![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.makivvik.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481241659_938433208459258_8483003689105888009_n.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
A Powerful Start<\/strong> Learning the Ropes<\/strong> Together, they explored key topics like: Land, Climate & Responsibility<\/strong> The Negotiation Simulation<\/strong> Before the simulation began, youth led a cultural welcome through traditional throat singing and drum dancing, grounding the exercise in Inuit values and respect for the land. While the simulation didn\u2019t end with a final agreement, it offered something just as valuable: a real sense of what\u2019s at stake\u2014and what it takes\u2014to move self-determination forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking Back\u2014and Ahead<\/strong> The Journey Continues<\/strong> Submitted by the Qarjuit Youth Council From January 27 to 29, 2025, Inukjuak came alive with the energy of young Inuit leaders ready to dive into [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":19451,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"taqralik-issues":[443,123],"class_list":["post-19447","taqralikonline","type-taqralikonline","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","taqralik-issues-443","taqralik-issues-spring"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taqralikonline\/19447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taqralikonline"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/taqralikonline"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taqralikonline\/19447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19477,"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taqralikonline\/19447\/revisions\/19477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"taqralik-issues","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.makivvik.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taqralik-issues?post=19447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The event began with an inspiring opening prayer led by Elder Louisa Cookie-Brown, grounding everyone in Inuit values and the spirit of self-determination. Following this powerful moment, the youth heard from Peter Inukpuk, one of the original signatories of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement <\/em>(JBNQA<\/em>) and the current mayor of Inukjuak. His reflections on the negotiation process that shaped the JBNQA gave youth a firsthand look into the history of treaty-making in Nunavik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.makivvik.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481469836_938434095125836_6590601137756438447_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
Over three days, participants took part in interactive workshops and training sessions with experienced advisors, who guided them through real-world negotiation tactics. These sessions helped youth understand how to think critically, communicate strategically, and navigate complex political conversations\u2014skills that are essential for the next generation of Inuit leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The deep meaning of land to Inuit identity
\u2022 The ongoing impacts of colonization
\u2022 The legal and cultural intricacies of the JBNQA<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.makivvik.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481662756_938432138459365_7308746736040818997_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
A powerful theme emerged: our land is our future. Youth spoke openly about how climate change, resource extraction, and development are affecting their communities. They called for stronger Inuit-led environmental stewardship and emphasized the need to balance economic interests with respect for the land and future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The highlight of the event was the mock negotiation simulation\u2014a dynamic, role-play scenario between representatives of the Quebec government and the Inuit. Youth were divided into teams and, with the guidance of advisors, stepped into the roles of negotiators on both sides.
They applied their newly learned skills to debate, strategize, and collaborate\u2014mimicking real treaty negotiations and experiencing the pressure and complexity of defending their communities\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.makivvik.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481668947_938435208459058_1511908689705463082_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.makivvik.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/482003055_938434585125787_2359661660164356460_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
As the event wrapped up, participants gathered in a closing circle to reflect on what they had learned. Many shared feelings of empowerment, connection, and excitement for the future. They also offered suggestions for the next event\u2014like including more outdoor time to strengthen the connection between land and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.makivvik.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481986816_938431318459447_3962602814394156806_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
This simulation was just the beginning. The Qarjuit Youth Council is already planning the next event, focused on a new theme aligned with Nunavik\u2019s long-term goals for self-determination.
To every young Inuit voice out there: we see you, we hear you, and your time is now. Stay involved. Stay proud. The future is in your hands. More is coming\u2014stay tuned!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"