The final report of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission (QTC) was presented on October 20, 2010 as part of the Annual General Meeting of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA). Over the next three years, an ambitious undertaking was completed to build upon the information gathered over the course of the QTC. This involved exploring in greater detail a number of the issues that emerged in the final report and creating community histories for all communities in the Qikiqtaaluk region. These efforts resulted in a substantial body of work that could then be shared with all Qikiqtaalummiut, and all Canadians.
QIA presented the full set of reports produced as a continuation of the work of the QTC. These reports include: community histories for the 13 communities in the Qikiqtaaluk region, and two special studies: “Analysis of the RCMP and the Inuit Sled Dogs Report (2006)”, and “The Official Mind of Canadian Colonialism: Government Authorities and the Qikiqtani Region 1950 to 1975.” Also included in this body of work are seven thematic reports covering the topics of healthcare, housing, economic development, policing, education, qimmiit1, and mobility.
These reports were officially released at a public ceremony on October 9, 2013 at the Anglican Parish Hall in Iqaluit, Nunavut. For this important occasion, QIA Board of Directors were joined by former QTC Commissioner, retired justice James Igloliorte, Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, officials from the Government of Nunavut, and individuals who testified at the commission.
Releasing the QTC reports was a vital step for for QIA in its ongoing efforts to work with Inuit and government to advance the recommendations made by the QTC. In Inuktitut terms, Qikiqtani Inuit are seeking saimaqatigiingniq: peace with past opponents, and a relationship characterized by mutual respect and equality. QIA hopes that the findings and recommendations of QTC, along with the history included in this collection of scholarly reports, will empower Inuit and help to heal individual wounds, bridge misunderstandings and inspire forgiveness within families and between cultures.
1 Inuktitut term for Inuit sled dogs