Events and Community Visits

Event: May, 2007 New Hampshire Museum Visit

To view the complete photo gallery of this event click here.

 

     Commissioner Ann Hanson was the keynote speaker at the Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, New Hampshire during May.

     The Commissioner hosted a reception for the exhibition, Our Land: Contemporary Art from the Arctic. The exhibit recognizes International Polar Year, complementing another exhibit called Thin Ice: Inuit Tradition within a Changing Environment.

      Commissioner Hanson described Nunavut to her audience as a “vast and beautiful land that has a rich and ancient cultural heritage and an immense base of natural resources.” 

      With 20 per cent of Canada’s land mass, she said Nunavut will play a key role in supporting Canada's security and sovereignty as the Arctic Ocean becomes more accessible.

      She emphasized that Inuit language, culture and heritage provide the foundations for the Inuit’s unique way of life in Canada.

       The exhibition, "Our Land" was the result of a unique collaboration between the Peabody Essex Museum, the Governments of Canada and Nunavut and the Nunavut Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and it highlights the importance of partnerships.

      The Commissioner said in the past, Inuit partnered with Southerners guiding them safely on their travels. “They hunted, fished and trapped to feed them; they built snow-houses for them and they sewed the clothing needed for survival in the Arctic. They shared their knowledge with those willing to learn.”

       “Partnerships were key to success then and partnerships will be our key to success today as we face the issues of climate change and move forward with our plans for sustainable development of our natural resources,” noted the Commissioner.  

       She said that he strength, independence and creativity of her people allowed them to thrive in the Arctic and this will be counted to take advantage of economic opportunities in today’s world where Inuit lands are being explored for diamonds, gold, uranium and base metals as well as oil and gas reserves.

       Employment, training and education will be needed as Inuit partner with government and private industry to build healthier, safer and more viable economic communities, said the Commissioner.

       The Commissioner said International Polar Year gives many people the opportunity to increase awareness of the Arctic.

       She said the art exhibit reflected “the Inuit societal values of family, community and the Inuit worldview”, as the Commissioner paid tribute to artists such as Kejojuak Ashevak, Paulassie Pootoogook and Zacharias Kunuk. “They have allowed people outside Nunavut to connect to the Arctic and the history and culture of the Inuit.”

       “Inuit art has provided people throughout the world with a better understanding of where we live and how we live,” she noted, adding that with this awareness, it will help the global community realize how vulnerable the Arctic environment is to the effects of climate change, water quality and pollutants.

       She said arts also play an important role in sustaining Inuit culture and traditions while contributing to Nunavut's developing economy, particularly its emerging film, television and new media industry.

       "Our Land" celebrates the growth of Inuit creative expression over the the last 50 years.  The images you will see here are expressions of the inner and outer worlds of my people.

        “I hope that everyone who views this exhibition comes away with a greater appreciation of Inuit and the world we live in,” said the Commissioner.

To view the complete photo gallery of this event click here.