Avataq Cultural Institute facts for kids

The Avataq Cultural Institute is a special organization in Nunavik. Its main job is to protect and share the Inuktitut language and Inuit culture. Avataq has different teams that work on things like art, history, and language. They also have a library and an archive.

How Avataq Started

The Avataq Cultural Institute was created to help protect Inuit culture. It was formed during the first meeting of Inuit Elders. This important meeting happens every two years.

Avataq officially started its work on November 1, 1980. Its main office is in Inukjuak. They also have another office in Montreal, Quebec.

In 1984, Avataq helped with a project to record place names. This project involved elders from 12 Inuit communities in the Quebec Arctic. They helped make sure important names were remembered.

What Avataq Does

Avataq works on many important projects. These projects help keep Inuit culture strong and alive.

In 2018, Avataq worked with Dartmouth College. They helped return ancient bones to their proper resting places. These bones had been taken from Inuit gravesites a long time ago.

Also in 2018, the Institute teamed up with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. This partnership helps share and celebrate Inuit art and culture with more people.