Congratulations ITK to 50 years of elevating our rights as Inuit in Canada and Internationally. It only seems like yesterday Nunavimmiut met with fellow Inuit from the Western Arctic, NWT and Labrador in 1971 to establish a great organization called Inuit Tapirisat of Canada later renamed Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
As we look back we can be proud of taking our people from a voiceless society to leaders of our homelands in Canada.
We are also always proud of Nunavik’s contribution to the recognition of Aboriginal Rights in the Canadian Constitution in the 1980s. ITC and Makivvik lead in the discussions on behalf of Canadian Inuit. We want to congratulate you on the formation of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee which has brought Inuit concerns directly to the Prime Minister’s Office on an annual basis. What a milestone.
No one ever thought we would go this far in a short 50 years. From that founding conference in Baker Lake in 1971 to annual meetings with Canada’s Prime Minister is quite an accomplishment. Bravo my fellow Inuit, Bravo.
Pita Aatami President
Makivvik
