Were still here; NTI president gives rousing speech on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Published 3:04 pm Thursday, October 1, 2026 By William Koblensky Varela Local Journalism Initaitive Northern News Service Close to 200 people crowded into the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Hall in Iqaluit on Sept. 30 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemoration. The event usually includes a march through town, but it was moved indoors this year due to inclement weather. A moment of silence was held for the victims and survivors of residential schools before a parlak, or candy toss, was held for Elders and children. Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Gloria Uluqsi delivered a rousing speech that elicited several rounds of applause. “Our language is still here. Our culture is still here. Our knowledge is still here. We are still here,” she said. “Today, I want to thank the Inuit who survived. I want to thank our Elders and all who came before us, who refused to let go of who they were.” Even though Uluqsi said there’s a lot of healing needed in Inuit communities, celebrating the strength of survival is important too, she remarked. Uluqsi thanked Elders for their contributions to Inuit. “You carry our language. You carry our culture. You carried who we are. You carried it for us,” she said. “Now we will carry it for the generations that come after us to be a good example, and we all make it stronger.” Reflecting on Inuktut language bans, forced family separations and cultural practice bans of the past, Uluqsi marvelled at the fact that Inuit tradition persisted. “They [Elders] made sure we could inherit what others tried to take away. Because of them, we can speak our language. We can practice our culture. We can teach our children who they are and where they come from. We can be proud to be Inuit.” said Uluqsi. Qikiqtani Inuit Association President Olayuk Akesuk spoke about never forgetting the history of residential schools and their impact on Inuit families. Akesuk said he values the path of reconciliation. “I look forward each year to this event, as it is very important for us as Inuit to heal and work together to ensure that strengthening of our relationship with the world and the country of Canada,” Akesuk said. The event in Iqaluit was organized by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.