GN celebrates Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq 2022
News Release
GN celebrates Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq 2022
Iqaluit, Nunavut (February 1, 2022) – February is Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq, an annual event promoting the importance, history, and diversity of Inuktut in Nunavut.
This year’s theme is ‘Qaggiq’, a large igloo where Inuit gathered to celebrate brighter days. Neighbouring camps and communities came together in a Qaggiq to share food, play traditional games, drum dance and sing traditional songs.
"It’s a pleasure to celebrate Inuktut during Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq with communities across our territory. This month is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our pride in our language,” said Minister of Culture and Heritage, Joanna Quassa.” We should all do our part to not only preserve but also strengthen Inuktut. I encourage all Nunavummiut to use Inuktut at home and at work, and most importantly to share the love of our language with our children.”
This year’s highlights will include videos on the GN social media channels of Elders sharing stories about the role of Qaggiq in communities, a Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq Enter to Win contest, social media posts highlighting language advocates and educators in Nunavut, a traditional word contest including language tools, as well as activities and educational materials that draw connection to Inuit culture and language.
Nunavut’s unique and distinct linguistic space in Canada will once again be celebrated through the Government of Nunavut’s ongoing partnership with Microsoft and the Microsoft translator. This year, in addition to significant updates improving the existing Inuktitut tool, Microsoft translator will now offer Roman Orthography and Inuinnaqtun text translation, bringing Inuktut to the world stage while providing practical solutions to help improve communications around the world and at home.
“It is an honour to continue supporting the Government of Nunavut in this important work,” said Kevin Peesker, President of Microsoft Canada. “The updates to the Inuktitut language model, in direct response to feedback from the community, and the addition of Inuinnaqtun to Microsoft Translator will ensure Inuktut continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Nunavummiut are invited to join the celebrations by sharing their experiences and stories around the theme of Qaggiq. Promote Inuktut everyday and participate in the fun on social media using #Quviasuutiqarniq.
For more information visit https://www.gov.nu.ca/culture-and-heritage/information/uqausirmut-quvias....
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Media Contact:
Lucy Qavavauq
Manager of Communications
Department of Culture and Heritage
867-975-5526
@email