Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Aluki Kotierk yesterday welcomed Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Nunavut and expressed her appreciation for the Prince’s interest and support for Inuktut language and Inuit culture.
“It’s heartening to hear His Royal Highness speak words in Inuktut. Recently, his charitable trust in Canada made efforts to help revitalize Inuktut which I warmly welcome,” said Kotierk.
Only two jurisdictions in Canada have majority non-English official languages: Nunavut and Quebec. Canada must invest more in Inuktut and Inuit culture.
“All public services should be delivered in Inuktut in a place where the majority of the population are Inuit. It is important that we revitalize and maintain Inuktut to ensure that it is used today. It is crucial that we transfer it to the younger generation and encourage the use of it in all aspects of our lives,” she said.
The preservation of the Inuktut languages is at the core of Inuit self-determination, reconciliation, and re-empowerment. Kotierk said she was optimistic that the interest and past commitments by His Royal Highness and his charitable organization might inspire Canada.
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For further information:
Kerry McCluskey
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4914
Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
Cell: (867) 222-2893
www.tunngavik.com
