Aboriginal - Girls Action Foundation

Inuk has helped inspire me to become more familiar with that part of my identity.
There are many avenues that individuals can take to continue to learn about their
Aboriginal culture. Inuit have access to affirmative action programs assigned in helping
them get into universities/colleges and other organizations due to the hard work of
politicians/government workers. Musicians such as Tumivut or Tanya Tagaq throat sing
and record it, so the world can hear it. Others can learn how to speak Inuktitut through
audiotapes like Rosetta Stone. The information and technology to learn are available. It
remains up to the people whether or not they have the will to take time to learn.
I am part of that gap generation that wasn’t taught Inuktitut. My mother could speak
it and my grandmothers/grandfather could speak it, but I can’t. I sometimes get angry
knowing that I had no control over my childhood or what I was taught and now I realize
it is up to me to learn Inuktitut. I have to take the initiative to learn. I am the generation
that has to take initiative to learn about Inuit culture and language if it will continue
to survive into the next generation. I understand that is a responsibility that I have the
choice to take. The true test is whether or not I will take this understanding I have and
use it in my everyday life. A leader would take it.
Elizabeth Zarpa
25