Project Surname facts for kids

Project Surname was a special plan by the government to give family names, or surnames, to Inuit people. Before this project, many Inuit did not use family surnames like most people do today. Instead, they had a system where they were given numbers on small discs they had to wear. Project Surname aimed to replace these numbers with proper names.

Traditionally, Inuit children received several names after they were born. These names often reflected their personality or honored a relative who had passed away. Sometimes, they were even named after living relatives. If a name didn't seem to fit a child, it could be changed. While Project Surname was seen as better than the disc numbers, some people still felt it was the government telling Inuit how to live their lives.

Why Did It Start? The Disc Number System

Before Project Surname, there was a system called the Eskimo Identification Tag System. This system made every Inuk wear a small disc with a number on it. The government used these numbers to keep track of people.

The discs had letters and numbers. For example, 'E' meant Eastern Arctic, and 'W' meant Western Arctic. Then, a number showed a specific region, like E8 for someone from Ungava Bay. Government officials thought it was easier to use numbers because they found Inuit names confusing. So, a young woman known by many traditional names, and also baptized as "Annie," became "Annie E7-121" under this system. This disc system was not used in Labrador because it hadn't joined Canada yet. Inuit in Labrador who didn't have surnames by 1893 were given them by missionaries.

How Inuit Names Worked Before

Inuit had a rich tradition of naming children. Children often received many names that showed their personality or honored a relative. Naming a child after a deceased relative was common, as it was believed to help that person's life continue. Some even believed it was a form of reincarnation. Names were very important and could be changed if they didn't suit the child. This tradition of meaningful names continues today.

In Inuit culture, names help keep the lives of people, families, and communities going. Names are passed down through generations, no matter if the person is male or female. The same name can live on through many new people. These ties are so strong that, until a child becomes a teenager, how they are treated and even what they wear might follow the name's relationship, not just their biological sex.

Abe Okpik: A Champion for Change

The idea of not having surnames and the disrespectful use of disc numbers was a big problem. Abe Okpik, an Inuk who was part of the government's Legislative Assembly, spoke about it. However, it was Simonie Michael, the first Inuk person elected to the Legislative Assembly, who really brought the issue to everyone's attention.

Simonie Michael spoke out against the disc system. He explained that his mail was sent to "Simonie E7-551" instead of his full name, "Simonie Michael." He protested to the head of the Northwest Territories government, saying his mail should use his proper name.

The government then decided to start Project Surname, and Abe Okpik was chosen to lead it. Giving people surnames was seen as much more respectful than using numbers. When Okpik first joined the council, his legal name was W3-554. He wanted to choose his own surname.

Travelling to Communities

Abe Okpik knew many different Inuktitut dialects. This helped him talk directly with different communities about choosing surnames. According to his son, Roy Inglangasuk, Okpik had very little money for this project. He often had to get free rides on government planes to reach communities.

From 1968 to 1971, Okpik visited every community. He also went to many traditional campsites in the Northwest Territories, and in what are now Nunavut and Nunavik (northern Quebec). In total, he visited 55 places. He traveled by plane, snowmobile, boat, and even snowshoe. Some people criticized Okpik's methods, saying he mostly spoke to men. This meant decisions about surnames were sometimes made without input from other family members. Later, Okpik was given the Order of Canada award, partly for his important work on Project Surname.

Was Project Surname Perfect?

According to a scholar named Valerie Alia, Project Surname was a big moment in how Inuit people were identified. Its effects are still felt today. Both the disc number system and Project Surname were criticized. People felt they ignored Inuit naming customs just to make things easier for government officials who didn't understand them.

Before these systems, Inuit did not use family surnames. While Project Surname was considered less offensive than the disc numbers, it was still seen by some as the Canadian government interfering too much in Inuit lives.

Learn More

• Christianity and colonialism
• Linguistic imperialism
• Surname law