Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit facts for kids
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (pronounced "ee-noo-eet kow-yee-ma-ya-too-ka-ngeet") is an Inuktitut phrase. It means "Inuit traditional knowledge" or "Inuit traditional ways". You might also see it called "Inuit traditional technology". Often, people just call it "IQ". The word comes from "qaujima-", which means "to know". So, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit literally means "what the Inuit have known for a long, long time."
Contents
Inuit Wisdom and Knowledge
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is a special collection of knowledge. It includes unique ideas and understandings that Inuit people have about nature, humans, and animals. It's both practical (how to do things) and about how we gain knowledge. It's based on the idea that humans are always learning and can solve problems using nature and technology.
According to a 2013 document from the Government of Nunavut, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit includes these important ideas:
- Inuuqatigiitsiarniq: This means respecting others, building good relationships, and caring for people.
- Tunnganarniq: This is about being open, welcoming, and including everyone. It helps create a good spirit.
- Pijitsirniq: This means serving and providing for your family or community, or both.
- Aajiiqatigiinniq: This is how decisions are made. People discuss things until everyone agrees.
- Pilimmaksarniq or Pijariuqsarniq: This is about learning and developing skills. You get better through practice, effort, and action.
- Piliriqatigiinniq or Ikajuqtigiinniq: This means working together to achieve a shared goal.
- Qanuqtuurniq: This is about being creative and finding new ways to do things.
- Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq: This means showing respect and care for the land, animals, and the environment.
The Inuit Language Protection Act of 2008 gives parents the right to have their children taught in Inuktitut.
Inuit knowledge passed down from elders to younger generations, and learned through experience, is also called "Inuit ecological knowledge" or "IEK". This means understanding how nature works.
Studying Traditional Knowledge
The Igloolik Research Centre in Igloolik, Nunavut, works to record Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. They also study climate and earthquake data.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Government
In the early 2000s, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit became an important idea in Nunavut. The government there wants to include traditional Inuit culture more in how they govern. This helps to make sure Inuit people feel more involved and powerful in their own land.
Some people, however, think that using IQ in politics is just for show. They believe it doesn't always lead to real changes.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in Schools and Science
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit has also become part of Canadian universities and colleges. For example, marine biologist Enooyaq Sudlovenick uses IQ in her work. She studies the health of Arctic marine animals, like beluga whales and ringed seals. She combines traditional Inuit knowledge with modern science.
See also
- Traditional ecological knowledge
