NationTalk: The Nunatsiavut Government’s Department of Language, Culture and Tourism has just launched a new program to help teach Inuttitut.
Tusâlanga is a project aimed to assist Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement on how to speak and read the Labrador Inuit dialect. The department has partnered with Pirurvik, an Inuit organization based out of Iqaluit, to create Nunatsiavut Inuttitut textbooks in Levels 1, 2 and 3, as well as a website to learn the language online.
“The website and this resource was created with hopes that adult learners, junior high and high school students will benefit the most,” says Language, Culture and Tourism Minister Roxanne Barbour.
“These textbooks and the website are an amazing resource that will be provided for Inuttitut instructors and teachers alike where educators will have access to dialogues, lessons, grammar and a glossary at their fingertips, online,” says the Minister. “There were many who played big roles in having this project come to life -namely, our staff within the Division of Culture, multiple fluent speaking Nunatsiavummiut who proofread and provided the translations, the OKâlaKatiget Society and Nainimiut who provided the audio. Nakummesuasuak to those who continue to contribute and dedicate themselves in our efforts to preserve, protect, promote and advance Nunatsiavummiutut.”
Chris Douglas, Pirurvik’s director of productions shares those sediments.
“We are delighted to have been part of the success of this project for Nunatsiavummiut. Our Inuktut language must be our daily priority and must have a rightful place too in the digital world.”
To mark the launch of tusaalanga.ca, there will be coinciding open houses today. These events will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Illusuak Cultural Centre in Nain and the DHSD building in Hopedale. Snacks and refreshments will be served. A live Facebook event will also take place for those who cannot attend in person.
Media Contact:
Janice Goudie
Communications Assistant (Acting)
Janice.goudie@nunatsiavut.com
709-896-8582