Update – An Essential Step of the Parnasimautik Process

ALL-ORGANIZATIONS MEETNG, February 4, 5 and 6, 2014

In September 2012, all regional organizations agreed on the need to conduct Parnasimautik consultations, based on Plan Nunavik and the other identified sectors, in order to identify the elements of a comprehensive vision of regional development according to Inuit culture, identity, language and traditional way of life so as to protect them now and enhance them for the future, and to protect the environment. In the fall of 2012, presentations were delivered to regional organizations and, over the course of 2013, three-day workshops were organized in every Nunavik community and sessions were held for Inuit living in Chisasibi and Montreal. An information session was also held in Kawawachikamach.

Local leaders in every community participated directly in the Parnasimautik workshops and sessions, many more Nunavimmiut voiced their opinions and ideas, and whole communities listened to deliberations from work or home on the local FM radio station. The feedback received during the consultations has been compiled and will be used to prepare the final Parnasimautik report, of which Plan Nunavik will be an integral part.

Conditions for Well-Being and Renewal

In Kuujjuaq this week, leaders of the Makivik Corporation, the Kativik Regional Government, the Kativik School Board, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, the Nunavik Landholding Corporations Association, the Avataq Cultural Institute, the Nunavik Elders’ Committee, the Saturviit Inuit Women’s Association, Taqramiut Nipingat Inc., the Anguvigak Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Association, the Saputiit Youth Association, the Nunavik Youth Houses Association, the Kativik Municipal Housing Bureau, the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund and the Federation of Cooperatives of Northern Québec met to discuss follow-up to the Parnasimautik process. The Parnasimautik consultations were meaningful, enabled Nunavik Inuit to express the many elements that must serve as a blueprint for the region’s well-being, and set the conditions for the renewal of Nunavik’s relationship with Canada, Québec and industrial developers in the spirit of the long-standing autonomy aspirations of Nunavik Inuit.

The leaders of the region’s organizations also expressed their strong desire to take concrete action to protect and preserve the Inuktitut language, and supported the creation of the Inuktitut Language Authority.

Next Steps

In order to complete a comprehensive vision of regional development, the following steps will now be taken:

• A region-wide FM radio call-in show on Taqramiut Nipingat Inc. to collect any missing elements of a vision of regional development and receive input on priorities (February).
• A youth conference to collect input on priorities of a vision of regional development (March).
• An update on proposed priorities of a vision of regional development to be delivered at the annual general meeting of the Makivik Corporation and input (March).
• The preparation and approval of a final report (April to September).

Cooperation and Coordination

To this end, the meeting participants agreed that the region’s organizations must continue to work closely together on the Parnasimautik process, to coordinate, to assign resources if necessary, and to contribute financially, each organization in its own capacity.

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