Fall 2025
September
At the beginning of the month, Veronica and Kim travelled to Makkovik to offer our third year of black-bottom kamik making workshops. With Veronica’s guidance, all four participants completed their very own pair of kamek. We hope to hold another workshop next year when we have sealskins available—stay tuned to see which community we visit next!
Our Indigenous Poetry Workshops with guest artist Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz were also a success. Participants learned new poetry techniques, spent time getting to know one another, and had the chance to write and share their work on various themes.
We were thrilled to welcome traditional Inuit tattoo artists Sarah Whelan-Lunn and Malaya Kisa-Knickelbein to Hopedale. With Inotsiavik’s support, they offered traditional markings to Inuit community members and were able to give over 30 tattoos during their visit.
Inotsiavik held another round of Online Beginner Inuttitut Lessons, and it was wonderful to see both familiar and new faces. We hope to create a safe, fun atmosphere for anyone beginning their Inuttitut learning journey.
This month also marked the start of our weekly Youth Nights. Every Tuesday evening, youth aged 13–18 gather at the Inotsiavik shed to socialize, play games, make crafts, have a snack, and participate in seasonal activities.
On September 28th, we held the first meeting of Inotsiavik’s new Online Indigenous Book Club! Open to Indigenous participants, the club meets on the last Sunday of each month to vote on and discuss an Indigenous-authored book.
Our first pick was Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane Hawk—a spooky choice for October reading.
As usual, Inotsiavik continued hosting our in-person Thursday Sewing Circle, Online Bi-Weekly Inuttut Grammar Sessions, and our Online Affix of the Day in the Inotsiavik Inuttitut Learners Group.
October
The Piusivut Series continued this month with the Ukiatsâk Lesson - which focused on early fall terminology regarding animals and activities specific to that time of year in Nunatsiavut.
Vanessa and Kim travelled to Makkovik to represent Inotsiavik at the Nunatsiavut Government Education Division’s annual Career Fair. We enjoyed connecting with students and other professionals working within our region, and we look forward to attending future fairs.
We held another successful Online Uppik Making Workshop. Nakummek to our participants for bringing curiosity, good stories, and lots of laughter.
Inotsiavik also took part in ACMS’s Halloween Parent–Student–Teacher Night, where we ran an Inuttitut scavenger hunt. Students and their parents/guardians raced to find Inuttitut terminology hidden around the room for a chance to win a prize.
Our October Book Club pick was Sanaaq: An Inuit Novel by Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk. Considered the first Inuit novel, Sanaaq offers an intimate look at family and community life in northern Quebec during a time of major change brought by the arrival of qallunaat. Told in 48 episodes, the story depicts the daily lives of Sanaaq, her daughter Qumaq, and their semi-nomadic community. From hunting seal to gathering mussels under sea ice, marriages made and unmade, and encounters with both human and animal danger, the book paints a vivid and familiar portrait of Inuit life. Our book club found it accurate and familiar to their own life experiences.
Have you taken part in any of our Inuttitut lessons - we would love to hear your feedback! Follow the link to fill out out feedback form:
November
In November, we were honoured to partner with the Nunatsiavut Government to host Tupik Making in our shed with Crystal Allen Webb and Kelly Nochasak McLean. Staff and community members learned the skills required to sew a tupik. A tremendous amount of work went into this project, and we hope to continue supporting this important traditional skill in future workshops.
Inotsiavik staff member Reuben Flowers began leading Men’s Snowshoe Making sessions in the shed—a practical and rewarding project that participants will be able to use for years to come.
We were happy to have a booth at the Fall Fair, where we sold merchandise. Nakummek to our Hopedale community for the continued support.
We also had a fun afternoon with the ACMS Kindergarten class, who visited the shed to help remove a sealskin from the frame and begin the softening process
Inotsiavik was pleased to host the Nunatsiavut Government’s Language Strategy Engagement Session for Hopedale community members. Developing the new language strategy is meaningful work that will help preserve Inuttitut and Inuit ways of life for generations. Nakummek to those who attended and shared their thoughts.
Our December Book Club pick is Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice. This post-apocalyptic novel follows a small northern Anishinaabe community that abruptly loses power. As confusion and panic grow, an outsider arrives from the south—and more soon follow. Amid the rising tension, a group of young people and their families turn to the land and Anishinaabe traditions in hopes of helping their community survive. Guided by Evan Whitesky, they navigate chaos, resilience, and an uncertain path forward. A great pick for the winter season.
We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! Stay tuned to our social media for updates on our plans for the New Year.
Kuvianak Inovia!
Nakummesuak taking the time to read our newsletter!
