive Director, Northern Youth Abroad
Team:
Nathan Maniapik and Sal Paungrat (Team Leaders), Renee Okalik, Cherylu Piugattuk, Ben Sharpe

Art

Once the Darkness is Realized
Artist: Blake Lepine