Project Naming: Always on Our Minds

Photo of fieldworker Sheba Awa showing photographs to Elder Eugen Ipkangnak, Igloolik (formerly Iglulik) Winter 2001-2002 Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program

Research for Project Naming began in spring 2001 when a selection of photographs by Richard Harrington in the collections of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) was chosen for digitization. By October of that year, the first group of images was scanned, copied onto CD-ROM and made ready to be taken to Nunavut for identification by Elders.

The process of identification involved large public gatherings, as well as individual visits by youth to Elders' homes. One community-based event took place in Arviat (formerly Eskimo Point) in February 2003, during which photographs were projected onto a big screen in the community centre. When the faces of the people in the photographs were recognized, members of the community called out the individuals' names. In other cases, youth went door-to-door visiting Elders. Sheba Awa was one such participant, who visited many Elders living in Igloolik (Iglulik) during the winter of 2001 to 2002.

Students studying at the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program (NSTP) in Ottawa also participated in the identification of photographs for Project Naming. One student, Mathewsie Ashevak, described the rewards of his experience in Cape Dorset (Kinngait) in December 2003, when he had the opportunity to meet with three Elders: Kenojuak Ashevak, Pauta Saila and Petalusie Saila. For Mathewsie Ashevak, the most memorable aspects of meeting with the Elders was learning about their past way of life and listening to the memories and stories rekindled by the photographs.

Project Naming in Ottawa

	Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program students Karen Panigoniak, Bernice Niakrok, and Inuujaq Dean who participated in the Project Naming event, Ottawa November 2002 Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program

On November 1, 2002, students from the NSTP met at LAC in Ottawa to review the progress of Project Naming, and were joined by several Nunavut residents: Peter Irniq, Commissioner of Nunavut, and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, MP for Nunavut. This event also provided the opportunity to showcase the Project to a southern audience. While the occasion celebrated the recent successes of the Project, it also provided a venue for young people and Elders to work together on "giving" names to people who were previously unidentified in photographs.

During his address at this event, National Archivist Ian E. Wilson emphasized the significance of Project Naming and pointed out the opportunities it created. He spoke about how important it was for LAC to address the fact that there exist so many images from Canada's North in its collections, LAC whose subjects have remained anonymous until this Project.

Elder Nilaulaaq Aglukkaq, from Gjoa Haven (Ursuqtuuq), attended this Ottawa event. During the presentation of images on laptop computers, she recognized her late father, Iharrataittuq Itirujuk, among the group of previously unidentified photographs. Moved by this unexpected discovery, Aglukkaq later recorded a letter in Inuktitut to Mr. Wilson, in which she expressed her gratitude. After searching unsuccessfully for her father's picture for such a long time, finding his photograph was a very emotional and meaningful experience.

Left to right: Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq and National Archivist Ian E. Wilson watch as Elisapee Avingaq of Igloolik (Iglulik) demonstrates the use of the laptop computer at the Project Naming event in Ottawa. Other Nunavut students Miali-Elise Coley (centre) and Tommy Akulukjuk (right) look on November 2002 Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program		Tommy Akulukjuk of Pangnirtung (Pangnirtuuq) demonstrates how to use the computer to display archival photographs at the Project Naming event in Ottawa. Viewers include Quluaq Pilikapsi (left) and Monica Tuurngaq Shouldice (right), both from Rankin Inlet (Kangiqliniq) November 2002 Courtesy of Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program

Media

Read the personal account of Mathewsie Ashevak on his participation in Project Naming.

Read the transcript of the comments made by Quluaq Pilikapsi on November 1, 2002, at the Project Naming event that took place at LAC.

Listen to an excerpt of Elder Nilaulaaq Aglukkaq's letter in Inuktitut (written transcript).
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View the CBC North story in English about Project Naming in Igloolik (Iglulik), broadcast on April 23, 2002 (written transcript).
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View the CBC story in English about the Project Naming event that took place at LAC on November 1, 2002 (written transcript).
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View the A-Channel Ottawa Story (formerly known as CHRO-TV, and The New RO) in English about the Project Naming event that took place at LAC on November 1, 2002. (written transcript).
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